As summer slips into autumn, Wales’ food festival season is far from finished. September and October bring some of the biggest and quirkiest dates in the Welsh foodie calendar, from serious chef action and artisan producers to fire-cooked feasts in a medieval castle.
ST FAGANS FOOD FESTIVAL
National Museum Of History, St Fagans, Sat 12 + Sun 13 Sept
One of the most relaxed and best value foodie weekends around. More than 80 food, drink and craft stalls take over St Fagans, alongside cookery demonstrations, live music and family activities. Expect everything from Welsh producers to tacos, pizza, cakes and ice cream, all scattered among the museum’s historic buildings. Entry is free.
Info: here
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
Various locations, Abergavenny, Sat 19 + Sun 20 Sept
The heavyweight of the Welsh food calendar returns for its 28th year, with over 120 producers joining chefs, growers, campaigners and food obsessives across the town, Demos, talks, tastings, workshops and live music go into a festival where what we eat and where it comes from matters as much as how good it tastes.
Info: abergavennyfoodfestival.com
MOLD FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
New Street Car Park, Mold, Sat 19 + Sun 20 Sept
North Wales gets its own two-day feast with food and drink stalls, artisan Welsh produce, street food and craft drinks alongside chef demonstrations and plenty of live music. This year also marks the festival’s 20th anniversary.
Info: moldfoodfestival.co.uk
MABON
Caldicot Castle, Fri 25-Sun 27 Sept
Sporting the tagline ‘Fire, Feast & Folklore’, this is perhaps the most atmospheric food event of the season. Over three days inside Caldicot Castle, Hang Fire BBQ and Street Food Circus celebrate the Autumn Equinox with some of the UK’s leading live-fire chefs, dishes cooked over flame, a producers’ market, natural wines, cookery demos, fireside talks and music. Cooking demonstrations will come courtesy of Hang Fire’s Sam and Shauna, with Cai Ap Bryn, James Peck and Polly Baldwin among other chefs appearing; there’s a Smoke & Fire demos stage hosted by Jayde Adams, camper van facilities available, plus it’s dog-friendly.
Info: here
NARBERTH FOOD FESTIVAL
Town Moor, Narberth, Sat 26 + Sun 27 Sept
A community-minded favourite with food and drink stalls alongside guest chefs, street food, a bar, live music and entertainment. Now in its 26th year and run entirely by volunteers, it’s also a very good excuse for an autumn weekend exploring Pembrokeshire.
Info: narberthfoodfestival.com
NEATH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Neath town centre, Fri 2 + Sat 3 Oct
Neath turns foodie for two days with pop-up food markets, street food and entertainment taking over the town centre. Its Victorian market provides a fitting backdrop for a festival celebrating food, community, creativity and culture.
Info: Instagram
BRECON BEACONS FOOD FESTIVAL
Market Hall, Brecon, Sat 3 Oct
A one-day showcase of Welsh food and drink in Brecon’s historic Market Hall, bringing together local producers, artisan treats and plenty of opportunities to fill your shopping bag as well as your stomach.
Info: breconbeaconsfoodfestival.co.uk
LLANGOLLEN FOOD FESTIVAL
Various locations, Llangollen, Sat 10 + Sun 11 Oct
Round off the autumn food trail in north Wales. Llangollen’s long-running festival brings Welsh producers and food lovers together for a weekend in one of the country’s prettiest towns – worth the trip north and a fitting final feast before winter arrives.
Info: llangollenfoodfestival.com
words ANTONIA LEVAY
