As summer starts to shine, a whole litany of food festivals spring up throughout Wales. Buzz has rounded up some of the best for you to get to.
CAERPHILLY FOOD FESTIVAL
Caerphilly town centre, Sat 11 May
With Caerphilly Castle looming over the background, this local favourite descends annually upon the streets surrounding the castle. With over 100 vendors set to be confirmed, serving the best food from the region, expect specialist cheese stalls plus cooking demos, and a few street entertainers, including, apparently, some sausages on stilts.
Admission: free. Info: caerphillyfoodfestival.co.uk
MERTHYR VEGAN FESTIVAL
St Tydfil Square Shopping Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, Sat 11 May
An array of delicious and local vegan food, gifts and products with a wide range of pop-up stalls in the centre as part of its Vegan Fest market. Local musicians will be performing and, you’d like to think, testing out the treats on offer, which will include vegan pies, cakes, pizza and superfood bars.
Admission: free. Info: www.welovemerthyr.co.uk/public/event/merthyr-pop-up-vegan-fest
Cowbridge Food & Drink Festival
Old Hall Gardens, Cowbridge, Sun 26 + Mon 27 May
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Cowbridge Food & Drink Festival is introducing a whole batch of new stalls, including a whole new vegan section. So far the Parsnipship, Tast Natur and regular visitors the Samosa Co. are confirmed. Take home some exotic meats and garlic the size of your fist. Plus it has a champagne tent – what’s not to like?
Tickets: £5 per day/£8 weekend. Info: www.cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival
Oval Basin, Cardiff Bay, Fri 5-Sun 7 July
Cardiff is rife with great food events these days, from pop-ups to one-day fests, but this one remains the biggest of the lot. With over 100 stalls from local, national and international culinary experts offering food, drink, crafts and live music, it certainly lives up to the international part of its name.
Admission: free. Info: www.visitcardiff.com
THE BIG CHEESE
Caerphilly Castle, Fri 26-Sun 28 July
The Big Cheese has undergone a bit of a makeover for 2019 and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Three huge food halls will be packed with street vendors as well as local food and drink purveyors and a dedicated cheese market. There’ll be a full programme of live music in the new bar, and being as it all takes place in the middle of Caerphilly Castle, it would be rude not to have a medieval reenactment too.
Admission: free. Info: www.bigcheesecaerphilly.co.uk
BITE Festival
Insole Court, Cardiff, Sat 27 July
This innovative event was a huge success last year at Insole Court and is now returning for a second go-round. The idea is simple – with so many great chefs around but with so little time and/or money, why not collect a few of them in one place, where each chef does one dish at £3 a go? It’s a surefire way to get through a whole bunch of good eating in a short amount of time without filling to bursting point.
Admission: free, £3 per dish. Info: facebook.com/bitecardiff
LAMPETER FOOD FESTIVAL
University Of Wales, Lampeter, Sat 27 July
This sleepy Welsh town is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of rugby in Wales, but set in the heart of Ceredigion it’s a prime location for a festival full of great local produce. A full lineup of stalls and chef demos is set to arrive, but it’s well worth a trip.
Admission: free. Info: www.lampeterfoodfestival.org.uk
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
Various locations, Abergavenny, Sat 21 + Sun 22 Sept
One of the biggest annual festivals in Wales, attracting over 30,000 visitors to the small town of Abergavenny, this two-day haven is the place to bring together chefs, food businesses, food producers and many other foodies in leading celebration. Pretty much any leading food figure you are to mention has been billed one year or other, giving demonstrations or talks. Day or weekend wristbands gives all attendees free access to chef demos, street food and live entertainment, whilst all kids’ activities are free!
Tickets: £15 weekend wristband/free under-16s/many events individually priced. Info: www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com