Foodies Festival

Start: Friday, July 17, 2026 2:00PM
End: Sunday, July 19, 2026 8:00PM

Headliners include Boyzone and Westlife supergroup Boyzlife with Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, Pop Idol star, Gareth Gates and his Boyband in the Park hit show and Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra The three-day gastronomic extravaganza features live cooking demonstrations from an extensive menu of top chefs. Featuring MasterChef and Bake-Off champions, Great British Menu winners, judges and TV guest chefs, and highly-rated regional chefs. Star names cooking live include: MasterChef 2025 Champion, Harry Maguire, and semi-finalist Sam Kaeokon and Henry Phillips, MasterChef Champion of Champions, Thomas Frake, Masterchef champion, Dhruv Baker, MasterChef 2026 finalists, Sabina Khan and Kristen Dodd, MasterChef: The Professionals, Ben Piette, royal cake-maker and author, Mich Turner MBE and ITV’s The Heat star, Tom Lodge. Other renowned chefs and bakers appearing, include: Chef patron, Andrew Du Bourg, from 3 AA Rosette awarded and Michelin recommended The Elderflower, Lymington and Head Chef and MasterChef: The Professionals 2026, Tom Younger, from The Wellhouse, Winchester. Foodies Festival isn’t just about the food – there’s also a stellar music line-up that will have visitors dancing as they dine. Featuring Boyzone and Westlife supergroup Boyzlife, with founding members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden performing their vast catalogue of No 1’s with a live band, Pop Idol star and heart-throb Gareth Gates, and his ‘Boyband in the Park’ show, covering the biggest boyband hits from the 90s and 00s and back due to public demand, Symphonic ibiza, with a fusion of dance anthems, live vocals, DJ and full orchestra. Throughout each weekend, local and touring bands and artists will perform. Visitors will be immersed in a food and drink heaven, with jam-packed schedules in the interactive live theatres. In the Chefs Theatre, celebrities will create their signature dishes and share new tips and tricks, cooking mouth-watering dishes and showing off the very best of locally sourced produce, whilst in the Cake & Desserts Theatre, patisserie chefs and star bakers whip up showstoppers and offer tempting sweet treats. For the hot-headed, Foodies’ legendary chilli-eating competition expands, adding a new level of heat with the Ultimate Hot Wings Challenge! New for 2026 'Ready, Steady, Cook!’ presents the ultimate competitive cook-off featuring star names and powered by audience interaction! See MasterChef and Great British Menu go head-to-head! Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include tutored sessions on Champagne, Beer, Cider, Cocktails, and Wine, featuring presentations from experts from ITV, BBC, and Channel 4. Children will enjoy a packed itinerary with both educational and fun activities. Younger guests can enjoy the Kids Cookery School sessions, where they can prepare delicious food to eat or take home. The brand-new Foodies Treasure Hunt Trail will keep the little ones busy, following clues and uncovering hidden secrets across the entire festival. Afterwards, they can visit the fairground and games area in the Kids Zone. Visitors can browse the latest food trends in the Shopping Village, meet local producers and sample a variety of delicious goods in the Artisan Market and taste exotic and unusual new dishes in the Feasting Tent – which features a mouth-watering range of Street Food and delicacies from all four corners of the globe. Four-legged friends are always welcome at Foodies and well-catered for, with activities, yummy treats and fun competitions to enter. River Park Recreation Ground, Winchester 17th, 18th, 19th July 2026 Tickets and more information: www.foodiesfestival.com