Great Dorset Chilli Festival

Start: Saturday, August 1, 2026 10:00AM
End: Sunday, August 2, 2026 5:00PM

Back at the stunning Stock Gaylard Deer Park, near Sturminster Newton, with around 130 tradestands, the Great Dorset Chilli Festival is set to be the hottest weekend this summer. Locals and visitors will be able to visit the 2 day food festival celebrating the world of chilli peppers, from growing chilli plants and sampling chilli sauces, to enjoying spicy international street food, watching cooking demonstrations and of course watching the chilli eating competition. However it’s not just chillies, so if spice isn’t your thing there is plenty of artisan food shopping to be done, plus homewares such as hand-painted ceramics to watercolours for the kitchen, to leathercraft, jewellery and beautifully crafted wooden chopping boards. Chilli eating competitions Videos of the Great Dorset Chilli Eating Competitions have racked up millions of views on Youtube, but nothing compares to the atmosphere of watching it live. Often dubbed as the highlight of the day, the Chilli Eating Competition will be testing the limits of even the most hardened chilli-heads. Brave competitors will subject themselves to rounds of increasingly hot chillies, which they have to consume in their entirety before they progress to the next round. The last competitor standing will be crowned the winner. Willing volunteers need to email info@greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk to request an application form ahead of the event. Live Music Expect bangos and bluegrass. Bands to be confirmed. Of course the mariachi will be performing all weekend, and there will be stompin’ bluegrass by the cider tent. Cooking demonstrations Held in our Talk Tent, our chefs will be in the kitchen inspiring you with their recipes, all containing chilli of course.