Mark your calendar for these super seven food and drink festivals for spring and early summer
The Great British Food Festival, Harewood House
Taste, try and feast in spectacular surroundings at this popular food festival on May 25th – 27th. Se in front of Harewood House, you can browse artisan stalls, eat tasty street food, enjoy some super sips and live music. Expect demos and appearances from a number of chefs including some from Yorkshire’s top kitchens – Samira Effa from EightyEight restaurant at Grantley Hall, Thomas Robertson from The Coniston Gotel, near Skipton and Philippine-born chef Marlon Sanches now making his mark on the York food scene at the city’s Judge’s Lodging.
May 25th – 27th, greatbritishfoodfestival.com/harewood-house
Malton Food Lovers’ Festival
The food festival you don’t want to miss, this gourmet street party fills the town, also known as Yorkshire’s Food Capital, with all things delicious. This huge celebration of what makes the county so tasty includes talks, tastings, appearances from celebrity chefs, demos a festival bar and those all-important stalls manned by food producers and artisans from around Yorkshire. With creative workshops and the return of the Malton Sculpture Trail for the festival, this is a feast for the senses.
May 25th – 27th, visitmalton.com/food-festival-yorkshire
Filey Food Festival
Head to the coast to feast on everything from lobster, crab and caviar to cheeses, cake and curries and a whole lot more. The festival, which takes place withing the Evron Centre Gardens and Crescent Gardens, is good for the soul as once you have tucked into food celebrating global flavours from South Africa and the Caribbean to Green and Germany, you can soak in the gorgeous views of Filey Bay.
8-9th June, with further events on 10th – 11th August and 12th – 13th October, facebook.com/FileyFoodDrinkFestival/
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
Expect fun for all the family at this bustling, vibrant event foodies love. Sip everything from champagne to cocktails on deckchairs in the sun (fingers crossed), tuck in to food from some of the best street food traders, pick up divine goodies - think gooey artisan brownies to the best cured meats – at the artisan markets and enjoy entertainment for all ages. In conjunction with charity partner, Mind in Bradford, there are also a number of stalls dedicated to wellbeing.
June 15th – 16th, ilkleyfoodfestival.com
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival
Cheese and jams to pies and desserts will be some of the food on offer at this popular Harrogate event. Taking place in two different locations – The Stray in June and Ripley Castle in August, you have two bites of the cherry to enjoy a feast of global flavours made by the best northern producers. There will also be live chef demos and entertainment for all ages – from live music to family friendly comedians. In conjunction with charity partner, Mind in Harrogate.
June 29th-30th (The Stray) & August 24th-26th (Ripley Castle), harrogatefoodfestival.com
Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Enjoy this lovely sweet treat of an event that celebrated the town’s historic link with liquorice.
Expect to see streets full of people enjoying the smorgasbord of treats on offer from street food and the chance to explore the speciality market – with many stalls offering liquorice themed products. Top local talents entertain the crowds and there is a new zone for children with workshops, face painting, crafts and more. Make sure to watch the parade.
July 14th, experiencewakefield.co.uk
Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
The UK’s biggest food and drink festival returns to Funkirk Farm in Skipton. With more than 200 food and drink exhibitors serving everything from Yorkshire Pudding wraps to pan Asian chicken, you can taste your way around the world in the Village Green, The Garden the Watering Hole and The Yorkshire Meadow where all things tasty from the county are celebrated.
With workshops and masterclasses from morning yoga and flower crown workshops to children’s cookery schools and chef demonstrations from the likes of James Martin and other Yorkshire chefs, there is plenty to enjoy including performances from band Blue, Heather Small and Gok Wan. You can also take your tent or caravan or book a glamping tent so you can savour every minute of the event.
19th – 21st July, yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com
