Complete 2026 Guide: All Craft Beer Festivals and Microbrewery Events in North America

The year 2026 promises to be exceptional for craft beer enthusiasts, microbrewery professionals, and craft beer lovers. This comprehensive guide lists all beer festivals, professional trade shows, and brewing events of the year, organized chronologically, with direct links to official websites. Whether you're an enthusiast, professional brewer, or simply curious, discover the best events to taste, learn, and network in the craft beer universe.

📅 January 24, 2026
📍 The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY

The New York State Brewers Association winter festival opens the 2026 season with a selection of the best New York State craft breweries. This event brings together the major players of the New York craft beer scene in a friendly atmosphere.

🔗 Thinknydrinkny Official Website

Highlights: Local beer tasting, networking with state brewers, warm winter atmosphere
SEO Keywords: New York beer festival, Albany craft beer, NYS brewers event, New York beer festival

📅 January 31, 2026
📍 Mayville, Wisconsin

Organized by the Mayville Rotary Club, this community festival combines Wisconsin craft beer, live music, and free local food. An excellent opportunity to discover regional microbreweries in a festive atmosphere from 2pm to 6pm.

Special Feature: Charitable event with food included
SEO Keywords: Rock River Bierfest, Wisconsin beer festival, Mayville craft beer, winter beer festival

📅 February 7, 2026
📍 Kingston, Ontario, Canada

First stop of the I Heart Beer circuit that travels through Ontario throughout spring 2026. These festivals offer a curated selection of Ontario craft beers and Canadian brews with musical ambiance.

🔗 I Heart Beer Official Website

I Heart Beer Ontario 2026 Circuit:
February 7: Kingston
February 21: Hamilton
February 28: Ottawa
March 14: Kitchener (Bingemans)
March 21: London (RBC Place)
April 11: Barrie
April 18: Peterborough
April 25: Guelph (Sleeman Centre)

SEO Keywords: I Heart Beer Ontario, Kingston beer festival, Ontario craft beer tour, Canada beer festival

📅 February 2026 (specific date to be confirmed)
📍 McCall, Idaho

Unique winter festival celebrating Idaho craft beer! Two dozen local breweries serve over 50 beers outdoors, including rare and barrel-aged editions. Local food included.

Important Tip: Outdoor event in February - dress very warmly (thermal underwear recommended)!
SEO Keywords: Destination Beer Idaho, McCall beer festival, winter craft beer event, mountain winter beer festival

📅 February 2026 (specific date to be confirmed)
📍 19 Mile Bay, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

The 12th edition of this absolutely unique beer festival on ice! Taste the best New England craft beers directly on the frozen lake surface with spectacular views.

Equipment Required: Extreme winter clothing, hand warmers highly recommended
SEO Keywords: Ice Fest NH, Lake Winnipesaukee beer festival, winter beer on ice, New Hampshire craft beer

📅 March 6, 2026
📍 Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine

The 10th edition of the largest East Coast B2B conference for the craft brewing industry. Keynote by Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner of Russian River Brewing Company and creator of the legendary Pliny the Elder.

Target Audience: Industry professionals only
Program: Technical workshops, networking, market trends
SEO Keywords: New England Craft Brew Summit, Maine brewers conference, craft beer B2B, Portland brewery event

📅 March 6-7, 2026
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre, Alberta, Canada

Over 150 Canadian breweries, distilleries, cideries, and mead producers gathered! The event includes 20+ local restaurants, live music lounges, and an animated After Party.

SEO Keywords: Edmonton Craft Beer Festival, Alberta beer event, Edmonton brewery fest, Canadian craft beer

📅 March 18-20, 2026
📍 Albany Capital Center, NY

Annual conference of the New York State Brewers Association presented by TLF Graphics. Highlight: celebration of the New York State Craft Beer Competition on March 20 with awards ceremony for the state's best beers.

🔗 NYS Brewers Conference Official Website

SEO Keywords: NY State Brewers Conference, Albany beer convention, New York brewery trade show

📅 April 20-23, 2026
📍 Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

THE #1 PROFESSIONAL EVENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BREWING INDUSTRY! The Craft Brewers Conference is the largest gathering of craft alcohol professionals in the United States.

🔗 Craft Brewers Conference Official Website

Complete Program:
Over 60 educational seminars on 12 critical themes
BrewExpo America: trade show with hundreds of exhibitors
"State of the Craft Brewing Industry" conference by Bart Watson (Brewers Association)
Keynote by Will Guidara (bestselling author of "Unreasonable Hospitality")
World Beer Cup 2026 - Awards on April 22: the world's most prestigious beer competition
Intensive networking with brewers, distillers, cider and mead producers

2026 Themes: Sustainability, guest safety, hop CoA analysis, HR management, multi-site strategies, pressure fermentation, hemp beverages

Audience: Professionals only (closed to the general public)
Registration: Early Bird opens December 2, 2025

SEO Keywords: Craft Brewers Conference 2026, CBC Philadelphia, BrewExpo America, World Beer Cup, professional brewery trade show, beer industry trade show

📅 April 17-18, 2026
📍 Edmonton Convention Centre, Alberta, Canada

The 19th edition celebrates beer from around the world with hundreds of international beers, 8 live bands, street performances (stilt walkers, magicians), educational Beer School, and guaranteed festive atmosphere!

SEO Keywords: Edmonton BeerFest, international beer festival Alberta, world beer Canada, Edmonton beer festival

📅 May 1-2, 2026
📍 BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary, AB, Canada

One of Canada's largest beer festivals! Over 200 breweries, live music on stage, and unique Canadian western atmosphere. Over 40,000 participants expected over two days.

SEO Keywords: Calgary International Beerfest, Alberta beer festival, Calgary craft beer, Canadian beer event

📅 June 6, 2026
📍 Anheuser-Busch Fields, Merrimack, NH

The 10th edition of this unique festival combining bacon and craft beer! Organized by High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire, the event pairs smoky bacon flavors with the best New England craft beers.

Concept: Beer and food pairings with bacon focus in a festive atmosphere
SEO Keywords: NH Bacon Beer Festival, New Hampshire beer festival, beer food pairing, bacon craft beer

📅 July 25, 2026
📍 Milwaukee Lakefront, Wisconsin

The 16th edition of Milwaukee Brewfest offers unlimited tasting of craft beers, ciders, wines, seltzers, and meads from around the world in a spectacular lakefront setting on Lake Michigan.

Special Feature: Stunning Lake Michigan views, summer atmosphere
SEO Keywords: Milwaukee Brewfest, Wisconsin summer beer festival, Lake Michigan craft beer, Milwaukee lakefront event

📅 August 7-9, 2026
📍 Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

Reggaeton and Latin music festival on the beach including all-inclusive options with unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails at La Playa deck. Festive Mexican atmosphere with Pacific Ocean views.

SEO Keywords: Baja Beach Fest, Rosarito beer festival Mexico, beach party craft beer, Baja California festival

📅 September 24-27, 2026
📍 Windsor Station, Montreal, QC, Canada

THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL IN AMERICA! The 32nd edition of Mondial de la Bière brings together breweries, cideries, vineyards, and producers from around the world for 4 days of brewing celebration.

🔗 Mondial de la Bière Official Website

Schedule:
Thursday and Friday: 3pm-11pm
Saturday: 11am-11pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Discover:
Over 400 different beers from Quebec, Canada, Belgium, United States, and worldwide
Nearly 100 breweries present or represented
Tastings with experts (beers and cheeses, beers and chocolates)
Round tables hosted by brewing luminaries
Live music and DJs
Food stands
2026 Focus: Imports from Belgium and Italy

History: Founded in 1994, Mondial welcomes approximately 80,000 visitors and has become THE reference in North America.

SEO Keywords: Mondial de la Bière Montreal, Montreal beer festival, Quebec craft beer, international beer festival Canada, Quebec beer festival

📅 October 3, 2026
📍 Swasey Parkway, Portsmouth, NH

The 14th edition of the largest beer festival in New England! Vote for your favorite chili while tasting the best craft beers from the region.

Tickets:
VIP: $70 (doors 12:00pm)
General Admission: $55 (doors 1:00pm)
Chili Only/Designated Driver: $15

SEO Keywords: Powder Keg Beer Festival, Portsmouth NH craft beer, New England beer chili, fall beer festival

📅 October 8-10, 2026
📍 Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO

THE LARGEST CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES!GABF is THE worldwide reference and an unmissable cultural phenomenon. Over 800 American breweries present their best creations to over 60,000 participants.

🔗 Great American Beer Festival Official Website

Impressive Numbers:
800+ participating breweries
4,000+ beers to taste
60,000+ visitors over 3 days
National competition with over 100 beer and cider categories

Unique Experiences:
The Distilling Experience: artisanal spirits from America's best distillers
PAIRED®: 25 acclaimed chefs (James Beard, Michelin Stars) create extraordinary beer-food pairings with 50 exclusive beers
Mile High Stage: live music, costume contests, lip sync battles, stein hoisting competitions
Themed Taprooms: Gluten-Free Garden, United Nations, National Black Brewers Association
Lucha Libre Mexican Wrestling!

Tickets:
Member sale: August 5, 2026 at 10:00am MT
General public sale: August 6, 2026 at 10:00am MT
21+ required with valid ID

GABF Survival Tips:
Hydrate before and during (Denver altitude!)
Eat 1-2 hours before entering
Use the interactive Breweries & Beers list on the website
Free water available between every 4-5 tastings
No re-entry policy: plan accordingly
Backpacks prohibited (metal detectors at entrance)

Costumes: Costume themes and contests EVERY session with prizes (GABF 2027 tickets)!

SEO Keywords: Great American Beer Festival, GABF Denver, Colorado beer festival, craft beer festival USA, Denver craft beer, American brewery festival

📅 October 23-26, 2026 (estimated dates)
📍 WTC & Pepsi Center, Mexico City, Mexico

THE MOST IMPORTANT BREWING EVENT IN LATIN AMERICA! Cerveza Mexico is divided into two complementary pavilions to cover the entire industry.

Suppliers Pavilion (October 23-24):
Industry professionals
Brewing equipment and technology
Raw materials
Innovations and trends

Brewers Pavilion (October 24-26):
Over 150 Mexican and international breweries
Public tastings
Conferences on cerveza artesanal
Cerveza Mexico Cup: beer competition

SEO Keywords: Cerveza Mexico, Mexico City beer festival, cerveza artesanal, Latin America brewery expo, Mexico beer festival

📅 November 10-12, 2026
📍 Hamilton, Ontario CA

The 14th Annual Craft Brewers Conference & Marketplace will take place in Hamilton, Ontario, from November 10-12, 2026.

Canada’s top craft brewers, decision makers, thought leaders, suppliers, and supporters will gather for over two days of craft brewing education, networking, social events, and business development. OCB also features the largest craft brewing trade show in Canada, with over 100 exhibitors.


Tickets: 🔗 Official Ontario Craft Brewers Site

AMBQ 2026 Convention - Québec

📅 November 23-25, 2026
📍 Québec City, QC CA

From November 23 to 25, 2026, the Québec City Convention Centre will host the 2026 AMBQ Convention, organized by the Association des microbrasseries du Québec.


Tickets: 🔗 AMBQ Event Page

Brewing Trends 2026: What's Shaping the Industry

The year 2026 sees the emergence of major trends redefining the craft beer industry in North America and worldwide.

Hemp Beverages: Craft brewers are exploring opportunities offered by hemp, creating new taste experiences while staying within legal frameworks.

NABLABs (Non-Alcoholic Beverages): Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol craft beers are exploding. Major festivals like GABF now include dedicated sections for 0% alcohol options.

Craft RTDs and Seltzers: Ready-to-drink artisanal cocktails and hard seltzers are gaining popularity, expanding microbrewery offerings.

Juicy/Hazy IPAs: Still dominant! This style remains the most competitive category at GABF and World Beer Cup since 2018.

International Collaborations: Projects like MXPDX (Mexico-Oregon) create unique binational collaboration beers.

The 2026 professional conferences strongly emphasize:
- Environmental sustainability solutions
- Guest safety and wellbeing
- Responsible consumption management
- Reducing brewery carbon footprints
- Carbon footprint calculation (e.g., Mondial de la Bière offers a calculator)