The Ultimate UK Beer Festival Bucket List for 2026
If there’s one thing the British can argue about more passionately than the weather, it’s beer. Luckily, 2026 promises a bumper crop of beer festivals across the UK, from classic CAMRA celebrations to quirky local events and innovative craft gatherings. Whether you’re a pint purist, a cider devotee, or a craft-curious wanderer, there’s a festival waiting for you. So polish your glass, pack your reusable tasting notebook, and let’s have some fun!
UK Beer Festivals Near Me
Looking for a festival just around the corner? Local events are perfect for a spontaneous weekend adventure without needing to book a B&B.
Fleet Beer Festival – Harlington Bar, Fleet
📍 Harlington Bar, Fleet, Hampshire
📅 1 August 2026
A smaller festival with around 40 real ales and many ciders — ideal for sampling regional breweries you’ve never heard of. Fleet station is a 20-minute walk away.
Reedham Beer Festival
📍 Reedham Village Hall, Norfolk
📅 17–19 July 2026
Village charm meets big flavours in this traditional local festival at the Humpty Dumpty Brewery. Just make sure you don’t go sitting on a wall after a few jars.
Chappel Summer Beer Festival
📍 East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel, Essex
📅 8–12 September 2026
Pair historic steam trains with fine ales and local crafts for a uniquely East Anglian experience.
These neighbourhood festivals prove that you don’t need to travel far to sip well — often the smaller crowds mean more conversation, more tasting, and less queuing at the taps.
CAMRA Beer Festivals
If real ale is your calling, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) festivals are legendary. Expect classic cask ales, a friendly atmosphere, and lots of cheerful chatter about hops, malt and why the proper pour matters.
Liverpool Beer Festival
📍 Lutyens Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool, L3 5TQ
📅 19–21 February 2026
North Sussex Equinox Beer & Cider Festival – Horsham
📍 Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF
📅 20–21 March 2026
Farnham Beerex
📍 Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR
📅 23–25 April 2026
Cambridge Beer Festival – Jesus Green
📍 Victoria Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3AX
📅 18–23 May 2026
CAMRA festivals are a rite of passage for any ale lover, offering dozens of real ales, meads and ciders. They’re perfect for meeting locals, swapping tasting notes and enjoying a community of people who are equally passionate about proper pints.
London Beer Festivals
London is a playground for beer lovers, mixing historic pubs, craft breweries and festival tents full of personality.
Ealing Beer Festival
📍 Walpole Park, Ealing, London W5
📅 8–11 July 2026 (provisional)
London Craft Beer Festival – Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane
📍 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
📅 17-18 July 2026
Celebrate London’s craft scene with international brews, street food, and live music.
Windsor & Eton Brewery Festival
📍 Windsor & Eton Brewery Unit 4 Taproom, Windsor, SL4 1PF
📅 24–26 July 2026
London festivals are perfect for a day trip, weekend getaway or long weekend, combining sightseeing and sipping. Whether you’re after classic ales or experimental brews, the capital offers it all.
Festival Etiquette With a Smile
Heading to your first beer festival? Keep it fun and friendly with these tips:
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Glassware Matters – Most festivals give you a souvenir glass. Use it to track your tasting journey and keep it safe between sessions..
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Eat Often – A full stomach makes for a much more enjoyable and regret-free festival experience.
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Share the Fun – Try beers you wouldn’t normally choose. A recommendation from a fellow festival-goer could open your mind — and your taste buds.
A New Era for UK Beer Festivals in 2026
While the Great British Beer Festival has been cancelled in 2026 due to financial challenges faced by CAMRA, smaller and regional festivals are thriving. In fact, this is the perfect chance to explore local, quirky and craft-focused events that you might otherwise overlook. From classic ales to summery lagers, bustling halls to village tents, 2026 offers a beer adventure for every taste and travel style.
Plan ahead, pace yourself, and embrace that uniquely British blend of camaraderie, conversation, and carbonation. Here’s to a frothy, fun-filled year of beer festivals!
