South East England Beer Festivals 2026

Explore exceptional beer festivals from the coastal celebrations of Brighton and Portsmouth to the historic brewing towns of Oxford and Canterbury. South England blends seaside charm with traditional brewing heritage for diverse festival experiences.

Festivals
73
Breweries
292
Cities
4

The South East's diverse beer festival scene

The South East offers Britain's most varied festival landscape, where coastal cities, historic market towns and Kent's famous hop country each bring something different. It is a region that balances centuries of brewing heritage with one of the country's most independent craft scenes.

Brighton leads the modern side, its festivals as creative and independent as the city itself, spilling across breweries, bars and pop-up venues. Canterbury and the Kent countryside keep festivals rooted in the county's hop-growing past, while Oxford and Southampton add college-town and waterfront events to the mix.

The South East is also home to some of the longest-running festivals in the country, including town and village events that have welcomed drinkers for decades. Expect a real range, from carefully kept Sussex and Kent cask to barrel-aged and farmhouse styles, usually with cider, food and a relaxed crowd.

With the coast, the Downs and the hop gardens all within easy reach, festival-going here doubles as a great day out. Our South East breweries guide introduces the brewers behind the beer, and the listings below show what is coming up.

Brighton Pier entrance with visitors, iconic venue for South England beer festivals
Historic Canterbury riverside building hosting craft beer events
Historic Oxford architecture in city known for traditional ale festivals
Modern Southampton architecture in city hosting South Coast beer festivals

Upcoming Beer Festivals in South East England

Bluebell Railway Rail Ale Special festival details

Happening now

Bluebell Railway Rail Ale Special

Fri 15 May - Fri 24 July 2026

Sheffield Park Railway Station, Uckfield

Enjoy a Friday evening with steam, real ale, sausage & mash meal and live music. Back again for 2026 is our Rail Ale Special, where you can enjoy a hand-picked selection of some of the finest real ales from across the country that are available both on the train and at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes stations. And best of all, the first pint is on us! Board the train at either Sheffield Park station (6pm departure) or East Grinstead station (6:55pm departure) for a trip through the Sussex countryside whilst enjoying the first selection of real ales, available from the bar on the train, before alighting at Sheffield Park, where your sausage & mash supper will be served in the Bessemer Arms. Whilst enjoying your meal, there will be a chance to sample further real ales from the Bessemer Arms bar. After your meal, board the train for an 8:35pm departure bound for Horsted Keynes, where you can enjoy the music from our live band on the platform. The King George V bar will be open, offering a further selection of real ales, and of course, the bar on the train will still be open, giving you even more choice. Your return train will then depart from Horsted Keynes at 9:50pm, travelling to East Grinstead, arriving at 10:15pm, before returning to Sheffield Park at 11:13pm. A limited selection of wines and soft drinks will also be available from the bar on the train and the Bessemer Arms and King George V bars.

Ealing Beer Festival 2026 festival details

Happening now

Ealing Beer Festival 2026

Wed 8 - Sat 11 July 2026

Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, London

London's largest outdoor beer festival, held in the Grade II Walpole Park in Ealing. Featuring over 350 cask ales, ciders, perries, craft keg, wines and world beers. Admission tickets are available on the door, however advance tickets are available online, offering the benefit of guaranteed entry in a pre-paid entry lane at no extra charge.

Ravensthorpe Beer Festival & Family Day festival details

Happening now

Ravensthorpe Beer Festival & Family Day

Fri 10 - Sat 11 July 2026

Ravensthorpe Playing Field, Northampton

Enjoy two summer days of live music and entertainment, choosing from a great selection of local craft beers, drinks, and food. With headline bands on the main stage each night, and free children’s entertainment all day Saturday, there’s something for everyone.

11th BerkoBeerFest festival details

Happening now

11th BerkoBeerFest

Fri 10 - Sat 11 July 2026

Kitcheners Field, Berkhamsted

A range of 24 real ales and 27 craft beers (and lager) from breweries in and around the Chilterns. Also 24 ciders plus wine and soft drinks. Friday Comedy Night with four top comedians from the Edinburgh Fringe and TV. Checkout advance tickets . Eight fantastic local bands are performing throughout Saturday. Check out advanced entry, including festival glass, and offers on beer tokens. A variety of food available through our vendors.

Cuddington Beer Festival festival details

Happening now

Cuddington Beer Festival

Fri 10 - Sat 11 July 2026

2nd Cuddington, Worcester Park

A lively, community-centric celebration of real ales, ciders, and local spirit. Organised by the 2nd Cuddington Scout Group as a fundraiser for Scouting activities. It’s become a staple summer event in the local calendar, mixing great drinks with music, food, and community buzz.

Stony Stratford CC Beer Festival 2026 festival details

Happening now

Stony Stratford CC Beer Festival 2026

Fri 10 - Sun 12 July 2026

Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Milton Keynes

Three days of festival fun, with live music, Beer, prosecco, wine and non-alcoholic options.

Crossways Beer Festival festival details

Happening now

Crossways Beer Festival

Fri 10 - Sun 12 July 2026

The Crossways Inn, Farnham

It is the most magnificent time of the year. It's the Crossways Inn Annual Beer Festival! We can only hope for good weather, but we can guarantee good beer and cider. Come along and try something new 🍺 30 beers and 8 ciders

Tempsford Beer Festival festival details

This weekend

Tempsford Beer Festival

Sat 11 July 2026

Stuart Memorial Hall, Sandy

A community event featuring local beers and live acoustic music.

Mad Cat Brewery Ale Tasting & BBQ festival details

Recently added

Mad Cat Brewery Ale Tasting & BBQ

Tue 14 July 2026

Sheldwich Cricket Club, Lees Ct Rd, Sheldwich Lees, Faversham

To celebrate his new ownership of Mad Cat Brewery, Head Brewer Cam Smith has created a bespoke selection of experimental beers exclusively for this event. There will also be some crowd favourites. £20 ENTRY INCLUDES: ✔ Beer tasting panel of 4 beers ✔ Pint of your choice from the bar: Lager | Big Stik NZ IPA | English IPA | Fruit Cider TBC (Probably Raspberry and Lemon) ✔ Beef burger or gourmet hot dog ✔ A puuurfect evening 50% of proceeds will be donated to the Sheldwich Scout Troop to help fund their 2027 trip to Norway. Free parking on site Limited Availability – Max Capacity 80. Online tickets end at 01:00 on Monday 13/07 so we can plan catering accordingly.

The Bear of North Moreton Craft Beer & Cricket Festival 2026 festival details

Recently added

The Bear of North Moreton Craft Beer & Cricket Festival 2026

Thu 16 - Sun 19 July 2026

North Moreton Hall Defibrillator, Didcot

The Bear of North Moreton is incredibly excited to announce the return of the world-famous BEER AND CRICKET FESTIVAL for our fourth year. If you've really not heard of it, expect the following: A huge selection of local beers and ciders with American-style barbecue food available all weekend. High-octane village cricket tournaments, including international players competing at the pinnacle of their powers. For so long, the perfect marriage of pub, cricket club, idyllic village life and the summer - the festival produces memories for life, and we can't wait to bring it back stronger than ever.

The Dolphin Beer & Cider Festival festival details

Free entry

The Dolphin Beer & Cider Festival

Fri 17 - Sun 19 July 2026

The Dolphin, Canterbury

A beer and cider festival, filled with lots of local ales and ciders plus delicious sausages from our good friends at Hedgers Butchers!🐬 BBQ, Hog Roast and Live Music