Cider Festival – Nottingham Castle

Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

ADMISSIONS, ADVANCE TICKETS & PAY ON THE DAY

Nottingham’s annual Beer Festival has become so popular meaning that we can be at capacity at peak periods. Understandably the city council are concerned that attendances should not exceed comfortable and safe levels and so for many years have insisted that we should sell advance tickets to ensure that we are able to manage and control numbers satisfactorily. But the sessions are NOT ALL TICKET, allowing us to admit some pay on the day customers on each day. However, the actual number we are able to allow in is dependent on the numbers inside the event at any particular time, taking into account ticket-holders who have not yet arrived.

Paying on the day is permitted because customers with advance tickets, allowing them all day access, may not arrive until later, early evening on Friday and Saturday afternoons being the busiest periods, and so this allows us to permit cash payers in at other times to fill the resultant spaces. Saturday evening after about 7.30 pm is a good example, when the afternoon peak of customers reduces and we are able to allow a good number of cash payers to enter.

Important note: No pass-outs are permitted when you pay at the day, as you are required to enter immediately on payment. So it is not possible to queue up early to get a ticket and then leave and return later.

So when are the best and least favourable times to attempt entry without an advance ticket?

Wednesday Evening. - There is usually plenty of space and you are virtually guaranteed to get in. All of the bars and stalls are open and there is a full programme of entertainment. Some people feel this is the best session to attend.

Thursday – Whilst Thursday’s are becoming increasingly popular we have yet to see a situation where attendances have reached capacity, although Thursday evening gets pleasantly busy. Pay on the day admissions are therefore unlikely to be limited.

Friday - The Friday session usually fills up gradually during the afternoon and by early evening we are often close to capacity. The earlier you arrive the better your chances of being able to pay on the day, but once we reach capacity it is “one in” “one out” with queues possible.

Saturday - Customers tend to arrive and queue before opening time on a Saturday. By early afternoon it is sometimes necessary to operate a one in one out system.
Once we reach the early evening, customers from the very busy afternoon period start to drift home and there is usually plenty of space for cash payers to enter. There is always a vast selection of beers and ciders available throughout Saturday evening, as well as live entertainment, and despite the long-standing urban myth we never run out!

Revised & updated – 17^th January 2018