Simon L
03 October 2017
With so many wonderful artisan food producers in Wales, it is no wonder there are several fabulous Welsh food festivals to choose from throughout the year. Spend a glorious weekend wandering around stalls tasting delicious local produce, picking up special ingredients for your favourite recipes and discovering fresh new ideas from leading chefs. Stay In Wales and indulge your taste buds at one of these popular food and drink festivals.
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, May
At the end of May, the bustling town of Cowbridge hosts one of the most refined Welsh Food Festivals; enjoy a whole weekend of foodie heaven with cookery demonstrations, masterclasses, talks and more than 100 quality food and drink stalls highlighting the best of Welsh local produce at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival. You will find marquees devoted to the decadent drink of Champagne, an Oyster bar, and a Craft Fayre packed with beautiful jewellery, quirky homewares and more. Children are well catered for with magic shows, face painting and treasure hunts, making this a fun family day out in Wales.
Visit: https://cowbridgefoodanddrink.org/
Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival, June
During the Fish Week Festival at the end of June, restaurants across Pembrokeshire prepare sumptuous menus featuring locally sourced seafood. This vibrant food festival is a celebration of Pembrokeshire's fish and seafood, not to mention its stunning coastline with angling competitions, fishing trips, seaside foraging events and on water adventures for all ages. Children will love the kids' cookery marquee, storyteller's grotto and touch tanks as well as a theatre dedicated to performances of fishy tales. Look out for relaxing river boat trips, live music and street entertainment as you browse the plethora of mouth-watering food stalls. There are plenty of opportunities to sample fish in all its forms from freshly-dressed crab and lobster to traditional fish and chips. The week is traditionally rounded off with a concert and spectacular firework finale at Pembroke Castle.
Visit: http://www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk/home
Some amazing produce at the Milford Fish Festival today a great start to Pembrokeshire Fish Week which lasts until 3rd July. There are loads of events and fishy happenings going on all over the county from taster menus, barbecues, tapas platters to fish and chips, fishing trips, and family fun there's something for everyone! #milfordfishfest #pembrokeshirefishweek #pembrokeshire #fishlovers #fishandchips #fish #fishing #fishingtrips #seafishing #localproduce #eatlocal #delicious #freshfish #lobster #seabass #scallops #healthyeating #thecoastalway
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Monmouthshire Food Festival, June
Situated within the atmospheric grounds of Caldicot Castle, the Monmouthshire Food Festival returns in June. This family-friendly food festival in Wales celebrates food producers from Monmouthshire and the neighbouring counties, with a jam-packed programme of demonstrations, talks and tastings. From pedigree Lleyn lamb to refreshing local ciders, freshly baked bread to delightful sauces, discover traditional Monmouthshire food at this unique foodie event. With plenty of ‘have a go' sessions for children and adults, there is something for everyone and the beautiful surroundings make for an unforgettable foodie day out in Wales.
Visit: https://monmouthshirefoodfestival.co.uk/
Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival, July
Tuck into an array of tasty treats at the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival in July. Welcoming over 60,000 visitors each year, it features a glorious spread of local, national and international produce. If you're planning on visiting Cardiff Bay, this is the weekend to do it; satisfy your inner foodie with a fully stocked farmers' market and fill your bags with fresh and tasty souvenirs, watch fascinating cooking demonstrations by top chefs and take in the delicious sights, sounds and smells as the harbour is filled with divine dishes from around the globe.
Visit: https://www.cardiff-events.com/event/cardiff-international-food-drink-festival/
Cardigan River and Food Festival, August
Visit the Cardigan River and Food Festival to taste the best of local seafood and other delicious produce in this pretty little harbour town next to the estuary of the River Teifi. Over the years this festival has grown to be one of the highlights of the food calendar in Wales, with events happening on land and water. Watch chefs prepare local fish and sample dishes that you can learn to cook at home, and tickle your fancy with stalls offering superb local products, lovingly produced by independent Welsh food producers including rare breeds of meat and award-winning cheeses.
Visit: http://www.cardigan-food-festival.co.uk/
Abergavenny Food Festival, September
For the chance to try new foods and receive inspiration from some of the biggest names in the business visit the Abergavenny Food Festival in September. Previous celebrity chefs who have attended include Raymond Blanc, Rick Stein, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Monica Galetti to name just a few. Held across six venues in the centre of the town, with over 200 stalls of delicious artisan produce from Wales, the Marches and beyond, there is a full programme of masterclasses, tastings and chef demonstrations. Set to a backdrop of an eclectic mix of music, this is one of the biggest and most popular food events in Wales, welcoming over 30,000 visitors each year, and should be on every self-respecting foodie's calendar.
Visit: http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com/
Mold Food and Drink Festival, September
With around 140 exhibitors and over 13,000 visitors each year, it's easy to see why the Mold Food and Drink Festival is so popular and attracts some of the top celebrity chefs to display their impressive cookery skills. Taking place in mid-September in the ancient town of Mold in Flintshire, this amazing foodie weekend has a packed line up of cookery demonstrations, tastings, live music and children's activities.
Visit: http://www.moldfoodfestival.co.uk/
Llangollen Food Festival, October
Set in the rolling hills of the Welsh country town of Llangollen is a fantastic food festival with over 100 handpicked local exhibitors and a variety of celebrity chef demonstrations. Sample a range of produce from fruit liquors to organic meat and fish, enjoy live cookery and take part in fun workshops. This foodie event, held in October, also has a dedicated beer tent showcasing craft ales from breweries around North Wales.
Visit: http://www.llangollenfoodfestival.com/
Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival, October
During October, the Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival celebrates a great range of Welsh producers as well as their famous locally caught oysters and sensational shellfish. Sample Welsh cheese, ice cream, wine and cakes, attend the black-tie Gala Dinner and tantalise your taste buds at the sausage competition. Head to the demonstration area where leading chefs will be creating delectable dishes, and pick up some valuable insider tips from local food and drink producers from the North Wales region.
Visit: http://www.angleseyoysterfestival.com/
The Conwy Feast, October
One of the largest food festivals in Wales is the Conwy Feast, taking place over two days at the end of October. This is a great event for foodies of all ages to enjoy with a myriad of local food producers on hand to provide inspiration and, of course, tasty samples to try. Stroll through the streets lined with dozens of superior street food sellers and look forward to some top quality traditional seafood, washed down with local craft beer or a glass of champagne. With a diverse range of chef demonstrations throughout the weekend and Conwy's famous mussel fisherman showing off their catch, this is a food festival in North Wales that's not to be missed!
Visit: https://conwyfeast.co.uk/
Map of food festivals in Wales:
If you've been inspired to spend your next foodie break in the beauty of Wales sampling the country's delicious wares at a fun food festival, take a look at our collection of Wales holidays to find your perfect place to stay.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.