Greene King’s guide to pubs near local festivals
Nottingham Goose Fair, Nottingham
Nottingham Goose Fair is a traditional festival with roots way back in the 13th century, getting its name from the hundreds of geese that were driven from the East of England to be sold in Nottingham each year at the fair on St Matthew’s Day. While you may not see many geese in central Nottingham these days, the Goose Fair is still a sight to behold, with food stalls, art installations, performers, and funfair rides.
Once you’ve had your fill of bright lights and loud music, why not take a little break from the chaos and head to a pub near Nottingham Goose Fair? You’ve got plenty to choose from, but the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem certainly wins points for uniqueness. Kick back in the Haunted Snug and enjoy some deliciously refined pub grub washed down with a pint of their signature ale, Olde Trip (although we can't guarantee you won't see a ghost).
Tafwyl, Cardiff
Tafwyl is an annual celebration of Welsh culture in the vibrant city of Cardiff, combining folk traditions with modern creativity. Family-friendly and free to enter, Tafwyl is held at Bute Park, featuring an array of Welsh-speaking performances and workshops, from local choirs to internationally renowned bands. Festival goers can also enjoy an array of market stalls and street food stands – time to stock up on Welsh cakes!And speaking of family-friendly, the Glassworks is a fantastic pub near Tafwyl, less than a 15-minute walk from Bute Park. So step inside, because everyone is welcome, even your four-legged friends. Perfect if you fancy a generous plate of Fish & Chips after a day of soaking up the summer sunshine.
Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Sheffield
Love a good book as much as we do? Well, you’re going to want to head to Sheffield for Off the Shelf Festival of Words. One of the North's largest and longest running celebrations of literature, this festival, organised by the University of Sheffield, attracts thousands of passionate bookworms every year. Events are usually spread across the city, so you’re never too far from a live reading, workshop or book signing.
Better yet, you’ll find plenty of Greene King pubs dotted around, on your travels, too! From the Frog and Parrot, a historic pub with a rich musical heritage to the Museum with its lovely beer garden and impressive menu, you’re never too far away from a delicious pub meal.
The Garlic Festival, Isle of Wight
Who doesn’t love garlic? Aside from vampires. Seriously though, Garlic Ciabatta, Garlic Breaded Mushrooms, Garlic & Rosemary Roast Potatoes (all of which can be found on our menus, FYI) – absolutely heavenly! No wonder the good folks of the Isle of Wight decided to dedicate a whole festival to everyone’s favourite allium! This wonderfully quirky festival is a family-friendly festival takes place every August with food, drink, market stalls, live entertainment and of course, plenty of garlic. Better pack some mints.All garlicked out? Not to worry, you’ll find plenty of charming country pubs near the Garlic Festival. For instance, a brief seven-minute drive and you’ll be at the Hare & Hounds, a charming pub on the outskirts of Newport where you can unwind in the leafy beer garden with a tall, frosty glass of something special.
Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
Studded jacket? Check. Dr Matens? Check. Right, we’re off to Blackpool for the ultimate celebration of punk rock! That’s right, for one weekend every August, the streets of Blackpool come alive with eager punk fans flocking to Winter Gardens for Rebellion Festival, the UK’s biggest line-up of both old-school and up-and-coming punk acts from all around the world. Previous big names include The Damned, Sham 69, The Exploited and The Buzzcocks.
All that pogo-ing is enough to make anyone thirsty. Luckily, when it comes to finding pubs near Rebellion Festival, the options are endless. However, if you want somewhere that stays on theme, head to the Washington for a few pints and some hearty pub grub. Plus, this Greene King pub hosts their own lineup of punk and punk-adjacent bands over the weekend, so come and enjoy the energy.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world’s largest open-access performing arts festival, held every August in Scotland’s capital. With countless venues hosting a colourful variety of performances and exhibitions that span music, comedy, theatre, drag, burlesque, circus, spoken word and much more, it’s often considered a rite of passage for artists.Looking for pubs near the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? Well, they’re part of the experience, so if you’re in need of a perfectly poured pint or a bite to eat before the next show, you’re pretty much spoiled for choice. Edinburgh is home to some truly spectacular Greene King pubs, many of which host live acts during the festival. For instance, the Advocate is a stunning traditional pub in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, perfectly placed for an evening of culture and entertainment.
Pub in the Park, various locations
Sorry, we couldn’t resist sneaking this one in. Pub in the Park is a touring festival created by Tom Kerridge and you’ll never guess who the official brewery is. We’ll give you a clue, it begins with “G” and ends in “reene King”. And hey, we might be biased, but we think Pub in the Park is one of the UK’s best festivals going. It’s a lively celebration of food, music and togetherness across four different locations, with top headlining acts, workshops, food markets and exceptional drinks. Each location features a fully enclosed bar along with two other satellite bars, featuring our legendary beers; Level Head, Hazy Day and Abbot Ale to name a few.Find pubs near your favourite local festivals
As wonderful as they are, festivals can be pricy, not to mention overwhelming, so if you fancy taking a break while you fill up on affordable pub food that doesn’t skimp on flavour, head to a Greene King pub near you. Plus, with free Wi-Fi, live sport and disabled facilities, we’ve got everything covered and then some.And remember, when it comes to local festivals, this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps there’s an annual one-of-a-kind festival in your hometown. So, get out there and join the fun!