Ilkley Food & Drink Festival 2026: A Riverside Feast

Listen up ILKLEY! 📢

What's better than being nestled in the stunning Wharfe Valley?

That's right... being surrounded by your loved ones. Tasty food in hand, supping on your favourite tipple and taking in all the entertainment that surrounds you while you kick back and relax. 

Throw in the fact you're by the river with the Cow & Calf Rocks overlooking you and you're living the dream.

Thanks to your support, we're back for our 7TH YEAR in 2026 in this beautiful field we call our home.

As you'll know, this event has grown year on year and we're cooking up some new attractions for 2026 (on top of the usual good stuff) such as:

New for 2026:

👉 Brand New Event Production - Think bolder and brighter (& wackier!)

👉 Fresh Entertainment - We've been blessed with some incredible entertainers over the years. This year we're taking it up a notch with new world music & entertainers

👉  New Activities - Ever done 'Banana Jousting'? No, me neither but that is very much on the cards

👉 New Food & Drink Traders - Expect our biggest line up to date, with some fresh additions to the line up.

Love Food? Love a warm vibrant community atmosphere? Then you’re in the right place…

⭐ As seen in BBC, Ilkley Gazette & The Yorkshire Post. Join thousands for the UK’s most stunning Food Festival ⭐

...Early bird tickets flew out faster than Bacon Butties on a Saturday Morning last year. Grab yours today!

Annnd, don’t forget this is all set amongst the backdrop of our usual attractions of… 👇

👩‍🍳 Live Chef Demos (Minimum of 8 Demos over the weekend)

🎸 Live Music (At least 12 acts over 2 days)

🛍️ Explore the Artisan Markets (Indulge in fresh baked cakes, artisanal cheeses, and aromatic sauces)

🌮 Street Food Arena (From tasty tacos to irresistible bao buns and succulent pulled pork)

🥂 Independent Bars (Featuring an Ale House, Speciality Cider, Rum, Gin & Wine Bars)

🍺 A Full Ale House – Showcasing Ales, IPA’s, Lagers & Cask favourites

👉 Unveiling Tribute Acts (Stay tuned for the lineup) – Get ready for an encore featuring incredible acts.

👉 Eccentric & Extraordinary Production - As you're aware, our production is already over-the-top, but in 2026, we're taking it a step further into the realm of weird and wonderful. That's all we can reveal for now.

✨ FREE Live Entertainment/Performing Arts – 6 shows daily

🎟️ FREE Festival Programmes

🤹 FREE Kids Activities

🚗 FREE Parking

🥳 Ample Furniture Dotted Around for Lounging

🎢 Fun Fair & Inflatable Land

🎨 Art Displays

🐐 Mobile Educational Farm

🤹‍♂️ Whimsical Roaming Entertainment & Comedy - Chefs on stilts riding bicycles, anyone?

😁 “A fab day out with the family and a buzzing atmosphere” – Capturing the delight of seasoned festival-goers.

…Come join the fun!

⭐ Stunning location by the Riverside in Ilkley Overlooked by The Cow & Calf Rocks⭐

🚀 Over £164,000 raised for local mental health charities so far 🚀

Get your tickets today.

Join us on our return to this beautiful riverside location, nestled on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

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FURTHER DETAILS

Live Cookery Theatre – In partnership with Yorkshire Food Guide, our Cookery Theatre returns across the weekend. Pull up a seat and watch regional chefs share the techniques and small touches that bring a dish to life

International Street Food - Take a walk through the lush green fields of East Holmes Field and enjoy the vast aromas tempting you into tastes from around the world.  Pick from the best Street Food traders in the UK.

Tuck into a freshly prepared Paella or Pad Thai, bursting with flavour. Taste the gooey goodness of Artisan Melted Cheese, or nibble on Pomegranate topped Halloumi Fries.

Fancy something sweet? Pick up Spanish Churros, smothered in Belgian Chocolate. Choose food from Japan, Italy, Peru, The U.S, or anywhere between! 

Vegan? Almost all of the exhibitors will have a vegan special on to tempt your tastebuds.

Independent Drink - Lounge on a colourful striped deck chair in the sun. Take a sip on a Cold Beer, a glass of Champagne or a Cocktail loaded with fresh Strawberries. With 8 Independent Bars at the festival, we have you covered - whatever your tipple.

Want something non-alcoholic? No problem, we have a specialist bar squeezing Juices and Smoothies on the spot for you.

Fine Artisan Markets - Feel your senses heighten as you walk through the colours, tastes and smells of the giant Artisan Produce Markets. Tuck into a gooey Artisan Brownie. Pick up gourmet Fudge or luxury Cured Meats. Lover of cheese? We’ve loads of it. And from some of the best producers in the UK.

Want something for later? We have everything from handmade Marshmallows, to Independent Wines and Gins. Specially assembled for the festival, you can take your pick from the finest artisan brands in the UK.

Live Music - Listen to the sounds of award-winning Jazz, Soul and Pop. Dance to the Unique sounds of the Washboard Resonators on stage at the festival. Welcoming you to the festival and playing throughout will be the sounds of Will Forrester on the Sax.

Live Entertainment - Stroll across the bustling site and you will come to the Entertainment Arena. Here you will witness the mind-boggling talents of Matthew J & friends.

Children’s Entertainment - See the excitement on their faces as they watch the Magic Matt show taking place each day. Take part in the free kids quiz and fact-hunt all around the site. Be sure to swing by the Traditional Fun Fair and Inflatable Land on your way. We’ve heaps lined up for the kids – see our website for more info.

Supporting Mental Health – Our charity partner at the festival is Bradford Mind. We will be collecting donations through optional donations on ticket sales and many fun activities. We have raised over £164,000 for mental health charities at our festivals so far. Let’s try break the record this year.

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Over 31 cuisines | 200+ Exhibitors and Performers | 8 Independent Bars | 3 Giant Artisan Produce Markets | Street Food | Dessert Stations | Live Entertainment | 26+ Live Performers | FREE Kids Activities and Kids Packs | FREE Deckchairs and Seating | FREE Festival Programmes | Dedicated Wellbeing Area | Traditional Fun Fair | Inflatable Land | Exclusive Art Displays

When: 13th-14th June, 2026

Opening Times: 10am-8pm (Sat) & 10am-7pm (Sun)

Where: Riverside (East Holmes Field), Ilkley

Full Live Music line up to be announced.

Join the celebration in Ilkley this summer.