Charlbury Beer Festival returns this June with milestone 100,000th pint celebration

The Charlbury Beer Festival will return to Oxfordshire this summer, bringing together real ale, live music, family entertainment and one of the county’s best-known traditional pub games.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 27 June 2026 at Charlbury Cricket Club, running from 12 noon to 9pm.

Organisers say the festival is set to mark a major milestone this year, with the 100,000th pint expected to be poured since the event began in 1998.

A day of beer, music and fundraising

The annual festival has become one of Charlbury’s biggest community events, combining a relaxed summer atmosphere with fundraising for local and overseas causes.

Since it began, the event has raised around £340,000 for good causes.

Last year’s grants went to a wide range of organisations, including Charlbury Community Workshop, Corner House, Cornerstone, Charlbury Cricket Club, Charlbury Football Club, Charlbury Primary School, Chipping Norton Theatre, Thrive OX7, WRFM Radio and local youth groups.

Organisers say that support is made possible by festival-goers, sponsors and volunteers who help make the event happen each year.

What to expect at this year’s festival

Visitors can expect a broad mix of drinks, food and entertainment across the day.

This year’s line-up includes:

• Around 60 real ales
• More than 20 craft beers
• Ciders and perries
• Wine, gin and Pimm’s
• A range of food stalls
• Live music throughout the day
• The Culture Tent, featuring talks and performances
• Children’s entertainment

The festival’s location at Charlbury Cricket Club gives it a distinctive setting, with the ground just a short walk from the town’s railway station.

The 100,000th pint

One of the day’s big talking points will be the serving of the festival’s 100,000th pint since its launch nearly three decades ago.

Organisers say they plan to celebrate the moment in style, with the person who buys the landmark drink set to become part of the occasion.

World Aunt Sally Singles Championship returns

Another of the festival’s best-known attractions is the World Aunt Sally Singles Championship, which returns for its 14th year.

Aunt Sally is a traditional Oxfordshire pub game in which players throw wooden sticks at a target balanced on a spike, aiming to knock it cleanly off. Deeply associated with the county’s pub and village culture, it remains one of the region’s most recognisable traditional games.

The championship has become a regular highlight of the Charlbury Beer Festival and adds a distinctive local flavour to the day.

This year, organisers are asking whether Roger Goodall can win the title for an unprecedented fifth time.

Easy to reach by train and bus

One of the festival’s strengths is its accessibility.

Charlbury Cricket Club is located just across the road from Charlbury station, making it easy to reach by train from Oxford, Worcester, Reading and London. Bus services also connect Charlbury with Witney and Chipping Norton.

That means visitors can enjoy the day without needing to drive.

A true local summer fixture

Run by volunteers, the Charlbury Beer Festival has grown into one of Oxfordshire’s best-loved one-day summer events, offering a mix of beer, live entertainment, family activities and fundraising in a setting that feels both local and celebratory.

For regular visitors, the festival is a summer fixture. For newcomers, this year’s milestone pint and Aunt Sally championship offer two good reasons to see what all the fuss is about.

For more information, visit charlburybeerfestival.org