UK Food Festivals To Book For 2026
By
10 minutes ago
Highlights from this year's culinary calendar
Summer isn’t the only time for festivals. Throughout the year, the country’s regional culinary scenes are celebrated with an eclectic programme of events, offering the chance to meet local producers, watch top chefs in action and of course tuck into plenty of delicious food and drinks. From Alex James’ annual Cotswolds farm festival to a weekend dedicated to oysters, here are the ones to have on your radar for 2026.
Best British Food Festivals 2026
Pub in the Park
Kicking off the year’s food festivals is Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park, which sees a top line-up of chefs and music artists flocking to Marlow’s Higginson Park with one mission: to celebrate everything there is to love about the glorious British pub. This year’s foodie line-up is yet to be announced, but Kerridge, naturally, is well-connected and always brings out the big dogs – previous years have included talks and demonstrations from the likes of Angela Hartnett, Mary Berry, Michel Roux, Candice Brown and Jose Pizarro. On the music side, 2026 headliners include Jools Holland, Craig David, Gabrielle and McFly.
When? 14 – 17 May 2026
Where? Higginson Park, Marlow
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
The majestic Blenheim Palace is a fine setting for a food festival. Head there this May to enjoy three days of artisan food and wine tasting, plus live demos, workshops and Q&As with top chefs – previous line-ups have included everyone from Raymond Blanc to TikTok chef Sam Way. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family, alongside a picnic area and an array of local and national food stalls.
When? 23 – 25 May 2026
Where? Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Taste of London
Come summertime you’ll find all of the capital’s hot young foodies eating their way around Taste of London, set to return to Regent’s Park for another five-day feasting extravaganza (usually held in June). Each year, the festival brings together pop-ups from some of the city’s buzziest new openings alongside established favourites for five days of street food, chef demonstrations and masterclasses. At the 2025 event, festival goers had the chance to try food from Guy Ritchie’s gastropub Lore of the Land, Notting Hill’s Punjabi hotspot Empire Empire and robatayaki restaurant Roka, among others – plus watch names like Apricity founder Chantelle Nicholson and Bubala chef Helen Graham cook dishes at the Taste Cook School. With champagne and cocktail bars dotted around and a lively atmosphere, it’s always a fun and delicious day out.
When? Dates TBC
Where? Regent’s Park, London
The Big Feastival
In the Cotswolds, the biggest foodie event of the year is The Big Feastival, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend on Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds. Amid this charming bucolic setting, top chefs, artists and producers – plus a whole bunch of hungry festival-goers – come together for a weekend of good food and good music. Think wood-fired pizza, juicy burgers, premium steak and buddha bowls, followed by sweet treats of Blondies Kitchen cookies and Belgian chocolate desserts, plus margs, frozen cocktails and wine. While you tuck in, enjoy music from this year’s artists: Bastille, Basement Jaxx and The Streets are headlining, with a whole host of foodie names and pop-up stalls to be announced in due course. Check out our guide to the festival for a flavour.
When? 28 – 30 August 2026
Where? Kingham, the Cotswolds
Meatopia
Now 13 years old, Meatopia is a festival dedicated to meat and live fire cooking, with a focus on quality and sustainability. It has long been taking place at London’s Tobacco Dock, but last summer a second edition was added to the mix, this one in Glasgow. Both events see an impressive roster of the world’s best live-fire chefs gather for the ultimate BBQ party – previous years have included names like Yotam Ottolenghi, St John founder Fergus Henderson and Acme Fire Cult’s Andrew Clarke. Ethical sourcing is pivotal throughout the event, with a focus on nose-to-tail eating and lesser-known cuts of meat. All this is to be enjoyed alongside live music from roaming brass brands and DJs, plus craft beers and cocktails, with butchery classes and cooking workshops running throughout,
When? 3 – 6 September 2026 (London) and 12 – 14 June 2026 (Glasgow)
Where? Tobacco Dock, London and SWG3, Glasgow
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. Every 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 hosts a line-up of the region’s best chefs, who 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? 5 and 6 September 2026
Where? Holkham, Norfolk
Abergavenny Food Festival
Each September, the Welsh town of Abergavenny comes alive with chefs, farmers and foodies, who unite for the annual food festival. Set across two days in multiple venues, the event sees over 150 exhibitors showcasing local produce from Monmouthshire, the Marches, Wales and further afield. Festival goers can watch chefs live in action on the stage in the Victorian Market Hall, and listen to debates from culinary figures: in previous years the festival has attracted names like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver and Monica Galetti.
When? 19 and 20 September 2026
Where? Abergavenny, Wales
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
Home to over 50 miles of coastline and some of the country’s finest gastropubs, Suffolk has a thriving food and drink scene. At the heart lies the region’s artisan producers, who join together for the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival. Founded in 2006, the weekend always attracts a star-studded line-up: last year names like Ben Tish and Tom Booton made an appearance, alongside food writers including Clare Finney and William Sitwell. You can guarantee an exciting range of masterclasses will be on offer too, where you can dip your toe into the art of seafood cooking, food preservation and more.
When? 26 and 27 September 2026
Where? Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Falmouth Oyster Festival
One of Cornwall’s best-loved culinary events is the Falmouth Oyster Festival, a weekend dedicated to the mighty mollusc. Designed to celebrate the start of oyster dredging season, which runs from October to March, the festival highlights traditional harvesting methods using only sail and oar, with a focus on the native Fal oyster. Shuck oysters while sipping champagne, meet local Cornish producers and catch the annual Working Boat Race – all amid the picturesque settings of Falmouth.
When? October 2026
Where? Falmouth, Cornwall
