Bolton’s streets will once again come alive with flavour, laughter and fun for all ages this August bank holiday as the UK’s biggest food and drink festival returns from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August.
Now in its 20th year, Bolton Food and Drink Festival is bringing together more than 180 traders to the town centre – serving everything from mouthwatering global food to sweet treats and vegan delights.
With free entry and a huge programme of free family activities, it’s the perfect end-of-holiday weekend for families to spend time together, without spending a fortune.
This year’s line-up includes headline chef demos from long-time festival favourite James Martin and a first-time appearance by Marco Pierre White, both set to cook up a storm in the Festival Hall.
Across the weekend, the open-air Kitchen Theatre will host free demos from regional chefs, giving festival goers plenty of inspiration for new dishes.
And with food and drink at every turn, set to the backdrop of live music from the likes of East 17 and Odyssey, flamboyant street performers and outdoor seating zones, it’s easy for families to graze around the town with something delicious in hand.
Alongside the flavours is a full menu of family fun – almost all of it for FREE.
The Festival Garden offers a leafy escape in the heart of the town, open 10am-6pm daily. Little ones can enjoy fruity snack making, s’mores toasting, clay boggart crafting, messy play and even a spot of worm hunting – mud kitchen included.
Inside the Octagon Theatre, the Family Festival returns for a special day of free entertainment. Expect live theatre, storytelling, arts and crafts and the ever-popular bubble-fuelled family disco. Tickets are free but booking is recommended.
Over in Elizabeth Park, from 11am-5pm each day, families can explore a giant sandpit, enjoy music and storytelling and get creative with games and crafts from Bolton’s Library and Museum.
One of this year’s highlights is Breadcrumbs – a free interactive family show exploring memories and imagination. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. Other activities are also free with just a small fee for facepainting.
Young chefs aged 10+ can book on to ‘Cook & Dine’ sessions at the Albert Halls – where they will follow a live demo, prepare their own dish, enjoy it together and take home a drink and a food voucher to spend at the festival.
And this year, budding chefs can even try their hand at chocolate-making as well as learning skills around healthy cooking, kitchen confidence and creativity. These sessions take place in the same historic venue where Peter Kay performed one of his first shows.
Families with older children can head to the Teen Zone, returning in a new location at 33 Victoria Square but packed with the same favourites – classic arcade games, air hockey, tabletop games, table football and music – offering a chilled out space just for teens.
Taking place on the last weekend before most children return to school, the festival is a brilliant chance to soak up the last of the summer vibes with a full day out that won’t stretch the budget.
Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub said:
“Our food and drink festival is a celebration of everything Bolton does best – incredible food, activities for all and opportunities to discover new passions.
“It is a truly inclusive event that brings people together and I am particularly proud of how much is on offer for children, to get involved in hands-on activities that spark confidence and creativity.”
Families can make the most of their visit with help from official tourism partner, Visit Bolton – by downloading the free app for maps, event listings and tips to plan the perfect festival family weekend.