London loves a beer festival. From cask-ale institutions to modern craft blowouts, the capital hosts some of the UK's best beer events — and there's almost always something on. Here's a guide to the London beer festivals worth your time in 2026, what to expect from each, how tickets and tasting usually work, and a brilliant year-round alternative for when there isn't a festival on.
The Great British Beer Festival
CAMRA's flagship celebration of cask ale, real beer, cider and perry is a London staple, typically held over several days in summer at a major venue. Expect hundreds of beers from breweries across the country, served by volunteers, plus food and entertainment. It's the place to immerse yourself in traditional British beer culture. Dates and venue can move year to year, so check the official CAMRA website for the confirmed 2026 details.
London Craft Beer Festival
The modern counterpart to the GBBF — a lively, music-fuelled celebration of contemporary breweries, usually held in summer at an East London venue. Sessions often include your pours in the ticket price, and it's one of the best places to taste the new wave of UK and international craft all in one room. Expect DJs, street food and a younger, festival crowd.
Craft Beer Rising
A long-running showcase, traditionally held at the atmospheric Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, bringing together breweries, street food and music. It's a great winter or early-year fixture when outdoor festivals are off the table.
Beavertown Extravaganza and brewery-led events
Beyond the big ticketed festivals, individual London breweries run their own celebrations — from large one-off events like the Beavertown Extravaganza to taproom takeovers, anniversary parties and bottle releases. These are often the most exciting dates in the calendar for dedicated beer fans, so follow your favourite breweries on social media.
Seasonal and regional festivals
London also sees Oktoberfest-style events in autumn, Christmas beer markets in winter, and easy day trips to strong regional festivals — Bristol's craft beer festival among them. Whatever the season, there's usually a beer event within reach of the capital.
What to expect at a beer festival
- Tasting measures: most festivals serve thirds, halves or token-based pours so you can try widely.
- A festival glass: you'll usually get a branded glass to keep, used for all your pours.
- Food and music: street food, DJs and live acts are standard at the modern events.
- Sessions: many festivals split the day into ticketed sessions to manage numbers.
Tickets, cost and sessions
Modern craft festivals often sell session tickets that include some or all of your drinks, while traditional festivals like the GBBF typically charge entry and then pay-as-you-drink with tokens or cash. Popular sessions — especially weekend afternoons and evenings — sell out, so book ahead and check exactly what your ticket includes before you go.
Tips for any beer festival
- Plan a shortlist of must-try breweries before you go — the choice can be overwhelming.
- Drink in small measures so you can taste widely without overdoing it.
- Eat and hydrate throughout — and drink responsibly.
- Go early for the rare and limited pours, which run out fast.
- Take notes on what you love, so you can seek it out again afterwards.
No festival on? Do the Beer Mile
Here's the secret: you don't have to wait for a festival to taste dozens of London's best beers. The Bermondsey Beer Mile is essentially a year-round, walkable beer festival — a dense run of independent breweries pouring fresh, every weekend, with no tokens or queues for a single bar. Our guided tour visits six taprooms with beer included, and our route & opening times guide helps you plan a DIY visit any weekend of the year.
Make a weekend of it
Combine a festival or a Beer Mile day with the wider area — see our guide to things to do near London Bridge, or turn it into a celebration with a private group tour. However you do it, London's beer scene rewards the curious all year round.
What to wear and bring
For indoor festivals, dress comfortably and in layers — halls can get warm once they fill up. For outdoor or arch venues, bring a jacket and wear shoes you can stand in for hours. Carry a card and a little cash, your ID (these are strictly over-18s events), and a fully charged phone for tickets and tracking down friends. Most festivals provide a glass; if not, a small lanyard glass-holder is a festival veteran's secret weapon.
Getting to and from London beer festivals
Use public transport — venues are usually well served by the Underground and rail, and you won't want to drive after a session anyway. Check the last train or tube home before you go, and plan a sensible exit so the day ends well. If you're travelling in from out of town, a central base around London Bridge keeps you close to both the festivals and the Beer Mile.
Festival etiquette
A few unwritten rules: pace yourself, don't hog the popular bars, tip or thank the volunteers and brewers, and remember that limited beers are limited for a reason — share the love. Above all, look after your group and each other. A great festival day is a marathon of small measures, not a sprint.
Beer festivals vs the Bermondsey Beer Mile
Festivals are fantastic — but they're occasional, ticketed and often crowded, and you're drinking in a hall or field rather than where the beer is actually made. The Bermondsey Beer Mile offers many of the same pleasures — huge variety, a festival atmosphere, rare and one-off beers — but every weekend of the year, in the breweries themselves, with no single queue for one giant bar. For many beer lovers it's the best of both worlds: the discovery of a festival with the authenticity of a brewery visit. If you can't wait for the next big event, or you simply prefer something more relaxed and walkable, a day on the Mile is the answer. Our guided tour makes it effortless, and our best breweries guide points you to the highlights.