Harrogate Food & Drink Festival

23/06/2026
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Full Programme Revealed for

The full programme has been unveiled for the 2026 Harrogate Food and Drink Festival, with organisers promising their biggest and most diverse celebration yet.

Returning to The Stray in Harrogate on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June, the sixth annual festival will bring together international street food, independent drinks, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, family entertainment and more than 90 artisan traders.

The popular festival, which celebrates both international influences and local talent, will also return later in the summer to the historic grounds of Ripley Castle on 22nd and 23rd August.

Live Music and Entertainment

This year’s Main Stage line-up includes headline performances from The UB40 Experience on Saturday evening and The Soul Shebang on Sunday, alongside a packed schedule of local musicians, bands and community performers.

Families can enjoy a full programme of entertainment hosted by Matthew J Magic on the Live Entertainment Stage, featuring magic shows, circus acts, comedy performances and free circus skills workshops throughout the weekend.

New for 2026 is the Sizzling Showdown Arena, hosted by comedian Neil Frost, featuring interactive attractions including the Foodie Olympics, family dog show, chilli-eating challenge and festival bingo.

Celebrity Chefs and Cookery Theatre

The ever-popular Cookery Theatre returns with 12 live demonstrations hosted by renowned Yorkshire chef Stephanie Moon.

Working alongside Yorkshire Food Guide, the theatre will showcase some of the region’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food experts, offering visitors a chance to discover new techniques, flavours and culinary inspiration.

Previous festivals have featured chefs from acclaimed venues including Rudding Park, Theravadu, The Foundry, Shear’s Yard, Feed, Vice & Virtue and Oso Cook.

Food and Drink From Around the World

Food remains at the heart of the festival, with 18 independent street food vendors serving dishes inspired by cuisines from Venezuela, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil, China, Jamaica and beyond.

Visitors can relax with a drink from one of eight independent bars serving craft beers, cocktails, champagne, wines, ciders and spirits. Vocation Brewery also returns with its popular ale house serving a range of draught beers.

The festival’s artisan market will feature more than 90 local and regional businesses offering gourmet produce, baked goods, cheeses, cured meats, gifts, homeware, crafts and speciality foods.

Family-Friendly Attractions

There is plenty for younger visitors to enjoy, including:

Viking Heritage Kitchen
Target Paintball
Ian’s Mobile Farm
Live bubble shows
Roaming entertainers and stilt walkers
Free circus skills workshops
Scribble Tent colouring activities
Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt
Traditional funfair rides
Inflatable Land
Arts and crafts activities

Supporting Mental Health

The festival’s charity partnership with Harrogate Mind continues in 2026, with fundraising activities taking place across the weekend.

Organisers hope to build on the significant support already generated for Mind charities, helping to fund vital mental health services across the region.

Festival Returns to Two Locations

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival will take place at:

The Stray, Harrogate – 27th & 28th June 2026
Ripley Castle, Harrogate – 22nd & 23rd August 2026

Festival organisers describe the event as a celebration of international food, independent drink, live music, arts, wellbeing and community, all underpinned by a commitment to showcasing local talent.

For tickets, the full programme and latest updates, visit the official website:

Harrogate Food and Drink Festival

Be sure to follow the festival on social media for the latest announcements and event news.

Make it more personalised, scannable content to encourage exploration.

Full Programme Revealed for Harrogate Food and Drink Festival 2026

Get ready for a weekend packed with incredible food, live music, family fun and Yorkshire talent as the Harrogate Food and Drink Festival returns to The Stray on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June.

With more than 90 traders, 18 street food vendors, live chef demonstrations, interactive entertainment and a packed music programme, this year’s festival promises more to see, do and taste than ever before.

Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, family looking for a great day out or simply fancy relaxing with a drink in the summer sunshine, there’s something for everyone.

🌍 Taste Your Way Around the World

One of the festival’s biggest attractions is its incredible street food line-up.

Visitors can enjoy authentic flavours from across the globe, with dishes inspired by:

Venezuela
Vietnam
Sri Lanka
Brazil
China
Jamaica
And many more international cuisines

From sizzling barbecue and loaded burgers to exotic curries, noodles and sweet treats, you’ll find plenty to tempt your taste buds.

🍹 Relax with a Drink in the Sunshine

Grab a deckchair, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a drink from one of eight independent bars.

Expect:

Craft beers
Cocktails
Champagne
Wines
Ciders
Spirits
Freshly squeezed lemonades and juices

Popular Yorkshire brewer Vocation Brewery also returns with its dedicated ale house serving a range of draught beers.

👨‍🍳 Watch Yorkshire’s Top Chefs Live

The Cookery Theatre returns with a packed programme hosted by Yorkshire chef Stephanie Moon.

Across the weekend, visitors can watch 12 live demonstrations from leading chefs, restaurant owners and food experts from across the region.

Expect cooking tips, recipe inspiration and plenty of culinary secrets from some of Yorkshire’s most respected food professionals.

🎵 Live Music All Weekend

The Main Stage will keep the festival buzzing from start to finish.

Highlights include:

Saturday

🎤 The UB40 Experience

Sunday

🎤 The Soul Shebang

Alongside the headline acts, local musicians, bands and community groups will perform throughout the weekend, creating a lively festival atmosphere from morning until evening.

🎪 New Attractions for 2026

This year sees the introduction of the brand-new Sizzling Showdown Arena.

Hosted by comedian Neil Frost, visitors can get involved in:

Foodie Olympics
Chilli-eating challenges
Festival bingo
Family dog show
Interactive audience games

It’s designed to be fun, fast-paced and suitable for all ages.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Fantastic Family Day Out

Families will find plenty to keep children entertained throughout the weekend.

New and returning attractions include:

Viking Heritage Kitchen
Ian’s Mobile Farm
Target Paintball
Live bubble shows
Roaming entertainers
Stilt walkers
Circus skills workshops
Foodie Clue Quest scavenger hunt
Free colouring activities in the Scribble Tent
Traditional funfair rides
Inflatable attractions

With activities taking place all day, it’s easy to make a full day of it.

🛍️ Shop Local and Discover Yorkshire Talent

Beyond the food and entertainment, more than 90 independent traders will be showcasing artisan food, drink, crafts, gifts and homeware.

It’s the perfect opportunity to discover local producers, support small businesses and pick up something unique.

❤️ Supporting a Great Cause

The festival continues its long-standing partnership with Harrogate Mind.

Through ticket donations and fundraising activities, organisers hope to build on the substantial amount already raised for Mind charities, helping to support vital mental health services across the region.

Festival Dates

📍 The Stray, Harrogate
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2026

📍 Ripley Castle
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd August 2026

Why Visit?

✔ International street food
✔ Live chef demonstrations
✔ Independent bars and craft drinks
✔ Live music and entertainment
✔ Family attractions and activities
✔ Artisan shopping village
✔ Support local businesses and charities

For tickets, the full programme and event information visit: