There’s a point each spring when Swindon’s social calendar quietly clicks into gear. This year, it arrives with a little more weight than usual, as the Old Town Beer & Cider Festival marks its 13th outing — and does so in notably expanded fashion.
Running from 7 to 10 May, the “Centurion Edition” at Christ Church Swindon promises its largest line-up to date, with 100 beers and ciders spread across the church, its community centre and the surrounding Cricklade Street grounds. It’s a setting that regulars will recognise, though this year’s scale suggests something closer to a small festival than a parish fundraiser.
That said, the community element hasn’t gone anywhere. The event continues to raise money for local causes, including Swindon Town Football Club Community Foundation and Sepsis Research FEAT, alongside ongoing support for the upkeep of the church itself.
What’s changed is the ambition. A headline comedy night opens proceedings on the Thursday, delivered in partnership with Swindon Old Town Comedy Club. Leading the bill is Esther Manito, a familiar face from Live at the Apollo, joined by Sam Day and Alex Farrow, with hosting duties falling to local compère Sam Michael.
Friday brings a slightly different angle. In collaboration with the Swindon Festival of Literature, the festival introduces “Brews & Beats”, a session exploring the relationship between taste and sound. It’s hosted by Pete Brown, who will guide attendees through paired tastings and music — an idea that could either be inspired or quietly baffling, depending on your palate.
From there, things settle into more familiar territory. The main festival sessions run from Friday evening through Saturday, with live music forming the backbone of the latter. Ukulele rock outfit What The Pluck headline Saturday night, supported by local acts The Saga Louts and Splat The Rat.
Sunday rounds things off with a new addition: a family-focused “100 Hits Music Bingo” session, aiming to bring in a broader crowd before the taps finally run dry.
Behind the scenes, there are a few nods to modern concerns. A new partnership with Guardians Group has introduced a digital display system designed to cut down on printed material — a small but noticeable shift towards reducing waste. Organisers also note that while 100 drinks will be available at the outset, some will inevitably sell out as the weekend progresses, a deliberate move to avoid excess.
For Chris Smith, the event’s organiser, the aim is simple enough: make it bigger, but not lose what made it work in the first place. The expanded programme — from comedy to music to more experimental pairings — suggests a festival trying to stretch its appeal without straying too far from its roots.
Tickets, priced between £5 and £15 depending on the session, have been on sale since March. If previous years are anything to go by, leaving it late isn’t advisable.
For Swindon, though, it’s another sign that the town’s events scene is finding its stride again — pint glass in hand, and perhaps this year, with a soundtrack to match.
