The Old Town Beer and Cider Festival will return from Wednesday 7 May to Saturday 10 May at Christ Church and surrounding community spaces in Old Town.
Now in its 13th year, the event has been rebranded for 2026 as the “Centurion Edition”. Organisers say it will feature 100 beers and ciders on tap, marking its largest selection to date.
The festival opens on Wednesday evening with a Old Town Comedy Club, comedy night headlined by Esther Manito, who has appeared on television programmes including Live at the Apollo. She will be supported by rising comics and a local MC.
On Friday afternoon, the focus shifts again through a partnership with Swindon Literature Festival.
The session, titled “Tasting Notes”, will be led by beer writer Pete Brown. It will explore the relationship between music and flavour, pairing drinks with sound in a format more commonly associated with arts festivals.
By Friday evening and into Saturday, the festival returns to live music alongside the full beer and cider offering.
Acts including What The Pluck, The Saga Louts and Splat The Rat are set to perform. Organisers say continuing to platform local musicians remains an important part of the event’s identity.
Sunday’s programme concludes with a family-focused “Music Bingo” session. The addition is intended to widen the audience and reinforce the festival’s inclusive approach.
Organiser Chris Smith said “People always raise an eyebrow when you say ‘beer festival in a church’, but frankly if you can’t bring people together over good beer, good music and a few laughs, what hope have you got?”
Organisers have also highlighted a sustainability element to the weekend.
They have made clear that some drinks are likely to sell out as the event progresses. Rather than overstocking, they say this approach is designed to reduce waste.
Tickets for the Centurion Edition are now on sale, with options available for individual sessions across all four days.
While the festival centres on beer and cider, its broader programme reflects a blend of comedy, literature, live music and family entertainment. For Swindon, it really is something quite special.
