Festival
Cambridge Winter Beer Festival 2026: winter ales at the Corn Exchange (dates TBC)
09/12/2026 00:00 Cambridge Corn Exchange, 2 Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QB
About this event
The winter festival of CAMRA's Cambridge & District branch returned in 2025 to a venue steeped in history: the Corn Exchange, the Victorian hall that hosted the very first CAMRA festival in 1974 — the one that famously ran out of beer on day one. The 2026 edition is expected there from 9 to 12 December (dates to be confirmed by the organiser; Wednesday to Saturday following the usual pattern). On the menu, the best of British brewing right in the city centre: more than 90 rare and seasonal cask real ales — milds, porters, old ales and winter warmers — complemented by a craft keg bar, an international selection and low- and no-alcohol beers. Platters of local artisan cheese and homemade food are part of the ritual, under the brickwork of the 1875 building designed by Richard Reynolds Rowe. Entry is modest (around £5) and free for CAMRA members at every session, from midday until 10.30pm. Cambridge's winter atmosphere makes this one of England's cosiest beer dates. Check the official website for tickets and updates, and plan your beer trip with beBeer.