The best spring & early summer food festivals in Cornwall 2026
Planning a foodie Summer?
Cornwall is famous for its rich culinary traditions. Whether you want to eat fresh seafood in Padstow, sample the catch of the day in Porthleven or tuck into a traditional Cornish pasty, Cornwall certainly doesn’t fall short on delicious cuisine.
It’s not too surprising then that from this vibrant food scene, food festivals have popped up across the county.
From Porthleven to Newlyn, this is our list of the five best food festivals in Cornwall.
1 BUDE FOOD FESTIVAL: 6th April 2026
Visitors are invited to the Spring Bude Food Festival on Monday 6th April, from 10am to 5pm, set on the beautiful lawn at The Castle in Bude.
It promises a delicious day out, featuring tempting street food, a vibrant artisan market, and a fantastic selection of food and drink producers from across Cornwall and Devon.
Best of all, entry is absolutely free.
1 PORTHLEVEN FOOD FESTIVAL: 24th – 26th April 2026
The food festival season in Cornwall kicks off with this fabulous food fiesta in one of Cornwall’s most picturesque towns.
This award-winning festival attracts crowds from near and far every year due to its scenic location, eclectic entertainment and selection of over 150 exhibitors. From street food to sea food, visitors will be able to browse the stalls and watch workshops and demos from top chefs including Jude Kereama, Ben Palmer, Olivia Barry, Tim Kendall, Harriet Mansell and more.
Entry is free but tickets must be bought for the evening sessions.
2. ST IVES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL: 15th – 17TH MAY 2026
A firm favourite on the food festival scene, St Ives Food & Drink Festival is a culinary extravaganza.
The famous seaside town of St Ives provides the scenic backdrop to this popular event, which combines live entertainment, stunning sea views and world-class food.
Expect engaging demos from famous Cornish chefs such as Nick Hemming, Chris Eden, Tom Brown, Jude Kereama and Jack Stein, alongside a plethora of food and drink stalls to browse. Dance the night away to artists like The Scribes, Year of the Dog, and Barry & the Crumpets at the festival’s after parties.
The festival is free to attend, however tickets are required in advance for the Evening Sessions.
3. FALMOUTH FOOD FESTIVAL: 22nd – 26TH MAY 2026
The inaugural Falmouth food festival kicks off this May and promises to showcase the best of Cornish cuisine.
Hosted in the lower section of Church Street Car Park in the centre of the town, expect to sample a variety of Cornish food and drink, at the same time as enjoying local live music and other performances.
4. ROCK OYSTER FESTIVAL: 23rd – 26th JULY 2026
Lovers of seafood (and fun) can’t go far wrong with this three-day shindig set on the stunning banks of the Camel Estuary.
This culinary celebration will feature a bounty of Michelin-star chefs, live cooking demos, alfresco dining and food stalls a-plenty. Visitors will be able to enjoy open fire cooking at Mussel Beach and feast on locally foraged oysters at the Ranger’s Oyster Bar.
Headlining the main stage this year are major acts such as Groove Armada, Scissor Sisters, and Kool & the Gang. This family-friendly festival also has plenty of activities to keep children busy, as well as a variety of wellbeing sessions such as yoga, meditation and SUP classes for the adults.
Weekend tickets start at £137 for an adult.
Shanty festivals, dragon boat races and sailing regattas – there’s so much going on at The Working Boat this summer! Take a look at our upcoming events.
