Thousands of visitors are set to descend on Bolton town centre for four days of food, family fun and live entertainment.
With just two weeks to go, excitement is building for the return of the award-winning Bolton Food and Drink Festival, sponsored by Peel Land.
The festival, now in its 21st year, takes over the town centre from Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August.
Widely regarded as one of the UK's biggest and best food festivals, it’s expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors for a packed bank holiday weekend of food, drink, entertainment and family activities.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Hundreds of food and drink traders serving everything from international street food and artisan produce to sweet treats and locally made favourites.
- Celebrity chef demonstrations, including appearances by celebrity chefs James Martin, Marco Pierre White and Nisha Katona.
- Free regional chef demonstrations showcasing culinary talent from across the North West.
- Free live music and entertainment throughout the weekend including headliners Liberty X and The Real Thing.
- Free family-friendly activities and interactive experiences across the festival site including circus skills workshops, giant doodle walls, bubble performances, creative art sessions, a giant sandpit and more.
Most activities are free but there are some special events that do require tickets.
There are some limited spaces available for the celebrity cooking demonstrations. Don’t miss your chance to see James Martin (Saturday), Marco Pierre White (Monday) and Nisha Katona (Monday) in action, tickets can be booked online.
Cllr Debbie Newall, Bolton Council's Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, said:
"There really is something for everyone at Bolton Food and Drink Festival, whether you're a passionate foodie, looking for a great day out with the family, or simply want to soak up the fantastic atmosphere in our town centre.
"We're incredibly proud that the festival continues to grow in popularity and puts Bolton firmly on the map as a destination for world-class events.
“With amazing food, renowned chefs, live entertainment and plenty of free activities, we're looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the region and beyond."
The festival continues to be one of Bolton’s most significant annual events, attracting more than half a million visitors in 2025 and generating millions of pounds for the local economy.
As well as showcasing the very best food and drink, the festival provides a major boost to local businesses, supports traders and helps showcase everything Bolton has to offer.
Visit the festival website for all the latest announcements.