York Food & Drink Festival 2026: what’s on the menu

York Food & Drink Festival returns from 18 to 27 September 2026, with the daily market spread across Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. It will run from 10am to 5pm, bringing together Yorkshire producers, street-food traders, specialist food stalls and the Best of Yorkshire stand. The festival bars stay open until 9pm, while live music for St Leonard’s Hospice runs across the two squares from 18 to 26 September, between 5pm and 9pm. Donations are welcome, with the music programme having raised nearly £9,000 for the hospice over the past two years.

The main change for 2026 is St Sampson’s Centre on Church Street, which becomes the base for demonstrations, workshops and tastings. Its theatre will host free daily cookery sessions, including Freya Cox’s vegan demonstration on Saturday 19 September, followed by appearances from Sharmini Thomas, Radek Bak, Claire Syrenne and Darren Gurry on 26 September. The centre is also home to the Food Factory, where families and other visitors can explore how bread, pasta, butter, ice cream, cheese and preserved foods are made. It is open to all ages, although activities are more suitable for adults and children over five. Opening times vary, so check the festival programme before setting out.

The Taste Trails offer another way to plan a day around York’s independent food scene. The East and West routes each have about 20 stops, while the Vegan Taste Trail has around 20 more. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £8 for under-16s and over-65s, with only 100 entries available per day. Pick up information and leaflets from the festival point at 35 Parliament Street, open from 10am to 4pm. Some stops serve alcohol, so under-18s cannot take part in every tasting.

There is plenty beyond the market and trails. York Cocoa House has family chocolate activities throughout the festival, a £40 children’s or £65 adults’ truffle-making masterclass on 19 September, an £8.50 drinking-chocolate session on 21 September and a £15 ‘NOT Chocolate’ tasting on 23 September at York Cocoa Works on Castlegate. At Tabanco by Ambiente, Taste of Rioja on 18 September pairs five courses with five Rioja wines for £65. The Great Yorkshire Tasting at St Sampson’s Centre on 26 September costs £15 and focuses on Yorkshire wines, beers and spirits. Other dates include the £19 Pork Pie Competition at Bedern Hall on 25 September, the free Assize of Bread in the main tent on 26 September and the £40 cheese and whisky tasting at Belfrey Hall on 27 September.

Families can follow the free Kid’s Tour from 18 to 27 September, collecting an activity sheet from the Parliament Street information desk before finishing with tastings at the St Sampson’s Centre. The centre’s Sammies café for preschoolers is free and opens on weekday mornings from 10am to 2pm during term time. There is also a free education programme for Key Stage 2 pupils and Scout and Guide groups from 21 to 24 September. For event details and bookings, use the official festival programme, as several sessions have limited places or specific age requirements.