Alternative whiskey festivals 2025 – a month-by-month guide to small-and-edgy whisky festivals

Beyond the famous headline whiskey festivals, there’s a world of choice for whisky fans who want to mix it up

For whiskey fans, there’s nothing quite like a festival – whether it’s a one-day event or a multiple-night experience, you will never forget a holiday or trip built around a whisky festival. The pack leaders remain the same – who doesn’t dream of getting to Islay during the Féis Íle or Speyside to experience the Spirit of Speyside unleashed. 

Here’s our month-by-month guide to the smaller whiskey festival circuit in Ireland, Scotland, Europe and beyond. It’s our wishlist of where we’d like to roll in this year.