350 Wines, Artisan Food & Sensory Experiences – What Really Goes On at a Wine Festival

From English fizz and Portuguese reds to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, wines from all over the world are coming together under one roof at Manchester Central.

If your dream day out involves drinking plenty of wine and discovering a new favourite bottle, this one’s worth adding to your calendar. Laithwaites Wine Festival is taking over Manchester Central on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November 2026, with three sessions across the weekend.

Your £40 ticket includes unlimited tastings from a line-up of more than 350 wines, alongside artisan food stands, luxury spirits, a wine-inspired silent disco and more. You’ll also receive a complimentary tasting glass and a free guide to help you make your way around.

Here’s everything you need to know about Laithwaites Wine Festival.

Find your wine style – then start exploring

Credit: Laithwaites

With wines from more than 40 producers across 17 countries, knowing where to begin might be the hardest part. Luckily, Laithwaites’ wine experts will be on hand to help you discover your personal wine style, tailor your tasting and give you a matching badge to guide you through the wine list.

From there, you can compare different takes on your favourite grape, explore a country you’ve never tried before or ask the producers to point you towards something completely unexpected. You’ll be able to chat to the people behind the bottles, hear their stories and hopefully uncover a few new favourites.

With three hours ahead of you, pacing yourself is key. Keep hydrated, make use of the spittoons and remember that the goal isn’t to try absolutely everything – it’s to find the wines you’ll want to drink again.

Food, fizz and Merlot on the Dancefloor

Credit: Laithwaites

There’s plenty more to explore between tastings. You can browse artisan food stalls, sample English fizz and luxury spirits, then grab a headset for Merlot on the Dancefloor – a silent disco that lets you enjoy the wines alongside a soundtrack of great tunes.

New for 2026, you can also take a seat and have a go at designing your own wine label. A winner will be selected during every festival session, with the successful design featured on a real-life wine bottle. They’ll also take home three bottles with their winning label. Pens at the ready!

Upgrade your day with a masterclass for just £10

Credit: Laithwaites

Your standard ticket includes a complimentary tasting guide and glass, so you can explore the festival at your own pace. If you want to dig a little deeper, you can add a specialist masterclass for £10.

The cheese and wine pairing has already sold out, but you can still choose from a sparkling wine tasting or a sherry and food pairing. Masterclasses run during each festival session and require a separate standard entry ticket, so book both in advance if you want to take part.