Foodie events: 5 food and drink festivals in Yorkshire [2024]

Love living the gourmet life? Find out about some fantastic food and drink festivals in Yorkshire in 2024.

When: Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May 2024

Where: Malton, North Yorkshire

Set in the food capital of the north, the Malton Food Lovers Festival is a celebration of Yorkshire's finest food and produce. This gourmet street party will feature delicious street food, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, artisan markets, bars, live music and more.

As well as stalls throughout the town offering all sorts of scrumptious food, last year featured art workshops from Environmental Art and a blacksmith's forge workshop. You could also catch live music from local brass bands plus an eclectic mix of buskers and other musicians.

While you're there, be sure to explore the Malton Sculpture Trail. Fantastic pieces of artwork are on display throughout the town, many of which are created by local Yorkshire artists using a range of mediums.

Best of all, entry to "Yorkshire's Foodie Glastonbury" is completely free. Nice!

2. Harrogate Food and Drink Festival

First weekend: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June 2024

Second weekend: Saturday 24 to Monday 26 August 2024

Where: The Stray, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is making its way back to the Stray this year with two celebrations of international and independent food and wine.

Walk through the lush green settings of the Stray and Ripley Castle and let your senses be overtaken by the aromas of street food from across the globe. The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival prides itself on bringing together the most prestigious street food vendors with a unique selection of international flair and local talent.

Want to complement your visit with a snifter or two? There are oodles of independent businesses serving the very best fruit cocktails, wines and craft ales. And in case you want to sample the best of the north's delicacies, there's a specially curated Artisanal Market where you can pick up all kinds of jams, cheeses and desserts. You'll also spot arts and crafts from some fabulously creative local artists.

Expect to be full of food and happy memories. With lots of live music and family-friendly entertainment on offer, the Harrogate Food and Drink Festival promises great fun for all the family.

3. Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival

When: Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July 2024

Where: Funkirk Farm, Skipton, North Yorkshire

The UK's biggest food festival is returning to Funkirk Farm this summer – and it's not one to miss. 

There's an incredible line-up of celebrity chefs and cooking workshops for all to enjoy. With James Martin, Si King from the Hairy Bikers and Gok Wan making appearances, you're bound to come away with some kitchen secrets.

On top of that, there are more than 300 foodie experiences to try, including street food stalls, a pop-up pizza restaurant and more cheese and wine than you could possibly ever finish.

The artisan market will be awash with the aroma of cakes, fresh bread, chutneys and spices. It promises upwards of 70 producers offering a delicious mix of food and drinks for you to taste. Or, if you want to sip on a drink in the sun, you can head to the Mixology Lounge and Bar, which will offer classic and creative cocktails.

Had enough grub for the day? (Or, well, the hour?) You can chill out in the sunshine while listening to live music from Blue, Heather Small and loads more tremendous acts. You can also enjoy live music, lawn games and a cheeky tipple in Timothy Taylor's beer garden.

With day and weekend tickets available – as well as camping spots galore for glamping gastronomes – the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival is a must for adventurous foodies. 

4. Riverside Food & Drink Festival

When: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July 2024

Where: The Ings, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

The Riverside Food & Drink Festival takes place on The Ings in Wetherby – a stunning parkland that provides a beautiful and unique backdrop for a little gastronomic indulgence. 

Here, you can enjoy a smorgasbord of international street food and drinks alongside live music, arts and charity events.

The Live Cookery Theatre will showcase the very best chefs in the region, all showing off their unique culinary expertise. And with artisanal markets serving gourmet fudge, cured meats and cheese – plus eight independent bars serving all sorts of delicious beverages – we can't think of a better place to spend a warm weekend this summer. 

5. Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival

When: Friday 11 to Monday 14 October 2024

Where: throughout the Yorkshire Dales National Park

For lovers of all things dairy, the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival celebrates the incredible produce of the Dales – with cheese as the star of the show.

Local businesses throughout the National Park will host special events, menus and tastings that are open to all. Visitors can enjoy fantastic local produce such as Yorkshire gin and ales, dairy ice creams and sorbets, jams, jellies and chutneys and locally-reared meat. And, of course, there'll be hundreds of cheesy treats on offer.

Also on the menu are special cookery courses, dining experiences and the chance to meet and chat with the makers of these tasty bites.

For some foodie inspiration, be sure to check out the park's "Taste of the Dales" map.

Be sure to stop at Stump Cross Caverns

Come for the caverns – stay for the delicious snacks!

After you've visited our spectacular caves, you can stay for a bite to eat and something to drink in our quirky cafe near Harrogate.

The Time Cafe is the perfect spot for afternoon tea. You'll also find delicious drinks, home-cooked food and cakes on the menu, along with our tasty signature ales, made in collaboration with the Richmond Brewing Company. (And let's not forget our famous homemade sausage rolls!)

Beautiful clocks adorn the walls – but when you look out of the window at the stunning views of the Dales, you'll feel like time has stopped. 

Stump Cross Caverns is a breathtaking system of ancient caves found below the Yorkshire Dales near Harrogate. You can unearth hidden secrets, marvel at the stunning rock formations and learn all about our 300-million-year history. Book your tickets today.