The 13th Old Town Beer & Cider Festival took place at Christ Church in Old Town across four days in May. This year’s special ‘Centurion Edition’ featured 100 beers and ciders and welcomed 1,507 people through its doors.
Organisers say the festival generated a surplus of £25,388.80, bringing its total fundraising contribution since launching in 2013 to £156,974.61.
Saturday was the busiest day of the event, with around 900 people attending. Visitors enjoyed a wide selection of beers and ciders, live music and food vendors, while favourable weather helped boost attendance.
Chris Smith, festival organiser, said:
“When we started this festival 13 years ago, I don’t think any of us imagined it would go on to raise more than £156,000 for community and charitable causes. To welcome more than 1,500 people this year, attract record sponsorship and fill Christ Church with such a positive atmosphere shows just how much the event means to Old Town.”
The festival continued to expand beyond its traditional offering this year.
An opening night comedy event drew more than 200 people and featured comedians Samantha Day, Huw Davies and headliner Esther Manito.
A new partnership with the Swindon Festival of Literature also introduced a ‘Brews and Beats’ session examining the connection between beer and music.
Organisers reported a significant increase in Friday evening attendance, helped by a networking event for sponsors ahead of the main festival opening.
A total of 52 businesses supported the festival, including 25 first-time sponsors. Sponsorship income reached almost £10,000, nearly double the figure achieved in 2025.
Around 60 volunteers helped deliver the event, taking on roles including bar work, welcoming visitors and managing the site throughout the four days.
Feedback from attendees was highly positive, with visitors praising the atmosphere, entertainment, food, volunteer team and the setting inside Christ Church. The event achieved an average rating of 4.77 out of 5.
New attractions this year included a family music bingo session, an expanded range of alcohol-free drinks and a larger selection of gluten-free beers.
Organisers also faced challenges in the lead-up to the event, including slower ticket sales after social media platforms restricted the reach of unpaid alcohol-related promotions.
More than half of all online tickets were sold during the final three weeks before the festival after paid advertising campaigns were introduced.
The event also provided benefits beyond fundraising. A raffle raised around £1,200, while local charities, community groups, businesses, authors and booksellers were given opportunities to engage with visitors.
Planning is already underway for the 14th Old Town Beer & Cider Festival, which is scheduled to return to Christ Church between Thursday 6th May and Sunday 9th May 2027.
More than a decade after it was first established as a community fundraiser, the festival has become one of Old Town’s best-known annual events, raising significant sums for charitable causes while bringing together thousands of people from across the area.
