Former Glastonbury performers Smoove & Turrell and Aziza Jaye at free Leicester festival this weekend

Three days of free live music, street food, craft beer, cocktail bars and family entertainment take over Jubilee Square from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September

More than 30 live performances, over 30 craft beers, three dedicated festival bars, delicious street food, family entertainment and more take over Jubilee Square this weekend, as free festival Brew Beat returns to Leicester from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026.

Headlining the festival are acclaimed Northern funk and soul band Smoove & Turrell, who bring Brew Beat's three days of live music to a close with Sunday's headline set. The band's career has taken them to festivals including Glastonbury and stages around the world, and they'll cap a weekend of music spanning soul, funk, R&B, indie, hip hop, jazz and electronic sounds.

Sheffield-born singer, lyricist and producer Aziza Jaye brings more than 20 years of experience performing across the UK and internationally. Known for her genre-less approach to music, she has collaborated with artists including Mungo's Hi Fi, Nile Rodgers, Toddla T, Jumpin Jack Frost and K.O.G, and has performed at major festivals, clubs and sound system sessions in the UK and abroad. Now fully focused on her solo project, Aziza brings her genre-fluid sound and commanding live presence to the Brew Beat stage.

Electronic music is well represented too. Submatic, creator of DKG (Dub Kingdom Garage), brings his distinctive fusion of sound system culture and UK garage, alongside Leicester-based DJ and producerJon1st. A former DMC World Online Champion, Jon1st has built an international reputation for his technical turntablism and genre-crossing sets, with appearances on BBC 6 Music, DJ Mag, Rinse FM, NTS and Ninja Tune's Solid Steel.

They're joined by a line up spanning genres and generations, with some serious Leicester pedigree on the bill. Percussionist, keyboard player and backing vocalist Jordan Birtles of Leicester band Hard Life, one of the city's biggest musical success stories of recent years, brings a DJ set under his alias Tex, giving audiences the chance to experience a different side of his musical influences.

Emerging Midlands band Pink Juice are another name to watch. Still early in their journey, the group are already working with established musicians including Ian Matthews and Seye Adelekan as they develop new material, making them one of the most exciting new names on this year's bill. They're joined by Leicester’s Harri Georgio & The Well Behaved Young Men, whose high-energy sound adds indie, rock and rap to the weekend’s mix.

Now in its sixth year, the free festival has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and has become one of Leicester's favourite summer events.

Alongside more than 20 hours of live music, visitors can explore a carefully curated drinks offering across three dedicated bars, featuring more than 30 craft beers from breweries including Cloudwater, Two by Two, Braybrooke, Mill Hill Cask, Verdant, Polly'sand many more. The main craft beer bar is hosted by Leicester's The Real Ale Classroom, with Audrey serving creative cocktails and 33 Cank Street returning with its popular Spritz Bar.

Food lovers can enjoy everything from Thai tapas by Giggling Squid, fresh hot dogs and burgers served up by Grandma's Cottage, to bold Indian flavours from city centre newcomer Madras Flavours.

Families can get into the festival spirit with face painting by Space Pony Faces, circus skills workshops and a dedicated family fun zone, with more to be announced.

Presented by BID Leicester with support from Leicester City Council, the festival continues its mission to spotlight local talent, local businesses, and community creativity.

Simon Jenner, BID Leicester Director, said: "Brew Beat has become one of the highlights of Leicester's events calendar because it offers something for everyone. Whether you're coming to enjoy the live music, discover fantastic local food and drink or simply spend time with friends and family in the city centre, it's a brilliant weekend with an atmosphere that's hard to beat. We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Jubilee Square this September."

Brew Beat is produced in partnership with local businesses Arch Creative, HQ Recording and The Real Ale Classroom. Joe Nixon, Founder & Creative Director of Arch Creative, said: "Six years in, Brew Beat still feels special to us. We've watched it grow from something local into a weekend people plan their summer around, and there's nothing better than seeing Jubilee Square packed with people enjoying the music, the food and each other's company. That's exactly what we set out to build."

The festival will take place across three days, located on Jubilee Square, LE1 4LD, Leicester City Centre.

• Friday 4 September – 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

• Saturday 5 September – 12:00 pm–10:00 pm

• Sunday 6 September – 12:00 pm–7:00 pm

Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

Don't miss a beat. Follow Brew Beat on social media and head to brewbeat.co.uk for the latest on music line-ups, craft beers and foodie favourites

BREWBEAT WEBSITE

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