Wednesday 22nd April: preview night
Join us for an exclusive sneak preview of the 2026 festival. If there is a beer on our list that has caught your imagination, and you don’t want to miss out, this evening is for you! During the evening you will also have the choice to have a say in choosing our people’s choice beer of the festival. Be the first to see this year’s event!
Thursday 23rd April: St George’s day
Celebrate St George’s day in style at the Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival with the soul sensations: Funky Business!
Influenced by soul, funk and disco classics, a sensational act not to be missed.
Friday 24th April: The weekend starts here
New for 2026 – we’re opening our doors from Midday
Richard Ford (afternoon)- acoustic and piano sessions to while away the afternoon!
Handsome Dan and the Mavericks (evening)
Known as the “ska gunslingers for hire” Handsome Dan and the Mavericks recreate some of the most iconic ska songs ever written, adding their own unique and personal spin on the classics. Set to bring energy, entertainment and an unmissable performance, featuring top hits from The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners and many more. Be sure to bring those dancing feet!
Saturday 25th April: The grand finale
The final day of the 2026 Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival.
Featuring performances by:
Maltby Miners Welfare Band (3:00pm onwards)
For more than a century Maltby Miners Welfare has been entertaining audiences across Yorkshire and beyond. Expect a wide range of musical performances, guaranteed to get your toes tapping
The Leathernecks (evening)
Promising to bring the house down in style with their high energy, floor-filling indie rock, expect a set list packed with iconic anthems than everyone knows and loves: from Oasis to The Jam, Kings Of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and much more!
Snooker4All Experience
This year we’ve teamed up with Snooker4All to bring an incredible four day extravaganza of snooker-related entertainment. Come along and try your skills on our full-sized snooker table, accessible in our brand new snooker experience!
Wednesday 22nd April
To coincide with World Disability Snooker Day, come along and meet some of the players who are making their mark on the game, with exhibition matches taking place throughout the evening.
Thursday 23rd April
With professional snooker coach Ian Williamson on hand, come along discover some of the tips to perfect your game in what promises to be an interactive and entertaining evening, featuring plenty of snooker-related challenges for you to try, trickshot exhibitions and much more!
Friday 24th April
12:00pm-5:00pm Open table sessions. Featuring challenges and prizes to be won throughout the day.
5:00pm onwards: An evening with Callum Beresford
Winner of the 2022 English Under 21 Championship, and a semi-finalist in the 2025 English Amateur Snooker Championship, visitors to the festival will have the chance to play a frame of snooker against Callum. Limited numbers available. To book, please contact Snooker4All
Saturday 25th April
12:00pm-5:00pm Open table sessions. Featuring challenges and prizes to be won throughout the day.
5:00pm onwards: An evening with Ashley Carty
Winner of the 2025 English Amateur Championship, Ashley has recently secured a well-earned place back on the World Professional Snooker Tour for the 2026/27 season and during the festival, you’ll have your chance to test your skills against Rotherham’s number one cueman! Limited frames available, to book, please contact Snooker4All
Traditional Pub games
Games of skill, games of chance come along and try your luck… and possibly walk away with a special prize! Available during all sessions