863 (Thurston) Squadron Proud to Support the 34th East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Wednesday 26 – Monday 31 August 2026 | St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds

This August, 863 (Thurston) Squadron RAF Air Cadets is delighted to once again be supporting one of the area's great community events – the 34th East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival.

Taking place from Wednesday 26 to Monday 31 August 2026, the festival will transform the magnificent surroundings of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, its cloisters and garth into a six-day celebration featuring more than 250 real ales and craft beers, over 60 ciders, food stalls, live music and a full entertainment programme.

But behind the beer, cider and entertainment is something equally important: community. And that is where 863 (Thurston) Squadron comes in.

More Than 30 Festivals of Local History 34th East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival.

The East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival has become part of the fabric of Bury St Edmunds.

The festival has been running since 1991, and over the decades it has occupied some of the town's most recognisable buildings. Its early years saw events at the Athenaeum and Corn Exchange, with the Corn Exchange hosting the festival for 17 years between 1992 and 2010.

A major change came in 2011, when the festival moved to The Apex in the newly developed Arc shopping centre. The Apex remained the home of the annual East Anglian Beer Festival through to 2019.

Then came another remarkable chapter.

The festival found a new home within St Edmundsbury Cathedral, providing perhaps its most spectacular setting yet. For 2026, the festival returns to the Cathedral and its precinct for the sixth consecutive event, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter.

From the Athenaeum and Corn Exchange, through The Apex and now beneath the soaring architecture of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, the festival has continually evolved while retaining its community purpose.

Over £175,000 Given Back - 34th East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival.

One of the most impressive parts of the festival's story isn't measured in pints – it's measured in what has been returned to the community.

Throughout its history, the festival has raised more than £175,000 for local and national charities, community organisations and other deserving causes. In 2023 alone, more than £24,000 was donated to local good causes, including the Cathedral and charities supporting the event.

That community support is one of the reasons 863 (Thurston) Squadron is so proud to be involved.

863 Supporting the Festival – and the Festival Supporting 863 34th East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival.

Events on this scale simply couldn't happen without volunteers.

The festival has previously required more than 150 volunteers, carrying out everything from customer-facing roles to the huge amount of work taking place behind the scenes.

Our involvement gives members of 863 (Thurston) Squadron an opportunity to contribute to a major local event and demonstrate exactly what the RAF Air Cadets can bring to their community.

For our cadets staff, volunteering isn't simply about providing an extra pair of hands.

It is an opportunity to develop teamwork, confidence, communication, responsibility and leadership in a genuine public environment. Staff get to work alongside adults, other volunteers and community organisations while helping deliver an event enjoyed by thousands of visitors.

Those experiences are enormously valuable.

At the same time, the festival supports us.

Through our collaboration and volunteering, the Squadron has the opportunity to receive financial benefit from the festival, helping us continue to provide opportunities and activities for our young people.

That creates a fantastic circle of community support:

Our Staff/Parents give their time → the festival benefits from their help → the festival supports the Squadron → that support helps us provide more opportunities for our cadets.

For a volunteer youth organisation such as ours, partnerships like this really matter.

A Festival With Something for Everyone

Although beer and cider might be in the name, the East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival has grown into much more than simply a place to sample a drink.

Across the six days visitors can expect:

250+ real ales and craft beers • 60+ ciders • food and snacks • live music • Sound Stage • entertainment • low and no-alcohol choices

And all of this takes place within one of Suffolk's most extraordinary venues – St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

There are also provisions for families and younger visitors. Under-16s can be admitted with a responsible parent or guardian until 21:00, while 16 and 17-year-olds can attend when accompanied by a responsible adult. Challenge 25 arrangements operate throughout the festival.

Now We Need Your Support!

Supporting the festival is also a way of supporting the organisations and volunteers who help make it happen – including 863 (Thurston) Squadron.

So we're asking our families, friends, supporters, former cadets and the wider local community:

Come along and experience it for yourself!

Wednesday 26 August – Monday 31 August 2026

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds

Published festival information currently gives the following opening times:

Wednesday: 17:30–23:00

Thursday: 12:00–23:00

Friday: 12:00–23:00

Saturday: 11:30–23:00

Sunday: 12:30–21:00

Bank Holiday Monday: 12:00–18:00

Please check the festival website before travelling, as timings and admission arrangements may be updated.

Whether you're coming for the huge selection of drinks, the food, the entertainment, the incredible Cathedral setting or simply to support a great local event, your attendance matters.

Every successful festival strengthens its ability to continue supporting local charities and good causes. For organisations such as 863 (Thurston) Squadron, that support can translate directly into more opportunities and experiences for young people.

After more than three decades, the East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival is still bringing people together and giving something back to the community that supports it.

863 (Thurston) Squadron is proud to play its part.

Now we'd love to see you there.

Come along. Support the festival. Support local causes. Support your community.

26–31 August 2026 – St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds.

Find out more and get your tickets: burystedmundsbeerfestival.com