Everything on at Dummer Down Brewery and Taproom this summer

Dummer Down Farm, home to Dummer Down Brewery, which opened in 2021, has assembled a calendar spanning May through to October, with owner Andrew Ferguson saying the farm has become "an important and popular community space."

Spring Party — Saturday, May 16

The season kicks off with the Spring Party on Saturday, May 16, a family-friendly afternoon and evening running from 2pm in collaboration with neighbouring Worthy Earth.

Entry is £5 for adults, with under-16s going free, and the line-up includes live music from award-winning Americana duo Tomorrow Bird, acoustic duo Naked Without It, three-piece band The Capo Thieves, and local acts including Rose Holt — this year's Best Newcomer winner at the GSMC Music Awards — alongside singer-songwriters George Wilding, Simon Morley and Michael Tuffery.

(L-R): Emma Strachab and Louisa Fisher from London enjoying the local beer at last year's Late Spring Party (Image: Sean Dillow)

There will also be food trucks, Worthy Earth vinyl DJs, and children's entertainment, including storytelling from Little Theatre on the Hill, plus arts and nature crafts.

Mr Ferguson said: "The Spring Party is going to be family-focused and family-friendly, with storytelling, live music, crafts, and of course, the bar and a food truck."

Tickets are available at tickettailor.com/events/dummerdownbrewery/2148593.

Late Spring Folk Festival — Saturday, May 23

The following weekend, the farm hosts the Late Spring Folk Festival on Saturday, May 23, running from 11am until 11pm.

Now in its fourth year, the festival began as a single stage in a Wiltshire pub in 2022 and has grown into a multi-stage event, welcoming around 500 people in 2025. This year brings a new Garden Tent stage, an ancient crafts market and talks and workshops throughout the day — including mosaic making, basket weaving, pottery and corn dollying.

Headliners include Grammy-nominated singer Olivia Chaney and celebrated guitarist Jon Wilks, alongside ghostly lo-fi folk artist Natalie Wildgoose, cowboy country act Alan Power & The Take Twos, and travelling trad-rock band Les Caravanes. Children under 12 go free, and camping is available on site.

Tickets at tickettailor.com/events/thelatespringfolkfestival/1957733.

Preston Candover Preschool Barn Dance — Friday, June 26

On Friday, June 26, the farm's barn will play host to a ceilidh barn dance in aid of Candover Valley Pre-School, celebrating the preschool's 40th anniversary.

Doors open at 7.30pm for food and a welcome drink, with live music from the returning folk-dance band Threepenny Bit from 8pm. Dancing, food and a welcome drink are all included in the ticket price.

Tickets at ticketebo.co.uk/cvp.

Preston Candover Preschool Happy Circus — Sunday, June 28

Just two days later, on Sunday, June 28, the Candover Valley Pre-School fundraising weekend continues with a performance by Happy's Circus, presenting their show Universe!

Gates open at 12.30pm, with the Big Top opening at 1.30pm and the show beginning at 2pm. Entry to the field is free; tickets are required for entry into the Big Top, with all proceeds going to the school.

Tickets at ticketebo.co.uk/cvp.

Festival of Breweries — Saturday, July 4

Dummer Down Brewery's second Festival of Breweries takes place on Saturday, July 4, from 1pm until late. The event — effectively a premium beer festival — features multiple brewery stands serving their own beers at their own prices, alongside live music and food trucks.

Nine breweries are confirmed: Dummer Down Brewery, Steam Town Brew Co, Flower Pots, Mysterious Brewing, Elusive Brewing, Electric Bear, Vibrant Forest Brewery, Silly Moo Cider, and kombucha maker Momo.

(L-R): Last Year's Spring Party organisers, Sam Guiness, Gus White and Josephine Goddard (Image: Sean Dillow)

Live music comes from The Sonic Strays, The Picton Readers Club, According to Brian and Interesting Wallpaper. Ticket price includes a festival cup, and camping is available for £10 per person.

Mr Ferguson said: "The Festival of Breweries is essentially a beer festival, but with more than just beer — this year we've got a Kombucha company. It's a really good line-up. I think it's a really nice event; there are not many like it in the Basingstoke area."

Tickets at tickettailor.com/events/dummerdownbrewery/2134824.

Oktoberfest — Saturday, October 3

Later in the year, the popular Oktoberfest at Dummer Down Farm returns on Saturday, October 3, running from 7pm to 11pm. Oompah band Von Hit Vonder Bunde will headline, with a DJ filling in the gaps.

Tickets sold out a month in advance last year, so those interested are advised to watch Dummer Down Brewery's social media channels for when they go on sale.

Mr Ferguson added: "We are excited and proud about all the events coming up at our family-run farm. It has become such an important and popular community space, supporting many charities such as Preston Candover Preschool.

"We have worked hard to improve facilities since the brewery opened in 2021, and with events expanded with our new garden last year and refurbished toilet facilities this year, we look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to the farm year after year."

Dummer Down Farm and Brewery owner Andrew Ferguson (Image: Sean Dillow)

He said the farm was in good shape for the busy season: "This will be our fourth summer and we are attracting a good mix of people. There is a really good variety of events, with a variety of attendees, and we are looking forward to hosting everyone."

Mr Ferguson also highlighted developments at the brewery itself: "We're really happy with the beer, we have three new 500-litre serving tanks, which are really exciting developments.

"The beer is served straight from the tanks and they are very close to being up and running. It's also year two of our garden, and the café is going from strength to strength.

"We've got good staff, we're happy with the beer and we're looking forward to hosting some new food vans."

Dummer Down Farm is at Dummer Down Lane, Dummer, near Basingstoke, RG25 2AR. More information on all events is available via the farm's Instagram page @dummerdownbrewery.