There are few things more British than putting the kettle on and getting a plate of cake out. That is, in many ways, the idea behind Macmillan Coffee Morning. On Friday 25th September 2026, people across the country will get together for coffee, homemade bakes, sandwiches, raffles and plenty of chat, all while raising money for a good cause.
And a Macmillan Coffee Morning doesn’t have to be a grand affair, that is the beauty. A Coffee Morning could be a few friends around the kitchen table, an event at the local pub, a cafe full of customers or a whole workplace getting involved.
Where did Macmillan Coffee Morning start?
The first Coffee Morning took place in 1990, when a group of people got together over coffee and asked guests to donate the cost of a cup of coffee to Macmillan.
The idea caught on quickly. In 1991, the first national World’s Biggest Coffee Morning took place, attracting around 300,000 people and raising more than £250,000.
Since then, it has become one of the UK’s best known charity fundraising events. The idea has remained much the same: get people together, have something to eat and drink, and raise a bit of money while at it.
It’s not just about someone’s kitchen table
When you think of a Coffee Morning, you might picture a group of friends sitting around someone’s dining table with a homemade Victoria sponge in the middle. And although that certainly happens, Coffee Mornings take place in all sorts of settings.
Pubs, restaurants, cafes, sports clubs, community centres, workplaces and schools can all get involved. Some are small and informal, while others turn into community events with food, raffles and activities throughout the day.
For pubs and restaurants in particular, it’s an easy way to get involved in something happening in the local community. A gastro pub might put on a special menu and donate a percentage of the takings. A cafe could offer a selection of cakes with donations going directly to Macmillan. A restaurant could host a fundraising brunch or afternoon tea.
There’s plenty of room to make it your own.
Let’s not forget the cake
You can’t really have a Macmillan Coffee Morning without cake.
This is where things get particularly interesting for chefs and bakers. A professional chef might bake their signature cake, put together a selection of pastries or get involved in a local bake off.
There are plenty of opportunities to bring a bit of restaurant quality baking to a charity event, whether that's an impressive layer cake, a tray of brownies or something as simple as a really good lemon drizzle.
And it doesn't all have to be sweet. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches, savoury tarts and other homemade bites are just as welcome. The best Coffee Mornings often end up looking like a very generous homemade buffet.
It's also a nice opportunity for chefs to get out of the restaurant kitchen and do something with their local community. They might donate cakes, teach people how to bake, judge a competition or simply spend a morning serving coffee and raising money.
What can you expect at a Coffee Morning?
There's no set format, which is part of the fun.
You might find a table covered in homemade cakes and biscuits, a stack of sandwiches, a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses or a quiz running in the background.
Some events are little more than coffee and cake with a donation box. Others turn into full fundraising days.
- Cake sales and bake-offs
- Tea, coffee and other drinks
- Sandwiches and savoury food
- Raffles and prize draws
- Quizzes and games
- Competitions
- Donations from guests and local businesses
You don't need to spend a fortune to take part either. A small donation for a slice of cake or a cup of coffee can all add up.
A very British excuse to eat cake
Perhaps one of the reasons Coffee Morning has become such a fixture is that it taps into something we already love doing.
We like meeting friends for coffee. We like putting the kettle on when someone comes round. And we certainly don't need much encouragement to put the cake tin on the table.
Fancy taking the fundraising further?
For those who want to swap cake for running shoes, there are other ways to support Macmillan too.
The London Marathon takes place in April 2027, giving runners the chance to raise money for Macmillan while taking on one of the world's most famous marathons.
It is a rather bigger commitment than baking a tray of brownies, admittedly. But whether you're running 26.2 miles or selling slices of cake, the principle is the same: get people together, raise some money and have a good time doing it.
Get involved this September
The official Macmillan Coffee Morning date is Friday 25 September 2026.
So, if you're a chef, baker, cafe owner, pub landlord, restaurant, sports club or simply someone who makes a very good cake, it's a good excuse to get involved.
Put the coffee on, get baking and invite a few people along.
After all, there's not much better than good food shared with good company, especially when it's helping raise money for a very good cause.