10 Traditional Welsh Foods You Must Try
Traditional Welsh food is a must-try for those visiting Wales, with half of the country backing onto the coast...
Are you a foodie, or simply looking for a great day out in the UK? Explore this handy guide to the best food festivals in 2023.
Food festivals come in all shapes and sizes! You’ll find everything from independent pop-ups to food-based events, and even flame cooking, celebrity guests, and oyster parades.
With many of these festivals being dotted around the UK, you’re guaranteed to find your next gastronomic experience here.
Ready to tantalise your taste buds? Explore this array of fantastic UK food festivals…
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Perfect for: Vegans looking for an accessible festival
Are you a vegan, or simply want to try delicious, meat-free meals? We recommend venturing to one of Vegan Events UK’s wealth of vegan food festivals! These vibrant festivals are dotted throughout the UK, so you can look forward to savouring plant-based dishes wherever you are based.
With 60+ amazing stalls at the majority of its locations, you won’t struggle to find new dishes to try here. One of the best parts of the food offering here is that it is sourced by local vendors; whilst you’re tucking into delicious treats you’ll also be funding small businesses!
Additionally, this array of festivals is very family-friendly, offering free tickets to children under 16 years old. And, if you need a break from filling up on the tasty treats here, there are a range of vendors selling plant-based gifts, such as essential oils and soaps.
Where can I find this food festival near me? Leicester, Manchester, Scotland, Portsmouth, Leeds, Bath, Coventry, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham and Bournemouth
Book tickets: https://www.veganeventsuk.co.uk/buy-tickets/
Website: veganeventsuk.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
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Perfect for: Those seeking a veggie-friendly indoor event
Want to try vegan and vegetarian delights in a huge, sheltered space? Come to VegFest UK 2023! This event boasts 200+ exhibitors for you to visit, where treats and goods await.
On top of mouthwatering food, this food festival also features a variety of demonstrations, performances and talks. You can enjoy all this at two central locations, London and Brighton. The latter even offers free attendance to all visitors, so please ensure you grab a ticket whilst they last!
VegFestUK will take place over a weekend, so you can look forward to two whole days of sampling plant-based treats and educating yourself about meat-free diets. Previous guests who have given fascinating talks at VegFestUK include adventure activist Kate Strong and author Mitali Deypurkaystha.
Where to find it: Brighton and London
Book tickets: VegFestUK Brighton 2023 | VegFestUK London 2023 (Please keep checking this page for 2023 ticket updates)
Website: vegfest.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
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Perfect for: Meat enthusiasts
If you’re a meat lover, then Meatopia should be that the top of your food and drink festival agenda for 2023! Situated on Tobacco Dock, Shadwell, not only does this food festival’s location have a trendy vibe but it is very easy to access via the tube, with Shadwell Station being 0.5 mile away.
The Meatopia festival itself boasts a range of smoked meat dishes that use sustainably-sourced charcoal and wood. When you’re feeling thirsty, simply make your way over to the TAPtopia hall where an array of soft drinks, pints and cocktails await.
Meat delights and refreshing beverages aren’t the only things on offer at Meatopia, you can also look forward to listening to the tune of brass bands and live musicians; the perfect accompaniment to a delicious dish!
Where to find it: Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF
Book tickets: seetickets.com/tour/meatopia (please keep checking this page for the 2023 event)
Website: meatopia.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
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Perfect for: Cheese aficionados
Delightful dairy, celebrity guest talks and a lively atmosphere are just a few of the things to expect at this marvellous food festival in the UK! Love Cheese Live is the best festival to visit if you adore all things cheese and want to try a range of cheesy specialities.
A highlight of this Staffordshire food festival is the Chefs Stage where you will get the chance to watch a celebrity expert rustle up their favourite cheese dish. James Martin will be making his way to Love Cheese Live 2023, and will only be appearing on Saturday 1 July; be sure to secure a ticket if you’re a fan of his!
Other fantastic expert talks include the Cheese and Beer Pairing Masterclass and the Chef’s Table. After watching these, why not make your way to the artisan and cheese markets to sample some mouthwatering dishes?
Live music will also be playing at the festival between 10am – 4:30pm in the food zone, so look forward to kicking back and unwinding to the music!
Where to find it: Staffordshire County Showground, ST18 0BD
Book tickets: lovecheeselive.co.uk/gettickets
Website: lovecheeselive.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
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Perfect for: Those who love seafood
One of the best food festivals in the UK for seafood, the Falmouth Oyster Festival was bound to make this list. If you’re an oyster lover, this is the place to be in 2023! There is so much to get up to here, from cooking demonstrations to the Grand Oyster Parade.
Possibly the best aspect of the food festival is that daytime tickets are completely free! However, if you wish to visit on a Thursday and Saturday evening, you’ll need to buy tickets via the link below.
The festival gives you a great insight into oyster harvesting and how it is a crucial part of Falmouth‘s culture, with many family-run businesses specialising in this type of seafood. Alongside the small oyster businesses, you’ll also get the chance to meet experts with ties to the local area, such as Darren Millgate and Nick Hodges.
Where to find it: Staffordshire County Showground, ST18 0BD
Book tickets: falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk/tickets/
Website: falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
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Perfect for: Those wanting to try eclectic and gourmet dishes
Have a taste for the finer things in life? Make your way to Marylebone Food Festival, one of the more unique yet opulent food festivals in the UK!
Taking place in the spring each year, the festival offers visitors access to a range of restaurants serving up gastronomic delights from Marylebone Village. Some of the vendors that have set up shop during previous years include Caldesi in Marylebone and The Coachmakers Arms.
Marylebone Food Festival offers more than tasty dishes, though, as festival goers can also look forward to getting involved in masterclasses and supper clubs. Additionally, whilst the food festival prides itself on its gourmet dining experiences, the event will also be donating proceeds to a local charity, FoodCycle Marylebone; so, your contribution will help make a difference here.
Where to find it: London, W1U 2NE
Book tickets: Tickets are not available at the moment, please keep checking the website below for information.
Website: marylebonefoodfestival.com
Social Media: Instagram
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Perfect for: Fans of live music
The heavily anticipated food festival in the UK, Pub in the Park is returning this year in 11 locations! A family-friendly festival, Pub in the Park not only boasts delicious food from an array of vendors but offers access to amazing hosts, child-friendly activities and of course, music from top musicians. Some of the headlining artists include Sam Ryder and Clean Bandit.
Each location will feature a handful of special host talks; where will you go, to Wimbledon to watch Ainsley Harriot, to Marlow to hear from Nisha Katona or Bath to hear from Marco Pierre White?
Other than the entertainment, the main event of this festival is the food! The delicious aroma of the food will make it hard to resist being drawn to the plethora of vendors who have set up shop here.
Like many of the other food festivals in this guide, the vendors comprise local businesses, so it won’t be hard to find something unique to eat. If you like the look of this, you’ll love browsing for the best UK festivals for music!
Where can I find this food festival near me? Wimbledon, Marlow, Bath, Dulwich, Reigate, Leamington Spa, Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Chiswick and St Albans
Website: pubintheparkuk.com
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Those wanting to see celebrity guests in person
Ready for a weekend packed with family-friendly experiences, celebrity chefs and delectable food? Look no further than one of the best food festivals in the UK: Seaham Food Festival in Durham!
First and foremost, a major highlight of this food festival is the renowned experts who have taken the time to provide talks and demos to visitors. Celebrity chefs who have visited Seaham Food Festival in the past include multi-Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Masterchef finalist Pookie and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt.
From desserts to antipasti dishes, there’s guaranteed to be something that will make your mouth water here. Once you’ve secured a bite to eat, grab a deck chair and soak up the sights along Durham’s Heritage Coast before enjoying more live entertainment.
Where to find it: Off North Terrace, SR7 7EU
Book tickets: Tickets aren’t available yet but keep up to date with festival news by subscribing to their newsletter.
Website: seahamfoodfestival.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Those wanting to learn something new
Are you after the best food festivals in the UK that offer a varied agenda of things to do? Abergavenny Food Festival is the perfect event for you.
This must-visit festival is situated within Abergavenny’s market space and features a great schedule, including flame-cooking demonstrations, foraging experiences and foodie author meet & greets. The latter often includes fascinating talks too, such as those centred around traditional Welsh foods and veganism.
If you’re a beer enthusiast, the food festival even features “The Greatest Hits of Welsh Craft Beer” where you can enjoy a session of music and beer matching! Alternatively, test your general gastronomy knowledge at The Food Quiz event which is hosted by the quirky Monsieur Bon Bon & Madame Saucisson.
Where to find it: Raglan Chambers, NP7 5AU
Website: abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Those after a music festival scene with amazing food
Taking place on ex-Blur bassist turned cheese-maker Alex James’ Oxfordshire farm, this camping-centric event enjoys the idyllic surroundings of the Cotswolds, making you feel worlds away from the usual hustle and bustle of life.
Open to groups of all kinds, this is another one of those food festivals that has it all! Vibrant, upbeat surroundings, Michelin-star chefs and a quality musical lineup are just a few things that await you at The Big Feastival.
Due to the large emphasis placed on camping, glitter and music at this food festival, you might get the impression that this is an event best suited to young adults. However, The Big Feastival is very family-friendly, thanks to the Parents Pitstop area, baby-changing facilities, family entertainment and The Oraganix Family Dining Room.
Where to find it: Alex James’ Farm near Kingham, OX7 6UJ
Book tickets: thebigfeastival.com/tickets
Website: thebigfeastival.com
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Those wanting to try something different
One of the biggest food festivals on the Isle of Wight, the Garlic Festival is a great addition to this guide. Dating back to 1983, this is an iconic part of the Isle of Wight‘s culture and history, and an absolute must-see event if you’re a garlic lover.
There is so much to do at the festival, however, the star of the show is The Garlic Farm‘s produce. Home-grown garlic is at the heart of the event, and you’ll not only be able to purchase it fresh but will find it in dishes, beer and even clothes!
Alongside products relating to the festival’s namesake, you’ll also discover island businesses selling sweet treats, liqueur, goat’s milk produce, honey and so much more. After purchasing some goods, why not make your way to the Wild Cactus Hoedown, treasure hunt or try your hand at juggling plates in the Circus Skills workshop?
Where to find it: Fighting Cocks Crossroads, PO36 0LU
Book tickets: garlicfestival.co.uk/tickets
Website: garlicfestival.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Foodies looking for a varied day out
The Foodies Festival is the perfect event for anyone who loves to try new dishes and enjoy a variety of entertainment. From masterclasses to feasting tents, there’s something for every foodie here!
The food festival has been taking place for over 14 years and is situated in 11 locations throughout the UK, meaning you can expect a first-class experience to be within reach, no matter where you live!
The dishes, of course, enjoy the spotlight at this festival. There are a variety of culinary spots to visit here, including the street food area, the artisan market, restaurant pop-ups and the luxury VIP tent.
After you’ve chowed down on a tasty meal, why not head to the live music stage? Here, you can soak up the sounds of the UK’s top acts, such as Fleur East and Scouting for Girls.
If you want to throw yourself into the action, we recommend booking a space at one of the visiting MasterChef Professionals winners’ masterclasses. During these classes, you can learn all about baking, cocktail making and culinary recipes.
Where can I find this food festival near me? Brighton, Cardiff, London, St Albans, Exeter, Chelmsford, Winchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford and Norwich
Book tickets: foodies.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
Website: foodiesfestival.com
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Perfect for: Those wanting to dine in enchanting surroundings
Finishing off our guide to the best food and drink festivals in the UK is this Shropshire gem! The festival stages, workshops and activities all enjoy the charming backdrop of Ludlow Castle. The event takes place over three days, so if you want to experience the entire festival it would be best to do so from Ludlow accommodation.
The food festival benefits from welcoming a plethora of new exhibitors each year, however local favourites Swifts Bakery Ltd and Hobson’s Brewery will be returning in 2023, too. To make things easier for visitors this year, the festival has also set up a shopping crèche, so you won’t need to worry about carrying things around!
Additionally, this is a very accessible event, with wheelchair-friendly facilities, baby-changing rooms and special feeding areas. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome at the festival, so you can offer your pooch a treat at one of the dog-friendly stalls.
Where to find it: Castle Sq, SY8 1AY
Book tickets: foodfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets/ludlow-food-festival-tickets
Website: ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
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Another all-in-one food festival, Deva Fest is a hit with families and friends alike. Nestled amidst the gorgeous grounds of Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, expect a stunning backdrop and tantalising food.
One of the major things to look forward to at this festival is the music. Deva Fest boasts four stages, including a dance stage, where you can listen to classic old school and house tunes. A comedy stage also enjoys a space at the festival; make your way over for a chuckle!
When it comes to food, you can find street food traders and fantastic bars dotted around the site. And, if you’re up for a thrill, why not take part in Deva Fest’s watersports? Kayaking and SUPs are available in abundance here.
Where to find it: Cholmondeley Castle, SY14 8AH
Book tickets: devafest.co.uk/tickets
Website: devafest.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram| Facebook
Feeling inspired by this selection of foodie havens? Find more activities to get up to in the locations they’re based in by reading our Travel Guide. Are you reading this and thinking that food festivals aren’t your scene? Check out our guide to the best farmers markets in the UK instead.
Hi, I'm Lola and I joined Sykes in 2021. My favourite holiday destination in the UK has to be Suffolk, I have so many happy memori...
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