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- What to know before you book
- Highlights and standouts
- Saint-Malo Craft Beer Expo — March 20–22
- Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest — March 21
- Great Vegas Festival of Beer — March 28
- Barcelona Beer Festival — April 10–12
- Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival — April 10–11
- Mikro’s Greenhouse Beer Festival — April 12
- Brewgaloo — April 24–25
- Calgary International Beerfest — May 1–2
- Budapest Beer Week — May 4–10
- Swansea Craft Brew Festival — May 30
- Vermont Brewers Festival — July 17–18
- London Craft Beer Festival — July 17–18
- Great American Beer Festival — October 10–11
- Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) — November 13
- Brewbound Live — December 9–10
- Why 2026 is worth watching
From seaside expos in Brittany to barrelling showcases in Chicago, 2026’s calendar is packed with craft-beer events that matter to drinkers, brewers and industry professionals alike. These festivals are where new styles debut, small breweries find customers, and rare bottles change hands — so planning now can mean catching limited releases, scoring better tickets and making the most of networking opportunities.
| Event | Location | Dates | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Malo Craft Beer Expo | Saint-Malo, France | March 20–22 | Regional trade fair and homebrewers’ competition |
| Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest | Suwanee, GA, USA | March 21 | Huge lineup of American craft brewers; festival staple |
| Great Vegas Festival of Beer | Las Vegas, NV, USA | March 28 | High-energy urban event with music and food |
| Barcelona Beer Festival | Barcelona, Spain | April 10–12 | Southern Europe’s major craft showcase with pairings |
| Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival | Atlantic City, NJ, USA | April 10–11 | Final edition marks two decades of regional celebration |
| Mikro’s Greenhouse Beer Festival | Cheshire, CT, USA | April 12 | Intimate, indoor tasting among glasshouse blooms |
| Brewgaloo Craft Beer Festival | Raleigh, NC, USA | April 24–25 | Statewide showcase with a Friday kickoff party |
| Calgary International Beerfest | Calgary, Canada | May 1–2 | Canada’s largest beer fest with seminars and VIP perks |
| Budapest Beer Week | Budapest, Hungary | May 4–10 | Weeklong program across venues; family- and dog-friendly |
| Swansea Craft Brew Festival | Swansea, Wales | May 30 | Short, local festival with inclusive and gluten-free options |
| Vermont Brewers Festival | Burlington, VT, USA | July 17–18 | Lakefront event with fermentation panels and local focus |
| London Craft Beer Festival | London, England | July 17–18 | Hundreds of UK and international beers in Southwark Park |
| Great American Beer Festival | Denver, CO, USA | October 10–11 | Major U.S. competition and nationwide brewer gathering |
| Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) | Chicago, IL, USA | November 13 | North America’s leading barrel-aged beer showcase |
| Brewbound Live | Los Angeles, CA, USA | December 9–10 | Industry-focused conference with consumer sampling |
What to know before you book
Across the season you’ll see two consistent themes: a strong focus on experimentation (fruited ales, sour projects, and barrel-aged treatments) and a split between consumer-focused celebrations and industry trade days. If you’re aiming to taste rare or one-off productions, consider early access passes — they often include limited pours and quieter tasting windows.
- Buy tickets early: many festivals release limited early-bird or VIP packages that sell out fast.
- Check trade versus public hours: several events reserve mornings for professionals.
- Bring ID and a reusable tasting glass when allowed; some events include it in admission.
- Plan travel around marquee launches—rare bottles and collabs are frequently scheduled for trade or VIP sessions.
Highlights and standouts
Saint-Malo Craft Beer Expo — March 20–22
The Breton port of Saint-Malo hosts a focused trade fair that doubles as a showcase for regional craft producers and visiting international breweries. Workshops and a judged amateur-brewing contest give homebrewers a reason to attend beyond tasting.
Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest — March 21
Short but dense, this single-day Georgia festival typically features hundreds of American beers and a large outdoor crowd. Expect family-style festival food, lawn games and a strong emphasis on accessibility for the general public.
Great Vegas Festival of Beer — March 28
Las Vegas’s take on a beer festival leans into entertainment: multiple music stages, performance elements and curated food vendors alongside large brewer tents. Advance online sales are mandatory for entry.
Barcelona Beer Festival — April 10–12
One of Southern Europe’s more culinary-minded festivals, Barcelona’s program pairs beers with cheeses, chocolates and kitchen demos — useful for anyone interested in beer-and-food matching.
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival — April 10–11
This edition is notable because organizers have announced it will be the event’s final run. As a result, look for anniversary programming and special pours tied to the festival’s 20th year.
Mikro’s Greenhouse Beer Festival — April 12
Held in a large glasshouse, this Connecticut gathering feels intimate compared with city block festivals. It’s also a fundraiser for local causes, so purchases support regional charities as well as craft brewers.
Brewgaloo — April 24–25
Raleigh’s downtown festival attracts tens of thousands and features a Friday night kickoff that often includes barrel-aged and limited-release samplings not available on the free Saturday street festival.
Calgary International Beerfest — May 1–2
Canada’s largest beer event mixes educational seminars with a vast sampling hall. VIP packages typically add early entry, private facilities and seminar access.
Budapest Beer Week — May 4–10
Stretching across multiple venues for a full week, Budapest’s event is one of the continent’s more eclectic, offering unlimited tastings at some sites and an emphasis on international collaboration.
Swansea Craft Brew Festival — May 30
A compact, afternoon-only event that prides itself on inclusivity — from non-alcoholic options to gluten-free offerings — and a strong local music presence.
Vermont Brewers Festival — July 17–18
On Lake Champlain, Burlington’s long-running festival blends scenic setting with educational programming, including fermentation-focused panel discussions featuring regional experts and chefs.
London Craft Beer Festival — July 17–18
Now at Southwark Park, the London event continues to expand its roster of domestic and international breweries; an all-inclusive ticket often covers hundreds of beers and ciders.
Great American Beer Festival — October 10–11
The GABF remains one of the industry’s barometers: large-scale competitions, medal ceremonies and a broad cross-section of American brewing talent. Note that ticket sales typically open in early summer — sign up for announcements.
Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) — November 13
FoBAB specializes in oak- and barrel-matured beers and is a primary stop for collectors and enthusiasts of aged sours, stouts and blends — expect many festival-only bottlings.
Brewbound Live — December 9–10
Positioned as a trade and conference event, Brewbound Live targets professionals but leaves room for public tastings. It also runs programming such as the Pitch Slam, which connects start-ups with industry mentors and buyers.
Why 2026 is worth watching
As the craft beer scene continues to diversify, festivals in 2026 reflect both maturation and experimentation. Established gatherings are refining trade programming and VIP offerings, while smaller events emphasize community, sustainability and regional identity. Whether you’re scouting new collaborations, planning a beer-focused trip, or just chasing a rare pour, these dates are the practical starting points for the year ahead.
Pro tip: subscribe to individual festival newsletters and follow official social channels for last-minute bottle drops, shipping restrictions and volunteer opportunities that can offset ticket costs while granting early access.
