Delicious 2018 food festivals in Cornwall

The county of Cornwall sure does know how to throw a food party and there are many established and popular food festivals taking place year after year. Food festivals in Cornwall are a must visit, to take in the atmosphere, see the sights, enjoy delicious food and drink and to discover how and where the Cornish produce and meat is sourced from.

Add family entertainment and special chef demos too for the complete package day out.

There are some fantastic food festivals taking place in Cornwall during 2018. We’ll update this list with more events and details as and when they become available.

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Porthleven Food Festival

20th - 22nd April 2018 - Porthleven, Helston

Now in its tenth year, Porthleven Food Festival brings around 30,000 people every year to the little harbour town of Porthleven. The event is a three day weekend of Cornish food, beer and bands based on the harbour, shipyard and playing fields.

There will be national and international chef demonstrations, food stalls, street food, music and entertainment for the whole family. With a wide range of delicious food alongside great views with a party vibe, this is not one to be missed.

St Ives Gin & Prosecco Festival

21st April 2018 - St Ives

The ultimate evening gin extravaganza. The Gin and Prosecco Festival is almost a bespoke celebration of artisan gin and prosecco with a garden party atmosphere. It’s a chance for gin lovers to come together at the Guildhall in beautiful St. Ives. Guests receive a free branded glass and pen to take home along with a gin guide. There will be live music, food platters on sale, a load of gin and prosecco to drink, plus a double Dutch stall too.

St Ives Food and Drink Festival

11th - 13th May 2018 - St Ives

This year’s St Ives Food and Drink Festival has increased from two to three days, meaning there is a lot more foodie fun to squeeze in. It takes place on the white sands of Porthminster Beach, so hungry festival-goers get to dip toes in the sand whilst enjoying a range of delights from artisan food and drink stalls.

Highlights include cooking demonstrations from a number of well-known chefs, live music during the day plus evening music sessions, family entertainment, fireworks on Saturday and of course lots and lots of food to taste.

Royal Cornwall Show

7th - 9th June 2018 - Wadebridge

Whilst the Royal Cornwall Show is not a dedicated food festival, food plays such a big part in the show that it has to be mentioned. There’s always a wonderful variety of local food and drink producers promoting their mouth-watering titbits. Expect everything from fresh fruit to traditional burgers and chips or carveries.

Food lovers will thoroughly enjoy the tasty treats when wandering around the grounds at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge.

Mevagissey Feast Week

24th - 30th June 2018 - Mevagissey, St Austell

The wonderful Mevagissey Feast Week is thought to be the longest surviving in festivals Cornwall, emerging from the village ‘Feast of St Peter’ since 1754. It owes its success to a blend of traditional and contemporary events, bringing the local community together whilst welcoming hundreds of visitors to share in the unique celebrations.

There’s a lot happening through the week. It features many exhibitions and demonstrations, has live music and lots of food to sample. Then there’s the choirs and bands, flora dances, children’s entertainment and family competitions, plus a colourful carnival, boat and raft races, a fete, and a huge firework display.

Rock Oyster Festival

6th - 7th July 2018 - Wadebridge

A classic music festival that’s a foodie lovers dream at the same time, making it a step above the rest. The Rock Oyster Festival provides all the trimmings, from stalls laden with artisan foods, stages graced by international musicians and kitchen demonstrations galore from the UK’s established chefs.

Keep checking their website for the details of food offerings in 2018.

Newquay Fish Festival

7th - 9th September - Newquay

Newquay Fish Festival provides a programme jam-packed with things to see and do alongside the cookery demonstrations and tasty fish dishes that make it so popular for foodies. There will be sandcastle competitions, live music and a big party to end the weekend with a bang.

More than 20,000 visitors come to Newquay over the three days to see top chef demos that promote the variety of fish and shellfish on offer off the Cornish coast. In the food, craft and art tents, visitors can sample everything from traditional pasties and cakes to curry, crepes and chocolate fountains. Delicious.

The Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival

14th - 16th September 2018 - Penhallow near Perranporth

The Little Orchard Festival will once again be combining cider and music to create an event which promises to be bigger, better and bursting with things to see and do. The festival will comprise of over 100 real ale and craft ciders from across Cornwall and beyond, and an impressive music lineup to enjoy whilst sipping drinks under the sun.

It’s charming Cornish party with big live bands plus a groovy silent disco, a BBC Introducing stage and the mysterious sounding secret cider walks.

Falmouth Oyster Festival

11th - 14th October 2018 - Falmouth

Now in its 22nd year, the Events Square in Falmouth will once again host one of Cornwall’s biggest and most loved specialist food festivals, Falmouth Oyster Festival.

The annual celebrations are timed with the start of the oyster dredging season, the native Cornish seafood. To celebrate the oyster's arrival there’s four days of feasting, cooking demos, live music, food and craft stalls. Top chefs and food experts from Cornwall’s hotels and restaurants perform the demos, introducing exciting seafood combinations and the tastes of native oysters, wines, ales and local produce.

Other fun things to enjoy includes live music, a working boat race, the Grand Oyster Parade, a shucking competition and a Grand Oyster Draw.