York Beer and Cider Festival Set for September 16-19, 2026 at St Lawrence Church

Excitement is brewing in York as the annual York Beer and Cider Festival gears up for another fantastic year. Organised by the York Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the festival will take place from Wednesday 16th to Saturday 19th September 2026 at the stunning St Lawrence Church, located at the top of Hull Road. This year marks the fourth time the festival has been held at this magnificent venue, which has quickly become a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

Festival Launch at the Golden Slipper

Members of York CAMRA recently gathered at the Golden Slipper pub to officially launch this year’s festival. The Golden Slipper is a fitting location for the event, being named the current “Pub of the Season” by CAMRA and historically significant as the branch’s first headquarters back in 1974. It was also featured in the very first Good Beer Guide, which was launched in York during a National AGM that same year.

York CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival poster with stained glass design

Group of people in a pub wearing purple festival shirts holding flyers

Man wearing festival t-shirt sitting in a cozy pub

Festival organiser Karl Smith expressed his enthusiasm:

“We’re delighted to be able to announce that tickets are now on sale for our 52nd Beer Festival and the 4th festival at the wonderful St Lawrence Church, which has proved a very popular new venue.”

“Our beer festival remains the highlight of the year in York for thousands of local residents and visitors from around the UK who attend to sample the largest collection of real ales, craft beers and ciders available in one place – over 200 in all. Be sure to get your tickets early to ensure you get to attend your preferred session, and we’ve already seen a big uptake from CAMRA members who enjoy free entry to every session for the first time ever.”

A Taste of What’s to Come

This year’s festival promises an impressive array of drinks to suit all tastes. Attendees can look forward to:

• Over 200 carefully selected real ales and craft beers from local, UK, and overseas brewers.

• A variety of ciders, perries, mead, and wines.

• Quality local gin and tonic available from the Wine Bar.

• New bowl-shaped Mencia glasses for craft ale, along with the usual pint and goblet versions, available for £3.50.

• Hot and soft drinks from the CAMRA snack bar.

In addition to the drinks, the festival will feature a Locale blind-tasting competition, where participants can test their knowledge of local beers. A special brew has been created in collaboration with Trig Brewery, which is sure to be a highlight for beer enthusiasts.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

The festival is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Accompanied children can attend for free until 8pm, and dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds. There are also wheelchair-friendly facilities available to ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities. A variety of street food vendors will be present, offering an exciting selection of world cuisines, alongside a snack bar featuring traditional pub favourites. This blend of food and drink is set to create a lively, celebratory atmosphere that festival-goers have come to love.

Volunteering and Sponsorship Opportunities

The festival relies heavily on volunteers to help set up, run, and take down the event. Most volunteers are CAMRA members, but anyone can lend a helping hand. The friendly festival team is known for its welcoming vibe, and volunteers enjoy generous staff benefits. Those interested in volunteering can find more information on the festival’s dedicated webpage. For local businesses and pubs, sponsorship opportunities are also available, starting from just £100 + VAT to sponsor a cask. Sponsors receive valuable exposure and perks, including free entry to the festival on a day of their choosing.

Ticket Information

Advance tickets for the York Beer and Cider Festival are now available. With the popularity of the event, it is advisable to secure tickets early to avoid disappointment. CAMRA members can enjoy free admission by presenting a current membership card, a new benefit that applies to all UK CAMRA festivals. More details, including ticket purchasing and information about volunteering and sponsorship, can be found on the official festival website at yorkbeerfestival.uk. This year’s York Beer and Cider Festival promises to be an unforgettable event, celebrating the rich culture of brewing while bringing together the community in a fun and friendly environment.