What Food Festivals Should You Visit This Summer?

We've put together a list of the most anticipated upcoming food festivals, covering a wide variety of cuisines. Heading down the South Coast? There are plenty of seafood festivals to explore. Craving top-notch BBQ or wings? London’s got you covered. The list below has everything you need to know about the upcoming food festival season.
Smoke and Fire Festival

📍Ascot, Berkshire
📅 27–28 July 2025
One of the UK’s biggest BBQ and live-fire cooking events, with pitmasters, chefs, and vendors showing off serious skill over wood and flame. There are briskets, ribs, burgers, sausages, and global BBQ styles—from American to Argentinian and Caribbean. It’s lively, smoky, and full of competitions, family activities, and tasty samples.
Ticket price: £47 per day.
Lymington Seafood Festival

📍Lymington, Hampshire
📅 11-12 July 2025
Held each summer by the coast, this festival celebrates seafood from local waters. Dozens of traders serve up crab rolls, fish tacos, scallops, prawns, and more. There are also chef demos, craft beer, rum bars, and live music all weekend. Great views, great food, and a relaxed, summery atmosphere.
Ticket price: £25 entry.
FUME Fest

📍London + Manchester
📅 9–10 August 2025 (London)
A growing BBQ event with a competition judged by the public and a stacked lineup of vendors and pitmasters. Expect ribs, brisket, loaded sides, and taster plates from £3. There’s music, drinks, cooking demos, and a buzzing crowd of fire food lovers.
Ticket price: £37 per session.
Swanage Food Festival

📍Swanage, Dorset
📅 10–11 August 2025
A smaller coastal food festival with a chilled-out, seaside vibe. It brings together a variety of local and regional food traders—expect seafood dishes like fresh crab and prawns, as well as wood-fired pizzas, handmade burgers, fudge, cakes, and ice cream. There’s often live acoustic music, cooking demos, and drinks from local breweries and distilleries.
Ticket price: Free entry, pay for food and drinks on site.
Bridport Food Festival

📍Bridport, Dorset
📅 17 August 2025
A well-supported local event focused on showcasing regional producers and street food. Think cheese, cider, chutneys, pies, burgers, and ice cream. There are also cooking demonstrations, tastings, and a family fun day. It’s a lovely community celebration of local food.
Ticket price: £3.50 per day.
Big Feastival

📍Cotswolds
📅 22–24 August 2025
Held every August Bank Holiday on Alex James’s farm, Big Feastival blends live music, gourmet food, and family-friendly entertainment. Top chefs do demos while 40+ food stalls offer everything from mac & cheese to fire-grilled meats and tacos. Add in kids’ zones and countryside vibes and you’ve got a proper summer weekend.
Ticket price: £95 per day.
Pub in the Park

📍Multiple UK locations (Touring)
📅 May–September 2025 (varies by location)
Founded by Tom Kerridge, this touring festival mixes top-notch pub grub with live music and craft drinks. Award-winning pubs serve signature small plates, and big-name chefs host cooking demos. There’s loads of food, chilled drinks, and great atmosphere in every town it visits.
Ticket price: £44 per session.
Wing Fest

📍London, Manchester, Birmingham + more
📅 Summer 2025 (dates vary by city)
A celebration of all things chicken wing, with street food traders competing for “Best Buffalo” and “Best Wild Wing.” Expect spicy sauces, sticky glazes, and even vegan options. There’s live music, bourbon bars, axe throwing, and a lively, messy crowd of wing lovers.
Ticket price: £30 per day.
Meatopia

📍London
📅 29–31 August 2025
A meat lover’s dream. Every dish is cooked over wood or charcoal by top chefs from around the world. Expect bold BBQ dishes, craft beer, fire-pit talks, and live music. It’s loud, smoky, and full of incredible food you won’t find anywhere else.
Ticket price: £42 per day.
Sizzle Fest

📍Southampton
📅 5–6 September 2025
An energetic and fast-growing BBQ and live-fire event, bringing together passionate pitmasters, artisan food stalls, and flame-loving foodies. You’ll find pulled pork, brisket, smoky vegan options, loaded fries, ribs, and all the sauces to go with them. There’s also beer, music, and a relaxed, friendly vibe across the weekend.
Ticket price: £45 per day.
The Big BBQ Community Cookout

📍Cheshire
📅 5–6 September 2025 (Friday & Saturday)
A relaxed, grassroots event where BBQ fans bring their own grills, cook side-by-side, and share tips, food, and stories. No big sponsors, no pressure—just people passionate about fire cooking. You’ll find everything from offset smokers to kamados and loads of BBQ talk.
Ticket price: Free entry.
That’s all for now on this tasty roundup of upcoming food festivals. Whether you’re into fresh seafood by the coast or finger-licking BBQ in the city, there’s plenty to satisfy your cravings. So get out there, enjoy the flavours, and make the most of the festival season ahead!
Sizzle on,
Team AOS.
Ticket prices are subject to change and events may sell out.