13 Food Festivals All Foodies Need To Visit Before They Die

If you consider yourself a true foodie, you’d better get these festivals in your diary. Each and every one of them will blow your mind! As a dedicated foodie, you can take my word for it: these are the shows you just have to go to before you die.

1. Foodies Festival

Foodies Festival / Via foodiesfestival.com

With multiple dates throughout the year in different locations, Foodies Festival is almost more of a touring show. Meet local makers, sample all kinds of delicious food and drinks, and watch demonstrations and talks.

2. London Coffee Festival

London Coffee Festival / Via londoncoffeefestival.com

If you like your coffee, you won’t want to miss this festival. The Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane is the venue where you will try artisan blends, learn how to brew perfectly, and even learn about the science behind the taste.

3. The Big Feastival

The Big Feastival / Via eatdrinkseek.co.uk

What do you get when a foodie musician and a music-loving chef join forces? This festival is all about food and live music, organised by Jamie Oliver and Alex James – which means it attracts some seriously big names.

4. Great British Food Festival

Great British Food Festival / Via greatbritishfoodfestival.com

If you loved watching the Great British Bake Off, then this festival is the one for you. There’s a cake-off you can take part in yourself, cocktail-making masterclasses, wine tastings, and even a kids corner.

5. Ballymaloe LitFest of Food and Wine

Ballymaloe LitFest of Food and Wine / Via bibliocook.com

What’s a LitFest, you ask? It’s an extravaganza of talks, tastings, discussions, and demonstrations. Chef Rachel Allen will be attending, along with some other names that you may recognise.

6. Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival

Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival / Via icenipost.com

Local produce is hugely important, and this festival celebrates lobster and crab caught locally. The two fishing towns have an age-old rivalry which will be fired up by chefs cooking their favourite recipes, and families taking part in the World Pier Crabbing Championships.

7. Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival

Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival / Via garden-events.com

The Montpellier Gardens are the base for the Cheltenham festival, which includes talks as well as stalls for you to browse. Celebrity chefs already confirmed for this year include Tess Ward and Steve Lamb.

8. Taste of London

Taste of London / Via london.tastefestivals.com

This June you can head down to Regent’s Park to sample dishes from the top restaurants across the city. While you visit, make a stop at The Secret Garden for mini-masterclasses and talks by famous chefs.

9. International Cheese Show

International Cheese Show / Via internationalcheeseawards.co.uk

The biggest cheese festival in the world, this show hosts 4,000 cheese from 24 countries. There’s also awards handed out, so you can be sure of getting the very best cheese out there.

10. Ludlow Food Festival

Ludlow Food Festival / Via foodfestival.co.uk

Interestingly enough, Ludlow is supposed to be the second food capital of the UK. More than 160 exhibitors will come to Ludlow Castle for the show, and you can also try local beers on the Real Ale Trail.

11. Meatopia

Meatopia / Via meatopia.co.uk

If you’re a carnivore, then you are in luck. Meatopia has been brought over from the US to showcase local and ethically sourced meat, with new and unique dishes served just on this one occasion.

12. Abergavenny Food Festival

Abergavenny Food Festival / Via abergavennyfoodfestival.com

This show includes 200 stalls spread across 5 venues in the town, with pop-up restaurants, walks, talks, and tutorials. There are a lot of exclusive events, with celebrity chefs popping along as well.

13. MasterChef Live

MasterChef Live / Via morethancupcakes.wordpress.com

At this festival, you might be the performer. You can cook your own dishes for the MasterChef presenters, watch demonstrations from top chefs, and try food from top London restaurants all in one place.