Food festivals in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. More often than not, they're focused around a specific theme. Lovers of seafood, for example, can take a trip to the south coast for The Dorset Seafood Festival, which celebrates the very best of British fish and seafood. Or, go even more niche with the likes of Falmouth Oyster Festival, an event dedicated solely to the start of oyster season, which takes place over a weekend in October.
If you don’t fancy travelling the length of the country, there are plenty of big-name events touring the UK that make it much easier for you to access some of the UK’s best food festivals. Tom Kerridge’s much-loved Pub in the Park, for example, is hitting up nine locations in 2023, from London and Brighton through to St Albans.
Regardless of theme, food festivals do have plenty of common traits. Not only do they bring a wealth of fantastic food and drink stalls to a location near you, many also offer chef demonstrations, workshops, cooking classes, live music and activities for kids to take part in, too. Not to mention plenty of free samples!
So, whether you’re planning a family day out or keen to see your favourite chef in action, we recommend checking out one of these awesome food festivals. Have a scroll, then go ahead and book tickets today.
Food festivals near me
No matter where you live in the UK, there is likely to be a food festival heading to an area near you. For more foodie fun, check out our things to do page for a full list of local events taking place in the UK.
What is a food festival?
Every food festival is a little bit different, but the majority offer activities, entertainment and - of course - plenty of fantastic food and drink. Generally, they are community events that showcase food and drink from a range of producers, restaurants, caterers and traders via stalls and vendors. Many also offer chef demonstrations, workshops, talks, live music and family entertainment.
Are food festivals child-friendly?
It’s best to check with your chosen festival to see if it is suitable for children, but many festivals cater for families looking for a fun way to spend the weekend - which means plenty of kid-friendly food and entertainment.
What type of food festivals are there?
There is a huge range of food festivals on offer in the UK! These can be as broad or specific as you like, with many larger festivals offering a huge range of restaurants, chefs and activities, while smaller, local festivals may focus more on regional producers and ingredients. Discover food festivals in the UK focused on seafood, oysters, pub food, wine, coffee, brunch and more.