Brighton Foodies Festival 2026

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It’s almost time for another year of Foodies Festival in Brighton, easily one of my favourite days in the calendar each year. Plus I’ll be joined by my little sister Kat who runs KatEatFood on Instagram.

The UK’s biggest touring gourmet food and music festival series returns to Brighton for a huge May Bank Holiday weekend from 2nd – 4th May. Featuring a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars, including Bewitched (yes those legends from childhood), Boyzlife and Scouting for Girls.   

Commonly nicknamed as Gastro-Glastonbury, the festival will take place at Brighton’s Preston Park in May, when the sun is well and truly out, while it has been sunny each year for 8 years running…I’m jinxing it aren’t I?

Back in the day it was held on Hove Lawns, but as the event grew in popularity, they moved over to the much larger Preston Park so they could handle the increase footfall. The three-day event features live cooking demonstrations from top chefs drawn from the ranks of TV’s MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, plus top-rated Michelin-starred and award-winning chefs. 

I recently ate at Etch, served by Steven Edwards, who won Masterchef, while he will be at the festival cooking up some of his favourite dishes, so I’ll most certainly be heading along to see that.

On the chef line-up, you’ll also see Duncan Ray, Sophie Sugrue, Mich Turner, Sam Smith, Jacqueline Wise and Alex Webb, stars from the likes of Masterchef and numerous other TV shows and famous kitchens.

Plus, as always, this is a dog friendly event, so expect to see plenty of pooches. We used to love going with Ruby, but since we got the anxious Nova, it would be too difficult so she doesn’t get to join in anymore sadly.

If you fancy yourself as a budding chef then you should watch the Ready Steady cook-off, while they will also offer some of the cooked food afterwards for whoever can run up the quickest.

There are a few chef theatres, plus meet and greets with all the famous names.

But my favourite activity at the festival is to walk through all the stands and try new foods and drinks by independent British companies who are looking to break out. It could be a small curry company, a gin brand or olive oil, either way you know your money is going to someone who needs it rather than a faceless corporation.

Plus, if you’re really brave, you can join in the hot chilli challenge. I think I’d prefer just to watch and laugh, providing nobody is sick, that’s when I jog out of there.

In The Kids Cookery School, Foodies SuperChefs make cooking fun, helping younger guests to prepare delicious food which they can take away and enjoy, ideal if you’re attending with the little ones and need to keep them busy.

You can also enjoy wine tasting or beer tasting classes in the drinks theatre.  

My Foodie Festival Tips

• Bring a blanket to sit down on, as after a few hours of sifting through stands you’ll want to relax and enjoy a drink.
• Maybe pack toilet paper, they’re normally amazing at having plenty but by the end of the night you don’t want to be caught short if they’re out.
• Bring a rucksack, as you will undoubtedly want to buy a few things as you visit each stand.
• If you’re buying something expirable, like cheese, you can ask the stand if you can come back later to collect your purchase. They’re normally more than happy to put it aside for you, keeping it out of the sun.
• BRING SUN TAN LOTION! So many people got burnt last year as we experienced some amazing sunshine, so remember to pack a bottle and protect your skin.

Dates and tickets

Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 6SD

2nd-4th May 2026

Tickets from £8 (child) and £21 (adult) are on sale now at https://foodiesfestival.com/events/brighton-2/. Also, it’s worth noting that you can get a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) at a discounted rate.