Best coffee festivals of 2026

The Best Coffee Festivals in the UK You Need to Attend in 2026

Whether you're a home brewer, a specialty coffee obsessive, or just someone who loves a great cup the UK's coffee festival scene in 2026 is too much fun to miss out on. Here's your complete guide to every coffee festival worth attending this year, with dates, tickets, and everything happening at each one.

A Note From Alice & Ben, Co-Founders of RISE Coffee

We've been attending, exhibiting at, and obsessing over UK coffee festivals for years. We've had stands at the London Coffee Festival, Nottingham Coffee Festival, and a few others and we know better than most what separates a good festival from a truly great one.

The best festivals aren't just marketplaces. They're communities. They're the places where a home barista gets to stand next to a world champion and learn something new. Where a small roaster from the North gets to introduce their beans to someone who'll become a subscriber for life. Where the whole coffee world from farmers to fanatics gathers under one roof and remembers why we all fell in love with this stuff in the first place.

We started RISE because we wanted to bring that same feeling of discovery to your doorstep every month. And every year, the festivals remind us exactly why that mission matters.

Here's our definitive guide to the UK coffee festivals you shouldn't miss in 2026 compiled from our own experience of attending them, behind the stand, and (frankly) with far too much caffeine in our systems!

- Alice & Ben, RISE Coffee Box

UK Coffee Festivals 2026: The Complete Guide

The UK has one of the most vibrant specialty coffee scenes in the world — and the festival calendar reflects that. From Glasgow to Brighton, Manchester to Bristol, there's a festival for every coffee lover. Here's everything you need to know.

1. The London Coffee Festival — The Big One

The London Coffee Festival is, quite simply, the biggest coffee party on Earth. Held annually at the iconic Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, LCF attracts over 22,000 visitors across four days and features 275 artisan coffee and gourmet food brands. We've exhibited here ourselves and can tell you - there is nothing quite like it. The energy, the scale, the sheer quality of what's on offer. It's the festival that sets the standard for everything else.

What to expect:

• Coffee Masters: the world's most prestigious barista competition, 16 contenders, 7 disciplines, 1 winner
• Latte Art Live: interactive zone with throw-downs, showcases, and hands-on workshops
• The Roasters Village: exclusive mix of the world's best roasters in one space
• Brew School: a 45-minute guided journey through the world of coffee
• The Lab: talks, debates, and workshops on the industry's hottest topics
• Street food, cocktails, DJs, and live music across all four days
• Two dedicated Industry Days (Thursday & Friday) for trade professionals

RISE note: LCF was one of the first festivals we ever exhibited at. The footfall is unmatched and the energy is wild. It has lost its touch when it comes to showcasing specialty coffee and has the likes of McDonalds, M&S and other such brands featuring now. A fun event, but no longer independent as some of the others. 

Alice was asked to do a talk at the 2023 event. 

2. Glasgow Coffee Festival — Scotland's Finest

Founded by Lisa Lawson of Dear Green Coffee Roasters, the Glasgow Coffee Festival is one of the most beloved events in the UK calendar. Held at the stunning Briggait a Victorian former fishmarket in the heart of Glasgow — it combines world-class specialty coffee with genuine community spirit. Scotland's coffee scene has grown enormously in recent years and GCF is the perfect showcase for it.

What to expect:

• Cuppings and tastings from Scotland's best independent roasters
• Talks, workshops, and panel discussions with industry leaders
• Competitions including barista championships
• A carefully curated exhibitor lineup spanning local and international brands
• Friendly, intimate atmosphere that bigger festivals can't replicate

RISE note: Glasgow's festival has a warmth to it that's hard to describe until you've been. The community feel is genuine and the coffee quality is outstanding. A must if you're in Scotland or fancy a weekend trip.

3. Liverpool Coffee Festival — The North West's Rising Star

Now in its third year, the Liverpool Coffee Festival has rapidly established itself as one of the most exciting events on the UK calendar. With 50+ traders and 300+ coffees on offer, it's family and dog friendly which tells you everything about the kind of welcoming, community-driven event this is. Liverpool's coffee scene has exploded in recent years and this festival is both a celebration and a showcase of that growth.

What to expect:

• 50+ specialist traders across coffee, food, and equipment
• 300+ different coffees to taste and discover
• Family and dog friendly — bring the whole crew
• Live entertainment and competitions throughout the weekend
• Showcasing some of the North West's most exciting independent roasters

RISE note: Liverpool is one to watch. Still growing, still hungry, and with an audience that genuinely loves discovering new brands. For a subscription brand like RISE, festivals like this are where lifelong customers are made.

5. Nottingham Coffee Festival — Heart of England

Nottingham Coffee Festival holds a special place in our hearts at RISE — it's one of the festivals we know best and love most. Held in the breathtaking setting of St Mary's Church in the Lacemarket, it's one of the most visually striking coffee events in the UK. Run by the passionate team at Forum Speciality Coffee, it welcomes over 1,000 visitors and 40+ brands under one roof, from local roasters to national brands. The church setting creates an atmosphere unlike anything else.

What to expect:

• 40+ local and national coffee brands, roasters, and equipment suppliers
• Latte art competitions alongside industry barista champions
• Opportunity to try your hand at latte art in interactive sessions
• Local cafes, independent roasters, and machine manufacturers all under one roof
• Intimate, accessible scale — perfect for real conversations with brands
• Stunning historic church venue in the heart of the Lacemarket

RISE note: We've exhibited at Nottingham and it's one of our favourites. The audience is passionate, curious, and open to discovering new things. The venue is stunning. If you're in the Midlands, this is unmissable.

6. Brighton Coffee Festival - By the Sea

Since its launch in 2019, Brighton Coffee Festival has grown into one of the UK's leading independent coffee festivals — selling out both exhibitor and visitor spaces every single year. Held at the iconic All Saints venue in Hove, BCF runs two sessions per day across the weekend, bringing together an eclectic mix of Sussex and UK coffee brands in a city with one of the strongest independent coffee scenes on the planet. It's the only festival where you can follow great coffee with a walk on the beach.

What to expect:

• UK & Ireland Filter Championships hosted at BCF
• BCF Latte Art Championships
• Industry talks and panel discussions
• Resident DJs keeping the energy up throughout the day
• Strong mix of local Sussex brands alongside national and international names
• Ticketed sessions — book early as this one sells out fast every year

RISE note: Brighton has a brilliant specialty coffee scene and a festival that matches it. The Filter Championships alone are worth the trip. If you haven't been, 2026 is the year to go.

7. Bristol Coffee Festival — The South West's Best

Bristol Coffee Festival returns to the magnificent Bristol Beacon for 2026 — and after a record-breaking 2025, the team are determined to go even bigger. Sponsored by Odd Kin Coffee Roasters, Oatly, and La Marzocco, BCF brings together the breadth of the South West specialty coffee industry in a single unmissable day. The festival's mission is to make specialty coffee accessible to everyone — tackling topics like diversity, mental health, and hospitality alongside the coffee itself.

What to expect:

• 40+ exhibitors from across the South West coffee community
• Panel talks and workshops guided by industry professionals
• Competitions covering multiple brewing disciplines
• A genuine focus on inclusion, accessibility, and community
• Stunning venue at the newly renovated Bristol Beacon
• Sponsored by some of the biggest names in specialty coffee

RISE note: Bristol does something special — it makes specialty coffee feel welcoming to everyone, not just the initiated. For RISE that's exactly the spirit we want to be part of.

8. Sheffield Coffee Festival — The City Wide Experience

Sheffield Coffee Festival is genuinely unlike any other festival on this list — because it isn't just one venue, it's an entire city. Now in its third year and home to the Northern Filter Championships, SCF spreads across Sheffield's best independent coffee shops and venues over a weekend of cuppings, roaster tours, competitions, and events. It's less of a festival and more of a city-wide celebration — and Sheffield's thriving independent coffee scene makes it one of the most authentic events in the UK calendar.

What to expect:

• Northern Filter Championships — one of the most prestigious filter coffee competitions in the UK
• City-wide format across Sheffield's best independent coffee venues
• Roaster tours, aeropress competitions, and latte art events
• Cuppings led by some of the UK's most respected coffee professionals
• Secret events and surprise experiences throughout the weekend
• Intimate, grassroots atmosphere that bigger festivals can't replicate

RISE note: Sheffield's city-wide format is genuinely exciting — it means you're experiencing the coffee scene as it really is, not a sanitised version of it. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to go deeper.

9. Manchester Coffee Festival — The North's Biggest Party

Manchester Coffee Festival has been going since 2014 and has established itself as the North's biggest and most celebrated coffee event. Held at Bowlers Exhibition Centre, MCF runs across three days including a dedicated Industry Day session — making it one of the most comprehensive events in the UK calendar. With Manchester's coffee scene growing faster than almost anywhere else in the country, MCF is both a reflection of and a driver for that growth.

What to expect:

• Three-day format including a dedicated industry-only session
• The North's biggest showcase of specialty coffee brands and roasters
• Barista competitions and live demonstrations throughout the weekend
• Equipment suppliers, machine manufacturers, and accessory brands
• Strong networking opportunities with the North's coffee community
• Ideal Christmas run-up timing — great for gifting ideas too

RISE note: MCF rounds off the year beautifully — a final celebration of everything great about the UK coffee scene before the Christmas break. The November timing is perfect and the scale of it never fails to impress.

10. Dublin Coffee Festival — Cross the Water

For those willing to make the trip across the Irish Sea, the Dublin Coffee Festival is a genuine gem. A celebration of the Irish specialty coffee scene and beyond, DCF showcases an incredible weekend of exhibitors, competitions, entertainment, and community. Ireland's specialty coffee movement has grown enormously in recent years and Dublin's festival is the best possible showcase for it — with a warmth and hospitality that's entirely its own.

What to expect:

• Showcase of Ireland's best specialty coffee roasters and brands
• International exhibitors bringing a global perspective
• Competitions across multiple brewing disciplines
• Live entertainment and a genuinely festive atmosphere
• A chance to discover Irish coffee culture from the inside
• Perfect excuse for a weekend trip to one of Europe's great cities

RISE note: Dublin is a city that takes coffee seriously and celebrates it with real joy. If you've never been to DCF, 2026 is the year to make it happen. Combine it with a weekend in the city and you won't regret it.

How to Make the Most of a Coffee Festival

After years of attending and exhibiting at festivals across the UK, here's what we've learned about getting the most out of them:

• Arrive early — the best samples and the most interesting conversations happen before the crowds build up.
• Drink water between tastings — with 20+ coffees available, pacing yourself is important if you want to actually taste them properly.
• Talk to the people on the stands — they're the founders, roasters, and baristas who built these brands. The conversations are worth as much as the coffee.
• Attend at least one talk or workshop — the educational content at the best festivals is genuinely exceptional.
• Book tickets early — Brighton, London, and Manchester sell out. Don't leave it until the week before.

Discover Great Coffee All Year Round with RISE

Festivals are incredible fun but they happen once a year. At RISE, we bring that same spirit of discovery to your door every single month. Each box contains hand-selected specialty coffee from independent UK roasters, ethically sourced from some of the world's best growing regions, plus an 8-page coffee guide to help you understand the story behind every cup.

We're the UK's #1 voted coffee subscription named Best Value Coffee Subscription by BBC Good Food and The Guardian, and B Corp certified because we believe great coffee should do good too.

Whether you're building on what you learned at a festival or looking for your next great discovery, RISE is the subscription that keeps the adventure going.

Start your RISE subscription today >

Updated March 2026. Festival dates and ticket prices are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change always check official festival websites for the latest information.