FAQs 2025
Are advance tickets available?
Yes and you get Fast Track entry for the session you’ve booked! They are on sale now. We have increased capacity for 2025, though expect Friday and Saturday afternoon to be busy. Therefore we STRONGLY ADVISE you to buy your advance tickets here: York beer and cider festival 2025 tickets to avoid disappointment if they sell out. On Saturday, advance tickets will allow entry before 17:30. After 17:30 it will be Pay on the door only.
Keep an eye on our social media for updates.
CAMRA member discounts?
There is a CAMRA member discount of £2 per session and £3 for an all-day ticket. Please link to your membership number when you buy your advance tickets here: York beer and cider festival 2025 tickets. You MUST show your valid membership card on entry.
Can I bring children?
Adult accompanied children are welcome any time up to 20:00, although the afternoon sessions are considered more appropriate. We will have outdoor marquees, and outdoor seating. There is more seating in the Church Hall and a few pews in the Church.
Please note that at all times children will be the responsibility of their parents or carers. Outside the site entrance, there is a busy road so please take care your children do not leave the site unaccompanied. Please ensure your children are effectively supervised and well behaved at all times.
Can I bring my own drinks?
No, we offer all types of drink on site.
Can I stay on between sessions?
Apart from Wednesday and Saturday, the afternoon and evening sessions are separate bookings similar to many beer festivals. Changeover time is 17:30. There will be specific wristbands to allow entry for each session.
We will offer drinking up time for afternoon session holders until around 18:00 and then start checking wristbands and asking you to leave the site.
You can buy a day ticket priced less than two full sessions and you will be able to purchase a top up ticket when you are enjoying the afternoon session so much you want to stay on.
Buy your advance tickets here: York beer and cider festival 2025 tickets.
Can I volunteer to work at the festival?
Yes you can. We need volunteers to work selflessly on all aspects of the festival from setup to takedown, as well as when we are open.
We are recruiting volunteers (CAMRA members) to work in all areas of the festival. When you work a full session either behind the bar or in another capacity we will give you a drink and food allowance as a thank you. Where you volunteer for at least two sessions we will provide a t-shirt.
You can find out more in our Volunteering 2025 section. To apply please fill in the online 2025 staffing form on that page.
Are there any Covid precautions?
The virus remains in circulation and can be asymptomatic. Infectious diseases – if you are ill and have symptoms likely to spread infection please think of others and stay away on this occasion.
Do I have to buy a glass?
Yes. We offer full colour 2025 Souvenir Pint glasses and Goblets which cost £3 each (non-refundable). Alternatively you can also bring your own glass providing it is CE marked and lined – e.g. previous Festival polycarbonates.
Where you are attending multiple days please re-use your glass.
We don’t charge for glasses within the entry price as that brings problems with the many customers who attend on multiple days and don’t need/want to pay for a new glass every day.
Do you offer corporate packages?
Yes we do. Please contact comms@yorkbeerfestival.camra.org.uk.
Do you sell drinks in less than a pint?
Yes – our glasses are marked for thirds and half pint measures as well.
How do I pay for drinks?
CARD and CONTACTLESS are our default payment methods and also for caterers. There are no beer tokens.
How much is a pint?
Previous visitors will know that we have a policy of keeping prices as reasonable as possible.
Beers will be priced individually according to their strength (ABV) and broadly in line with local pub prices.
I don’t drink beer – what else is served?
If real ale isn’t your thing then there’s some great keg beers, continental lagers and cider on offer plus wines, meads and prosecco. Non-alcoholic beer, water and soft drinks will be available.
Is smoking allowed?
No smoking or vaping is allowed inside the church, hall or marquees. Please respect other guests in your vicinity.
Is there a programme?
Yes – it’s included with your admission price and comes with full tasting notes and much more! They will be available at the entrance.
Is there parking available?
There is plenty of cycle parking on site. There is no onsite parking and limited on-street parking as we are just outside the city walls. We do not recommend driving to the festival unless you are a non-drinker. For those coming by train there are scheduled bus services between the station and the festival site or a 25 minute walk.
Are dogs allowed at the festival?
Dogs are welcomed outside as long as they are kept under control and on a lead AT ALL TIMES.
What are the opening hours?
- On Wednesday 17 September afternoon entry is from 13:00 for those with trade tickets by invitation only, 15:00 for CAMRA members with the public from 17:00. Entry is for the rest of the day.
- On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the festival is open from 12:00 – 22:30.
- On Thursday and Friday there are two sessions:
- Afternoon (12:00 – 17:30) and Evening (17:30 – 22:30) . You can buy tickets for individual sessions or an all-day ticket. We are not closing between sessions though we will ask afternoon session ticket holders to leave or buy a discounted extension ticket.
- On Saturday it is one all-day session (12:00 – 22:30). Advance tickets will be valid for entry before 17:30. Pay on the door only after 17:30.
Buy your advance tickets here: York beer and cider festival 2025 tickets.
What if it rains?
We will have outdoor marquees and along with the church and church hall we expect to accommodate everyone in the dry.
Where is the festival?
See the Location and Travel page for details.
Where to stay for the festival?
Make the most of it by staying for more than one day. There is a wide range of hotels and guest houses. You can explore and book using the Visit York website.
Why do I have to pay to get in?
The cost of putting on a festival of this size is very significant. Admission charges go towards covering just some of the outlay on things such as site hire, marquee hire, toilets, fencing, electrics, bar equipment, etc.
Will all the beers be available at all times?
We will endeavour to have the greatest range of beers throughout the festival and reserve the right to keep some back from sales if not ready for drinking. The range will diminish as beers sell out.
Where you can, why wouldn’t you want to come along Wednesday and Thursday?
Will I have to queue to get in?
We strongly advise you to buy your advance tickets here: York beer and cider festival 2025 tickets for the sessions you wish to attend. Fast track entry is guaranteed for all advance purchase tickets and apart from just before opening we do not anticipate a queue.
Should you turn up on the day without a ticket we cannot guarantee entry to the festival. Our site capacity is limited. Space needs to be reserved for Advance ticket holders who are yet to arrive. If there is still room we will sell you a door ticket. See our social media page for updates.
Will you have food at the festival?
Yes – there will be a range of quality street food including vegetarian and vegan options. Details of our traders are on the Food page of this website.