Bolton Food & Drink Festival

Bolton Food & Drink Festival returns for its landmark 20th edition this August Bank Holiday weekend, taking over this Lancashire town with the standard of eye-catching line-up we’ve come to expect from these award-winning organisers. 

Bolton might be smaller than Manchester and Liverpool, but it punches above its weight on the UK food scale. This is one of the nation’s biggest free food festivals, with over half a million visitors last year and yet more expected this time round. 

Everything takes place in the streets around Bolton Town Hall, bringing together over 200 artisan food traders, street vendors offering global cuisine, outdoor bars and a Festival Garden in Howell Croft for quick and easy bites and drinks. 

It’s not all food, glorious food – there’s a pleasing crossover with the local arts scene, with plenty of independent-minded craft stalls dotted around the place. 

The celebrity chef line‑up is a major draw this year. James Martin celebrates his 15th appearance with exclusive demos on Monday 25th, while the high chief of British cooking, Marco Pierre White, makes his festival debut on Saturday 23rd. 

Legend has it that old Marco is the only person capable of turning his former protégé Gordon Ramsay into a quivering wreck, so come along and be in the presence of high-T greatness. And while you’re at it, enjoy a cookery demo and Q&A event that includes a ploughman’s lunch and drink, courtesy of the man himself. 

Free regional chef demos run across Victoria Square North throughout all four days, showcasing culinary talent from across the North West. Other special events include the Faulty Towers Dining Experience, a wine tasting and afternoon tea hosted by wine judge Helen McGinn at the Albert Halls. Plus themed performances like Sheer Luck Holmes murder mystery dinners and a gala opening soirée on Friday. 

Live music ranges from main stage acts on Le Mans Crescent, such as nineties legends East 17 and hall-of-fame disco group Odyssey (now there’s a mashup we’d love to hear) to acoustic sets in Victoria Square South, plus street entertainers roaming the festival site, strutting their stuff. 

Families are catered for too, with a Children’s Zone offering crafts, interactive performances and youth cook‑and‑dine sessions (including chocolate‑making led by local chocolatier Andrew Cameron) through Bolton’s Holiday Activities & Food scheme. 

Believe it or not, the festival is free to enter –  tickets are only needed for special events and chef demos. 

Whether you’re a foodie, a family-member or live music fan, Bolton’s biggest summer party has the lot. Peter Kaye might be Bolton’s favourite son, but the Food & Drink Festival is far and away Bolton’s favourite scran.