Everything You Need to Know About This Weekend’s Newcastle Food Festival
The Newcastle Food Festival will return to Exhibition Park this weekend for all three days of the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Organisers have released a comprehensive guide to all of the live entertainment, family activities and food and drink available to ticket holders throughout the event.
“This weekend marks a really special milestone for us. We’re not only returning for our third year, but also heading back to where we began at our home in Exhibition Park. After months of careful planning, we’re bringing together our most exciting, diverse programme to date, packed with as much as we could fit into the weekend. We can’t wait to see everyone there!” - Festival Director Michael Johnston
Live Entertainment (Full Line-ups Here)
Live music runs throughout the entire weekend, bringing together local soloists, bands and community groups. Three highly-acclaimed tribute acts headline each evening, with Oasis Supernova (Oasis tribute) headlining Saturday, Pulp’d (Pulp Tribute) Sunday evening, and The Fab 4 (Beatles Tribute) Monday evening.
MasterChef UK’s Anthony O’Shaughnessy has carefully curated a line-up of 15 cookery demonstrations for the Cookery Theatre, led by some of the region’s most-inspired chefs and thriving independent food businesses. Highlights include Rajiv Tiwari of Dakwala Bombay Canteen, Anthony Archer and Lee Hardy of Tomahawk Steakhouse, and three live cook-offs from Newcastle College’s brightest up-and-coming chefs.
Meanwhile, the Live Entertainers Stage hosts an eclectic mix of magic shows, variety acts and comedy routines from the likes of Joel Dickinson, Nutty Noah, Matthew J Magic and Graeme Shaw
Street Food, Bars and Markets (Full Line-Ups Here)
Over 22 independent street food and dessert vendors from across the region offer a diverse selection of global flavours, showcasing cuisines from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hungary, Mexico, China, Brazil, America and more.
Elsewhere, ten independent bars offer signature cocktails, specialty spirits, cider, flavoured lemonade and hot drinks, while a Full Ale House serves Vocation IPAs and Lagers on draught.
Alternatively, festival-goers can explore the event's bustling Artisan Markets, packed with award-winning entrepreneurs, local businesses and creators showcasing homeware, crafts, sweet goods, sauces, cheeses, consumables, spirits and more.
Activities Programme and Brand-New Attractions (Full Programme Here)
Marking the festival’s third annual celebration, organisers have unveiled their busiest schedule of family activities yet. The Sizzling Showdown Arena, in partnership with Neil Frost, makes it’s 2026 debut, offering ticket-holders a chance to enter The Chilli Challenge, Family Dog Show, and the re-imagined Foodie Olympics.
Meanwhile, Backbeat Samba Band roam about the site, playing live Afro-Brazilian rythms and percussion, while The British Eating League go head-to-head in professional eating contests on the main stage. Those looking to get more involved in the entertainment can embark on the Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt, a series of riddles guiding attendees to cornerstone attractions of the event.
Families can further visit Viking Heritage Kitchen, experiencing authentic Viking cooking techniques and cuisines, or simply head over to Animals About Town’s Mobile Petting Farm. Subject to fire service needs, festival-goers may also be treated to a fire engine visit at some point during the weekend
Entertainment line-ups, running orders, activities and trader line-ups can be found on the event website alongside final release tickets: https://newcastlefoodanddrinkfestival.com.
