Fancy trying over 100 incredible rums, dancing to reggae, learning about the legacy of rum, eating tasty Caribbean food AND being part of the only dedicated rum festival in Manchester?
Manchester Rum Festival returns to the city on 4th July, and this year, the festival celebrates its 10th birthday. To mark the milestone, this year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet.
Taking place at the iconic New Century Hall on Saturday 4th July, the much-loved annual festival returns with a global showcase of rum producers, bringing together distilleries and brands from across the Caribbean and beyond. Alongside an extensive tasting line-up, this year’s programme celebrates both the heritage and future of rum, while marking ten years of unforgettable moments in Manchester and the loyal community that has helped the festival grow over the past decade.
The 2026 edition welcomes an exciting wave of first-time exhibitors, with new arrivals representing destinations including Japan, Belize and Mauritius. Among the standout debuts is Crossfire Hurricane, a Jamaican rum co-founded by The Rolling Stones, alongside Windrush 1027, a brand inspired by the stories of the 1,027 passengers who travelled from Trinidad, Jamaica, Tampico and Bermuda to Britain in 1948, honouring a journey that helped shape modern British culture.
Returning favourites will once again feature prominently throughout the festival, with much-loved names including Chairman’s Reserve of Saint Lucia, Pusser’s Rum, Gosling’s of Bermuda, Clément from Martinique and Jamaica’s Hampden Estate all set to appear.
Festival partners MONIN and Carib Lager will also play a key role in this year’s experience; MONIN will take over the cocktail bar, presenting four rum-focused serves created in collaboration with venues from across Manchester, offering visitors a fresh way to experience the spirit.
Visitors can also enjoy incredible Caribbean food from Sanka’s, who will be making their festival debut.
Bringing the atmosphere throughout the day, crowd favourite DJ Dom returns with a soundtrack of Soca and Reggae, setting the tone for another celebration filled with energy, flavour and unmistakable rum festival spirit.
The Rum Ramble seminar series will return with four sessions, taking place inside the New Century Hall Lecture Theatre and offering visitors a deeper dive into the stories, craft and culture behind some of the world’s most exciting rum producers. Designed for enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, the sessions will explore everything from naval heritage and global rum traditions to flavour innovation and cocktail culture, led by respected voices from across the industry.
This year’s line-up includes Let’s Go Banana’s: Explore the South Pacific with Cargo Cult Rum, hosted by Sydney Rum Distillery CEO Steve Magarry, alongsideFrom the Docks to the Bottle: Mr Fogg’s True Navy Rum Explained with Planteray Rum ambassador Paul McFadyen.
Guests can also discover unexpected rum-making regions during Rum Without Borders: A Global Discovery of Unexpected Origins, hosted by Marcos “Rum Interest” Pilavakis and Robert “Robban” Sandqvist, before closing the day with Cocktails: They’re a Rum Old Thing, a session led by MONIN beverage expert Nate Booker exploring rum’s versatility in modern cocktails.
Also, returning for the second year to support the city’s amazing bars, Manchester Rum Week will take place in the run up to the festival from 29th June to 5th July 2026, showcasing the very best rum cocktails across Greater Manchester.
Some of the best bars in the city will be offering exclusive cocktails, special offers and bespoke menus, all created by Manchester’s talented bartending community. Incredible venues already confirmed include Exhibition, Turtle Bay, Blinker, Posie, 10 Tib Lane and MDNT- with more still to be announced – meaning you can spend the week enjoying some of the best rum in the world, right here in our iconic city.
Ticket holders for Manchester Rum festival 2026 will also get access to the official Manchester Rum Festival birthday party this year, hosted at The Morris, which promises to be bags of fun for those that love rum.
Dave Marsland, festival founder and rum historian said: “Rum isn’t just a drink, the spirit has helped shape empires, fuelled pirate legends and rewritten global trade forever. It’s a liquid time capsule steeped in centuries of adventure, rebellion and power. Born in the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, rum became the heartbeat of sailors, merchants and even navies, earning a legendary status that still echoes through global history today.
“We are so proud that our wonderful city can be part of the story with the annual festival – it has truly become a world class event attracting brands from every corner of the planet. This year should be epic, the best yet, with over 40 brands showcasing just how versatile this incredible spirit really is.”
Grab your ticket now
Tickets are on sale via DesignMyNight, with General Admission priced at £25 and Rum Ramble seminar sessions available for £10 per person (both excluding booking fees).
