York’s Beer Festivals: What’s New in 2026

York’s beer festivals return with a new look in 2026

York’s main beer event returns to St Lawrence Parish Church from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 September 2026. The York Beer & Cider Festival will bring more than 200 beers and ciders to Lawrence Street, alongside wines, prosecco, meads, soft drinks and food. It is close to Walmgate Bar and the City Walls, making it easy to fit into a city-centre day without moving far from the usual York circuit.

The festival keeps its broad drinks line-up, but the 2026 edition also gives visitors a few new details to look out for. Souvenir glasses cost £3.50, with new bowl-shaped Mencia glasses joining the full-colour souvenir pint glasses and goblets. You need to bring a CE-marked lined glass or buy one at the festival before you can be served. Card or device payment is preferred for entry, glasses and food vendors.

The session set-up changes across the four days. On Wednesday, CAMRA members can enter free from 15:00, while public entry begins at 17:00 for £4.50; an invitation-only trade session starts at 13:00. Thursday has afternoon and evening sessions at £5.50 each, or an all-day ticket for £8.50. Friday’s sessions cost £8.50 each, with an all-day ticket priced at £12.50. Saturday runs from 12:00 to 22:30, with entry before 17:30 and pay-on-the-door entry after that both priced at £8.50. CAMRA members receive free entry to all sessions, but still need to reserve online and show their membership card. Children can attend free, although they must leave by 20:00.

For a different take on the beer-festival format, Yorktoberfest returns for its sixth year at the Clocktower Enclosure at York Racecourse on 16–17 and 23–24 October. The new feature for 2026 is the move into a Big Blue Top, giving the event a Bavarian Beer Haus setting rather than an open racecourse arrangement. The Bavarian Strollers provide live oompah music, while Velma Celli brings her live vocal drag show; further circus-style entertainment is also planned. Drinks come from the Bavarian Bar, including Brew York beers, and the Dog Haus serves bratwurst, currywurst, schnitzel, pretzels, apple strudel and vegan and vegetarian choices. Evening sessions run from 19:00 to 23:00, with a Saturday daytime session from 13:00 to 17:00. Tickets start at £25 for an unreserved individual place, with reserved tables and VIP options available. This event is strictly 18-plus, with ID checks for anyone under 25.

The timing also places the York Beer & Cider Festival alongside the York Food & Drink Festival, which runs from 18 to 27 September. Its new 2026 hub is St Sampson’s Centre, where free cookery demonstrations, tastings and workshops sit alongside the wider programme. The Great Yorkshire Tasting focuses on local wines, beers and spirits, while the Assize of Ale returns on Saturday 26 September, continuing York’s medieval ale-tasting tradition with teams visiting five city-centre pubs before a fish-and-chip supper. Together, the events give September a particularly full drinks programme, while Yorktoberfest offers a separate October option with a more themed, entertainment-led evening.