Food lovers and music fans are set for a packed bank-holiday weekend this summer as Foodies Festival returns to South Park, Oxford from 29 to 31 August 2026, bringing together some of the UK’s best-known TV chefs, award-winning culinary talent and chart-topping live acts.
Now in its 21st year, the touring festival has built a reputation as one of the country’s biggest outdoor celebrations of food, drink and entertainment, blending live cooking, tastings, workshops and music performances across three action-filled days.
This year’s chef line-up includes a mix of television favourites and acclaimed culinary names. Among the early announcements are MasterChef 2025 champion Harry Maguire and finalist Sam Kaeokon, alongside former champions Thomas Frake and Dhruv Baker. Visitors can also expect appearances from royal cake-maker Mich Turner MBE, BBC Platinum Pudding finalist Sam Smith, ITV’s The Heat contestant Tom Lodge, and MasterChef: The Professionals star William Joshua.
Regional and Michelin-recognised talent will also take to the stage, including Ashleigh Farrand of The Kingham Plough, Mark Peregrine, Director of the Raymond Blanc Cookery School, Head Chef Andrew Carr of The Yurt, and other celebrated chefs showcasing locally sourced produce and signature dishes.
Across the festival site, the Chefs Theatre will host live demonstrations where chefs recreate their best-known dishes and share professional techniques, while the Cake & Desserts Theatre will showcase intricate patisserie, baking skills and showstopping sweet creations.
For those seeking heat, the festival’s infamous chilli-eating competition returns, now joined by the Ultimate Hot Wings Challenge for 2026, promising an even more intense test for spice enthusiasts.
A major new addition for this year is the ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ inspired live cook-off, where celebrity chefs and television favourites go head-to-head in an interactive audience-led competition, featuring stars from MasterChef and Great British Menu.
The Drinks Theatre will host expert-led masterclasses covering Champagne, wine, beer, cider and cocktails, with sessions delivered by industry specialists and familiar faces from ITV, BBC and Channel 4.
Music remains a central part of the festival experience, with a headline line-up that blends nostalgia and pop energy. The stage will feature Boyzone and Westlife supergroup Boyzlife, with Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden performing a catalogue of number-one hits alongside a live band. They are joined by Pop Idol favourite Gareth Gates and his ‘Boyband in the Park’ show, as well as iconic 90s group B*Witched.
Beyond the main acts, a rotating programme of local and touring musicians will perform throughout the weekend, creating a continuous soundtrack to the festival atmosphere.
Families are also well catered for, with dedicated children’s activities including Kids Cookery School sessions, where younger visitors can prepare and take home their own dishes. A new Foodies Treasure Hunt Trail will add an interactive element across the site, alongside fairground rides and games in the Kids Zone.
Elsewhere, visitors can explore the Shopping Village, browse artisan produce, and sample global street food in the Feasting Tent, which brings together flavours from around the world. Even four-legged visitors are welcomed, with dog-friendly activities, treats and competitions designed especially for pets.
With its mix of celebrity chefs, live music and immersive food experiences, Foodies Festival continues to position itself as one of the UK’s most popular summer events — and Oxford’s South Park looks set to be at the centre of it all this August.
