Giant steins, live Oompah bands, food and lederhosen expected at Bavarian beer festival at Lancaster University

Lune Brew Co is expecting more than 1,200 attendees across a weekend of giant steins, authentic Oktoberfest beers, live music and traditional beer hall celebrations.

Bierfest 2026 will take place at Barkers Farm, Lancaster University, on Friday October 23 and Saturday October 24, transforming the venue into a giant Bavarian-style beer hall complete with long communal tables, live Oompah bands, DJs, Bavarian food, competitions and entertainment.

Elliot Horner, founder of Lune Brew Co, said: "With the brewery, the lads and I spend a lot of time travelling the country. Some weekends we're pouring beer at festivals, other weekends we're drinking at them, but either way we've been around the block and seen some brilliant events."

"A few months ago we were chatting and thought: why doesn't Lancaster have a proper Bierfest? a genuinely rowdy Bavarian-style beer hall where students and locals can all come together for a weekend."

"We've thrown some cracking parties at The Beer Hall over the last few years, and I'm sure plenty of people reading this have been to one. We thought it was about time we turned things up a notch and brought that same energy to a much bigger event."

"The funny thing is the venue is only a five-minute walk from our brewery, so it felt like the perfect place to do it. It's easy to get to, there's a direct bus route, and it's just a really cool site to bring something like this to life."

"We're importing genuine Munich Oktoberfest beers, serving everything in proper steins, and alongside that we'll be showcasing some fantastic beers from our own brewery. Our head brewer has recently joined us after years brewing in Belgium, so there'll be some really exciting beers on offer throughout the weekend."

"What we're really trying to create is the atmosphere you get at the very best beer festivals. Hundreds of people shoulder to shoulder, steins in the air, singing at the top of their lungs, dancing on the tables, live bands playing and everyone having an absolutely brilliant time together."

"At the end of the day, we just wanted to create the sort of event we'd want to go to ourselves. Big steins. Great beer. Loud music. Dancing on tables. New friends. Old friends. A proper celebration."

Alongside genuine Munich Oktoberfest beers imported specifically for the event, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of beers brewed by Lune Brew Co.

Unlike many university events, Bierfest has been designed as a festival for both students and the wider public.

Organisers are already working with university sports clubs, societies, local rugby clubs and community groups from across Lancashire to bring together a diverse crowd of beer lovers, sports teams and festival-goers.

While all sessions are open to everyone, organisers expect Friday's opening night to attract a particularly strong student crowd, with sports clubs and societies already beginning to organise group bookings.

Discounted Early Bird tickets and VIP Prost Tables are available now via FIXR at https://fixr.co/event/lune-brew-co-presents-bierfest-2026-tickets-198744330

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased directly from The Beer Hall in Lancaster.