The Northern Lights Beer Festival is set to welcome 1,600 visitors to the Music Hall for a sell-out event this Saturday – and plans are already underway for a triumphant return next year.
Fierce Beer, who organise the event with support from Aberdeen Inspired, said they have pulled out all the stops to offer an incredible range of beers from their biggest line-up yet, with 12 breweries and friends converging on the iconic Union Street venue.
And they hope the event – first held last year as the Aberdeen Beer Festival - will also offer a major boost for the city centre, with visitors coming from across the north-east and UK for the sell-out event.
These guests will go on to enjoy the other attractions in the heart of Aberdeen, supporting local shops, restaurants and bars, said Craig Cargill, sales director for Fierce Beer.
He said: “Holding the festival in The Music Hall is a deliberate act of supporting our city centre. Surrounding hospitality businesses in particular spoke about the benefits of larger footfall caused by the festival last year. We’re sure we’ll hear the same again this year.
“Many of the vendors have never been to the city before but all have fanbases in the city. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to experience Aberdeen for the first time, surrounded by a friendly and welcoming crowd of people.”
Craig said Fierce were delighted by the support people have shown for the beer festival, both last year and for this event.
He said: “When the festival sold out in 2025, it was clear it would have to happen again in 2026. We actively asked for feedback to improve things in any way this year and the people put forward their ideas.
“We’ve taken many of those on board and ended up with an unbelievable lineup. Once again, we sold out ahead of the day with a noticeable increase in interest from further away this year.”
And Craig was delighted to confirm that plans are already underway for the festival to return next year, again welcoming hundreds of people to the Music Hall.
He hoped this Saturday would be a great day out for flocking to the event, which will also some food options as well as a selection of wine and cider available, after suggestion made by visitors last year.
Craig said: “Attendees are going to meet craft breweries and a hot sauce maker they’ll maybe only have seen on shelves at their favourite bottle shops.
“It’s a chance to experience exclusive pours and exciting products and an opportunity to meet people they’ve maybe only ever seen on social media. Hopefully a lasting memory of a great time had in Aberdeen, all round.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired said the city centre Business Improvement District was delighted to support the return of the beer festival after the success of its inaugural outing last year.
“The Music Hall will be a mecca for beer lovers this Saturday – which is good for them but also good for the city centre.
“This is an event that brings people into the heart of the Granite City in their droves and once they here they go on to enjoy – and spend with – many other places in the city centre. What a fantastic boost for our bricks and mortar traders.
“I am delighted to hear that plans are already brewing – if you will forgive the pun – for the Northern Lights Beer Festival next year. This is an event that will grow and grow and Aberdeen Inspired will be happy to support Fierce every step of the way in its unwavering commitment to lift our city centre.”
The breweries attending the Northern Lights Beer Festival this year include Cloudwater, Northern Monk, Emperors, Attic, Beak, Bullhouse, Siren, Rivington, Lost Cause, Holy Goat, Tartarus, Elusive and of course, Fierce.
The event will have two sessions, the first running from 12.30pm to 5pm and the second from 6pm to 10.30pm.
For more information visit the Fierce Beer website.