Foodies Festival returns to South Park over the August bank holiday weekend, bringing three days of live cooking, street food, tastings, family activities and headline performances from Boyzlife, Gareth Gates and B*Witched.
The festival takes place at South Parks, Headington Road, Oxford, OX3 0EB, from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August 2026.
Organisers say this year’s Oxford event will be its “biggest and most exciting” yet, with new attractions for 2026, a mix of national names and local culinary talent, and headline live music each evening.
At a glance
| Event | Foodies Festival Oxford 2026 |
| Where | South Park, Headington Road, Oxford, OX3 0EB |
| Dates | Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August 2026 |
| Saturday | 11am to 9pm, headlined by Boyzlife |
| Sunday | 11am to 9pm, headlined by Gareth Gates |
| Monday | 11am to 8pm, headlined by B*Witched |
| Current adult day ticket | £25 before any booking or transaction fees |
| Current family day ticket | £48 for two adults and two children |
| Children’s ticket | £8 on the current ticketing page |
| Booking | View the full programme and book through Foodies Festival |
Foodies Festival will return to Oxford next weekend as the touring event celebrates its 21st anniversary.
The three-day programme combines chef demonstrations, baking, drinks tastings, international street food and family entertainment with live music continuing into each evening.
Since the first Oxford announcements were made earlier in the year, the final music headliners have been confirmed, the chef line-up has expanded and ticket prices have changed.
The festival will take place from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August in South Park, overlooking the city from Headington Road.
Boyzlife, Gareth Gates and B*Witched headline
The live music stage will operate throughout the weekend, with touring acts and emerging performers appearing before each day’s main headliner.
| Day | Headline act | Festival hours |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 29 August | Boyzlife, featuring Keith Duffy of Boyzone and Brian McFadden of Westlife | 11am to 9pm |
| Sunday 30 August | Gareth Gates, with Boyband in the Park also listed on the programme | 11am to 9pm |
| Monday 31 August | B*Witched | 11am to 8pm |
Boyzlife will bring together songs associated with Boyzone and Westlife on Saturday, while Gareth Gates takes the headline slot on Sunday.
Irish pop group B*Witched will close the Oxford festival on bank holiday Monday, with a set expected to include the late-1990s hits that brought the group four consecutive UK number-one singles.
Supporting performers will appear across each day. Visitors planning their trip around a particular artist should check the final stage timetable shortly before travelling, as running orders and performance times can change.
MasterChef winners and Oxfordshire chefs cooking live
The festival’s food programme has also developed considerably since the first announcement.
Dhruv Baker, winner of MasterChef in 2010, will host demonstrations and appear alongside chefs from television, restaurants, cookery schools and food businesses.
The current line-up includes Harry Maguire, who is billed by the festival as MasterChef champion 2025, and finalist Sam Kaeokon.
Saiphin Moore, founder of Rosa’s Thai, and Thippi Rashleigh of Sala Thai Kitchen will bring different approaches to Thai cooking, while author and television chef Radhika Howarth will draw on recipes and stories from her book Flavours Without Borders.
Oxfordshire culinary talent is represented by Mark Peregrine from the Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Andrew Carr from The Yurt at Nicholsons.
Other names listed include Luke Spier of the William IV, Jad Youssef of Lebnani, Gary and Jay from Dishy Dads, barbecue chef Jacqueline Wise and cookery teacher Nigel Brown.
Chef and drinks highlights
| Dhruv Baker | MasterChef champion and Chefs Theatre host |
| Harry Maguire | MasterChef champion 2025 |
| Sam Kaeokon | MasterChef finalist 2025 |
| Mark Peregrine | Raymond Blanc Cookery School |
| Andrew Carr | The Yurt at Nicholsons |
| Saiphin Moore | Founder of Rosa’s Thai |
| Thippi Rashleigh | Sala Thai Kitchen |
| Radhika Howarth | Author of Flavours Without Borders |
| Joe Wadsack | Wine expert and Drinks Theatre presenter |
| Tom Surgey | Wine presenter and author of How to Drink Wine |
The La Española Chefs Theatre will host live recipes, interviews and demonstrations, while the Cake and Dessert Theatre will concentrate on pastries, cakes and baking techniques.
The Drinks Theatre will offer guided sessions covering wine, beer, cocktails and alcohol-free drinks. Some tastings and workshops may have limited capacity or require an additional ticket.
The International Cook School provides hands-on sessions rather than a seated demonstration. The current programme lists these at an additional £25 per person.
Street food, artisan producers and fire cooking
Visitors will be able to buy food from a large selection of street-food traders serving dishes from different parts of the world.
The exact trader mix can change between festival locations, but the event promises vegetarian and vegan choices alongside meat, seafood, desserts and snacks.
Anyone with an allergy or intolerance should speak directly to the individual trader before ordering. Ingredients, equipment and cross-contamination controls will vary between stalls.
The Fire Stage will focus on barbecue, grills and live-fire cooking, while the Shopping Village and Artisan Market will bring together independent food and drink producers.
Food and drinks bought from traders are not included in the admission price.
The festival’s rules allow visitors to bring food required for allergies and baby food. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
New features for the festival’s 21st year
The 2026 programme includes several areas and activities added or expanded for the anniversary tour.
The Ready Steady Cook-Off will place chefs in a timed cooking challenge using mystery ingredients, while a Kitchen Disco will combine music and dancing away from the main stage.
A Wellness Village will bring together businesses and activities connected with healthy living and wellbeing.
Food challenges include the returning chilli competition and a Hot Wings Challenge, while chef meet-and-greet opportunities will be available at selected times.
The festival will also include:
- Kids Cookery Theatre sessions
- fairground rides and children’s activities
- a Dog Zone with products and activities for pets
- bars serving beer, cider, wine and cocktails
- street-food traders and an artisan market
- live music throughout each day
- an upgraded VIP area
Some rides, tastings, workshops, VIP facilities and special activities cost extra.
Current ticket prices and summer savings
The current official ticketing page shows lower prices than those available when the Oxford event was first announced in January.
| Day-ticket category | Current face value |
|---|---|
| Adult | £25 |
| Concession | £23 |
| Child | £8 |
| Family: two adults and two children | £48 |
| Four adults for the price of three | £75 |
Booking, handling or transaction fees may be added to the face value. Three-day weekend passes and VIP products are also available through the live ticketing system.
Foodies Festival says it has reduced family ticket prices during the temporary Great British Summer Savings VAT period, which runs until 1 September.
There is a discrepancy in the published child-age information. The festival FAQ says children under six enter free, while the current ticket page labels the paid child category as ages five to 16. Anyone attending with a five-year-old should confirm the correct ticket before completing the order.
All visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets and live availability can be checked through the official Foodies Festival ticket page.
How to get to Foodies Festival Oxford
South Park is on Headington Road, east of Oxford city centre.
Oxford City Council describes the park as approximately a 20-minute walk or seven-minute cycle from the city centre. The closest bus stops are on St Clement’s, London Road and Morrell Avenue.
Frequent services 8 and 9 stop close to South Park, while the 400 provides a direct Park & Ride link from Thornhill to St Clement’s.
Travel options
| On foot | Approximately 20 minutes from central Oxford, depending on your starting point |
| By bicycle | Approximately seven minutes from the city centre; secure your bike outside the event area as directed |
| By local bus | Use services stopping at St Clement’s, London Road or Morrell Avenue, including frequent 8 and 9 buses |
| From Thornhill Park & Ride | The 400 stops at St Clement’s, a short walk from the festival entrance |
| Combined Park & Ride offer | £3 covers up to 16 hours of parking and return travel for up to five people |
| Children’s bus travel | Children aged five to 15 can travel free on participating local buses until 31 August |
The £3 Oxford Park & Ride combined ticket is available at Redbridge, Pear Tree, Seacourt, Thornhill and Oxford Parkway. It covers one car, up to 16 hours of parking and return bus travel for up to five people of any age.
Families travelling by local bus can also use the Government-funded August offer for children aged five to 15. No application is required on participating Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel routes; passengers should ask the driver for a free child ticket.
Foodies Festival’s current Oxford information advertises temporary event parking at £5 per car. However, South Park has no normal public car park and Oxford City Council advises that there is no suitable permanent on-site parking for event visitors.
Drivers should therefore check the live festival instructions before setting out and should not rely on finding space in the surrounding residential streets. Park & Ride is likely to be the simpler option at busy times.
More information is available through Oxfordshire County Council’s £3 combined Park & Ride guide and Oxford Bus Company’s free child travel page.
Family, dog and accessibility information
The festival is designed as a family event, with cookery sessions, games, fairground rides and activities for younger visitors.
Dogs are permitted provided they are kept on a short lead. Owners should consider whether their dog will be comfortable around crowds, amplified music, food stalls and other animals.
The organiser says festival sites include wheelchair access, accessible toilets and disabled parking. Carers are admitted free on the day.
Visitors with an Autism Alert card can identify themselves to staff on arrival and ask for help making the visit more comfortable.
South Park is an outdoor grass site, so ground conditions can be affected by rain. Visitors with specific mobility, sensory or medical requirements should contact Foodies Festival before travelling to discuss the most suitable entrance, parking and facilities.
What to check before travelling
The festival is outdoors and will continue through most ordinary summer weather.
Visitors should check the forecast, bring suitable footwear and prepare for either strong sunshine or rain. Evening temperatures may be considerably lower than those during the afternoon.
The final chef, music and workshop schedules should also be checked before setting off. Performers, demonstration times and availability can change, while hands-on sessions may reach capacity.
Foodies Festival supports the homelessness charity Crisis through its music programme, with donations encouraged and a proportion of ticket revenue contributed through the partnership.
Frequently asked questions
When is Foodies Festival in Oxford 2026?
Foodies Festival takes place from Saturday 29th to Monday 31st August 2026 at South Parks, Oxford.
What are the opening times?
It is open from 11am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, and from 11am to 8pm on bank holiday Monday.
Who is headlining?
Boyzlife headlines Saturday, Gareth Gates headlines Sunday and B*Witched closes the festival on Monday.
Which chefs are appearing?
The current line-up includes Dhruv Baker, Harry Maguire, Sam Kaeokon, Saiphin Moore, Thippi Rashleigh, Mark Peregrine, Andrew Carr, Radhika Howarth, Luke Spier and other guest chefs and presenters.
How much are tickets?
Current day-ticket face values are £25 for adults, £23 for concessions, £8 for children and £48 for a family ticket covering two adults and two children. Booking fees may apply.
Are children under six free?
The festival FAQ says children under six enter free, but the current ticketing page labels child tickets as covering ages five to 16. Families with a five-year-old should confirm the correct arrangement before booking.
Can visitors bring their own food?
Food required because of allergies and baby food may be brought in. Outside alcohol is not allowed.
Is the festival accessible?
The organiser lists wheelchair access, accessible toilets, disabled parking and free carer admission. Because the event is held on grass, visitors with particular requirements should contact the festival before travelling.
Can children travel free by bus?
Children aged five to 15 can travel free on participating local bus services throughout August, including the festival weekend.
Where can tickets be booked?
Tickets and the latest programme are available through the Foodies Festival Oxford page.
Where is Foodies Festival Oxford held?
The festival is held at South Parks, near Headington Road, within walking distance of Oxford city centre.
Is Foodies Festival family-friendly?
Yes. Organisers say the festival includes children’s activities, cookery sessions and entertainment designed for families.
Are dogs allowed at Foodies Festival Oxford?
Yes. The Oxford event is dog-friendly, with a dedicated Dog’s Zone planned for 2026.
Will there be vegetarian and international food options?
Organisers say street food from around the world will be available, alongside a range of food demonstrations and tastings.
