From Cardiff Bay to Caernarfon, Emma Way takes a taste tour up and down the land in search of 2024’s best food festivals. Feast on the fruits of her labour below, and fill your calendar with delicious days out.
GWYL FWYD CAERNARFON
Organised by local Caernarfon Food Festival Group volunteers, Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon is a one-of-a-kind community effort, kept afloat by sponsorship, fundraising or volunteering, every contribution playing a vital role. Set to take place at various locations throughout the town, the festival offers live cookery demonstrations from seasoned chefs and an annual curry competition, allowing curry champions to present homemade creations to a judging panel. The festival also actively involves local food businesses, promoting healthy eating and addressing food waste.
Various locations, Caernarfon, Sat 11 May
Info: gwylfwydcaernarfon.cymru
PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FEST
Established in 2015, Street Food Warehouse – the company behind this one – is a touring street food brand that has been garnering attention through weddings, festivals and events. Working with vendors to bring diverse menus to Pembrokeshire, their 2023 beachside event showcased multiple traders, serving up pizzas, churros, cocktails, and burgers alongside Mexican and Greek food.
South Beach Car Park, Tenby, Fri 7-Sun 9 June
Info: pembrokeshirestreetfoodfestival.co.uk
CARDIFF FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
An excuse to indulge in the finest food and drink, taking place across three long summer days. Cardiff Food & Drink Festival will play host to a crafters market, live music, trade stands and plenty of popup street food options, such as curries and kebabs. The Producers Fair and Farmers Market will also be full of quality produce to purchase, with stallholders showcasing an impressive spread, from ice cream to handcrafted beverages, cheeses, meats, and sweets.
Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, Fri 5-Sun 7 July
Info: cardifffoodanddrinkfestival.com
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
Held across market venues and Abergavenny’s castle grounds, this high-profile food festival’s programme provides food fans with product tasting, cookery lessons, masterclasses and more. This year’s event includes guest Dina Macki, a British-born Omani-Zanzibari chef who published Bahari, an Omani cuisine cookbook, earlier this year. Bands have also been announced for the Party At The Castle evening, including Twisted Time Machine, Cut Capers, The Schmoozenbergs and Ushti Baba.
Various locations, Abergavenny, Sat 21 + Sun 22 Sept
Info: abergavennyfoodfestival.com
LLANGOLLEN FOOD FESTIVAL
Running for over 25 years and held across multiple venues in Llangollen, this food festival is still today a culinary cornerstone for artisans spanning the north Wales region. The event allows visitors to sample locally produced foods, enjoy live entertainment, learn from professional chefs and producers as part of live demonstrations and purchase products from all over the world.
Llangollen town centre, Sat 12 + Sun 13 Oct
Info: llangollenfoodfestival.com
And the best of the rest…
TIVOLI REAL ALE FEST
Tivoli, Buckley, Sat 11 May
Info: tivolivenue.com
COWBRIDGE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Various venues, Cowbridge, Sun 26 + Mon 27 May
Info: cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
LAMPETER FOOD FEST
UWTSD campus, Lampeter, Sat 27 July
Info: facebook.com/lampeterfoodfestival
CARDIGAN RIVER & FOOD FEST
Quay Street Car Park, Cardigan, Sat 17 Aug
Info: cardigan-food-festival.co.uk
THE LITTLE CHEESE FESTIVAL
Caerphilly Castle, Wed 31 Aug + Sun 1 Sept
Info: bigcheesecaerphilly.co.uk
AMGUEDDFA CYMRU FOOD FESTIVAL
National Museum Of History, St Fagans, Sat 7 + Sun 8 Sept
Info: museum.wales
NEWTOWN FOOD FESTIVAL
Town Hall Grounds, Newtown, Sat 7 + Sun 8 Sept
Info: newtownfoodfestival.org.uk
CONWY HONEY FAIR
High Street, Conwy, Fri 13 Sept
Info: visitconwy.org.uk
MOLD FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
New Street Car Parl, Mold, Fri 13-Sun 15 Sept
Info: moldfoodfestival.co.uk
NARBERTH FOOD FESTIVAL
Town Moor, Narberth, Sat 28-Sun 29 Sept
Info: narberthfoodfestival.com
NEWPORT FOOD FESTIVAL
Newport Market / High Street, Fri 11-Sun 13 Oct
Info: newport.gov.uk
words EMMA WAY