The GreatDrams Guide to Whisky Festivals in 2026

While January is not exactly the most popular of the year, especially considering that we’re all skint, it’s cold, dark, and grey, and it seems to last an entire century, there’s still a lot to look forward to, especially if you’re a whisky lover.

As I type this, Burns Night is a few days away, which is always a nice reminder of how special whisky can be. It really helps to get me in the mood for another year of whisky, not only in Scotland and the UK, but all over the world too. This is especially true when you think of the many upcoming whisky festivals we’ve got to look forward to in 2026.

Whisky festivals aren’t just fantastic experiences where you can sample and buy some exquisite drops, they’re celebrations of the national spirit of Scotland which help to bring whisky afficionados, distilleries, and experts together in amazing settings.

From popular festivals such as Feis Ile and the Spirit of Speyside, to overseas experiences like the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and the Cinderella Whisky Fair, here’s a look at some of the most anticipated whisky festivals for 2026.

The Scottish National Whisky Festival Glasgow: Sat 24th Jan 2026

Kicking off whisky festival season in style, we have The Scottish National Whisky Festival.

This is a festival I’ve a real soft spot for, because it’s one of the earliest festivals in the calendar year. Ordinarily, we associate festivals with the summertime, but not this one. Each year, this particular festival is held in late January. This year, it takes place the day before Burns Night on Jan 24th, in Glasgow.

Supported by the Summerton Whisky Club, there will be dozens of exhibitions, whisky tastings and masterclasses, along with live music, food and drink, and of course, hundreds of amazing drams. What’s not to love?

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival: 29th April – 4th May 2026

Up next, we have one of the most eagerly anticipated festivals in the whisky calendar. Yes, it’s the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Taking place over the course of 6 days, in Scotland’s most concentrated whisky region, the Spirit of Speyside consists of a collection of events held in a selection of different whisky-related venues across Speyside.

I covered this festival in a recent post so I won’t go into too much detail today, but I will give a quick overview of what you can expect. Here, whisky lovers can enjoy rare and exclusive releases, whisky tastings, experiences, and masterclasses, along with exhibitions, distillery tours, food and drink, live music, live entertainment, awards ceremonies, and so much more besides.

Feis Ile: May 22nd – 31st

Running from Friday 22nd of May until Sunday 31st, Feis Ile is one of the most prestigious festivals in all of whisky.

Held across a wide range of venues on Islay, Feis Ile is the perfect celebration for those who enjoy a peaty, smoky, earthy, maritime-influenced dram from one of Scotland’s most iconic whisky regions.

Feis Ile is a cultural celebration that not only honours the peaty whisky produced on Islay, but also its history and heritage, and the island itself. You can expect distillery bottlings and tours, tastings, live shows, exhibitions, live music, food and drink, distillery open days, and heaps more.

I’m especially excited for this year’s festival as it will be the 40th anniversary so things should be taken up a notch. Joining the celebrations this year will be Laggan Bay Distillery, along with Portintruan Distillery, as well as old favourites such as Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Laphroaig and many more.

Just be aware, that this is one of the world’s most prestigious whisky festivals, which attracts tourists from all over the world. This means that accommodation can fill up fast. Trust me, I know from experience. Oh, and while you’re at it, get that ferry booked too! The earlier, the better. Don’t ask me how I found that out.

Cinderella Whisky Fair: 5th, 6th, and 7th March

Up next, I’ve something a little bit different. Ordinarily, whisky festivals are held in distilleries, hotels, outdoor spaces, or large indoor halls. The Cinderella Whisky Fair, however, is held at sea. Well, kind of.

Held each year on the Viking Cinderella Cruise Ship, it is the world’s largest floating whisky festival. If you’ve a passion for all things nautical, and all things whisky, why not combine the two together and book one of the most unique whisky festivals ever conceived?

The cruise lasts 24 hours and sets sail from Stockholm, Sweden, before concluding in Mariehamn, Finland the following day. Here, guests can enjoy a selection of unique whiskies from distilleries across the globe. Tickets also include a very generous 10 tasting coupons, with more available for purchase.

Just to make the experience even more fancy, lucky guests can also enjoy a variety of different chocolates, along with champagne and cigars. Oh, how the other half live. As an added bonus, purchases are duty-free, so there are plenty of amazing bargains to be had.

Belfast Whiskey Week: TBC

In my opinion, there are not nearly enough Irish whiskey festivals, and I find that a real shame. One of my favourite celebrations of Irish whiskey, however, is Belfast Whiskey Week.

Now, if there’s one thing the Irish know how to do, it’s party. The Irish are amongst the most hospitable folks you could ever wish to meet, and any celebration with even a hint of Ireland about it, is guaranteed to be an amazing time.

Belfast Whiskey Festival is one of the premier Irish whiskey celebrations. The festival itself is held across a number of venues in Belfast with strong connections to whiskey. It consists of more than 100 events over the course of 9 days.

At this city-wide event, you’ll get to enjoy distillery tours, whiskey experiences, samplings, history lessons, masterclasses, and tastings, along with live music and entertainment, festival bottlings, exclusive releases, food and drink, and some of the best craic you could wish for. Dates are yet to be confirmed, but last year the event was held from mid-late July, so you can probably expect something similar this year.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival: 10th – 13th September

And finally, we’re making our way from the gorgeous city of Belfast to the equally stunning state of Kentucky, USA, to explore 2026’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

Based primarily in Bardstown, Kentucky, this year will mark the event’s 35th anniversary, so celebrations will almost certainly be taken up a few notches. Ever since the event was spruced up in 2021, each year has felt like a bigger and bigger whiskey celebration. This year looks set to be the biggest yet.

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, and what better way to honour one of America’s most popular spirits, than by hosting a multi-day celebration in Kentucky, the ‘Bourbon Capital of the World’.

As you might expect, many of Kentucky’s 100+ bourbon distilleries, including Buffalo Trace and Maker’s Mark, will serve as venues for the celebrations. Here, guests can enjoy distillery tours, whiskey tastings, samplings, masterclasses, and seminars, along with live music and entertainment, fantastic food and drink, and the opportunity to grab a number of hard-to-find bourbons bottled exclusively in honour of the festival.

So, whether you’re in the mood for a bottle of Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, or even Blanton’s if you’re being extra fancy, if you’re a bourbon drinker, this is the celebration for you.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Photo by OurWhisky Foundation on Unsplash

Tags: The GreatDrams GuideWhisky Festivals 2026

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.