The Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns for its sixth year this weekend, unveiling the programme of diverse entertainment options, new attractions, family activities, and fresh food and drink line-ups.
Festival Director Michael Johnston said:
“Final preparations are underway for this weekend, and we’re incredibly excited to showcase what we’ve been working towards.
“With brand-new features, refreshed line-ups, and a wonderful selection of vendors, there are all of the ingredients for our most vibrant event yet”.
New Activities
Various free attractions and family activities have been introduced for ticket holders. Roaming Bubble Performers, alongside other forms of comedy and performing arts, provide pop-up entertainment throughout the day. Cornerstone attractions of the event can be navigated through clues and riddles in the Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt. Alternatively, families can immerse themselves in the Foodie Olympics, featuring food-and-drink inspired challenges in a Sports Day format.
Food and Drink Line-up
The Street Food Arena will highlight some of the north’s top independent street food and dessert vendors, including Yorkshire Crackling Hog Roast, Birria Bandits, and 7 Star Flag. International flavours from the likes of Germany, Japan, India, Venezuela, Italy, and more add to the vibrant selection of cuisines showcased across the festival.
Leading entrepreneurs and up-and-coming local businesses fill the Artisan Markets, offering homeware, art, jewellery, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sweet and savoury goods, handmade crafts, coffee, tea, and more. Exciting examples include Yorkshire Mushroom Emporium LTD, Hebden Bridge Gin, Herd & Hive LTD, and The Great British Cheese Company.
A Full Ale House, in partnership with Vocation Brewery, stands beside 9 independent bars, including Gilli’s Gin Tin, The Vintage Box, Black Dog New Zealand Wine Bar, Reggae Rum Shack, and Happy Barista.
All of these line-ups can be found on the event’s website: ilkleyfoodfestival.com
Live Entertainment
Each ticket also provides access to three live stages, running throughout the weekend.
14 live performances feature on the music stage, including The Voice UK’s Rachel Modest with The Motown Gospel Choir, up-and-coming musicians, choirs, soloists, bands, and Liam Gray as Robbie Williams.
The Live Cookery Theatre, in partnership with Yorkshire Food Guide, hosts a range of renowned experts across 8 demonstrations. Notable highlights are MasterChef’s Owen Diaram, The Great British Menu’s Bobby Geetha, and Saltmoore’s Adam Maddock.
Darren Mac, The Magic Matt Show, Michael Jordan, and Matthew J Magic host between them 12 performing arts shows, featuring comedy, family magic, and interactive circus workshops.
Charity and Further Attractions
Additional activities include Sage Ayurvedic Wellness Sessions, Within Range Airsoft, a Fun Fair, Kids Cooking Classes, a Kids Drawing Competition, Axe Throwing, Face Painting, Nysh Henna Designs Henna, and a Live Comedy Improv Show.
The festival continues to work alongside Bradford Mind in hope of adding to the £139,000 collectively raised for their charities across the north. All donations through on-site events and ticket sales contribute towards supporting their cause.
Tickets and Parking
Tickets are available online and on the gate, subject to availability.
The closest public car park for disabled parking is Ilkley Lido, which is just over the road from site. If you do not require Blue Badge Parking, then use one of the free car parks. One car park is located next to Nell Bank (Denton Road), and the other is located on West Holmes Field (Denton Road). Follow yellow directional signage.
Dogs are very welcome! Organiser just ask for them to be kept on a lead and any mess to be cleaned up, as well as being mindful of other attendees and their pets.
Further information is available at ilkleyfoodfestival.com/faqs/
The Ilkley Food & Drink Festival opens on East Holmes Field at 10am on 14th & 15th June 2025.
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