One of the UK’s most beloved foodie events is back. The Abergavenny Food Festival will return to the Welsh borders for another year of foodie celebrations, taking place over the weekend of 20 and 21 September 2025. This historic market town festival draws thousands of food-lovers each year, promising an action-packed weekend full of immersive culinary theatre and some of the region’s top talent.
This year, visitors can expect more than 60 special events taking place all across town, from live-fire cooking displays at the castle to lively chef demos in the market hall. More than 200 food and drink exhibitors will be showcasing their produce, each selected for their focus on quality, provenance and sustainability.
Standard ‘Stroller’ tickets grant access to the six key venues, including the main chef demonstrations, a packed programme of talks, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Younger visitors can get involved in creative workshops or try their hand at cookery with the Castle Howell Kids’ Cookery School. Kids under 13 even get free entry to the festival, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.
For those looking for further access, Drinks Theatre, Meet The Author sessions, and the coveted Party at the Castle events, are all ticketed separately.
![cooking over open fire and guests sat outside a castle]()
So, who’s on the line-up for 2025?
Great British Menu presenter Andi Oliver will take to the stage to share her food adventures with writer Gurdeep Loyal. While Abergavenny local and Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt will be joined by co-presenter and wine connoisseur Olly Smith to talk all things wine, before returning for a show-stopping demonstration on the main stage.
Thomasina Miers will be bringing tales and bold new recipes from her six-month adventure across Mexico, while Becky Excell, ‘The Queen of Gluten-Free’, will be sharing her tips for cooking on a budget - without compromising on taste.
It wouldn’t be the Abergavenny Food Festival without championing Welsh talent. Taking to the stage are Tom Waters, chef-patron of Gorse (and winner of Cardiff's first Michelin star), and Tommy Heaney of Cardiff favourite Heaneys - two chefs with a serious commitment to local produce and inventive cooking. Guests can even practice their skills with a cooking class from Rachael Watson, The Abergavenny Baker, who’ll be hosting workshops throughout the weekend.
![lineup of chefs and presenters for the Abergavenny Food Festival]()
Elsewhere, the focus is on fast food, with talks from The Pizza Pilgrims brothers Thom and James Eliot, as well as the Beefy Boys founders Anthony Murphy and Christian William, who’ll be talking about their journeys to nationwide success with Financial Times columnist Tim Hayward.
There’s plenty more on offer over the weekend! Find out more about Abergavenny Food Festival on their website.