2026 TRADERS

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2026 is taking place over the August bank holiday weekend from Friday 28th August to Monday 31st August 2026.  

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!  

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 2026 promises to be no different. The full running order will be available online once all our chefs are confirmed. 

You can buy your tickets on our website or via the telephone booking line 01204 520661. Alternatively, 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.  

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.  

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

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  

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. 

Applications for this year’s festival have now closed.

For more information, contact the Markets Team, Bolton Council at (01204) 333612 or email bolton.markets@bolton.gov.uk  

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

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). 

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.   

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

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