The Leith Food Festival, Edinburgh 2026

See you in May, Edinburgh 📢

BIG news! Brand-New for 2026 is the Leith Food Festival, taking place on May 30th & 31st at Leith Links, Edinburgh.

Gather your favourite people and join us as we head to the heart of Leith to celebrate global flavours, performing arts, and the very best of Edinburgh's independent scene. On the menu is heaps of live entertainment, delicious food, and family attractions we doubt you'll have seen anywhere else.

Here's what to expect...

• Live Music All Weekend, from soloists and bands to tributes. Beatles Tribute Saturday night and Killers Tribute Sunday night.
• Our Live Cookery Theatre hosted by Leith's very own Barry Bryson of Barry Fish, where the region's leading chefs share crash courses in mastering your favourite dishes
• Street Food Arena, serving an eclectic mix global cuisines from some of Scotland's top street food vendors
• Artisan Markets, where you'll find melt-in-the-mouth cheeses, homemade crafts, luxury chocolates, vibrant artwork... the list goes on
• Family Entertainment, such as top-rated magicians, roaming comedy, circus workshops, stilt walkers and more
• Free Activities, Challenges and Competitions - Unique experiences tailored to friends and families of all ages, such as The Foodie Olympics, our festival scavenger hunt, and banana jousting (yes, you read that last one right). 
• Eccentric Production - Aesthetic touches that mix food and drink with the weird and wonderful...

Whether you're looking to stroll through our bustling markets, pull up a a deckchair and soak in the live music, or throw yourself at just about everything we have on offer - there's a little bit of something for everyone. 

It's a weekend for slowing down, unwinding, and enjoying shared moments with your closest people.

Join thousands for the very first Leith Food Festival, Edinburgh

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours while you still can - don't say we didn't warn ya! 🎟️

What's included with your ticket? 👇

🎵 FREE Live Music (Minimum of 12 acts over 2 days)
👨‍🍳 FREE Live Chef Demos from Edinburgh Top Chefs (8 demos over 2 days)
🎤 FREE Live Entertainment / Performing Arts – 6 shows per day
😂 FREE Roaming Comedy Acts
📖 FREE Festival Programmes
🎨 FREE Kids Activities & Foodie Colouring Books
🎡 FREE Family Competitions, Activities and Challenges
🥇 FREE Foodie Olympics – Sports Day-Inspired Family Mini-Games
🕵️‍♀️ FREE Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt

🛍️ Explore the Artisan Markets
🍔 Delicious Street Food from Leading Vendors
🪑 Ample Furniture & Deckchairs to Kick Back and Relax
🎭 Eccentric Production & Family Entertainment
🍻 Independent Bars (Including an Ale House, Speciality Cider, Gin & Wine Bars)
🎠 Fun Fair
🖼️ Art Displays
⚡ Fast Track Entry

💚 Over £164,300 raised for local mental health charities so far (and counting!)

💬 "Variety of stalls, something for everyone, great atmosphere and entertainment.” — 2025 Attendee Feedback Forms 

⭐ Stunning location in the heart of Leith, Edinburgh ⭐

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⭐ FURTHER DETAILS ⭐

🌍 International Street Food

Follow the gentle drift of spices, charcoal and fresh herbs as you wander through the open parklands of Leith Links. Our street food village brings together flavours from across the world - dishes made by cooks who take great care in what they do. You’ll find tastes from Greece, Italy, Spain, Jamaica, Malaysia, Venezuela, Gambia, Hungary, Mexico and plenty more along the way.

If you’re craving something savoury, you might settle in with slow-cooked beef and rich onion gravy, soft bao filled with braised pork belly or pan-fried tofu, or a tray of street-style Birria tacos from Western Mexico.

Prefer something sweet? Look out for Japanese bubble waffles, Dutch mini-pancakes with syrup and blueberries, or hand-baked brownies glazed in Belgian chocolate.

With over 30 cuisines to explore - and vegan options at nearly every stall - it’s a weekend for tasting your way through non-stop new flavours.

👨‍🍳 Live Cookery Theatre

Pick up insider tips, tricks, and inspiration for your next kitchen masterpiece from our Live Cookery Theatre! Running all weekend, watch as the region’s finest chefs expertly whip up incredible dishes on stage, sharing all the tips and tricks needed culinary excellency - you’ll leave inspired (and hungry!). 

🍹 Independent Drink

Whether you’re after something crisp, fruity, spicy or sparkling, our eclectic mix of independent bars offer a little of everything. Think chilled cider, small-batch cocktails, specialty rums and gins, or a glass of fizz to enjoy in the sunshine.

You’ll also find The Soldiers' Ale House, in partnership with Vocation Brewery, serving a selection of IPAs, lagers and cask favourites on draught.

If you prefer something alcohol free, there’s freshly brewed coffee, teas, juices and smoothies made to order. Once you've chosen your tipple, head over to our colourful deckchairs, perched right in front of the Live Music Stage, and unwind for the afternoon.

🛍️ Fine Artisan Markets

Stroll through our Artisan Markets and browse a mix of local produce, handmade goods and small-batch treats. You’ll stumble across Yorkshire cheeses, cured meats, fudge, marshmallows, pies, hot sauces and freshly roasted coffee - alongside jewellery, crafts, artwork, accessories and home-made gifts from some of the region's leading and most exciting artisans. Whatever your fancy, there's a little something for everyone to take home.

🎵 Live Music

Across the day, the Live Music Stage hosts a vibrant mix of jazz, pop, rock and soul from local breakthrough musicians. You might catch red-hot blues and electric energy of the Danny Charles Band or the softer harmonies of emerging acoustic duos. Saxophonist Will Forrester opens and closes each day with his intricate covers and Ibiza classics.

🎭 Live Entertainment

Our Entertainment Arena brings together magic, comedy and a touch of circus. Drop in when it suits you and watch Matthew J Magic & friends weaving together quick hands, light humour and a few surprises. Six daily shows run throughout the day!

🎪 Children’s Entertainment

Little ones can dive into a weekend filled with imagination and barrels of fun - from Magic Matt’s daily shows to foodie-quiz trails, drawing competitions, colouring books, and a traditional fun fair. Keep an eye out for roaming performers, such as stilt-walking chefs and Mr and Mrs Sweet, who are always up for a photo or two!

🤝 Supporting Mental Health

Through optional ticket donations and fun activities, we’ve raised over £164,300 so far for mental health initiatives across the UK - let’s take it even further in 2026!

Join us this year for an unforgettable foodie celebration!

Over 30 Cuisines | 180+ Exhibitors & Performers | 10 Independent Bars | 3 Giant Artisan Markets | Street Food | Dessert Stations | Live Entertainment | 26+ Performers | FREE Kids Activities & Challenges | FREE Deckchairs & Seating | FREE Festival Programmes | Traditional Fun Fair| Exclusive Displays

📅When: 30th & 31st May, 2026
📍Where: Leith Links, Edinburgh 
Opening Times: 10am - 8pm (Saturday) | 10am - 7pm (Sunday)

* Subject to license. If the event cannot go ahead for any reason, all ticket buyers are eligible for a full monetary refund.

🎶 Full Live Music & Cookery Theatre line-up coming soon!
🎟️ Limited Early Bird Tickets – from just £6.95 per adult

www.leithfoodfestival.com