Food Festivals to Delight Your Tastebuds!

If your perfect day revolves around great food, live music and a lively atmosphere you’re in for a treat this year as there’s some incredible food festivals across the North and Scotland for you to explore. They each offer something a little different but are all guaranteed to serve up delicious tasting food and a great day (or even weekend!) for you, your friends and your family.

Here’s your guide to the tastiest events on our network…

Saltburn Food Festival

Sunday 27 July 2026
10am – 6pm

Set against the charming seaside charm of Saltburn, this much loved one day food festival offers a relaxed but vibrant atmosphere. With around 120 stalls lining the streets of Saltburn, you can take your time browsing a wide range of street food, sweet treats, artisan products and handcrafted goods.

Saltburn Food Festival has a particular focus on local produce, making this event extra special. Many of the traders showcase the best of the regions food and drink, giving you a real slice of Saltburn alongside the international flavours on offer. It’s the perfect place to discover and support small independent businesses and traders and pick up something unique.

The cookery theatre adds another layer to the Saltburn Food Festival, with talented chefs demonstrating their skills and sharing practical tips which you can take home for your own kitchen. Whether you’re popping down for a couple of hours or making a full day of it by the coast, it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday!

York Food and Drink Festival

Friday 18 – Sunday 27 September 2026

Spanning ten days, York’s Food and Drink Festival transforms the city into a celebration of Yorkshire’s rich culinary heritage. Established in 1997, it’s one of the UK’s longest running food festivals and it shows in the variety and depth of events on offer across the festival!

Across York, you’ll find everything from curated food trails and pop-up markets to immersive dining experiences and wine tastings. The festival places a strong emphasis on local produce and talent, shining a spotlight on Yorkshire’s farmers, makers and chefs.

With ten days to explore, whether you’re here for one day or plan to visit multiple times, there’ll be something new to see with every trip. Whether you’re sampling your way through the artisan markets, attending a specialist tasting event or enjoying a themed meal, there’s something for everyone to discover.

And, if you ever need another excuse to visit this gorgeous city and explore it in a new way, the food festival gives you the perfect reason!

North Leeds Food Festival, Roundhay Park

Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May 2026

Set in the stunning surroundings of Roundhay Park, North Leeds Food Festival is the ideal way to kick off your summer. The focus here is on variety, with international street food traders serving up morsels of tasty bites from every corner of the globe.

Alongside the delicious food, there’s also eight independent bars to keep you hydrated with tipples of your choice, serving everything from refreshing soft drinks to something a little stronger!

Live chef demonstrations bring the Leeds food scene to life whilst the artisan market is a must-visit, filled with high-quality produce from indulgent gooey brownies and gourmet fudge to cured meats and speciality cheeses. Add in a full weekend programme of live music spanning jazz, soul, indie and pop and you’ve got a weekend filled with a festival atmosphere from start to finish.

There’s even a funfair, inflatable play area, magic show and a fact-hunt to keep the little ones entertained. This one is a food festival not to be missed!

Liverpool Food Festival, Sefton Park

Friday 14 – Sunday 16 August 2026

Held in the gorgeous Sefton Park, this food festival is a staple summer event in Liverpool’s calendar. Expect a vibrant mix of street food vendors, artisan producers and drinks specialists, all coming together to celebrate Liverpool’s diverse food scene.

You can spend the day, or weekend, sampling everything from quick bites to indulgent dishes, with plenty of options to suit every taste. The festival atmosphere is a big part of the appeal too with live entertainment, music and a laid-back, social vibe throughout the weekend.

Whether you’re catching up with friends, enjoying a date day or exploring a new part of Liverpool, it’s an easy, enjoyable and tasty way to soak up the energy and creativity of this city.

Lancaster Food and Drink Festival, Lancaster Brewery

Saturday 4 – Monday 6 May 2026

Set over the May Bank Holiday weekend, this food festival held at Lancaster Brewery serves up a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a long weekend outing. It’s a fantastic blend of great food, drinks and family-friendly entertainment.

Expect a range of street food vendors serving up crowd-pleasing favourites, alongside local producers showcasing regional specialities. And, of course, being hosted at Lancaster Brewery, there’ll be plenty of locally brewed ales to sample and enjoy.

It’s a great option if you’re visiting Lancaster over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Edinburgh Foodies Festival, Inverleith Park

Friday 7 – Sunday 9 August 2026

Edinburgh’s Foodies Festival combines stunning views across the city with a packed programme filled with scrumptious food and fantastic entertainment.

You’ll find live cooking demonstrations from well-known chefs from across Scotland and beyond as well as hands-on workshops where you can try out new techniques. There’s a huge selection of street food and artisan stalls to explore and there’s also drink tasting experiences on offer where you can sample everything from wines to craft spirits.

As the day turns into evening, the festival continues with live music performances making the festival a great place to visit no matter what time of day you go!

It’s a fabulous way to experience Edinburgh’s food scene whilst also taking in one of the city’s most scenic green spaces.



Ready to tuck in?

With so many incredible food festivals across the network, there’s never been a better time to plan your next trip. Whether you’re chasing bold flavours, discovering new favourites or simply soaking up the atmosphere, TransPennine Express can get you there.

So grab your friends, bring your appetite and let your foodie summer begin!