Steeped in history and culture, and boasting beautiful sites galore, it's fair to say Cornwall knows how to put on a good festival. And with the county’s reputation as a foodie destination, it just makes sense that Cornwall has a jam-packed calendar of food festivals.
Cornwall is renowned for its many regional food traditions, including Cornish pasties (the ultimate portable lunch), saffron buns, stargazy pie, nettle-wrapped Yarg and cream tea with clotted cream (jam first, naturally). Plus, its lengthy coastline and knack for growing inland mean there are plenty of incredible growers, producers, artisans and chefs.
Learn all about, and indulge in, Cornwall's food scene with a trip to one of the county's renowned food festivals…
Bude Food Festival
Monday the 21st of April and Sunday the 10th of August
Access: Pay and display at nearby Summerleaze Long Stay Car Park Bude, or Crescent Long Stay Car Park in Bude
Held in the grounds at The Castle in Bude, overlooking the dunes of Summerleaze Beach, this beloved food festival is so good it runs twice - once in spring, and again in summer.
On both days, you'll find an artisan food market where you can treat yourself to a range of tempting street foods like Banh Mi sandwiches, sweet and savoury crepes or traditional Polish baguettes. After tucking in, peruse local produce to take home with you, including North Devon honey, artisan doughnuts, and handmade dog treats.
Afterwards, there’s lots to do in Bude. Avoid a food coma with a stroll along Summerleaze Beach or take the canal towpath and explore Bude Marshes Nature Reserve. Or swot up on history with a wander around The Castle Heritage Centre and learn all about Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, AKA Cornwall's forgotten genius.
Porthleven Food Festival
Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th of April
Access: Roads into town are closed, so use the Park and Ride from Helston Fairground Car Park or arrive by bike or on foot - walking through Penrose is a beautiful way to reach Porthleven from Helston
If you like your food festivals heavy on the festival, look no further than Porthleven, where for three days and nights in April, the town transforms. You'll find plenty to treat your tastebuds, along with demonstrations by esteemed culinary experts like Lucy Jones, co-founder of The Cornish Food Box Company, Michelin-starred chef Tom Brown, and BBC Great British Menu Winner Ben Palmer. Mad for Michelin? Check out our guide to Michelin star restaurants in Cornwall.
And as the sun sets, Porthleven gets ready to party with three nights of epic music set against the harbour backdrop. Boogie Friday night away to Good Ol’ Fashioned Lover Boys, an epic tribute to Queen, then embrace a dose of funk with Joey and The Lips, a 10-piece blend of soul, fun and pop. Think big brass, mega vocals and non-stop moves. Fancy a go yourself? Head to Open Mic night on Sunday and discover a world of local talent.
St Ives Food & Drink Festival
Friday the 15th to Sunday the 17th of May
Access: Town parking is available, but hotly contested. Use the park and ride service from St Erth Train Station to skip the traffic and enjoy a stunning 10-minute train ride.
The UK’s only food festival on a beach, the St Ives Food and Drink Festival is a must-attend event for foodies and beach lovers alike! The festival takes place on Porthminster, a British beach with a touch of the Mediterranean about it, with its mile-long stretch of pale sand, dreamy cerulean sea, and gently waving palms. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the best beaches on the South West Coast Path.
Specific traders for 2026 will be listed soon, but previous years have seen Greek gyros, freshly landed seafood and decadent sweet treats on offer. Expect a solid line-up of craft beer too, shining the spotlight on local breweries, with St Ives Brewery often featuring prominently.
Plus, there are chef demonstrations all weekend from a range of culinary stars like Jack Stein from Rick Stein, Jeffrey Robinson from the St Ives Cookery School, and private chef and wedding caterer, Natasha Osborne.
There'll be music too, with a 2026 line-up set to be announced soon. Last year saw performances from folk rock bands, jazz and funk, singer-songwriters and even the in-house record label of the local school! More energy to burn? There are plenty of things to do in St Ives, whether you fancy a mooch around The Tate, a historic wander through St Ives Museum or a stomp around The Island.
Falmouth Food Festival
Friday the 22nd to Monday the 25th May
Access: The event historically takes place at Church Street Car Park, other town parking is available but will be busy. Falmouth has a train station close to the action and sits on lots of bus routes.
If you need plans for the late May Bank holiday weekend, get yourself to Falmouth for this tantalising smorgasbord of culture and food. Founded three years ago, it's a celebration of all things local: food, chefs, producers and artisans. Peruse the range of stalls, previous years have seen everything from gourmet burgers and loaded fries to authentic Thai cuisine and Caribbean-inspired delicacies.
Once you've had your fill, head to the chef's theatre and get the lowdown on sourcing the best ingredients, making seasonal produce sing, and specific skills, like mastering fire-cooking. This year, there'll be demos from Nick and Bobby from the local Greenbank Hotel, Kate Attlee of Sabzi, and Ben Quinn from Canteen.
Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes too, as there's music from around midday and into the night. Last year saw The Wave Machine, with its looping guitar, bass, trumpet and percussion inspired by the sea, Wild Oyo, a mix of Afrobeat, funk and post-punk, and Barry and the Crumpets, a brass-led party band. And if you’re still keen on exploring some more, Falmouth has plenty of things to see and do.
Mevagissey Feast Week
Sunday 28th June to Saturday 4th July
Access: Parking is limited, and there are road closures throughout. The most reliable option is the Willow Car & Coach Park as you enter the village, which has 300+ spaces.
Dating back to 1754, Mevagissey Feast Week is reportedly the longest surviving festival of this kind in Cornwall. It was originally held in December to celebrate St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, but it was moved to June to avoid the busy fishing season. Something St Peter would surely have understood.
It kicks off on Fish Sunday, when local chefs cook up locally landed seafood, which is available at stands around the harbour. Afterwards, there's a fish auction, perfect if you're after some seafood to take home for your stay.
The week that follows is packed with events including raft races, traditional dance performances, local choirs and parades. On the Saturday, there's a traditional village fete, usually accompanied by a brass band, bouncy castles, and cream teas. This is followed by the impressive carnival parade through the village, featuring a range of colourful costumes, dancers, and floats. The week rounds off with live music and a grand finale firework display over the harbour. For more things to keep you entertained in Mevagissey, check out our guide.
Christmas and other markets
If Cornwall’s summertime food festivals conjure images of giant ice creams, crisp local ciders, and wood-fired pizzas, the county’s Christmas markets promise a cosier affair, with steaming pots of mulled wine, warm mince pies with clotted cream, and fresh-out-the-fryer doughnuts dusted with cinnamon sugar. Perhaps the most well-known is the Padstow Christmas Fayre, but there are many mouthwatering markets dotted around the county that celebrate all things Christmas food, from Falmouth and Fowey to the tropical delights of the Eden Project and its annual Cornwall Christmas Fair.
Of course, Cornwall is home to many wonderful farmers' markets throughout the year, all of which boast an array of local delights to sample. St Ives hosts its famous farmers’ market on the first and third Saturday of every month, while Truro’s Lemon Quay comes alive with traders every Saturday, inviting you to fill your bags with everything from fresh bread and bakes to local beer and Cornish sea salt.
Want a slice of the pie? Peruse our collection of charming holiday cottages in Cornwall and make the most of this fantastic festival line-up.
