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Food Festivals: What To Book For 2023
Foodies, get your teeth stuck into these festivals
By | 3 months ago
From fresh seafood in Scotland to sparkling wine in the south, Britain is home to an abundance of excellent food and drink. And what better way to celebrate our bountiful culinary offering than by throwing a big festival? The UK’s food festival scene is stronger than ever, with an eclectic range of events taking place throughout the year. These are an opportunity to discover interesting producers, watch chef demonstrations, take part in workshops and more – often alongside a stellar music line-up. Here are some of the buzziest food festivals to book for 2023.
UK Food Festivals: What To Book For 2023
- Pub in the Park
- Smoked & Uncut
- The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
- Smoke and Fire
- The Big Feastival
- Meatopia
- North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival
- Abergavenny Food Festival
- Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival
- Scottish Wild Food Festival
- Falmouth Oyster Festival
May
Pub in the Park
Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park sees a top line-up of chefs and music artists touring around the country, all with one mission: to celebrate everything there is to love about the glorious British pub. The chef line-up for next year’s festival is yet to be announced, but you can always guarantee a great turnout – last year featured names like James Martin and Michael Roux Jr, plus pop-ups from numerous UK restaurants. Music is a big part of this one too, with performances from Sam Ryder, Clean Bandit, Tinie Tempah and The Jacksons on the cards for 2023.
When? 12 May – 10 September 2023
Where? Various locations across the country including London, Marlow and Bath
BOOK: pubintheparkuk.com
July
Smoked & Uncut
© Jennifer McCord
This popular countryside carnival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with two events taking place across the summer – one at Lime Wood hotel in the New Forest, the other at THE PIG-at Bridge Place in Kent. At Lime Wood, Angela Hartnett will be returning with her pop-up Field Kitchen, serving up seasonal Italian fare, alongside food stalls offering everything from crab shacks to BBQ dishes. And on the music side, guests can enjoy performances from an all-female line-up of headliners: Kelis, Gabrielle and DJ Harriet Rose are all confirmed. You can expect an abundance of great food, too, at the Kent event, where Razorlight is headlining.
When? 8 July and 12 August 2023
Where? Lime Wood, New Forest and THE PIG-at Bridge Place in Kent
BOOK: smokedanduncut.com
The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
From James Martin to Gino D’Acampo, some of the UK’s top food names will be heading to the Yorkshire Dales this July for its annual festival. The family-friendly event attracts over 30,000 people each year, with over 250 exhibitors and the option to camp or glamp amid the picturesque setting. Chefs will be cooking up their favourite dishes in the theatre kitchen, and visitors can get involved themselves in one of the many workshops and masterclasses on offer. For children, there’s a special kid-friendly cooking school, a petting farm and a disco – plus a programme of live music which includes tribute acts from the likes of Katy Perry and the Spice Girls.
When? 21 – 23 July 2023
Where? Funkirk Farm, Skipton
BOOK: yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Edinburgh Food Festival
The Scottish capital is famed for its art festival, but it also hosts an excellent food event during the summer. Returning to the city this July is the Edinburgh Food Festival, a celebration of local, sustainably sourced produce showcasing traders from all over Scotland. The festival’s Global Kitchen will celebrate the country’s globally inspired food scene, with everything from Lebanese falafel to North American churro funnel cakes on offer. Alongside this, there will be food from local favourites like Mana Poké, The Buffalo Truck, Jarvis Pickle and Alanda’s Seafood Grill. You can also stock up on supplies from the daily Producers Market, and catch live events at the Treehouse Kitchen, with themes this year including ethical eating, seasonality, zero waste dining and technological trends.
When? 21 – 30 July 2023
Where? Edinburgh
BOOK: edfoodfest.com
Feria de Londres
One of the UK’s largest celebrations of Spanish culture, Feria de Londres, returns this July, this time taking place in the new location of Wembley Park. The free two-day festival will bring a carnival spirit to the capital, featuring everything from dancing workshops, flamenco dancing and live music – alongside plenty of great food, of course. An array of stalls will serve Spanish delicacies like paella, tortillas, croquetas and churros, plus cocktails and cervezas. The Feria Stage will be the event’s only ticketed area, offering a programme of live music from flamenco dancer and rapper Tomasito, singer Muchachito, and Barcelona-based rumba band Rumbakana.
When? 29 and 30 July 2023
Where? Wembley Park
BOOK: feriadelondres.com
August
Smoke and Fire
Returning to Ascot Racecourse and Promenade Park this August is Smoke and Fire, the UK’s largest BBQ festival which is now in its fifth year. A celebration of outdoor cooking, it will showcase street vendors, chefs, butchers and bakers from all over the world, taking place across two weekends in two different locations. Live demonstrations will teach guests traditional Mexican cooking techniques from Cavita, how to make the perfect jerk with Rudies London and much more, alongside pop-ups from the likes of Mediterranean restaurant Barboun and Mexican-Korean street food spot Mexican Seoul. New for 2023 is Pit Chat, where visitors will have the chance to speak with the authors of their favourite BBQ cookbooks and learn their tricks of the trade. All this can be enjoyed to the soundtrack of blues and country music, with live bands and singers performing across the weekend.
When? 5 – 6 August, and 26 – 28 August 2023
Where? Ascot Racecourse, and Promenade Park, Maldon
BOOK: smokeandfirefestival.com
The Big Feastival
c. Jenna Foxton
Always a highlight on the summer calendar is The Big Feastival, the ultimate feel-good food extravaganza which takes place on Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds. Each year, it brings together top chefs, artists woodand producers – plus a whole bunch of hungry festival-goers – for a weekend of good food and good music. This year’s line-up has just been announced, and it’s as exciting as ever, featuring Asma Khan, Nathan Outlaw and Anna Haugh on the food side, alongside music from Sigrid, Tom Grennan and Mel C. It’s a great option for families too, with plenty of activities for little ones.
When? 25 – 27 August 2023
Where? The Cotswolds
BOOK: thebigfeastival.com
Meatopia
Now over 10 years old, Meatopia is a festival dedicated to meat, with a focus on quality and sustainability. Taking place in Tobacco Dock each year, the event sees over 60 of the world’s best live-fire chefs gather to cook up exclusive dishes over sustainably-sourced wood and charcoal, with previous names including Ottolenghi, Niklas Ekstedt and Francis Mallmann. All this is to be enjoyed alongside live music from roaming brass brands and DJs, plus craft beers and cocktails.
When? 31 August – 3 September
Where? Tobacco Dock, London
BOOK: meatopia.co.uk
September
North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival
Norfolk’s biggest food festival returns to the Walled Garden at Holkham this September, with the aim of promoting small businesses, producers and chefs. Each year, over 12,000 visitors flock there to try some of the area’s finest food and drink, from pizzas to hog roasts, artisan coffee and Thai dishes. The popular Cookery Theatre will be returning, hosted by Andy Newman, with a line-up of the region’s best chefs primed to cook up a storm using local produce. While you’re there, it’s also worth having a wander round Holkham Hall, an 18th century Palladian-style mansion, and taking a trip to the beautiful Holkham beach.
When? 2 and 3 September 2023
Where? Holkham, Norfolk
BOOK: northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk
The Home of Food
Brand new for this year is a food festival from Yorkshire-based chef Tommy Banks, set to take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in September. The line-up will feature some of the UK’s best chefs, including Richard Corrigan, Lisa Goodwin Allen and Gareth Ward, plus a banquet from Tommy’s soon-to-open Yorkshire pub The Abbey Inn. Alongside this, there will be family-friendly events including cricket taster sessions, cooking lessons and behind-the-scenes tours of the grounds.
When? 9 and 10 September 2023
Where? Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
BOOK: tickets.lords.org
Abergavenny Food Festival
Perhaps the most high-brow festival on our list, Abergavenny Food Festival is known for bringing together chefs, food businesses, farmers and food producers who flock to the historic Welsh town to enjoy talks, demonstrations and, of course, lots of delicious food. From tutored tastings to demos from top chefs, tours and forages as well as big parties, there’s something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds.
When? 16 – 17 September 2023
Where? Abergavenny, Wales
BOOK: Tickets available from 1 April 2023, abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival
The excellent Manx produce is celebrated each year at the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, which returns this September. Over 70 producers join forces on the island, from fizz to sausages and artisan breads, alongside cookery demonstrations and live entertainment. The Manx Cookery Theatre hosts sessions on everything from preparing shellfish to Indian flavours and butchery, alongside cheese tastings and a workshop on sea salt.
When? 16 – 17 September 2023
Where? Isle of Man
BOOK: iomfoodanddrink.com
Scottish Wild Food Festival
Set on the beautiful Cardross Estate, The Scottish Wild Food Festival is – as the name suggests – a celebration of wild food. Visitors are invited to take part in hands-on foraging, folklore walks and craft workshops, watch demonstrations from chefs and join daily long table meals packed with seasonal, foraged ingredients.
When? 16 and 17 September 2023
Where? Tir na nog, near Glasgow, Scotland
BOOK: Ticket release date TBC, scottishwildfoodfestival.co.uk
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
Thomasina Miers, Pierre Koffmann and Jeremy Lee are just some of the big culinary names set to feature in the 18th edition of the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, which returns to Snape Matings this September. It’s a chance to celebrate the bountiful produce of the Suffolk area, from East Coast fisheries to gin and honey producers. Guests will be able to explore stalls from over 120 food and drink producers offering organic vegetables, beer, chocolate, bread and more, alongside plenty of street food stalls. There will also be a family-focused area where little festival-goers can get involved with cookery lessons, seed plantain, face painting and more.
When? 23 – 24 September 2023
Where? Snape Maltings
BOOK: aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk
England’s Seafood Feast
Seafood lovers will be in heaven at this festival, which takes place across the Devon towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay across two weeks this autumn. Visitors can enjoy seafood-focused menus, crab-cracking masterclasses and guest chef events – with a focus on fish that has been caught locally. There will also be sea shanty singers, trips out to sea, fishing, foraging workshops, wild swimming and more. Sure to be a highlight is the ‘7 Chefs’ event in Torquay, where guests will be treated to a seven-course seafood feast paired with local artisanal drinks.
When? 29 September – 15 October 2023
Where? South Devon
BOOK: theseafoodfeast.co.uk
Future of Food
Head down to Regent Street and St James’ this September for Future of Food, a week-long festival championing sustainability in the culinary industry. From panel discussions and masterclasses to Michelin-starred menus, al fresco feasts and even Regent Street’s first urban farm, this innovative festival encompasses an array of events designed to celebrate forward-thinking, sustainable cooking and spotlight the experts who are already working to make it happen.
When? 18 – 24 September 2023
Where? Regent Street & St James’, London
BOOK: regentstreetonline.com
October
Falmouth Oyster Festival
Oyster lovers, shuck to your heart’s content at the annual Falmouth Oyster Festival, which runs every October to celebrate the start of oyster-dredging season. Taking place on the harbourside location of Church Street, it offers a mix of cookery demonstrations, live music, arts and crafts and more, with plenty of opportunities to sample top Cornish produce. Naturally, oysters are a key focus: there’s a shucking competition and a grand oyster parade, but the festival also celebrates the wider diversity of Cornish seafood, with plenty of champagne to pair it with.
When? 13 – 16 October 2023
Where? Falmouth, Cornwall
