Tours
Film & Food Fest
Film buffs and foodies will be in heaven at this four-day event. Pick from a choice of street-food vendors and bars, before settling down to watch a film out in the open air, including The Lion King and Joker.
Various dates and locations until 26 Sep, adults from £18.50, children from £9.25, filmandfoodfest.com
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Foodies Festival
An event for the whole family, Foodies Festival is stopping off at locations across the UK, including Brighton, Edinburgh, Syon Park in west London and Bristol’s The Downs. Famous chefs and bakers will be on site to share their expertise, with masterclasses from Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown, Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell and TV chef Dean Edwards, as well as live music, theatre and a shopping village.
Various dates and locations until 3 Oct, from £19, foodiesfestival.com
The Gin and Rum Festival
This festival is sure to satisfy your thirst. Touring the country for the summer and visiting cities from London to Glasgow, it will boast a line-up of top distillers, themed bars, masterclasses and live music.
Various dates and locations until 27 Nov, from £16, ginandrumfestival.com
Great British Food Festival
Foraging walks, bake-off competitions, a mini zoo, food stalls, bars and live music in the great outdoors – every corner of this festival has something to see, do or eat, so adults and children alike will be kept entertained.
Various dates and locations until 26 Sep, from £11.50, greatbritishfoodfestival.com
Pub in the Park
Conceived by chef Tom Kerridge, Pub in the Park takes a line-up of top chefs and performers around the country, along with a troupe of award-winning pubs and restaurants that will be presenting their finest £6 “taster” dishes. There is also live
music from Ronan Keating, Craig David and Basement Jaxx.
Various dates and locations until 19 Sep, from £37, pubintheparkuk.com
Vegan Festival
A family-run, multi-awarding event, Vegan Festival promotes cruelty-free eating with a huge selection of vegan foods, drinks and clothing, as well as information on the benefits of veganism and guest speakers. With celebrity fans such as Joanna Lumley, Heather Mills and Michaela Strachan, it is a great place for avid vegans to meet, as well as those curious about going meat-free.
Various dates and locations between now and Nov, from £2, veganfestival.co.uk
Wingfest
This annual festival does what it says on the tin – delivers great chicken wings. It is appearing at three different locations (London, Manchester and Bristol), and ticket-holders can expect 35 different wing specialists offering up their wares, as well as bars and a wing-eating competition.
24 Jul-12 Sep, from £25, wingfest.co.uk
London
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Now in its seventh year, this lively festival is set in the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace and features 160 stalls selling foodstuffs from award-winning cheeses to fudge, baked goods and international street food – plus a dedicated vegan and vegetarian section, as well as talks and demonstrations from chefs.
20-22 Aug, adults from £18.50, children from £9, blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/food-festival
Free From Festival
The UK’s first gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free food festival is somewhere to indulge in chocolates, savoury snacks, organic wines and street foods without worrying about the ingredients. Join talks and demos by top nutritionists and industry professionals on how to whip up tasty food without using gluten, dairy or refined sugar, as well as tips on healthy eating and a market to stock up at.
11 Sep, £10, freefromfestival.co.uk
London Craft Beer Festival
The capital’s celebration of craft beer is taking over Tobacco Dock once again this year, with a line-up of world class breweries – including Brick Brewery, Tiny Rebel and Gipsy Hill Brewing Company – and street food provided by the likes of Luca, Hoppers and Club Mexicana.
13-15 Aug, from £50, londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk
London Halal Food Festival
The only event of its kind in Europe, the Halal Festival showcases the best in halal foods, along with mocktails, music and cooking masterclasses – previous events have involved MasterChef winners Shelina Permalloo and Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed.
25-26 Sep, ticket details soon, londonhalalfoodfestival.com
Meatopia
Avid carnivores will definitely want a piece of the action at Meatopia. With more than 60 of the world’s best live-fire chefs cooking over sustainably sourced wood and charcoal – from juicy burgers to hog roasts and smoked pastrami – guests will want to arrive hungry.
3-5 Sep, from £23, meatopia.co.uk
Taste of London
One of London’s most anticipated food festivals, Taste of London is setting up camp in Regent’s Park this summer. Visitors can look forward to offerings from Darjeelings Express, Blondies Kitchen, BaoziInn and EggRun, plus a picnic meadow to sleep off that food coma.
7-11 Jul and 14-18 Jul, from £23, london.tastefestivals.com
South-West
Bristol Beer Craft Festival Bristol
Beer drinkers will fall head over heels for this festival, which will involve more than 30 breweries taking over the harbourside, along with a stellar collection of food stalls to keep stomachs lined.
30-31 Jul, from £49.50, bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk
Great Dorset Chilli Festival Dorset
The hottest event in Dorset, with food stalls selling all things chilli, from pepper plants to cayenne condiments. There will also be a feast of chilli-flavoured foods to try at the street -ood market, as well as cooking demonstrations, talks, bars and ice-cream stalls to cool down any hot tongues.
31 Jul-1 Aug, from £6.50, greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk
Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival Dorset
The UK’s biggest seafood festival takes over the Weymouth Peninsula. Have your pick of the freshest seafood from nearly 100 stalls, sip wine while enjoying the view, or take part in workshops from a host of celebrity chefs and local cooks.
11-12 Sep, £10 for one session, dorsetseafood.co.uk
Paul Ainsworth’s Travelling Feast Cornwall
Created by chef and restaurateur Paul Ainsworth, this travelling event will make pit stops at locations across Cornwall, including Roscarrock Manor Farm and Boconnoc Estate. There is also music from Jake Bugg and the Kaiser Chiefs, food trucks, and demos from Tom Kerridge, Niall Keating and James Martin.
6–20 Aug, from £40, travellingfeast.co.uk
South-East
Broadstairs Food Festival Kent
With a charming collection of stalls and demonstrations right by the seaside, Broadstairs Food Festival not only offers up delicious local produce cooked fresh to order, but fantastic views of the coast and a sea breeze.
1-3 Oct, free entry, broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk
Sausage and Cider Festival Kent
Focusing on brilliant bangers and cider bars, this festival at the Kent Showground in Detling is heaps of fun. Fill up on all the sausages you can manage – including delicious veggie options – then relax and listen to live music as you sip a crisp cider. Delightful.
24 Jul, from £17.50, sausageandciderfest.co.uk
Whitstable Oyster Festival Kent
Seafood lovers will be in heaven at this annual oyster festival, which heralds the landing of the oyster – when a symbolic haul of oysters is received on the beach by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury. There is also an oyster-eating competition – where competitors race to consume six oysters and half a pint – as well as street food, beers and, of course, the beach.
28-30 Aug, whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk
South
Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival East Sussex
Indulge in a mouth-watering weekend of seafood and wine at this spectacular festival, which takes place in the historic town of Hastings. Expect food stalls, live music, guided walks, demonstrations and interactive talks.
18-19 Sep, free entry, visit1066country.com/seafood
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
As the name suggests, this festival celebrates all things garlic. Alongside the opportunity to buy locally grown bulbs, there are all manner of garlic-flavoured delights to try – including fudge, popcorn and ice cream – as well as fresh island produce, cooking demonstrations, a beer tent, funfair and live music.
20-21 Aug, tickets from £12.50, garlicfestival.co.uk
Lymington Seafood Festival Hampshire
This boutique New Forest festival brings together the region’s best food and drink producers, as well as entertainers, musicians and a pop-up restaurant, Bream on the Green, where guests can sit back and enjoy heavenly seafood while taking in views of the Solent.
16-18 Jul, £5, lymingtonseafoodfestival.co.uk
Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival Hampshire
At this two-day event, stock up your larder with a range of local cheeses or test your tastebuds on the hottest chillis. There will also be street-food vendors,
an artisan market and eating challenges.
7-8 Aug, £6.50, cheeseandchillifestival.com
East
Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival Suffolk
More than 50 stalls will be rocking up in the stunning grounds of Snape Maltings, where guests can enjoy a variety of delights from local producers, listen to musical entertainment and sip on a refreshing pint in the dedicated Adnam’s area.
25-26 Sep, from £10, snapemaltings.co.uk
Billericay Food and Drink Festival Essex
This debut festival will showcase more than 45 independent stands, selling everything from cheese to wine, gin, oysters, gourmet burgers, exotic fruits and luxury hampers. There will also be free tastings and a barbecue, as well as cocktail-making classes and a DJ.
25 Jul, £5, under-12s free, visitessex.com
North Norfolk Food Festival
Held within the spectacular Walled Garden at Holkham Hall. Prepare your senses for local artisan businesses offering up fresh meat and game, vegetables, cakes, locally brewed beers, burgers and more. There will also be an abundance of concessions to choose from, as well as cookery theatre, music and face-painting.
4-5 Sep, free entry, northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk
Smoke and Fire Festival Essex
A very warm welcome awaits as the latest techniques and innovations in smoke and fire cooking are showcased, alongside on-site barbecue chefs, live demos and masterclasses.
20-22 Aug, tickets £15, smokeandfirefestival.com
North-West
Góbéfest Manchester
Something a little different: Góbéfest celebrates the food and culture of the Carpathian Basin. Expect Transylvanian barbecues, goulash, langos – fried dough served with toppings such as crème fraîche, cheese and garlic – charcuterie, smoked lard and Romanian beers and craft wines, plus traditional music and crafts.
3-5 Sep, free entry, gobefest.com
Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival Chester
Set in the grounds of Chester Racecourse, this food and drink festival will boast a roster of celebrity chefs – including Paul Rankin and Simon Wood – as well as more than 150 exhibitors highlighting the best produce the region has to offer, kids’ cookery workshops and barbecue classes for adults.
28-30 Aug, from £8, chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk
North-East
Berwick Food and Beer Festival Northumberland
Hosted in the northernmost town in England, this festival has local and regional produce and beers, cooking demonstrations and a foraging workshop as well as a pop-up market.
4-5 Sep, free entry, berwickfoodandbeerfestival.co.uk
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival North Yorkshire
This food -nd-drink extravaganza showcases a multitude of international cuisines, fine artisan produce, music and a live cookery theatre, all in the stunning grounds of Ripley Castle.
29-30 Aug, from £4.50, harrogatefoodfestival.com
Malton Food Lovers Festival, North Yorkshire
The quaint market town of Malton considers itself the food capital of the North. This family-friendly festival is a huge hit with locals as well as tourists, who flock from all over the country to eat and drink local produce, listen to music and enjoy foodie talks.
28-30 Aug, free entry, visitmalton.com
Seaham Food Festival Durham
With celebrity chefs, street-food traders, live music, cookery theatre and classes,
all set against the stunning backdrop of the North Sea, this is a day out in the sun you won’t want to miss.
7-8 Aug, free entry, seahamfoodfestival.co.uk
North
The North Leeds Food Festival West Yorkshire
Based in Roundhay Park, this fun-filled festival is now in its fifth year, having attracted tens of thousands of visitors since its launch in 2016. It is jam-packed with international street food vendors, artisan markets, live chef demos, bars and musical entertainment. You’ll struggle to find enough hours in the day.
7-8 Aug, from £5, northleedsfoodfestival.co.uk
Midlands
Ludlow Food Festival Shropshire
This not-for-profit festival celebrates everything about Ludlow and the Welsh Marches, from food-and-drink producers to local bands and independent shops, all against the backdrop of Ludlow Castle.
10-12 Sep, £12, foodfestival.co.uk
Rail Ale Festival Derbyshire
If your favourite tipple is a real ale, you’re in luck. Hosted at Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre, this festival features more than 350 real ales and craft beers, plus a gin palace and a wine and prosecco bar as well as a food court.
9-11 Sep, from £6.60, railalefestival.com
Tamworth Food Gusto Festival Staffordshire
With the region’s best food and drink on offer at the Castle Pleasure Grounds – along with entertainment, cooking demonstrations and children’s rides – this is a firm family favourite.
11-12 Sep, adults £2, under-12s go free, foodgusto.com
The Big Feastival Cotswolds
This year’s food line-up includes The Alex James Cheese Hub, Nathan Outlaw and Mark Hix, as well as live music from DJ Sigala and All Saints, plus a vintage funfair, children’s performers and camping.
27-29 Aug, Friday tickets still available at £82, thebigfeastival.com
Wales
Abergavenny Food Festival Monmouthshire
Hosted in the beautiful medieval market town of Abergavenny, this food festival enjoys an exceptional reputation as a place for top chefs, businesses, farmers and visitors to come together to celebrate all things food.
18-19 Sep, from £10, abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Scotland
Edinburgh Food Festival
With quality Scottish food at its heart, this is a great day out for friends and family. Expect street food from fish and chips and award-winning Jarvis Pickle pies to gelato, as well as pints from Fyne Ales.
23 Jul-1 Aug, free entry, edfoodfest.com
Scottish Wild Food Festival Stirling
Set on the Cardross Estate in Port of Menteith, this celebration of wild food and foraging is the ideal escape for any nature and food lover. Join long-table lunches, folklore walks, craft workshops and bushcraft demonstrations.
18-19 Sep, £10, scottishwildfoodfestival.co.uk
Northern Ireland
Armagh Food and Cider Weekend Co Armagh
Deep in the Orchard County, this weekend-long event will be brimming with fine foods, foraged lunches, cider tastings, tours, talks and fiction readings among the apple-laden orchards.
Dates tbc, visitarmagh.com
Northern Ireland Food and Craft Festival Co Antrim
This weekend of foodie fun in Antrim Castle Gardens will feature music, artisan food and drink markets, a pop-up urban farm and a picnic area.
16-18 Jul, free entry with ticketed extras, nifoodandcraftfestival.com