Calling all food lovers! If you, like us, enjoy top-notch street food, celebrity chef demos and live music, food festivals are a must-visit.

The UK has endless opportunities for food lovers to get out and about and experience a diverse range of cuisines, with everything from gourmet dining to sizzling street food on offer across the country. Whether you’re into Michelin-starred cuisine, BBQ feasts or artisan delicacies, there’s a festival for every palate. Here are a few you might like to sample in the coming months…

PUB IN THE PARK

Locations:          Multiple UK locations (2025 to include Marlow, London, Reigate, St. Albans)
When:                    Marlow: 15th – 18th May 2025

London: 30th May – 1st June 2025

Reigate: 11th – 13th July 2025

St. Albans: 5th – 7th September 2025

Pub in the Park is back this summer, popping up in four top locations for the ultimate celebration of the Great British pub. Founded by Tom Kerridge, the festival blends award-winning gastropubs and top-tier chefs, including Michel Roux, Raymond Blanc and Yotam Ottolenghi, all serving up incredible dishes, live demos and pop-up tastings. Alongside the mouthwatering food, expect an epic music lineup with performances from the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Jess Glynne, plus plenty of craft drinks, artisan stalls and family-friendly entertainment. Whether you’re in it for the posh pub grub, great vibes with friends, or just a weekend packed with flavour and fun, Pub in the Park delivers it all.

THE BIG FEASTIVAL 

Location:             Cotswolds
When:                    22nd – 24th August 2025

At The Big Feastival, you’ll be spoiled for choice with an incredible mix of food, music and family entertainment. Sing along to world-class music acts on the main stage and dance the night away while exploring multiple stages featuring unforgettable performances from artists like Nelly Furtado, Tom Walker and The Wombats. Food lovers can indulge in street food, rustic dining and pop-up restaurants, while also catching live demos and talks from award-winning chefs on The Big Kitchen Stage.

For hands-on fun, the cookery school offers interactive sessions for all ages. Families can enjoy magical performances, workshops and character meet & greets, while those looking for a different kind of entertainment can dive into live podcast recordings and laugh-out-loud comedy sets. There’s truly something for everyone at The Big Feastival.

Smoke & Fire

Locations:          Ascot & Maldon
When:                   Ascot: 5th – 6th July 2025

Maldon 16th – 17th August 2025

Get ready for a flavour packed fiesta at Smoke & Fire this year as the festival teams up with the UK’s largest taco and tequila festival, bringing an electrifying South American and Latin twist to your typical BBQ. Feast on mouthwatering tacos from top street food vendors, sip premium tequilas, and take on hilarious challenges like the Tortilla Slap or test your endurance in a fiery chilli-eating contest. Meat lovers can witness the intense World Butcher Wars while BBQ fans dive into pitmaster masterclasses and cheer on competitors at the British Open BBQ Championships.

And it doesn’t stop at food, this year’s music lineup brings the heat with a battle of the tribute bands between Shoasis (Oasis) and Blurd (Blur), setting the perfect vibe for a weekend of fire, flavour and fun. Whether you’re a BBQ buff, food fanatic or just in it for the vibes, Smoke & Fire is the ultimate summer celebration.

Universal Cookery and Food Festival

Location: Tewinbury Farm, Herts
When: Tuesday 16th September 2025

Positioned as the ultimate food experience designed by chefs for chefs, UCFF provides chefs with a unique opportunity to get out of the kitchen or office and rub shoulders with local farmers, foragers, growers and suppliers, in addition to networking with some of the industry’s top insiders and colleagues.

On the line up for this year is a farmers’ market along with a range of demos including – The Trends & Debates Stage, The Staff Canteen Live Stage, The Wild Food Stage: Feather, Fur, Fin and Fungus and even Foraging tours along the River Mimram. All this as well as Roots Garden Kitchen and other venue highlights, not to mention complimentary breakfast, lunch and refreshments, prepared by their amazing chefs using local ingredients and hero products. So, if you’re a chef and fancy a day out of the kitchen make sure you keep the 16th of September free

TOP TIPS FOR ANY FOOD FESTIVAL

Whether you’re attending one of the festivals above or one of the hundreds of others around the UK, these top tips will help you make the most out of your foodie festival experience.

  1. Arrive hungry: This isn’t just a casual lunch outing, it’s an eating marathon, not a sprint! Show up with an empty stomach and a willingness to taste-test your way through the festival. Start with small portions so you don’t hit a food coma too soon, because regret is skipping dessert when you thought you were full.
  2. Plan ahead: Food FOMO is real! Check the festival schedule, vendor list and special events before you go, so you don’t miss out on must-try dishes or celebrity chef demos. Highlight the stalls you have to visit, time your tastings wisely, and leave room for surprises, because sometimes the best bite is the one you didn’t see coming!
  3. Bring a container or reusable bags: Think ahead, because let’s be honest, your eyes will be bigger than your stomach! Many festivals have artisan markets and takeaway options, so bring a small container or reusable bag to stash away extra goodies. Whether you’re sharing the love with those who couldn’t make it, or just stocking up for a solo snack fest, you’ll thank yourself when you’re still enjoying festival treats days later.
  4. Get involved: Food festivals aren’t just about eating – test your taste buds in a hot wing eating challenge, get hands-on in a cooking workshop, or dive into a live Q&A with top chefs. Who knows? You might leave the festival with a new skill or a shiny new title as the reigning hot wing champion!
  5. Capture the experience: Food festivals are a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! Take photos of beautifully plated dishes, live demos and behind-the-scenes moments. Pro tip: natural light is your best friend, so get those shots before you dig in. Oh, and don’t forget to tag your favourite vendors – it’s a tasty way to show them some love.
  6. Sharing is caring: Share your experiences on social media, whether it’s a slick Instagram Reel with the latest soundtrack or a fun TikTok we’d love to see what you get up to at this year’s foodie festivals! And don’t forget to tag us in @jellybeanagency
Helena Strassel
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