Bolton Food and Drink Festival returns
Fri 22nd – Mon 25th August

GRUB, GROOVES & GOOD TIMES

We are delighted to announce that our award-winning Bolton
Food & Drink Festival will return this August bank holiday.

Join us at our 20th festival for celebrity and regional chef demos, loads of artisan stalls, live music stage, children’s activities, plus lots of special events. We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to our town centre and we’re busy planning an amazing festival with a packed bank holiday full of food, fun, and celebration not to be missed!

WHAT’S ON

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FAQ’S

When is the festival taking place and where is it?

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2025 is taking place over the August bank holiday weekend from Friday 22nd August to Monday 25th August 2025.  

 

The festival site is spread across the Town centre we suggest heading to Victoria Square Information point on arrival to pick up a free Bolton Food and Drink Festival Guide and plan your day from there!  

Are there any free cookery demonstrations taking place?

Yes, there are!

 

There are plenty of free cookery demonstrations taking place at Bolton Victoria Square.  

 

Each year we aim to bring a great line up of some of the region’s finest established and up and coming chefs, and 2025 promises to be no different. The full running order will be available online once all our chefs are confirmed. 

How do I buy tickets for the Celebrity Chef Cookery demos and the other special events?

You can buy your tickets on our website or via the telephone booking line 01204 520661. OAlternatively, you can also purchase by visiting the Octagon Theatre Box Office located at: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft S, Bolton BL1 1SB. 

 

Please note children over the age of 2 years will need their own ticket. Children under the age of 2 are able to sit on an adult’s lap.  

Can I buy tickets at the Festival?

We always recommend pre-booking your tickets to avoid disappointment as our events are very popular and usually sell out.

 

Tickets can be purchased on our website at anytime, via the telephone booking line 01204 520661, or by visiting the Octagon Theatre Box Office located at: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft S, Bolton BL1 1SB. 

Do I need tickets to visit the festival?

Our festival is free to enter and is set across Bolton town centre. As well as our fantastic markets, there are lots of free activities taking place right across the site, from street performers, children’s activities, music on the stages to regional chef cookery demonstrations at Bolton Victoria Square. 

What do I do if I have special dietary requirements?

For the Faulty Towers Dining Experience we would ask that you let us know at the time of booking if you have any specific dietary requirements.  

 

Please be aware we cannot guarantee a completely nut free option and that our suppliers have been able to prepare the food in a nut free environment.  

How is the seating laid out in the Festival Hall?

The James Martin celebrity chef cookery demo seating is laid out in rows of numbered seats.  The Marco Pierre White chef cookery demo and Wine Tasting with Helen McGinn will take place on round tables. 

 

You will be able to book seats so that you know before arrival where you will be sitting, and our friendly staff will help to direct you to your place easily when you arrive.  

 

Please advise us at time of booking via the online chat on the booking page or but phoning 01204 520661 if you have any mobility issues so that we can help you select the best seat for your requirements. 

 

What is the difference between ticket prices?

The price levels for tickets vary depending up on the type of demonstration and location.  

 

This year again at each of the celebrity cookery demonstrations we are offering a limited number of VIP seats that place you near the action on front row seats.  

Are there any provisions for visitors with disabilities or special requirements in the ticketed events?

The Albert Halls is wheelchair friendly. There is confirmed space for wheelchair users per cookery demonstration but please talk to a member of the booking team (at the time of booking) so that we can ensure you and your party are seated together. If a member of your party has mobility issues please do advise staff at the time of booking in order that provision can be made where possible.   

 

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be in attendance at both celebrity chef cookery demonstrations.  

 

Are there any provisions for visitors with disabilities or special requirements in the Regional Chef demonstration area?

The regional chef area location on Victoria Square is fully wheelchair friendly.   

Are group tickets available for the celebrity chef demonstrations and can I reserve coach parking in Bolton town centre?

Group tickets can be reserved for each of the demonstrations on a first come, first served basis via the online booking system. We are able to offer FREE coach parking in Bolton town centre for groups visiting the festival. For more details call Bolton Council’s Tourism line on 01204 336167 or email tourism@bolton.gov.uk  

Where can I find out more about the traders at the artisan market?

We have food and drink for everyone’s tastes so get together with family and friends at this year’s festival, with loads of market stalls spread right across the town centre.

 

We’re busy finalising our traders for this year and you’ll be able to find a full list on our Traders A-Z page very soon. 

 

You’ll be spoilt for choice on what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner so drop by and sample food and drink from the four corners of the globe in our fantastic markets. With plenty of seating for you to sit and enjoy your meal. 

 

When you’ve had your fill don’t forget to check out the arts and crafts stalls for some unique gifts as well as the fantastic art created by local artists.  

 

A full list of traders and a map, will be posted here nearer to the festival date. 

What else is happening at the festival?

Event  Time Daily   Venue 
Artisan markets  10am – 6pm (5pm Monday)  Across the Festival Site 
Festival Garden   10am – 6pm (5pm Monday)  Howell Croft  
Children’s and Family zone  10am – 4pm  The Octagon, Central Library Space, Elizabeth Park 
Music programme on main stage   11am – 10pm (6pm Monday)  Le Mans Crescent 
Music programme acoustic stage  Victoria Square South 
Regional chef cookery demos  10am – 6pm (4pm Monday)  Victoria Square North 

How do I book a stall at the festival?

Booking for stalls has now closed for 2025, however should you have any queries please contact the Markets Team, Bolton Council at (01204) 333612 or email bolton.markets@bolton.gov.uk  

How can I find out more about sponsorship or advertising opportunities?

Please call 07909097951 or email sponsorship@bolton.gov.uk  

Where can I find out more information?

Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BoltonFoodAndDrinkFestival and follow us on X @boltonfoodfest or Instagram @boltonfoodfest too to get the latest news and any extra information over the bank holiday weekend.  

 

During the festival weekend if you have any questions please visit the specially staffed Festival Information Point.  This information point will be located on Victoria Square (please see site map for exact locations). 

What music and entertainment is there at the festival?

This year there is a full programme of music and entertainment planned, with the return of our popular main bar and stage on Le Mans Crescent and our acoustic stage on Victoria Square.   

 

Full event listings and timings will be available online under the What’s On page (Link) and will also be printed within the main festival guide (the most up to date listings will always be online, any changes to the line-up will be messaged via our social media channels – Facebook / Twitter / Instagram). 

 

Over the weekend keep your eyes peeled for some fantastic street entertainment too, with comedy acts and mime artists there’s sure to be someone or something (!) to catch the eye.   

Where can I park?

Visit the Travel information’ page (Link) for all the latest travel and parking details.  

Can dogs attend the festival?

Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome to the festival.  

EXPLORE WHAT’S ON AT THE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

It’s time to discover all the delights on offer at the biggest food and drink festival in the UK. Take a look at the many activities on offer including the best celebrity chef demos and special events, fantastic traders, exiting children’s activities, live music stages and free regional chef demos.  

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