More than 200 traders, celebrity chefs, live music and free family entertainment will take over Bolton this August...
Bolton Food & Drink Festival will celebrate its 21st birthday this summer with all-star appearances from Marco Pierre White, James Martin, Nisha Katona and Michael Caines.
The four-day festival returns over the bank holiday weekend, taking over Bolton town centre from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August 2026.
More than 200 food and drink traders are expected to attend, serving dishes and produce from across the UK and around the world.
The celebrity chef programme will feature live cookery demonstrations and appearances from James Martin, who returns to the festival alongside Mowgli Street Food founder Nisha Katona, Marco Pierre White and Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines.
This year’s programme will also introduce Pasties, Pints and Punchlines, a new ticketed event combining food, beer and comedy.
Guests will be served six Carrs Pasties tasters paired with six beers from Bolton’s Bank Top Brewery, followed by a live set from comedian and Phoenix Nights star Justin Moorhouse.
The event will also feature appearances from cake artist Rosie Dummer, Carrs Pasties’ Joe Carr and Bank Top Brewery head brewer Ben Sweeney.
Elsewhere, two live music stages will host performances from Liberty X and The Real Thing, alongside a wider programme of entertainment throughout the weekend.
A range of free activities will also be available for families across the festival site.
Bolton Food & Drink Festival regularly attracts more than 550,000 visitors over the bank holiday weekend and was named Best Large Speciality Market at the Great British Market Awards 2026.
The main festival is free to attend, with selected chef demonstrations and special events separately ticketed.
Bolton Food & Drink Festival takes place from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August 2026. Find out more here…
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