The best food festivals in the UK

The best UK food festivals

England

Taste of London Food Festival, London
Vegan Camp Out, Oxfordshire
York Food Festival, York
Taste Cumbria Cockermouth, Cumbria
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, Suffolk

Ireland

Ballycastle Seafront Artisan Market, County Antrim
Belfast Mela, Belfast
Armagh Food & Cider Weekend, County Armagh

Scotland

Taste of Nairn, Nairn
The Eat & Drink Festival Scotland, Glasgow
Taste of Grampian, Aberdeen
Foodies Festival, Glasgow
Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer

Wales

Cardiff Food & Drink Festival, Cardiff
Abergavenny Food Festival, Abergavenny
Neath Food & Drink Festival, Neath

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England

Taste of London Food Festival

Multiple plates of food with hands reaching for it

When: 12-16 June 2024

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Where: Regent’s Park

Price: From £28

Taste of London celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with five days of outdoor feasting. Organised by Taste, the festival takes place in Regent’s Park and brings together the crème de la crème of London’s culinary scene, showcasing the hottest restaurants, emerging food heroes, and upcoming culinary trends.

There are over 120 dishes on offer from some of London’s best restaurants including Santo Remedio, Roka and Burger and Lobster, alongside bars, live music and entertainment, with cooking classes and themed workshops taking place.

Tickets start from £28 for entry, or £38 tickets include entry and your choice of two signature dishes.

Vegan Camp Out

Tent with crowd walking around and in it

When: 26-29 July 2024

Where: Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire

Price: Day tickets are £80 (adults) or £40 (children); weekend tickets £120 (adults), £60 (children)

Experience a plant-based paradise at Vegan Camp Out, where people come together from all over the world to celebrate vegan living.

There’s so much going on from inspiring talks and live music to invigorating yoga sessions and soul-soothing meditation classes. Delve into diverse workshops where you can deepen your understanding of veganism and holistic living.

There’s plenty of delicious food and drink on offer from Indian and Chinese to pizzas, kebabs, decadent ice cream, refreshing smoothies and juices. And for those with dietary requirements, fear not, there are plenty of allergy-free options.

This year, the festival boasts a staggering line-up of 60 vendors, making history with the largest gathering of vegan food options ever assembled in the UK.

York Food Festival

When: 20-29 September 2024

Where: Parliament Street, York

Price: Free entry

York Food Festival runs events throughout the year celebrating local and regional food and drink, with the main 10-day festival held at the end of September. It is a not-for-profit organisation, and any money generated from ticket sales goes back to the festival to improve it year after year.

The festival focuses on Yorkshire produce and chefs, with cookery lessons on offer, demonstrations, and events. While admission to the festival is free, those keen to take part in city-wide events such as food factories, wine tastings, dinners, and trails can find further details on the York Food Festival website.

Taste Cumbria Cockermouth

When: 28-29 September 2024

Where: Cockermouth, Cumbria

Price: Free with some events being ticketed

This event, a staple of Cumbria’s calendar since 2010, was born out of the need to revive Cockermouth following devastating floods. Here’s a taste of what’s in store: producers’ stalls, a street party in Market Place, drinks tent and outdoor picnic area with live music all weekend, hot food court, cookery demonstrations, fairground rides, and children’s activities. Best of all, attendance is free, with ticketed events to be announced closer to the time.

Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival

When: 28-29 September 2024

Where: Snape Maltings, Suffolk

Price: Early bird tickets from £10, tickets at the gate, £12

The 2023 festival boasted an impressive lineup featuring 131 traders, two demo stages, six masterclasses, 32 children’s cookery classes, artisan producers and street food. Although the 2024 line-up remains under wraps, the stellar cast of 2023 included Adam Spicer from MasterChef, Rob Mace, the head chef at the Crown Hotel in Southwold, and Jeremy Lee.

Last year there was a dedicated family area for children curated by Grow Cook Eat offering cooking classes, crafts, and a toddler area for under fives.

Northern Ireland

Ballycastle Seafront Artisan Market

When: 12 May 2024

Where: Ballycastle Seafront

Price: Free

The Ballycastle Seafront Artisan Market is more than just a market; it’s a vibrant celebration of local food, culture, and traditions. Nestled along the scenic Causeway Coast, what sets this market apart is its commitment to quality and provenance. Every item tells a story crafted with care and passion by local artisans who take pride in their work.

At the market, meet the faces behind the goods – producers who pour their heart and soul into everything they create. Discover new flavours and witness raw talent in action.

The market is a perfect stop on a day out. After browsing the stalls, stroll along Ballycastle beach or explore the charming town with its cosy coffee shops, inviting restaurants and independent shops.

Belfast Mela

Woman dressed in traditional clothing dancing

When: 17-25 August 2024

Where: Belfast City Centre

Price: Free

Mela is one of Northern Ireland’s premier arts festivals, combining music, dance, arts, and food from around the globe to celebrate the rich tapestry of Belfast city’s cultural fabric.

August heralds the arrival of Mela, a Sanskrit term signifying ‘to meet,’ drawing up to 60,000 visitors annually to Belfast. The event transforms the city, infusing its streets with the kaleidoscopic sights, sounds, and aromas of nations worldwide.

Over the past decade, Mela has flourished, expanding its footprint to encompass six venues in the city centre by 2023. The 2024 programme will be announced soon.

Armagh Food & Cider Weekend

When: 5-8 September 2024

Where: Armagh, Orchard County

Price: TBC along with specific events

Taking place among beautiful apple orchards, this festival celebrates cider making and Armagh’s fantastic local produce. At the Food & Cider Weekend you’ll find al fresco dinners, artisan markets, cider tasting, foraged lunches, tours and talks. Last year’s programme also included a pizza pottery workshop, foodie film night, bread baking sessions and a murder mystery dinner, so expect lots more exciting events this year.

Scotland

Taste of Nairn festival

When: 10-12 May 2024

Where: Nairn Community & Arts Centre

Price: Free entry

Taste of Nairn festival is a three-day celebration of food and drink that proudly hosts the renowned World Tattie Scone Contest. This event highlights Nairn’s exceptional producer and growers and includes an array of attractions, including an artisanal market, cookery demos and a baking competition.

Lucy Harding from Nairn BID shares, ‘Each year, we tweak the event to ensure it is fresh and offers something new. This year, we are delighted to be adding a street market to the already ample offering.’

The Eat & Drink Festival Scotland

When: 24-27 May 2024

Where: SEC Centre, Glasgow

Price: £13 a day for adults, children’s tickets are free

Eat & Drink Scotland is a celebration of modern cuisine, mixology marvels, global flavours, and independent craftsmanship all under one roof. Eat, drink, and see celebrity chefs including Phil Vickery cooking live and sharing tips. Shop at the artisan producers market, with some of Scotland’s best food on offer including locally-sourced meats and cheeses, bread, patisserie, pickles, oils and more.

Taste of Grampian

When: 1 June 2024

Where: P&J Live, Aberdeen

Price: Earlybird tickets £12.50 + fees/ General admission £15 + fees

Get ready for an epic culinary extravaganza as Taste of Grampian gathers food enthusiasts under one roof at P&J Live on Saturday 1 June to champion local businesses and indulge in the irresistible flavours of the region.

Prepare for a feast of activities catering to all ages, with local chef masterclasses offering inspiration at every turn. Sample the best beverages the north-east has to offer, embark on fun food trails, and enjoy inflatable attractions for junior foodies.

Tickets are available now. Don’t miss the opportunity to see cooking demos by acclaimed chefs such as Nadiya Hussain and Si King– guaranteed to elevate your culinary adventures to new heights.

Foodies Festival

When: 9-11 August 2024

Where: Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow

Price: Many options available – check the official website

Looking for a delicious day out? Look no further than the Glasgow Foodies Festival 2024. It’s set to be the biggest celebration yet of chefs, food, drinks and live music featuring Symphonic Ibiza, Scouting For Girls, and Blue.

Watch top chefs, including MasterChef Champions and Michelin-starred experts, whip up their signature summer recipes in the La Española Chefs Theatre. And for those with a sweet tooth, join expert bakers in the Pots & Co Cake & Dessert Theatre to learn the secrets behind show-stopping cakes.

You can also taste new wines, champagnes, and cocktails at The Drinks Theatre while eating delicious street food from around the world. And there’s plenty of fun for everyone, with chilli-eating competitions and food challenges happening all day long. Kids can even get involved at The Kids Cookery Theatre.

For just £25 per person, you can join hands-on Authentic Thai Green Curry Cook School sessions led by top chef Nigel Brown. And don’t miss the all-new Flavour Town Fire Stage, where you can witness mesmerising fire-cooked recipes like Louisiana cajun chicken and cowboy butter tomahawk steak.

Stranraer Oyster Festival

When: 13-15 September 2024

Where: Stranraer

Price: Tickets released in June. Check the official website for further information.

Stranraer is home to Scotland’s last wild, native oyster fishery, and the festival pays homage to the town’s prized delicacies with a dynamic three-day programme. The 2024 line-up is yet to be announced but expect demos from celebrity chefs, extreme pond dipping, and an eclectic artisan market. Not to mention the famed Big Oyster Bash, children’s entertainment, a sprawling oyster bar, and a breathtaking fireworks display illuminating the shores of Loch Ryan.

At the festival’s heart lies the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship, affectionately dubbed the ShuckOff. Here, culinary maestros and seafood aficionados vie for the chance to represent Scotland at the prestigious World Championships in Galway, Ireland, in late September.

Wales

Cardiff Food & Drink Festival

When: 5-7 July 2024

Where: Roald Dahl Pass, Cardiff Bay

Price: Free

The Cardiff Food & Drink Festival is a highlight in the city’s summer calendar. At the heart of the festival, the producers fair and farmers market offer a variety of top-quality produce. There’s also a street food piazza where you can try everything from curries to poutine, catch live music at the bandstand and find unique handcrafted goods at the crafts market.

Abergavenny Food Festival

When: 21-22 September 2024

Where: Raglan Chambers, Abergavenny

Price: Many options are available – check the official website

Founded in 1999 by two local farmers in response to the BSE crisis, the Abergavenny Food Festival (AFF) has grown into a significant event. It’s held over the third weekend of September, drawing people together to celebrate the diverse food culture of Wales and beyond.

There’s a food market with over 200 stalls, each packed with tasty local treats, artisanal goodies, and flavours from around the world. Visitors can also enjoy cooking demonstrations by top chefs, talks and debates on food-related topics, hands-on workshops for all ages, live music and street food.

Neath Food & Drink Festival

When: 4-5 October 2024

Where: Neath, Wales

Price: Free

The Neath Food & Drink Festival is a true ode to Welsh food, with a street food market showcase over 50 vendors with everything from artisanal cheeses and charcuterie to succulent meats, fresh seafood, and delectable desserts.

Expect a melting pot of cuisine, from beloved traditional Welsh treats like Welsh cakes to innovative fusion creations and global street fare.

There’s also live music from local bands and artists, captivating street performances, cooking demos and workshops. Visit the website for further details.