Stratford Gin & Rum Festival returns for 2026 with New Riverside Venue

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Sam Evans of the Shakespeare Distillery. Photo by the company.

Gin and rum lovers are in for a treat as the popular Stratford Gin & Rum Festival returns in 2026 with an exciting new riverside home at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon, on 19 July from 12 to 5pm.

Taking place beside the River Avon, the festival will bring together a hand-picked line-up of craft gin and rum distilleries, offering visitors the chance to sample, discover and purchase a wide variety of premium spirits. The event will also feature live music throughout the session, tasting and discovery seminars with the distilleries, and a range of food options will be available — creating a relaxed and fun festival atmosphere.

Enjoying the festival a previous year. photo courtesy of the Shakespeare Distillery.

Festival tickets include a souvenir festival glass, a welcome drink on arrival, access to all live music and seminars, a festival brochure featuring distilleries and serves, and exclusive entry to the riverside terrace area at the Crowne Plaza. Guests will be able to purchase additional drinks and cocktails from each distillery stand and buy bottles of their favourite spirits to take home. The Crowne Plaza main bar will be open to festival guests, offering beers, wines, spirits and a full range of alternative drinks so no one misses out on the fun.

Peter Monks, Director at Shakespeare Distillery said, “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing the Stratford Gin & Rum Festival into the heart of the town for 2026. The riverside setting at the Crowne Plaza provides a fantastic backdrop to showcase an outstanding line-up of craft spirits, alongside live music and guided tastings and talks with the distillers themselves. It’s shaping up to be our most vibrant festival yet — a true celebration of great drinks, great company and summer in Stratford.”