Ilkley Food and Drink Festival 2027: A Riverside Feast

Reimagining the classics 🍊

2027 plans are well underway, Ilkley.

On the 12th-13th June, we're heading back to our home by the riverside with a fresh spin on things. 

Think brand-new entertainment, curious activities, giant inflatable slices of cake and a few questionable ways to spend a summer afternoon on the Ilkley Riverside. The familiar favourites aren't going anywhere either of course - tasty street food, up-and-coming local musicians, and a treasure trove of homemade goodies from independent makers.

Enter your pooch into Wally Woof's Family Dog Show, test your balance and determination in our Banana Jousting Arena, or simply grab your favourite tipple and sink into a deckchair. Whether it be an action-packed afternoon or something a little more breezy, go about your day out however you see fit.

So, what's on the cards?

• FOUR Live Stages, all included with your ticket - from local bands and talented musicians to leading head chefs, magicians, circus performers and interactive family shows. It's not all about the food.
• NEW Free Activities & Roaming Entertainment - Even more ways to get stuck in throughout the weekend, plus comedy, stilt walkers, and other unexpected encounters dotted around the festival grounds.
• NEW Street Food, Bars & Markets Line-ups - International flavours, global delicacies, small-batch goods and handcrafted drinks from Yorkshire's food and drink scene

Gather your favourite people and join us for another weekend of good food, peculiar entertainment and easygoing moments on the Ilkley riverside.

Limited Early Bird Tickets are out now. Swipe them up before they're gone.

What's in Store? 👇

🎪FOUR Live Stages, all included with your ticket
🎶 NEW: Fresh Music Lineup + Unseen Tribute Acts!
🎡 NEW: Activities & Attractions
🎭 NEW: Eccentric Production & Family Entertainment

👨‍🍳 FREE Live Chef Demos from Yorkshire's Leading Chefs (10 demos over 2 days)
🎵 FREE Live Music (minimum of 12 acts over 2 days)
🎤 FREE Live Entertainment / Performing Arts (6 shows per day)
🐕 FREE Family Dog Show (bring your pooch along and sign them up!)
🎱 FREE Pies Down, Eyes Down Bingo (prizes from our very own traders)
🌶️FREE Chilli Challenge (feeling brave, anyone?)
😂 FREE Roaming Comedy Acts
📖 FREE Festival Programmes
🎨 FREE Family Activities & Foodie Colouring Books
🥇 FREE Foodie Olympics - Sports Day-Inspired Mini-Games
🕵️‍♀️ FREE Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt

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

💚 Over £210,100 raised for mental health charities so far

💬 "An amazing mix of new discoveries and the classics we love - the perfect foodie day out.” - Attendee Feedback Forms

ADDED TIDBITS

🌍 International Street Food

With over 20 cuisines to explore, our Street Food Village brings together independent cooks serving up flavours from across the globe. 

From Greece and Italy to Jamaica, Malaysia, Venezuela, Gambia, Hungary, Mexico and beyond, there's a fair bit of ground to cover without leaving the festival.

Think fragrant Thai curries, smoky Jamaican jerk chicken, freshly rolled Greek gyros, Korean fried chicken, sizzling Mexican tacos and handmade Italian arancini.

And for those with a sweet tooth? Expect warm churros dusted in cinnamon sugar, freshly made crêpes, indulgent cookie dough and plenty of other tempting treats.

Take your time, follow your nose and see where your appetite takes you. You might just discover a new favourite.

👨‍🍳 Live Cookery Theatre

Our Cookery Theatre returns across the weekend in partnership with Yorkshire legend Stephanie Moon.

Over the years, our stage has welcomed MasterChef stars, Head Chefs from Michelin Guide-recommended restaurants and chefs recognised among the country's finest, including National Chef of the Year honourees.

Enjoy 10+ demonstrations from a line-up of regional chefs, sharing the recipes, techniques and little secrets behind some of your favourite dishes.

🍹 Independent Drink

Our independent bars will be pouring everything from chilled ciders and small-batch cocktails to speciality rums, gins and a glass or two of fizz.

Beer lovers can make themselves at home at The Soldiers' Ale House, brought to you in partnership with Vocation Brewery. Expect IPAs, lagers and cask favourites served fresh on draught.

And for those steering clear of alcohol, you'll find teas, coffees, juices and smoothies prepared to order.

Once you've found your drink of choice, there's a deckchair waiting in front of the main stage.

🛍️ Artisan Markets

Our Artisan Markets bring together makers, bakers, artists and producers from across Yorkshire.

Browse wheels of Yorkshire cheese, cured meats, homemade fudge, marshmallows, pies, fiery hot sauces and freshly roasted coffee. Then wander a little further to discover handmade jewellery, artwork, crafts, accessories and gifts for the home.

Take a moment to meet the talented makers behind some of the region's most exciting independent businesses.

🎵 Live Music

From jazz, pop and rock to soul, funk and blues, our Live Music Stage brings together a lively mix of genres throughout the weekend.

Discover up-and-coming local musicians, enjoy a lively mix of original music and sing along to familiar favourites as our headlining tribute acts take to the stage.

Enjoy an afternoon soundtracked by independent tunes and classic covers spanning the last 40 years. 

🌶️ The Sizzling Showdown Arena

Things get a little competitive in the Sizzling Showdown Arena. Hosted by renowned comedian Neil Frost, expect a healthy dose of silliness, unusual challenges and plenty of opportunities to get involved. 

Go head-to-head with other festival-goers in the Foodie Olympics and Chilli Challenge, sign your pooch up to Wally Woof's Family Dog Show, or grab a seat and test your luck at Pies Down, Eyes Down Bingo with Barry Bingo.

🎭 Live Entertainment

Our Entertainment Arena welcomes Matthew J Magic & friends for six shows each day, combining sleight of hand, comedy and circus-inspired performances.

From clever illusions to unexpected audience participation, you never quite know what's coming next.

🎪 Children’s Entertainment

Across the weekend, little ones can get stuck into the Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt, colouring activities, circus skills workshops and the full traditional fun fair, alongside daily performances from Magic Matt, of course!

Keep those eyes peeled as you wander around the grounds. You might bump into stilt-walking chefs, wacky comedy duos, or a few other eccentric characters. Don't forget to grab a photo or two!

🤝 Supporting Mental Health

We’re proud to continue our partnership with Bradford Mind. Through optional ticket donations and fun activities, we’ve raised over £210,100 so far for mental health initiatives across the UK - let’s build on that total in 2027!

Over 30 Cuisines | 180+ Exhibitors & Performers | 8+ Independent Bars | 2 Giant Artisan Markets | Street Food | Dessert Stations | Live Entertainment | 26+ Performers | FREE Kids Activities & Challenges | FREE Deckchairs & Seating | FREE Festival Programmes | Traditional Fun Fair

📅 When: June 12th-13th, 2027
📍 Where: East Holmes Field, Ilkley 
Opening Times: 10am - 8pm (Saturday) | 10am - 7pm (Sunday)

🎟️ Limited Early Bird Tickets – from just £7.95 per adult