We're offering local residents left out of pocket by the cancellation of Sound Bites free entry to St Albans Beer & Cider Festival.
Sound Bites, a new food-and-music gathering billed as a replacement for the popular Pub in the Park, had been due to place the same month, from 4th-6th September. However, it was cancelled at short notice following a string of cancellations of other Sound Bites events elsewhere in the country. Many customers are still waiting for their money back.
St Albans Beer & Cider Festival, which is organised entirely by volunteers and reinvests its proceeds into local charities and campaigning, wants to make sure disappointed ticket-holders don't miss out on a great day or evening out in the city this September.
John Tubridy, St Albans Beer & Cider Festival Organiser, said:
"We know how frustrating and upsetting it is to book tickets for something you're looking forward to, only to be let down and left chasing a refund. We can't get anyone's money back from Sound Bites, but we can offer something in its place: a warm welcome, a great atmosphere, and a proper St Albans day or evening out.
“While our vast range of drinks is key to what we do, our event is so much more than just a traditional beer festival these days. Alongside 300-plus real ales, craft beers, lagers, ciders and perries, we’ve also got incredible street food, excellent live bands, interactive games, and more, with something for everyone. As well as beer and cider, our drinks options also include wines, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks and zero-alcohol choices.”
“We’re a smaller event than Sound Bites was meant to be, but bigger isn’t always better! Now in our 29th year, we can be relied on to deliver the kind of event St Albans deserves.”
How to claim
Anyone who bought a ticket for Sound Bites and is still waiting for a refund can claim free admission to St Albans Beer & Cider Festival by:
Emailing proof of purchase of their Sound Bites ticket(s) to publicity@stalbansbf.org.uk
Confirming which day of the week they would like to attend this year’s St Albans Beer & Cider Festival — Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday
St Albans Beer & Cider Festival will then issue the same number of free admission-only tickets for that day
Terms and conditions
Tickets that will be issued cover admission only; souvenir glasses and drinks tokens can be purchased on arrival in the usual way. Tickets have no monetary value and are not transferrable.
Due to licensing restrictions, children are only permitted at the festival up until 5pm each day, after which it becomes an 18+ only event.
Dogs (with the exception of guide/assistance dogs) are only permitted in the foyer and outdoor areas of the festival.
St Albans Beer & Cider Festival has no commercial or organisational connection to Sound Bites; this is purely a goodwill community gesture.
St Albans Beer & Cider Festival reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
About St Albans Beer & Cider Festival
Now in its 29th year at the Alban Arena but tracing its roots back to 1974, St Albans Beer & Cider Festival is Hertfordshire's biggest and best-loved celebration of real ale and cider, held annually in the heart of the city. Attracting visitors from across the country and overseas, the festival showcases more than 300 cask ales, craft beers, ciders and perries from across the UK and around the world, alongside live music, street food and entertainment across four days. The event is organised and staffed by volunteers, is non-profit making, and all proceeds go towards CAMRA's campaigning work and local charities. Last year the event welcomed around 6,000 guests.
Dates: Wednesday 23rd - Saturday 26th September 2026
Venue: Alban Arena, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Opening hours: Midday until 11pm daily
Website: stalbansbf.org.uk