The UK’s festival circuit is well and truly back this year, with the return of London legends All Points East, the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival and Meatopia, as well as UK favourites like The Big Festival. Alongside the usual big musical hitters, a number of cultural celebrations are also scheduled. Here, in chronological order, are some of the food events in store for the rest of 2023. For our full line-up of UK festivals, visit here.
Taste of London
When: 14 June — 18 June
Where: Regents Park
What: Sample signature dishes from 36 of London’s best restaurants, featuring a mix of celebrity and leading professional chefs, 200 gourmet food and drink purveyors, artisan producers and manufacturers of exclusive lifestyle products.
Pub in the Park
When: June — September
Where: Various locations
What: Pub in the Park celebrates everything about ye good ol’ British pub. Naturally, this means pub grub, chef partnerships, guest beers, and lots of music. The touring festival kicked off in May, with dates planned around the country until September.
London Restaurant Festival
When: June and October
Where: Various
What: During the month-long event restaurants all around the city will offer limited edition menus where superstar and Michelin-starred kitchens chefs can showcase their talents.
Rum Show 2023 London
When: 14 — 14 July
Where: Glaziers Hall
What: At the Rum Show 2023, test over 200 tipples, including those from Appleton Estate, Foursquare and La Maison Velier, as well as experiencing live masterclasses. Returning for 2023 there will also be cocktails by world-leading rum bars Laki Kane and Trailer Happiness, as well as Guests of Show, along with demonstrations and Q&As.
National Geographic Food Festival
When: 15 — 16 July
Where: London’s Business Design Centre
What: Famous chefs, authors and experts come together to celebrate food and travel. Featuring live demonstrations and interviews with the culinary world’s leading figures at the Main Stage; masterclass theatres and conversations with renowned authors.
Savour
When: 21 — 23 July
Where: Royal Hospital Chelsea
What: The first festival in a century to take place in the legendary former pleasure gardens at The Royal Hospital Chelsea; home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners returns for its second year, with an increased capacity of 5,000. Food trucks and chef workshops from restaurants including Steak and Co, 10 Greek Street, Junsei, Kricketand Angelina will be featured and most traders have pledged to offer a £3 on their menus for those on a budget.
Wing Fest
When: 28 July – 10 September
Where: London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham
What: Every year, this wildly popular wings extravaganza showcases the best chicken wings the UK has to offer, with thousands of ticket holders and a judging panel deciding who really does do the best wings. Try never-before-seen flavour combinations and witness some truly inventive interpretations of the humble wing. Wing Fest comes to London first, before going to Manchester, Birmingham and then Bristol. Check dates and book tickets here.
Edinburgh Food Festival
When: 21 — 31 July
Where: George Square Gardens
What: Celebrating the best of Scottish cuisine, Edinburgh Food Festival is set to be a feast packed with street food and stalls for all ages. This year’s 10-day event (held just before Edinburgh’s Fringe season) will welcome back favourites such as award-winning pies from Jarvis Pickle, refreshing gelatos from Alanda’s and a seafood selection from vendors that are enough of a reason to attend. Children can join cooking classes and afterwards join in the fun with chefs while they create their signature dishes.
All Points East
When: 18 — 27 August
Where: Victoria Park, Grove Road. Bow E3 5TB
What: The music festival has become one of the capital’s premier events since its launch in 2019. For 2023, it will revert to its original format, being held over two weekends in Victoria Park in east London. Alongside a diverse musical line-up, expect a range of food trucks from festival veterans, East London traders, and an array of cocktails.
The Big Festival
When: 25 – 27 August
Where: Alex James’s Farm
What: The Big Feastival serves up dishes alongside headliners like Melanie C, Tom Grennan and Rick Astley. Street food, Michelin-worthy meals and cookery schools all feature as well as a cheese-tasting corner.
Meatopia
When: 31 August — 4 September
Where: Tobacco Dock, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, Wapping E1W 2SF
What: London’s fire-cooking festival returns with 70 of the world’s best live-fire chefs cooking exclusive dishes, using sustainable wood and charcoal and responsibly sourced ingredients. Beverages will come from craft brewers, artisan distillers, and mixologists.
Ludlow Food Festival
When: 8 — 10 September
Where: Ludlow Castle
What: At Ludlow’s annual food festival, more than 100 exhibitors will gather at Ludlow Castle. Sample local produce, or embark on activities like the Real Ale Trail, which involves tasting the local pubs’ best beers, and the Sausage Trail. Chefs, food producers and food writers will host talks, workshops and master classes.
Abergavenny Food Festival
When: 16 — 17 September
Where: Raglan Chambers
What: For its 25th anniversary, the line-up features chef demonstrations from Imad Al Arnab and Jeremy Lee, as well as night markets with street food, cooking classes for children and talks by top foodie figures, including Jake Fiennes, author of Land Healer.
Rumfest
When: 14 — 15 October
Where: ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, Earl’s Court SW6 1UD
What: A bonanza of tastings, seminars and demonstrations from distillers and blenders — both new and established — will mark the finale of London Rum Week, which runs from 9 — 15 October. Food and rum pairing classes will be hosted by various traders, who will also serve a selection of snacks and meals based around rum as an accompaniment and ingredient.