More than 100 beers, ciders and craft drinks will be flowing at Wakefield Exchange (WX) this autumn, as the Wakefield Beer Festival returns to the city centre from 23–25 October. Organisers say the long weekend will champion independent brewing, good food and live entertainment, while putting local producers and traders centre stage.
Local partners bring festival to life
The festival is a joint effort between Wakefield Round Table, Jolly Boys Brewery, HB Clark and Wakefield Exchange. Together they’re curating a line-up designed to celebrate the region’s brewing scene, from traditional cask to contemporary craft, complemented by street food and music across multiple sessions.
City leaders are backing the event as a boost to the evening economy and a draw for visitors. In a message welcoming the plans, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport, Coun Lukas Borcz, said the festival will showcase the craft and community behind the brew while supporting local businesses.
“This will be a fabulous celebration of real ale, craft beer, and good old-fashioned merriment. Wakefield has a growing reputation for real ale, and the night-time and leisure economy is a jewel in Wakefield’s crown. This event will not only be a fun way to showcase the craft and the community behind the brew, with music and events. It is also supporting local businesses by bringing more people into our city centre.”
When to go and how to book
Tickets start from £12 and are on sale now. Organisers have split the festival into bookable sessions to help manage capacity and keep queues down. If you’re planning a group visit, consider the earlier Saturday slot for a more relaxed feel, or the Friday and Saturday evenings for a livelier atmosphere.
| Date | Session time |
|---|---|
| Friday, 23 October | 6pm–10pm |
| Saturday, 24 October | 12pm–5pm |
| Saturday, 24 October | 6pm–10pm |
| Sunday, 25 October | 12pm–5pm |
What to expect
Across the three days, visitors can expect a broad pour list showcasing Yorkshire favourites and newer craft names alongside ciders and other drinks. The food offer will lean local, and the programme includes live entertainment to keep the atmosphere buoyant between tasters. The organisers say the aim is as much about community as it is about beer, with an emphasis on welcoming first-time festival-goers as well as seasoned ale fans.
- 100+ drinks: a wide selection spanning cask, keg and cider.
- Local focus: platform for Wakefield and regional producers.
- Live entertainment: music and events woven through each session.
Why it matters for Wakefield
Staging the festival at WX is a statement about the city centre’s confidence and the role of leisure in its recovery. By drawing people into the heart of Wakefield over a long weekend, the event is expected to bring trade not only to the festival bars but to nearby cafés, shops and venues. With multiple partners involved, it also offers an easy entry point for those curious about independent brewing without needing to travel far.
For local breweries and suppliers, the bar space doubles as a shop window. Beyond the pour lists, the festival’s visibility and footfall can help producers grow their following and build new relationships with customers and other traders. The inclusion of live acts and food helps make it a rounded day or evening out rather than a single-stop visit.
Opportunities for local businesses
Organisers have opened up sponsorship opportunities aimed at firms that want to engage with a large, local audience. Packages are pitched as a way to reach thousands of visitors, raise brand awareness and support a high-profile city centre occasion. For independents and national brands with a Wakefield base alike, that kind of visibility at a well-attended event can be hard to replicate elsewhere.
With autumn weekends already filling diaries, the advice is to secure tickets early, plan transport in advance and leave time to explore the wider city centre before or after your session. Whether you’re there for a single pint or to work your way through the styles, the organisers promise a friendly, well-run celebration of what Wakefield’s brewing scene has to offer.
