If your idea of a good time involves trying loads of different drinks, snacking on tasty food, and enjoying it all somewhere that feels a bit special—York Beer Festival might be right up your street. Especially when it’s back for 2025 and once again being held at the gorgeous St Lawrence’s Church on Lawrence Street. Whether you’re a craft beer nerd, a cider sipper or just curious, this one’s worth popping in the calendar.
A mid-September treat (and yes, there’s a special Trade Session)
The dates are now locked in. So if you’re in the drinks industry—or even thinking of getting into it—you’ll want to note this one down: Wednesday 17th September from 1pm to 3pm is the Trade Session, a time for brewers, landlords, bar staff and general drinksy types to come and explore what’s on offer before the bigger crowds arrive.
And don’t worry—once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like. No kicking out at 3.
The venue’s looking better than ever
Now, we all know festivals can sometimes be a bit muddy or awkward underfoot. But that’s not the vibe here. The grounds of St Lawrence’s Church have been properly landscaped, with quality surfaces that mean you’re less likely to spill your pint while dodging a pothole.
It’s not just about appearances either—being in a setting like this adds a real charm to the event. It feels like something a bit different. Less like a giant beer tent, more like a relaxed gathering with character.
180+ beers, ciders and more for 2025
Let’s get to the good stuff. The drinks.
- Around 180 beers and ciders
- A selection of wines and mead (yep, mead—making a bit of a comeback)
- Some new food vendors, plus a snack stall for when you just want something simple
- A range of educational beer-related events, which might sound a bit school-y, but are usually pretty fun (and yes, there’s often samples)
You’ll be able to discover small breweries you’ve never heard of, revisit some old favourites, and try a few wildcard flavours that may or may not change your mind about sours forever.
When and how to get your tickets
The best bit? Tickets for the Trade Session are complimentary. You just need to keep an eye on the York Beer Festival website, where they’ll be made available to order soon. Easy.
If you’re not part of the trade or you’ve got mates who want to come along too, general entry details will be up there too. So no one’s left out.
Stay in the loop
Organisers have promised regular updates, so it’s worth:
- Following the York Beer Festival on social media
- Checking your inbox if you’re already on their mailing list
You’ll get the latest on which breweries are confirmed, what talks or workshops are planned, and of course—when tickets officially go live.
So whether you’re in it for the hoppy IPAs, the sweet ciders, the historic vibes, or just a good day out in York, mark down 17th September 2025 and get ready. Because it looks like the York Beer Festival is shaping up to be another cracking event.
