Cornwall is far-famed for its fabulous line-up of events and festivals that take place throughout the year. Showcasing the incredible talents and treasures of the county, these festivals propose an irresistible agenda of music, activity, culture and, of course, food.
Some of the first dates to be pencilled into our diaries, Cornwall’s food festivals tempt with the crème de la crème of food. Fusing flavours and teasing tastebuds, they celebrate the best of Cornish cuisine and encourage exploration of local delicacies, new-found favourites, and international dishes curated with seasonal produce. Also hosting superb chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking workshops, each festival brings with it a unique twist and a handpicked selection of things to see and do. Better still? Each one resides in a beautiful Cornish setting, with enchanting backdrops ranging from reaching sea views to rolling countryside scenes.
Ready to find your favourite? Here are some of the best food festivals in Cornwall for you to look forward to this year.
Fowey Food Week
2nd - 9th March 2024
Fowey Food Week comprises all the most delectable ingredients of festivals in Cornwall: great food, great views, and a great atmosphere. Held annually in the waterside town of Fowey, this south coast spectacular brings together the town’s eateries and specialists and features a week-long line-up of things to see, do and eat. Sample your way around the world without leaving the salt-kissed reaches of Fowey, and secure reservations at participating eateries to try speciality dishes born from global inspiration and crafted from local ingredients. With everything from atmospheric pubs to cosy cafés, and from romantic bistros to wines and spirit stores taking part, discovering and rediscovering new and long-time favourites will have never been so sweet.
Bude Food Festival
1st April and 11th August 2024
Held first in April and later again in August, Bude Food Festival is a bi-annual festival that takes place in North Cornwall. Intertwining an artisan food market with a curated collection of street food stalls, it promises tempting tastes and tantalising textures in abundance. Head over to the grounds of the Grade II listed The Castle overlooking Summerleaze Beach and get ready to peruse the array of stands. Amongst the culinary offerings, locally-reared pork sausages, freshly-baked breads and handmade cakes, spice-infused relishes made with Cornish ingredients, and locally-brewed beers, ciders and spirits and more are all on offer. Fill a hamper with delectable treats and look forward to savouring even more foodie moments at your exquisite boutique homestay with the finest of Cornish fare.
Porthleven Food Festival
26th - 28th April 2024
Porthleven Food Festival is one of the most popular food festivals in the South West and a hotly anticipated event in the county’s epicurean calendar. Pleasing the palate with an array of gourmet goodies on offer from local producers and culinary maestros, it promises a feast for the senses for all generations. Head over between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th April this year and look forward to chef talks, cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops and more. From pasty-making classes to grand feast nights to cooking competitions between the pros, you can expect back-to-back inspiration and entertainment. Complemented by live music, crafts stalls, family-friendly activities and the most heavenly oceanside backdrop, Porthleven provides ample fuel for the heart, soul, and appetite.
St Ives Food Festival
TBC May 2025
St Ives Food Festival is a fantastic food festival held on the gorgeous, white-sand shores of Porthminster Beach in West Cornwall. One of the county’s biggest food festivals, it is also one of the most eagerly-awaited events amongst food fans and culinary connoisseurs for its divine location and mouth-watering offerings. A dreamlike experience for all, this festival beckons for hours by the ocean, watching chef demonstrations, sampling delicious dishes, and sipping cocktails as waves gently lap the sand nearby. With St Ives Food Festival taking a timeout in 2024 to curate an even more refined offering, all attention is turned to 2025 for the latest instalment of this wonderful food festival in Cornwall.
Falmouth Food Festival
24th - 26th May 2024
In its second year, Falmouth Food Festival is a brand-new food festival in Cornwall. A three-day event taking place in the marine mecca of Falmouth, it encourages lovers of fine cuisine, artisanal creations, and street food fare to celebrate in style. With a plenitude of food, drink, music, and art on the menu, it truly encapsulates the spirit of this colourful, characterful harbour town and sets a vibrant scene for hours and days of foodie discovery. Make way to Church Street and immerse yourself in the buoying thrum of activity, taking time to uncover the variety of stalls and enjoying the backdrop of Falmouth’s harbour. To set the rhythm, live performances from bands and DJs provide a tuneful chorus throughout each day and into the evening.
Cornwall Street Food Festival
24th - 27th May 2024
The Cornwall Street Food Festival is a flourishing family and dog-friendly food festival held in Newquay. Located on the clifftop Barrowfields above the sea, it is now in its third year and offers an unmissable foodie experience in the heart of the town. Venture over to this food festival in Cornwall and seek sweet and savoury bites with a serving of ocean vistas. From loaded fries and stacked burgers to fruit-layered waffles to chocolate-filled churros, all manner of indulgence can be enjoyed. Once you have fully satiated your appetite, you can also head to either of the neighbouring beaches of Lusty Glaze or Great Western Beach that hug either side of the Barrowfields headland and treat yourself to sun-kissed moments on the shore.
Mevagissey Feast Week
22nd - 29th June 2024
Mevagissey Feast Week is one of the longest-running food festivals in Cornwall. Believed to have origins dating all the way back to 1752 when Mevagissey began celebrating the day of its patron saint, St Peter, this festival has now become a much-loved fixture in the town’s calendar. Every year, the festival encompasses a colourful collaboration between locals and the county’s top chefs and features a range of things to see and do. On the agenda, regattas, races, parades, marching bands, family-friendly activities, cooking demonstrations and more can all be anticipated. Of course, a range of food is also available to sample and buy to savour at your retreat.
Rock Oyster Festival
25th - 28th July 2024
Secure tickets in advance and seek a slice of gastronomical heaven at Rock Oyster Festival at Dinham House in North Cornwall. Filled with Michelin-starred chefs, alfresco feasting, and unmissable cookery demonstrations across the weekend, it is one of the best food and drinks festivals in the UK and offers something for every taste. Head over to the Chef Tipis to try enticing taster plates and signature dishes crafted by leading experts, or step into The Pearl tent to learn the tricks of the trade. For a hands-on approach to food, find the Masterclass Tipi for workshops and lessons on everything from cake baking to cocktail mixology. Or, simply soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the medley of street food stalls and feasting opportunities for mouth-watering repasts.
Falmouth Oyster Festival
TBC October 2024
The Falmouth Oyster Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Cornwall and has been running for more than a quarter of a century. Devoted to Cornish seafood and, in particular, the oyster, this salt-kissed festival celebrates the best of local fruits de mer and seafood sustainability. Visit Falmouth this October (the start of the oyster dredging season) and immerse yourself in the activity, ready to sample some of the native delicacies deftly prepared by talented chefs. With a packed programme this year, the festival proposes a memorable mix of live music and entertainment, live cooking and shucking demonstrations, and lots of shopping opportunities for everything from unique crafts to moreish sweet treats. There’s also an unmissable boat race between working boats under sail.
Padstow Christmas Festival
TBC December 2024
A food festival in Cornwall with a twist, Padstow Christmas Market offers a welcome window into a winter wonderland. One of the largest Christmas markets in Cornwall and beyond, this captivating festival brings festive cheer with dozens of local traders nestled in one stunning harbourside location in Padstow. The perfect place to draw Christmas inspiration, find artisan gifts, and sample soul-warming food, it beckons with seasonal sensations for all ages. Meander between the laden trestles in the Christmas market tent and peruse the masterfully created products. Or, take a seat in Sharp’s Chefs Theatre for demonstrations and talks from the country’s leading chefs, such as Michael Caines, Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Mark Hix and more.
Looking forward to flavoursome feasts? Take a look at our collection of luxury cottages in Cornwall.
