Beer Festivals Near Heaton

Heaton is one of the best places in Newcastle to drink good beer. Within walking distance there are traditional real ale pubs, a craft beer café on Chillingham Road and a brewery with its own taproom. It is also well placed for the region's beer festivals, with the biggest one in the North East a short bus or Metro ride away and two popular rugby club festivals easy to reach by public transport.

This guide sets out when each festival usually takes place. Most 2026 editions have already happened, so dates for 2027 are only given where the organisers have announced them. Check the official websites before you buy tickets or travel.

The Big One in Town

Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival

The Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival is run by volunteers from the Tyneside and Northumberland branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. It is the largest beer festival in the area and usually takes place in April, often around the Easter break, at Northumbria Students' Union on Sandyford Road.

The 2027 dates are already confirmed: Wednesday 7 to Saturday 10 April 2027. The festival opens from 6pm to 11pm on the Wednesday, noon to 11pm on Thursday and Friday, and noon to 7pm on the Saturday. Ticket details had not been announced at the time of writing, so keep an eye on the festival website. Expect a long list of cask ales alongside real ciders and perries, many of them from North East breweries.

From Heaton, buses along Shields Road and Heaton Road run into town, or take the Metro to Haymarket, which is a short walk from the Students' Union.

Best for: Best for: real ale fans who want to work through dozens of beers and ciders under one roof.

On the Doorstep

The Cumberland Arms

The Cumberland Arms stands above the Ouseburn valley on Heaton's southern edge. It has been a pub since it was first licensed as a beer house in 1862, and the current building dates from 1899. CAMRA's pub guide notes that it holds winter and summer beer festivals each year, and the pub itself encourages drinkers to look out for its beer and cider festivals. Even on an ordinary night it pours seven cask ales, four keg lines and six ciders and perries, and it hosts plenty of folk music.

The pub does not publish festival dates far ahead, so follow its website and social media for announcements.

Best for: Best for: a cosy, walkable festival in one of the city's best-loved traditional pubs.

Worth the Trip

Whitley Bay Beer Festival

The Whitley Bay Beer Festival is hosted by Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC at the club's Hillheads ground on Lovaine Avenue. It usually runs over a long weekend in late August; the 2026 festival took place from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August. Expect cask ales, ciders, gin and rum, beers from local brewers, street food and live music. Profits go towards rugby development at the club. The 2027 dates had not been announced at the time of writing.

From Chillingham Road, the Metro runs direct to Whitley Bay.

Best for: Best for: a summer festival day out at the coast, easily reached on the Metro.

Tynedale Beer Festival

The Tynedale Beer Festival is held at Tynedale Rugby Club at Tynedale Park in Corbridge, and usually runs from Thursday to Saturday in mid-June. The 2026 festival took place from 18 to 20 June, and the 2025 edition from 12 to 14 June. Dates for 2027 had not been announced at the time of writing. Trains run from Newcastle Central to Corbridge, and the ground is on Station Road.

Best for: Best for: combining a beer festival with a summer trip into the Tyne Valley.

Good Beer All Year Round

If you cannot wait for the next festival, Heaton has plenty to keep you going:

• Heaton Stannington FC at Grounsell Park was named Tyneside Social Club of the Year 2026 by the local CAMRA branch, and usually has real ales on at home games.
• The Free Trade Inn on St Lawrence Road is famous for its view up the river and its long list of cask and craft beers.
• Elder Beer Cafe on Chillingham Road is an independent craft beer cafe and bottle shop with ten taps.
• Tyne Bank Brewery on Walker Road in Byker, at the eastern edge of the Ouseburn, runs brewery tours on Saturdays.

For more ideas, see our guides to beer gardens in Heaton and the best pubs and bars in the Ouseburn.

Festival Tips

• Buy tickets early. Popular sessions at the bigger festivals, especially Friday evenings, can sell out.
• Go early in the festival. The widest range of beers is usually on the first day or two, and some casks run dry by the last session.
• Pace yourself. Most festivals serve thirds and halves, which makes it easier to try more beers without overdoing it.
• Leave the car at home. Every festival here can be reached by Metro, bus or train from Heaton.

Do you know of a beer festival near Heaton that we have missed? Let us know and we will add it.