Cornwall Food Festivals 2025
For foodies planning a holiday in Cornwall, there’s no better way to experience the region’s culinary culture than by attending one of the best food and drink events in Cornwall. From fresh seafood caught straight from the Atlantic, to locally brewed ciders and award-winning sparkling wine, Cornwall is home to some of the best artisan produce in the UK. Thanks to its mild climate and abundant coastline, the county boasts a natural larder that rivals anywhere in Europe.
Cornwall’s food scene has attracted some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs – including Rick Stein in Padstow, Jude Kereama in Porthleven, and Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac – and is also home to a growing number of Michelin-starred restaurants. But you don’t need to sit down at a fine-dining table to enjoy what Cornwall has to offer.
Food and drink festivals in Cornwall bring the region’s flavour to life in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. With everything from street food stalls and seafood feasts to cookery demonstrations, live music, and artisan markets, they’re the perfect way to sample the best of Cornish food and drink. Whether you're staying at The Cornish Place or planning a foodie holiday in Cornwall, these events are a must-do for anyone who loves good food, local culture, and a great atmosphere by the sea.
Including Cornish food festivals and other food and drink events in Cornwall, here’s where to enjoy the best food and drink in our favourite county.
The Best Food and Drink Events in Cornwall 2025
For a taste of Cornwall, these food and drink events guarantee delicious produce, good music and a whole lot of fun.
Porthleven Food Festival
When: Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th May 2025
Where: Porthleven Harbour
Presented in partnership with celebrity chef Jude Kereama, who owns two restaurants in the town, Porthleven Food Festival is the crème-de-la-crème of Cornwall’s foodie calendar. Taking place over three days and with free entry, it promises a celebration of Cornwall’s leading food and drink producers. Plus, a full roster of entertainment including chef demos, live music, family-friendly activities, evening sessions and much more. Porthleven Food Festival also aims to raise awareness on key issues relating to the environment, food culture and sustainable food production – culminating altogether in good vibes, good food and good ethics.
St Ives Food and Drink Festival
When: Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May 2025
Where: Porthminster Beach
When it comes to location, St Ives Food and Drink Festival cannot be rivalled. Set on a white sandy beach in one of Cornwall’s most beloved seaside towns, you can expect chef demos and a fantastic food producers market, with everything from chocolate to cheese and cider to meat. The day-time entertainment is free entry, but for the evening sessions you’ll need a ticket. There’s also a charity feast at Porthminster Beach Café in aid of two fantastic local charities – the Fishermen's Mission and the Wave Project.
Falmouth Food Festival
When: Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May 2025
Where: Church Street
One of Cornwall’s newest foodie events, Falmouth Food Festival has been an instant hit. With funky live beats playing throughout the day and into the evening and a host of food trucks and local street food to try – it’s got a music festival vibe. With free entry all weekend you can also expect food demos, waterfront views, craft makers and artists. The organisers make a real effort to source everything from within a 30 km mile radius of the town, making for a truly local experience.
Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge
When: Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th June 2025
Where: Royal Cornwall Show
One of the top agricultural shows in the country, the Royal Cornwall Show attracts all types of visitors ranging from local families, to those working in the agriculture industry to members of the royal family. Taking place over three days it’s not exclusively a food festival, but there are a huge range of local food and drink producers in attendance. Taste everything from fresh fruit and veg to street food stalls and locally-produced honey to Cornish cheese. Tickets are £3, but children under 4 can enter for free.
Mevagissey Feast Week
When: Sunday 29th June to Saturday 5th July 2025
Where: Mevagissey Harbour
One of Cornwall’s oldest events, Mevagissey Feast Week is based around the Feast of St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. First celebrated in 1754, the event has its roots in religious tradition, but today it’s a community-driven celebration with the feel of a fête. Expect a week-long schedule of events spread throughout the village – from fish feasts and cooking demonstrations to floral dances, live music, and prize draws. One of the highlights is the quirky homemade raft race across the harbour where entrants wear fancy dress. With plenty of local food (especially seafood), activities for children, and a buzzing atmosphere, it makes for a family-friendly celebration of good eating amidst a Cornish cultural extravaganza.
Newquay Food Festival
When: Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th July 2025
Where: Killacourt
The new kid on the block, Newquay Food Festival will run for the first time this year and it’s expected to bring the best of Cornwall’s food, drink and creative community. Set atop Newquay’s dramatic cliffs you can also watch the surf roll in and enjoy the north coast’s famous fiery sunsets. Including local food traders, live fire-cooking demos, musicians and artisan stalls, you’ll also find family-friendly activities meaning there’s something for everyone.
Rock Oyster Festival
When: Friday 24th to Sunday 27th July 2025
Where: Dinham House
Described as a “voyage of culinary discovery and musical mischief”, Rock Oyster Festival is just as much a music festival as it is a food festival. You can expect over 50 live acts, including everything from headliners to local sea shanty groups. When it comes to food, there will be Michelin-starred chefs, alfresco dining, and cooking demonstrations all weekend, plus local trading stalls. If that isn’t enough, there’s also an extensive nature and wellbeing programme, plus a theatre tent to keep kids entertained.
Penzance Food Festival
When: Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September 2025
Where: Penlee Park
Penzance Food Festival had its first year in 2024 and after plenty of positive feedback, it’s returning this year. From the same organisers as the Falmouth Food Festival, you can expect a slightly different vibe. Riverside views are swapped for feasting under the trees – and in addition, to live cookery demonstrations from top Cornish chefs and a chance to meet local creators, you’ll also find relaxing workshops in a wellness area. They also focus heavily on minimising environmental impact, including no use of single-use plastics, compostable cutlery and a big focus on waste management.
Truro Food Festival
When: Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th September 2025
Where: Lemon Quay
Cornwall’s largest food festival, Truro Food Festival takes place in the heart of the county. Try everything from freshly caught seafood and wood-fired pizzas to gourmet burgers, handmade pastries, Cornish cheeses, and creative vegan dishes. Local drinks are just as celebrated, with craft beer, small-batch ciders, and Cornish gin on offer – ideal for sipping as you wander. Add in live music, independent makers, and hands-on foodie experiences, and you’ve got a family-friendly weekend that’s as delicious as it is entertaining.
Falmouth Oyster Festival
When: Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October 2025
Where: Church Street car park
Celebrating the start of the oyster dredging season, Falmouth Oyster Festival is one of Cornwall’s best-loved events. Expect cooking demos from acclaimed chefs, with a focus on the best of the region’s seafood, plus traders selling everything from local gin to homemade jewellery to cheese and Cornish chillies. Throughout the day there will be drinks and oysters aplenty, intermingled with feel-good music. In the evening it becomes a ticketed event where you can expect everything from jovial ceilidhs to brass bands and pop hits to rock-inspired entertainment.
Discover more of Cornwall’s food and drink scene
Cornwall’s foodie scene isn’t limited to its festivals and food and drink events. Around the county there are plenty of farm shops, independent bakeries, and hidden-away cafés serving up seasonal dishes using locally-sourced ingredients. From fresh crab sandwiches on the beach to traditional Cornish pasties straight from the oven, there are countless ways to enjoy the flavours of the county.
If you’re staying at The Cornish Place, ask us for our favourite local foodie recommendations – from quiet country pubs to seafront fine dining. Whether you're picking up produce for a picnic or booking a table for a special night out, we’ve got you covered.
Plan your foodie holiday in Cornwall
Why not turn your foodie adventure into a full escape? Nestled in the heart of the Cornish countryside, The Cornish Place offers luxury holiday cottages just a short drive from many of the region’s best food and drink festivals. With stylish, self-catered accommodation, outdoor hot tubs, and peaceful rural surroundings, it’s the perfect base to relax after a day of feasting and festival fun. Get in touch to discover more.