Box Office Now Open for the Allergy & Free From Show 2026 Taking Place for the First Time at the NEC Birmingham

The Allergy & Free From Show is thrilled to announce the official opening of its box office for its landmark 2026 edition, taking place 9–10 May at the NEC Birmingham.

To celebrate the first edition at the NEC Birmingham, the first 500 visitors can benefit from free tickets using the code AFF26.

This will be the show's first-ever edition at the NEC Birmingham, following an overwhelmingly positive response from visitors calling for a more central, national event. The move marks an exciting new era for the UK's biggest celebration of free-from living.

In excess of 150 allergy-free and free-from brands will be exhibiting at the 2026 event, spanning food & drink, skincare, health, wellbeing, and women's health. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample products, discover innovations, and connect directly with experts, advocates, and leading voices from across the entire sector.

Returning for 2026 is the Inspiration Stage, sponsored by Koko Dairy Free, featuring an absolutely unmissable line-up of speakers including Becky Excell, best-selling author and the Queen of Gluten Free, and Becky Adlington OBE, GB Olympic swimmer and coeliac advocate. Both will share empowering insights and guidance for living well with allergies and intolerances.

The show will also welcome the return of The Kitchen, hosting an action-packed schedule of live demos and fresh recipe ideas; and the Balmonds Skin Hub, offering visitors a hands-on opportunity to explore and test the latest skincare designed for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Exciting New Additions for 2026

The Hormone Health Hub, sponsored by Arla Cultura, will deliver practical sessions and expert advice on hormonal health and wellbeing giving attendees key insights and valuable takeaways.

The Health & Wellness Zone is a brand-new area showcasing leading wellness brands and breakthrough startups for visitors to meet, sample, and learn from.

“We couldn't be more excited to open the box office for what will be our most accessible and ambitious show yet,” Annie Bennett, Event Director, The Allergy & Free From Show, told That's Food and Drink. 

“Our move to the NEC Birmingham reflects the overwhelming feedback we've received from our community. With fantastic new features, returning favourites, and over 150 brands, 2026 is set to be a truly national celebration of living well with allergies and intolerances. We can't wait to see the community come together.”

Free tickets are limited to the first 500 using code AFF26. For more information and to register to attend, please visit www.allergyshow.co.uk

Brum! Brum! The Great British Beer Festival returns for 2025 and will be hosted at a brand-new location

Hailed as the UK’s most popular beer festival and hosted by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), it takes place this year for the first time at Birmingham’s iconic National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from 5 to 9 August.

Leaving the UK’s capital city after a successful 34-year stint in London, the festival’s new location makes it even easier for festival goers to raise a glass and explore the many drinks on offer.

CAMRA has been running beer festivals on this scale for 50 years, with the first four-day event taking place in 1975 at Covent Garden. 

The first Great British Beer Festival was held back in 1977 at Alexandra Palace. 

With tens of thousands planning to attend, the festival – which is part of CAMRA’s mission to bring together beer-lovers – will feature in excess of 500 cask and other beers, a dedicated cider and perry bar, ‘no and low’, wine and cocktails - catering for everyone. 

These are provided from renowned UK and international breweries including St Austell Brewery, Brains Brewery, Green Duck Beer Co, Harvey’s Brewery, Greene King, Siren and Thornbridge, as well as Birmingham-based Attic Brew Co.

Campaigning since 1971, CAMRA has been the leading light in ensuring quality cask beer, cider and perry can be enjoyed in pubs across the UK, while celebrating pubs, pints and people.

Alongside its famous selection of pints, attendees will also be able to enjoy a selection of food and snacks, as well as a variety of entertainment including live music in the afternoons and evenings.

And the winner of CAMRA’s much-coveted Champion Beer of Britain competition will be unveiled at the festival, with the winning beers available at the event.

Beer and pub lovers can also join the campaign, getting involved in CAMRA’s vital work, aimed at protecting pubs, protecting pints and championing people. There is also the chance to meet brewers at the Discovery bar, learning more about beer.

For non-beer drinkers, a wide array of ‘low and no’ alcohol drinks will be on offer, along with hot and cold drinks meaning there’s something for the whole group — or the designated drivers.

Adam Gent, CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival Organiser, told That's Food and Drink: “At CAMRA, we’re proud to stand for beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK. 

"We know that pubs are a vital social centre for many and are passionate about promoting real, good-quality beer, cider and perry."

Adam went on to say: “The Great British Beer Festival is a fantastic way to bring people together and has played a leading role for more than half a century in our successful campaigning to protect our pubs and champion cask beer.

“Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just curious to try something new — we’ll have more than 500 drinks across a range of styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find something you love. And after a year off, we’re delighted to be bringing the festival back bigger and better than ever at the iconic NEC in Birmingham, so let's raise a glass!”

To secure your tickets to the Great British Beer Festival and stay up to date with future events and campaigns from CAMRA, visit: www.camra.org.uk

BBC Good Food Show

It is the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC this week, with the launch today. I will be there today.

That's Food and Drink and That's Christmas will be reporting on what is available at the Good Food Show over the next week or so.