A Fresh Chapter for Harrogate Food & Drink Festival – 2026 Dates & Plans Announced
Organisers have announced Harrogate Food & Drink Festival will return to The Stray on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2026 for its 6th year and promise ‘brand new production’.
The festival, which was launched in 2021 continues to evolve — and 2026 will mark a bold new chapter.
Organisers are promising a refreshed design, new interactive experiences, and a vibrant line-up celebrating independent food culture, live music, and community spirit.
Festival Director Michael Johnston shared his excitement for the year ahead: “Each year we challenge ourselves to reinvent the experience. 2026 is all about fresh ideas, a new look, and a few surprises along the way.”
Michael Johnston says : “The Harrogate Food Festival is always special — there’s something about The Stray in summer that feels buzzing amongst a beautiful setting. This year, we’re really focusing on the creative side of production.”
Festival Manager Nikki Orrell added:
“Harrogate has a fantastic community of food lovers and local producers, and we’re excited to bring that to life in new ways this year. We’ll be adding additional hot food, bars and market traders to meet demand.
Due to the popularity of the event, the number of trader applications massively outweighs the number of available spots — but we always encourage unique and local businesses to apply.
It’s a vibrant, supportive community, and we’re always open to welcoming others to the family.”
The festival will once again partner with Mind in Harrogate, having collectively raised over £164,000 for mental health charities across the North of England so far.
Alongside the fresh new look, visitors can expect the return of the Live Cookery Theatre, a full schedule of live music and entertainment, artisan markets, family activities, and a buzzing atmosphere across The Stray.
Early Bird Tickets are now available, find out more and get your tickets here.
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Written by
05/11/2025