With summer just around the corner, we’ve put together a list of some of the many fantastic gin related events you can get involved in this year. From digital and online events to gin festivals and more, there’s sure to be a day that provides you with the chance to get involved and an excuse (as if one is needed!) to discover and enjoy gin this year. 2021 dates for your drinks calendar . . .
MAY 2021
1st – 31st May: Gin A Day May
Established in 2019 by gin blogger, writer and judge, Sarah Miller, who you’ll find online as Gin A Ding Ding, Gin A Day May is a month long digital celebration of all things gin. Each day is given a theme for you to post about on your social media channels. One day it might be London Dry, the next Cocktails. Every day provides the chance to post unique and original content related to the day’s theme. And some of themes can be a challenge, so there’s an element of satisfaction being able to complete each day’s theme. The themes have been announced already so there’s still plenty of time to plan and get involved.
Learn more here.
13th May: World Cocktail Day
21st – 22nd May: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (London)
Established by best friends and gin lovers, Emira Shepherd and Paul Hudson-Jones, the ever popular series of gin festivals returns with a bang. The Gin To My Tonic Festivals bring together consumers and producers all under one roof for a celebration of the juniper inspired spirit. With a variety of events scheduled for 2021, be sure to book your tickets early as the events tend to sell out fast.
Learn more here.
JUNE 2021
11th – 13th June: The Gin To My Tonic Festival, World Gin Day Oxford(shire)
12th June: World Gin Day
Started in 2009 by Neil Houston as a way of bringing friends together over a G&T in Birmingham, Emma Stokes friendship with Andy and a shared love of gin saw Emma bring the concept of World Gin Day to London in 2010, the rest as they say is history. Thanks to Emma’s hard work and enthusiasm for the gin category, Emma along with the world’s gin producers have helped make World Gin Day a truly global celebration with participants from across gin, hospitality, retail and more taking part every year.
Learn more here.
19th June: World Martini Day
A celebration of the classic, and many say ‘King’ of cocktails, the Martini will be celebrated on World Martini Day. The day is a celebration of all things Martini and although the day has been previously recognised on and off, 2021 sees the first official World Martini Day with the launch of an official website and brand to represent the day. With the first official World Martini Day taking place on Saturday 19th of June, businesses from across the on-trade and off-trade, along with spirits brands, are invited to be involved.
Learn more here.
25th – 26th June: The Gin To My Tonic Show, Meet-the-Makers (Liverpool)
JULY 2021
2nd – 3rd July: The Gin To My Tonic Show, Meet-the-Makers (Cardiff)
10th July: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Brighton)
16th – 17th July: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Exeter)
31st July: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Maidstone)
AUGUST 2021
21st August: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Hull)
28th – 29th August: Junipalooza (Sydney)
SEPTEMBER 2021
4th September: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Newcastle)
10th – 12th September: The Gin To My Tonic Show, Meet-the-Makers (Glasgow)
11th September: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Winchester)
13th – 19th September: Negroni Week
Imbibe Magazine launched Negroni Week in 2013 as a celebration of the classic cocktail whilst using the week long celebration as way to raise money for charities around the world. Having raised nearly $3 million for charitable causes, and with the official support and involvement of Campari, Negroni Week sees an estimated 12,000 venues around the world take part. For 2021, the charity focus is helping the hospitality sector, which has suffered as a result of the global pandemic.
Learn more here.
18th September: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Colchester)
18th – 19th September: Junipalooza (London)
A favourite among many consumers and gin aficionados, Junipalooza London returns to London’s Tobacco Dock with its intimate meet the makers festival. Bringing together a carefully selected group of producers and brand owners, the festival was originally established by brothers Emilie and Olivier Ward, the brothers behind the recently relaunched Spirits Kiosk and Spirits Beacon resources.
Learn more here.
25th September: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Cheltenham)
OCTOBER 2021
1st – 2nd October: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Bournemouth)
2nd October: International Scottish Gin Day
Now in its third year, International Scottish Gin Day is the international celebration of all things Scottish Gin. Established by The Gin Cooperative, the day sees Scotland’s gin makers and brand owners, on and off trade, the gin community and consumers come together to celebrate the true spirit of Scotland – Scottish Gin. With events at a variety bars, retailers and online, ISGD 2021 is a unique opportunity to learn, enjoy and discover Scottish Gin.
Learn more here.
2nd of October: Juniper Festival
The award-winning gin festival returns for yet another gin extravaganza in heart of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Based at Summerhall and organised by the team behind the Summerhall Drinks Lab, Juniper Festival brings together producers and gin lovers, providing a chance to meet the producers, sample gins and cocktails as well as take part in a variety of masterclasses.
Learn more here.
9th October: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Bristol)
15th – 16th October: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Swindon)
19th October: International Gin & Tonic Day
22nd – 24th October: Junipalooza (Melbourne)
27th October: Scottish Gin Awards
Now entering its 5th year, the Scottish Gin Awards awards is the UK’s only awards programme that puts the focus on Scotland’s thriving gin sector. The awards evening is the culmination of Scotland’s gin makers and brand owners applications, along with submitting samples for review by an esteemed panel of judges. Scored and reviewed under strict conditions, the awards evening sees Scotland’s gin makers, brand owners and supply chain partners recognised for their achievements across a number of awards categories. A fantastic evening of food, company and entertainment awaits the attendees. And of course there’s no shortage of fantastic Scottish Gin and networking on the evening.
Learn more here.
29th – 30th October: The Gin To My Tonic Show, Meet-the-Makers (Birmingham)
NOVEMBER 2021
5th – 6th November: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Reading)
12th – 13th November: The Gin To My Tonic Show, Meet-the-Makers (Manchester)
20th November: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Salisbury)
27th November: The Gin To My Tonic Festival (Nottingham)
DECEMBER
3rd – 4th December: The Gin To My Tonic Christmas Festival (London)
With potential uncertainty around physical events due to the pandemic, it’s advisable to check with the event organisers before making any travel plans. The events industry along with hospitality and drinks producers have been hit particularly hard. Every ticket sale and post on social media sharing forthcoming events does help the organisers of these fantastic events, so we encourage you to do what you can to show your support this year.
To learn more about other drinks and spirits inspired days visit Drink Days here.
You can learn more about the many great Scottish Gins by visiting the links below.
