News: Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival returns

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival makes a sensational return to Magna this week.

Promising an unmissable four-day extravaganza, featuring over 130 specially selected beers as well as cider, wine prosecco, gin and alcohol-free beers, and supported by a packed entertainment programme, the festival promises to deliver something for everyone, with proceeds from the event supporting two local charities: Rotherham Cancer Care Centre and the Magna Trust.

Rothbiz reported last year that CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) had taken the decision to cancel its Great British Beer Festivals (GBBFs) in 2026. Rotherham was due to host the winter edition again in February.

With the World Snooker Championships currently underway in Sheffield, the festival will return for the first time since 2024, with a snooker themed extravaganza. Live music will be provided from the soul sensations Funky Business (Thursday); a high energy set from Handsome Dan & the Mavericks (Friday), and fresh from their recent sell-out gig at the Empire Theatre, The Leathernecks (Saturday).

For the first time, the festival will open its doors on Friday afternoon, with music provided by Richard Ford, whilst guests on Saturday afternoon will be treated to a special performance from Maltby Miners Welfare Band.

Throughout the festival visitors will also have the chance to take part in a special programme of snooker-related activities, which will take place on a full-sized snooker table, believed to have once graced the halls of Wentworth Woodhouse. Although much of the history of the table remains a mystery, it is known that the table was sold from the house in the late 1990s and found its way to Portsmouth, before being purchased by a private buyer.

During the festival, the table will be used to treat guests with a special four-day snooker experience, organised by the Rotherham-based, Snooker4All.

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Steve Burns, Organiser, Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival said: “This is the first time the Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival has returned since 2024 and I hope that whether you are a seasoned real-ale aficionado, or simply looking for something for a great evening of entertainment, there promises to be something for everyone.

"This year, as well as featuring some of the finest breweries from across Yorkshire and beyond, we’re also showcasing a selection of alcohol-free beers and with plenty of live entertainment to enjoy throughout the festival, there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy – all whilst raising a glass to support very worthwhile local charities.

"Our festival is run entirely by a team of dedicated and hard-working volunteers, and I’d like to thank everyone who has made this year’s festival possible. We’ve received a terrific response from local businesses who have sponsored this year’s event and with the recently opened tram-train stop now servicing Magna, it’s never been easier to access the venue.”

Visitors can access Magna by public transport via the newly launched Tram-train station, as well as by the X3 bus service, which alights on Sheffield Road.

Tickets for the Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival can be purchased in advance via the Magna website: https://www.visitmagna.co.uk/whats-on/rotherham-real-ale-and-music-festival-2026/. Special discounts are available on the door to CAMRA members, including free entry on Wednesday evening.

Please note, discounted tickets are only available on the door with a valid membership card.

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News: Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival set to return

Organisers of the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival have confirmed that plans are underway to see the popular event return in 2026.

Rothbiz reported in September that CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) had taken the decision to cancel its Great British Beer Festivals (GBBFs) in 2026. Rotherham was due to host the winter edition again in February.

Local organisers took a step back in to enable the national GBBF Winter to take place at Magna in 2025.

Promising to deliver a diverse range of beers, ciders, wines and much more, as well as a packed entertainment line-up, bringing together a combination of popular favourites as well as some of South Yorkshire’s talented up-and-coming bands, Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is set to return to Magna between April 22 - 25 2026.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased from the Magna website. A reduced fee on tickets will be available until January 31, with proceeds from the festival being used to support local charities: Rotherham Cancer Care Centre and the Magna Education Trust, which aims to nurture the talents of the next generation of budding scientists, technologists and engineers.

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The festival will be operating a special preview evening on the Wednesday evening, and for the first time will be open all day on Friday and Saturday. Further details will be announced in due course.

Richard Hammill, Chief Executive, Magna, said: “The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is a special event, and we have been working closely with the festival organisers to help facilitate its eagerly anticipated return next year. I feel very honoured that our educational trust has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of next year’s festival. The proceeds from the event will be used to support the diverse education programme we deliver at Magna, helping to inspire the next generation by understanding the vital role scientific discoveries play in shaping the world.”

Festival organiser, Steve Burns, added: “We’re at a very early stage with our plans for the 2026 festival, and we hope that this year’s event will prove to be one to remember. We are actively looking for volunteers to join our festival working committee to help us with the running and planning of the event. We’d also love to hear from businesses that can help us by sponsoring a barrel of beer.

We’ve decided to relaunch the festival, in response to the amazing feedback we received after our event in 2024 and following a decision by CAMRA not to host the Great British Winter Ales Festival in 2026. We have been working closely behind the scenes to ensure that beer and music lovers alike will have something to look forward to in the New Year.”

Both local and national organisers faced sustainability issues with pressures caused by rising costs and fewer people attending.

Rotherham CAMRA website

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News: Action! Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival 2024

Preparations behind the scenes are well underway for the 2024 production of the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival.

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

Usually attracting over 5,000 people to the Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham, proceeds from the festival are used to support the work of local charities. In recent years, the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.

This year's event, which organisers have warned could be the last, is taking place Thursday the 7th of March, from 6PM to 11PM, Friday the 8th of March, from 6PM to 11PM and Saturday the 9th of March, from Noon to 11 PM.

The theme this year is film to celebrate the return of cinema in Rotherham and organisers are calling the festival the "Director’s Cut."

The star attraction will be the 150+ beers, ciders, wines and gins but a live cinema experience and live Six Nations rugby on the big screen are also planned.

The soundtrack this year includes an open mic event on the Thursday, with Friday welcoming Funky Business, Kiziah and the Kings and The G Men. Saturday's lineup includes The Leathernecks, The Leptons, Lightning Threads, Bone Broke Kings, Sam Scherdel and Daniel Horsham.

For the very first time, the Rotherham Real Ale & Music festival has teamed up with Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber to offer a unique and unmissable afternoon of networking and beer tasting. The preview to the main feature takes place between 4PM and 6PM on Thursday 7th March.

It has also been confirmed that the temporary roadworks currently being undertaken on Sheffield Road between the Ickles Roundabout and Bessemer Roundabout will be suspended for the festival with The X1 and X10 bus service enabling visitors travelling to and from the festival to alight at the pedestrian entrance to Magna, accessible via Sheffield Road.

For visitors planning to attend the festival via car, taxi, or minibus, Magna can be accessed via its usual routes. Free parking is available at Magna during the event, and drivers can receive free non-alcoholic drinks from the festival bars throughout the duration of event.

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Steve Burns, organiser, Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival said: “We’re expecting to welcome thousands of beer lovers from across the region, to our three day event, and we’ve been working closely with Rotherham Council and First South Yorkshire over the past few weeks to ensure that everyone visiting the festival can do so safely and with minimal disruption to their journeys.

"I’d like thank both Rotherham Council and First South Yorkshire for listening to our concerns, and also for helping us to achieve a practical solution, ensuring that visitors can access one of the largest events which takes place in the borough with minimal disruption.

"The agreement we have reached will mean that Sheffield Road will remain open during the evenings our festival will be open to the public. There have been a number of rumours circulating online that access to the festival will be limited, I want to refute these by going on record and say that both the roads will remain open around Magna, and that the venue will be accessible via public transport.

"I hope the steps they have undertaken will help to encourage visitors to come along and enjoy this year’s Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival.”

A spokesperson for First Bus in South Yorkshire said: “We have bus services running to the event over the three days, giving people the opportunity to leave their car at home and sample a tipple or two whilst enjoying the entertainment. A link to the X1 and X10 timetables can be found here - Timetables | First Bus , we hope the weather holds out everyone has a great time.”

Rotherham Council’s Leader Cllr. Chris Read said: “We are delighted that the Council is able to support this year’s event, as well as making it easier for people to get to the venue by car, foot or bike (sensibly of course!) We’re even more delighted that this year’s festival will have a film theme to celebrate the return of cinema in Rotherham for the first time in more than 30 years as we look forward to the opening of our new Forge Island in the Summer.”

Tickets for the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival are priced £12 and can be purchased in advance from selected pubs and also via the festival website: https://www.magnabeerfestival.uk

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News: Organisers warn that 2024 Rotherham beer festival "may be last"

Organisers of The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival are again warning that this year could be the last, as rising costs make charity events of this scale more and more unviable.

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

Usually attracting over 5,000 people to the Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham, proceeds from the festival are used to support the work of local charities. In recent years, the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.

A post on social media from the organisers said this week: "We are sad to announce that the 2024 Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival may be our last. Unfortunately times have been hard for all business over the last few years and that has seen an increase in prices and a drop in sponsorship.

"We have always prided ourselves on being affordable for you all and have not wanted to over charge for drinks or entry, aiming to be competitive with what you pay for a pint down at your local or how much you pay to get in to other beer festivals. We have increased our prices accordingly over the last few years but unfortunately we don’t think we’ll be able to continue to do so and stay competitive.

"Ultimately, this is a charity beer festival. All profits made go to Rotherham Cancer Care Centre and that means that any losses are also covered by them. It is not sustainable and so we have made the tough decision that if things do not improve in 2024 that this year will be our last.

"We hope that everyone will get behind us this year and make it a success. Please come along, bring as many friends as you can and have a great night and help us raise as much money as possible for Rotherham Cancer Care Centre. If anyone is interested in sponsorship please get in touch and we are happy to tailor a package to suit you."

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A similar warning was made during preparations for the 2020 festival, which eventually was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event relies on the work of volunteers and needs to hire the venue for the whole week in order to set up. The costs are described as "enormous" with margins "getting smaller each year."

Big price increases to cover costs have been discounted.

The festival combines a diverse range of over 150 beers, ciders, wines and gins, including vegan friendly and gluten-free brews, with great live music. The events usually have a theme, with 2022 used as an opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts made by front-line workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and 2023 celebrating all things Yorkshire.

Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website

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News: Recreating the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival

Organisers of the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival are hoping to still raise much needed money for charity this year by encouraging revellers to recreate the event at home.

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London. Usually attracting thousands to the Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham, 2021's event is to be a "Virtual Beer Festival" on Saturday March 20.

Attracting 5,000 people, last year's event was one of the last large events at Magna, and in Rotherham, before the coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.

This year you can watch the live music from the comfort of your own home, with local beer in a festival glass.

Local brewery, Chantry Brewery, has created some special Festival beer and organisers have commissioned a Festival glass. You can pre-order these on Chantry's website and they will deliver your beer and glass for free to anyone with an 'S' postcode (minimum order £25). This can be delivered to anywhere in the UK for a fee if you are outside of this postcode.

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The team at Titan Live Events have organised a couple of fantastic local bands and some special appearances along the way which will be live streamed from the stage at the Cutlers Arms by Richard Ford.

The Grade II listed pub in Rotherham town centre was renovated by Chantry Brewery and is Rotherham's infamous live music venue!

Acts include Bloodlines and At The Arcade (pictured).

Tickets for the virtual event are £5 and will be available from the event website.

Businesses can still get involved with with sponsorship too.

Money is being raised for Maples Cancer Care, the trading name of Rotherham Cancer Care Centre, which is a local charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer in Rotherham and the surrounding areas.

Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website

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News: We'll meet again - Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival returns

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is reaching for the skies and organisers are calling on beer lovers to come together to support its Battle of Britain-themed beer spectacular, which returns later this month.

Back at Magna in 2020 after last year's event was cancelled, organisers have warned that this year's festival could be the last.

The event, which also includes the Champion Beer of Yorkshire competition is open to the public between February 27 to 29.

with an RAF theme chosen to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to celebrate the important role South Yorkshire played in defending Britain's shores from invasion during the summer of 1940. Inside the festival, bars will be named after some of the iconic aircraft which took part in the first major campaign to be fought solely in the skies.

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

For the first time the festival will also host a special gin bar and has also been chosen as just one of two festivals in the UK which will receive an exclusive beer, produced by Timothy Taylors. Throughout the three day event a diverse range of live entertainment will take to the stages inside the festival, bringing together some of the best local bands and tribute acts in the business.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support Rotherham Cancer Care Centre which provides support to people who have cancer or been affected by the disease, by providing a range of therapies and counselling sessions designed to improve quality of life.

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However, festival organiser Steve Burns has urged beer lovers to back the popular event, and warned that this year's festival could be the last.

Steve Burns, festival organiser (pictured, right), said: "This year's festival promises to offer something a little different. We've chosen beers from across the UK to reflect the Battle of Britain theme, and teamed up with South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum to bring a few surprises to this year's festival. We're also showcasing some amazing new beers which have never been tasted before as well as a fantastic entertainment line-up.

"For many the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is one of the highlights of the annual social calendar. However, our last outing was severely affected by circumstances beyond our control. To paraphrase Churchill, never has so much been enjoyed by so many, as a result of the efforts of so few and we're hoping to rekindle part of the blitz spirit to ensure that this year's festival is not our last."

A 25 year old furniture designer impressed judges with her RAF-inspired design as part of the festivals' logo competition. It will feature on this year's commemorative glasses, as well as being used throughout the popular event, which is set to welcome over 5,000 visitors.

Kesia Elliott, competition winner, said: "I've visited the festival for a number of years and always enjoyed it. When I saw the chance to get involved with this year's event, I decided to put my creative skills to the test and I was shocked when I received the telephone call saying that I'd won the competition. It’s been amazing seeing my design featured on this year's posters and I'm really looking forward to this year's festival."

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News: New micropubs in Rotherham but no real ale festival

The high profile real event at Magna in Rotherham looks to have been pulled for 2019.

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary last year (despite the snow!). The three-day event attracts thousands of beer, food and music fans to Rotherham and raises thousands for local charities.

A recent post to the event's Facebook page states that this year's event has been cancelled.

It read: "Unfortunately, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances this year's beer festival has been cancelled.

"We are hoping to organise another festival in 2020."

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

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Rotherham has seen a continued appetite for real ale with Something Brew Inn opening in Rawmarsh and Dragon's Tap opening at Stag roundabout. Little Haven operates from a former post office in Parkgate and the Rustic Tap has transformed a former restaurant in Maltby. The Wath Tap is Rotherham CAMRA branch's Pub of the Year for 2018.

Now plans have been submitted to convert a vacant 1,717 sq ft unit at Brinsworth into a micropub. The plans are for the former Brinsworth DIY and Trade Centre which sits alongside the Tesco Express and a parade of other shops.

Applicant, Sharon Oliver said in the plans that the new venue would cater for around 30 people but not have music or food. Planned opening hours are until 10:30pm Monday to Thursday, 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9:00pm on a Sunday.

Across the borough another small establishment appears to have already opened but planning documents show that a micropub on Dale Road to the rear of the existing Horse & Jockey pub, has caused concerns for nearby residents.

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News: Real Ale and Music Festival back at Magna

A popular real ale festival is returning to the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham this year.

The three-day event attracts thousands of beer, food and music fans and raises thousands for local charities. Following a switch to a summer date and unable to get a suitable date last year, the Magna Real Ale and Music Festival is back at the former steelworks on March 2 - 4.

Timothy Taylor, the renowned Yorkshire Brewery, is to launch its new beer Knowle Spring Blonde at the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in March.

The 4.2% easy-drinking yet complex blonde beer is the brewery's first addition to their core range since 1952 and festival organisers are delighted and honoured that South Yorkshire drinkers will get this exclusive and historic opportunity to try the beer at their event.

Named after the Knowle Spring on which the brewery sits, and from where they draw spring water for all their brews, it is a full-bodied beer with floral and grapefruit aromas, spiced orange on the tongue followed by citrus hop flavours to finish.

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Around 150 real ales are set to be on offer, as well as a selection of ciders, wines and foreign bottled beers.

Further details of the event, which has been given the 2017 theme of "Mine's a Pint" to celebrate the proud history of the coal mining industry in South Yorkshire.

Already confirmed for the festival are The Buffalo Skinners and Acoustic Angels who will appear on the atmospheric main hall stage.

This year the festival has chosen to donate all proceeds to the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre which provides valuable and unique support outside of the medical environment for people diagnosed with cancer.

Their volunteers rely entirely on donations to provide a wide range of therapies and counselling.

Magna Real Ale and Music Festival website

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