Tuck into these 2024 food festivals

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Showcasing the region's best food, drink, and hospitality, this 10-day West Sussex foodie spectacular features a new Street Food Festival on 8 September. Go exploring on a wine, gin and ale trail or shake it up at a Sussex champagne cocktail class. Go for tastings in the high street before settling in for a pub quiz or finess your baking skills at a bread making workshop. Enjoy al fresco dining? Then head to Knepp Wilding for its popular Friday BBQs. 

When? 6 to 15 September 2024

Join fellow food lovers to celebrate one of the most anticipated events in the foodie calendar – the Ludlow Food Festival. Over 100 exhibitors and hot and cold food vendors, primarily from Ludlow and the Welsh Marches, set up shop in the stunning surroundings of Ludlow Castle showcasing tasty, top-quality produce, from local charcuterie to hand-raised pies. And with tastings, talks and free chef demos galore, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

When? 13 to 15 September 2024

Granted a Protected Geographical Indication for its delicious pork pies, Melton Mowbray celebrates its eponymous delicacy, along with plenty of other artisan treats every autumn. The rural foodie capital bustles with a swath of stalls filled with the freshest countryside produce. Chomp on Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton cheese and try exotic delicacies too, including ostrich burgers and Persian dishes – a nod to the area’s multicultural community.

When? 5 and 6 October 2024

This tasty seafood festival returns to “Britain’s Ocean City” with entertainment, activities and a variety of fishy dishes to celebrate Plymouth’s  revered seafood heritage. Peruse an army of traders, learn a trick or two at the chef's stage and watch the sunset over the sea as you indulge in champagne and oysters. There’s plenty for the kids to get involved with, including a Find the Fish trail and of course, cheer on contenders in the famous cardboard boat race.

When? 14 to 15 September 2024

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Sink your teeth into everything from gourmet chocolate to Yorkshire salami from the markets sprawled over Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square at this 10-day foodie spectacular. Book yourself on one of the taste trails, take in a free cookery workshop, join an edible art workshop or sip and savour some delectable wines.

When? 20 to 29 September 2024

Taste some of Cumbria’s finest produce at the county’s flagship food festival. Explore tons of stalls, a hot food court and cooking demonstrations. Don’t miss the street party at Market Place, or the chance to try local spirits at the Taste of the Lakes Distillery Spirit Tasting Evening. Add in comedy shows, barbecues, cocktail masterclasses and a prosecco bar, and it's shaping up to be a good weekend all round.

When? 28 and 29 September 2024

The Dartmouth Food Festival is back for 2024 to celebrate the best food, drink and cookery skills from the South West. With an exciting mix of delicious regional food and drink from 100 local producers (with the majority from Devon itself), demonstrations by big-name chefs, workshops and lively food debates, it’s a foodie’s heaven. Walk the 13-mile Dart the Dart food trail from Totnes to Dartmouth to get an authentic taste of the region.

When? 25 to 27 September 2024

Held in the grounds of one of the most attractive stately homes in the North West, Arley Hall, The Great British Food Festival is one of the most iconic events in the Cheshire calendar. From live cooking demos to foraging walks, kids’ cookery lessons and a mini zoo, there’s enough to keep the whole family busy. Be sure to check out the artisan market brimming with local and national goodies you won’t find in a supermarket, before tucking into hand-crafted dishes from the array of street food vendors.

When?  21 and 22 September 2024

Carnivores assemble! One of London’s best-known food festivals, Meatopia – originally founded in the US – is adored by BBQ lovers. Each year,  around 70 of the world’s best live-fire chefs head into town to cook an array of exclusive dishes over sustainably sourced wood and charcoal. Wash your meats down with thirst-quenching beverages on offer in the TAPtopia hall, and work off the indulgence by dancing along to the live musicians, DJs and soul singers that can be found in every corner of the festival. 

When? 29 August to 1 September 2024

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Head east to celebrate Suffolk’s thriving food and drink scene at Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival. Sample the county’s best produce from over 100 vendors and watch local and visiting chefs take to the demonstration stages. Watch out for the ever-popular Seafood Stage, where you can learn where to shop for sustainable seafood and learn to prepare it at home.  

When? 28 and 29 September 2024

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Get a taste of all the superb seafood available from our southern shores at this award-winning festival in Weymouth. Munch on fishy treats such as crab tortillas, scallop lollipops (‘Scallypops’) and fresh curried seabass from an abundance of stalls, join in with hands-on cookery sessions, or sip a glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine and lap up the party atmosphere.

When? 7 and 8 September 2024

Organised by Berwick Slow Food, this festival brings together community in a celebration of fantastic food and drink . There will be local and regional food and drink stalls plus entertainment for all; children's activities will be run free of charge, as will film screenings and demo kitchens – a chance to learn a recipe or take part in discussions around sustainability, food sources and ways you can support the environment.

When? 16 to 18 August 2024

Cooking demonstration at Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival

This free two-day event promises a weekend of foodie treats and displays as well as plenty of family fun with fairground rides and free entertainment. Check out the full stage programme showing off some of the town’s favourite food and drink vendors; they’ll complement a farmers’ market and scores of stalls selling everything from gins to granolas and beers to burgers, with something to tempt everybody's tastebuds. You won’t leave feeling hungry!

When? 25 and 26 August 2024

Food and a fun-filled day by the seaside beckons at Fylde (pronounced ‘filed’) on the Lancashire coastline – did we mention that it has free entry, parking, entertainment and family activities? Head to Marine Hall where you can try and buy everything imaginable, from coffee to chutneys and pies to puddings, plus wines, beers, spirits and lots more. Settle down when you’re feeling peckish to taste your treats at the Wyre beach bar to enjoy the panoramic views.

When? 1 September 2024