Beer Festivals Near Gosforth
From a family-friendly beer festival at Gosforth Civic Theatre to CAMRA's flagship Newcastle event and craft beer showcases in the Ouseburn, here are the best beer festivals within easy reach of Gosforth.
Newcastle and the North East have a thriving beer festival scene, and Gosforth is perfectly placed to enjoy all of it. Whether you prefer cask ales judged by CAMRA veterans, craft beer from independent breweries, or a relaxed afternoon in a pub garden with a guest tap takeover, there is something nearby for every kind of beer drinker.
Here is our guide to the best beer festivals within easy reach of Gosforth in 2026.
GCT Beer Festival — Right on Your Doorstep
The annual beer festival at Gosforth Civic Theatre on Regent Farm Road is the most local option and one of the most inclusive in the North East. The GCT Beer Festival: Summer Slam returns on 1 August 2026 for a weekend of cask and keg beer from local and national breweries, live music, street food pop-ups, and craft sessions for families. Entry is typically around five pounds for adults, which covers the whole weekend. With over 20 keg taps and 10 cask lines, plus a dedicated spirits and wine bar and a good selection of no and low alcohol options, it genuinely caters for everyone. This is a proper community event rather than a boozy blowout, and it is all the better for it.
Best for: Families, non-drinkers, anyone who wants a beer festival they can walk to.
Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival (CAMRA)
The flagship event on the local calendar. The 48th Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival ran from 15 to 18 April 2026 at Northumbria University Students' Union, a short walk from Haymarket Metro. Organised by CAMRA's Tyneside and Northumberland branch, it featured over 70 real ales, more than 30 ciders and perries, and a selection of craft beers, wines, and international bottles. Admission was five pounds on the Wednesday and Saturday sessions, ten pounds on Thursday and Friday, with free entry for CAMRA members who booked in advance. Drinks were bought using a token system at 85p per token, with most beers costing two tokens for a third or three for a half. Live music ran every session. If you missed it this year, put April 2027 in your diary — it is one of the best-value days out in Newcastle.
Best for: Cask ale enthusiasts, CAMRA members, anyone wanting serious range at a fair price.
Blackfriars Beer Festival
A newer addition to the calendar and already one of the most atmospheric. The Blackfriars Beer Festival takes place from 22 to 24 May 2026 in the Cloister Garden at Blackfriars Restaurant on Friars Street — a 13th-century former Dominican friary and one of Newcastle's most extraordinary buildings. Eight local breweries are featured this year, including Flash House, Wear Beer, and the venue's own on-site microbrewery, St Dominic's, which is launching new Porter, Blonde, and Triple releases for the festival. Tickets cost 9.50 pounds per person and include a commemorative schooner glass, a festival brochure, and your first beer. Live music and BBQ street food run across Saturday and Sunday. One pound from every ticket goes to Newcastle United Foundation.
Best for: History lovers, craft beer fans, anyone who appreciates a memorable setting.
Gateshead Beer and Music Festival
The Gateshead Beer and Music Festival ran from 1 to 3 May 2026 at Gateshead Rugby Football Club in Low Fell. This three-day event hosted the SIBA North-East Regional competition, judging beers from independent breweries across the region — from Berwick-upon-Tweed down to Sheffield. Alongside the competition beers, the festival featured a cocktail bar, craft can bar, cider bar, premium lagers, wood-fired pizzas, and paella. It is organised by the rugby club and has a strong community feel. Tickets are available from the club's online store and on the door. Well worth the trip from Gosforth for the SIBA entries alone.
Best for: Independent brewery fans, anyone who wants to try competition-winning beers.
Full Circle Fest — Ouseburn
Full Circle Fest returns for its third year on 18 and 19 September 2026 at Full Circle Brew Co's taproom in Hoults Yard, Byker. Twelve guest breweries from across the UK join Full Circle for three sessions across the weekend, each lasting five hours and pouring different beers. Your ticket includes a branded festival glass and a free third of Full Circle beer on arrival, with further drinks bought using tokens. This is a craft beer festival through and through — a chance to meet the brewers, try new releases, and sample styles you would not normally encounter. The Ouseburn location is roughly ten minutes from South Gosforth by car or Metro.
Best for: Craft beer explorers, brewery nerds, anyone who wants to chat directly with the people who made their pint.
Whitley Bay Beer Festival
The Whitley Bay Beer Festival at Rockcliff Rugby Club on Lovainne Avenue is a three-day celebration of cask ales, ciders, rums, gins, prosecco, live music, and local street food. It has been running for over a decade and regularly attracts more than 1,000 visitors across the weekend. All proceeds go towards developing youth rugby at the club, so every pint supports grassroots sport. Whitley Bay is around 25 minutes from Gosforth by Metro, making it a very manageable day out — especially if you fancy combining it with a walk along the seafront. Check whitleybaybeerfestival.com for 2026 dates and tickets.
Best for: A seaside day out with beer, live music, and a good cause.
Pub Beer Festivals Closer to Home
You do not need to travel far for a beer festival experience. Several Gosforth pubs run their own mini festivals and tap takeovers throughout the year.
The Brandling Villa in South Gosforth is well known for its Sausage and Ale Festival, brewery takeover weekends, and rotating guest taps. The pub regularly features beers from local breweries alongside its permanent craft range, and events are announced on their social media. It is one of the best pubs in Newcastle for discovering new beers without leaving the neighbourhood.
The Gosforth Hotel on the High Street keeps a strong and regularly changing real ale selection featuring local breweries such as Mordue, Wylam, Tyne Bank, and Anarchy. While it does not run a formal festival, the range and turnover mean there is always something new on the bar.
The Cumberland Arms in the Ouseburn is another strong option. With seven real ales on at any given time, regular brewery events, and an annual Midsummer Celebration, it combines great beer with one of the best pub settings in the city — a herb garden overlooking the Ouseburn Valley.
Best for: Staying local, craft beer variety, no ticket required.
Know a beer festival we've missed? Get in touch.