Spring is here – and it’s officially festival season, but if sleeping in tents at busy music festivals and not washing all weekend aren’t quite your thing, we’ve got better ways to spend your summer: food festivals. Whether it’s international cuisine that gets your taste buds going or some of the finest Yorkshire-produced grub around, here’s our guide to the best food & drink festivals in Yorkshire 2026.
Whether you’re an absolute foodie, love a good drink with friends or are just looking for nice fun things to do this summer, these food festivals in Yorkshire are the perfect way to enjoy the summer sun whilst tucking into some of the best grub the county has to offer.
From the new Yorkshire food & drink festival, Flavours of Yorkshire, to the classics such as North Leeds Food Festival taking place this weekend. Plenty is going on this summer. Just make sure you wear some trousers with elastic in them, as your waist is sure to expand as you indulge in these tasty treats.
So, what are the best food & drink festivals in Yorkshire for 2026?
1. Flavours of Yorkshire
The brand new festival for Yorkshire’s food and events calendar for 2026 will feature artisan food and drink traders, street food stalls, BBQ competition, family entertainment, fairground rides, and will be headlined by celebrity Yorkshire chef James Martin.
James Martin will be serving up live cookery demos and will also be signing copies of his books on the Saturday. Then on Sunday, we will see local culinary talent offering a series of free-to-enter demos hosted by Gilly Robinson of The Cook’s Place.
When’s it on? 📅 4th – 5th July 2026.
2. Holmfirth Food and Drink Festival
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the home of Last of the Summer Wine, the Holmfirth Food & Drink Festival is the perfect excuse. The family-friendly event will host 65 exhibitors, host over 40,000 people and support local businesses. Expect plenty of local talent and chefs, with live entertainment for all the family across the weekend. All stalls are open from 10am to 6pm (with stall in the Towngate area open until 8pm) on the Saturday and 10am to 5pm on the Sunday. Find out more here.
When’s it on? 📅 12th – 13th September 2026.
3. Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
The Ilkley Food & Drink Festival is back with a bang this year, transforming its riverside home into a wonderland of Yorkshire food and drink. There will be live music featuring an eclectic mix of performers, community groups, and big headline tribute acts. What more could you want? Planet ABBA, one of the UK’s top ABBA tribute acts, will headline Saturday night, and on Sunday, The Boss and The Beeston Street Band, a tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, will headline the evening.
The festival promises the UK’s ‘finest street food’, with tons of international cuisine and locally-produced grub to devour. Get tickets here.
When’s it on? 📅 13th – 14th June 2026.
4. Harrogate Food and Drink Festival
From live music to delicious food, the Harrogate Food Festival will be offering tons of amazing grub over one weekend this June, and trust me when I say, you won’t be leaving hungry. Visitors can enjoy a range of fantastic acts as well, including rising solo artists, talented vocalists, local bands, community groups and two renowned tribute acts. Headlining the Saturday evening in June are The UB40 Experience, and the Sunday is The Soul Shebang – a tribute to the legends of soul.
Created by the team behind the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival, the popular food festival will take place on the Stray & Ripley Castle this summer, providing the perfect backdrop to a wholesome weekend. Get tickets here.
When’s it on? 📅 The Stray, Harrogate 27th – 28th June 2026. Ripley Castle, Harrogate 22nd – 23rd August 2026.
5. Great British Food Festival, multiple locations
On its tour across the UK, the Great British Food Festival is set to land at Harewood House this June, bringing delicious food to the stunning Leeds mansion.
The popular foodie festival will also tour a number of other Yorkshire destinations, too, including Rotherham’s Wentworth Woodhouse, with plenty of street food on offer, demonstrations and more. Find out more.
When’s it on? 📅 Leeds, Harewood House 24th, 25th – 26th May 2026; Wentworth Woodhouse 15th-16th August 2026.
6. York Food Festival
Operating not only a delicious food festival but a chocolate festival, too (which has unfortunately passed for this year), York knows good food when it sees it. The festival market, bars, and demonstrations are located on Parliament Street and St Sampsons Square. Expect plenty of live demos, cooking classes and street food during the festival, so expect a full tummy after a day of food-filled fun. Find out more.
When’s it on? 📅 18– 27th September 2026.
7. Whitby Fish & Ships Festival
At the Fish and Ships Fest, enjoy fresh local seafood prepared by live chefs. Explore real ships, trawlers, and the sailing museum at the harbour. There will be a wide range of entertainment, including cooking and fish craft demos by local chefs, as well as giant fish displays showcasing species caught off the North Yorkshire Coast. Arts and craft folk will love the pot sewing and net mending sessions, also.
Fancy a dance? There will be a packed schedule of local bands and sea balladeers. Don’t miss the seafaring show with singing and dancing. Find out more here.
When’s it on? 📅 16th – 17th May 2026.
8. Filey Food Festival
Back for its second instalment of the year, Filey Food Festival 2026 promises to be a spectacular experience with food from all around the world. And maybe a few cheeky pints to chase them down. Located at Evron Centre and Crescent Gardens. We are sure that this one will be a bustling and busy event full of mouth-watering dishes. With that stunning sea view to enjoy whilst you potter around, what more could you ask for? It’s starting to become one of Yorkshire’s food & drink events to watch out for.
From 10am to 5pm on Saturday 6th June and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 7th June, at the Evron Centre and Crescent Gardens
When’s it on? 📅 June 6th – 7th, 2026.
9. Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Got a sweet tooth? The Pontefract Liquorice Festival is a favourite for families. You can learn all about Pontefract’s link to liquorice whilst enjoying the food and drink market as well. The event has proved to be one of the most popular of the food festivals in Yorkshire. Find out more here.
When’s it on? 📅 Sunday 23 July 2025.
10. North Leeds Food Festival
The 8th North Leeds Food Festival is back at Roundhay Park, featuring top regional food, drink, and performing arts. This is one of the food festivals in Yorkshire you don’t want to miss. Enjoy interactive tastings like cheese, wine, whiskey, and chocolate. Don’t miss this top Yorkshire Food Festival. Find out more here. Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2HH!
When’s it on? 📅 9th – 10th May 2026
11. Sheffield Food Festival
Three whole days of great grub and smashing pints are what await you at Sheffield Food Festival. The annual weekender offers local produce for foodies to dig into, as well as a hub of talent from Sheffield-based businesses. Experience Sheffield’s finest food, drinks and music at this free festival in the heart of the city.
The festival marks its 15th anniversary, hosting a mix of well-loved locals and emerging artisans. It’s expanded into new city centre locations such as Orchard Square and Leah’s Yard, as well as old favourites Peace Gardens, Town Hall Square, and The Fargate.
Named “The UK’s Foodie Hotspot” by Observer Food Monthly, the festival marks its 15th anniversary by hosting a mix of well-loved local favourites and emerging artisans.
Find out more here. Peace Gardens, Winter Gardens, Millennium Square, Town Hall Square and Pinstone Street
When’s it on? 📅 23rd– 25th May 2026
Read more: 22 Yorkshire Music & Food Festivals To Check Out This Summer
