Key Points
· Bolton Food and Drink Festival will take place from Friday, 22 August to Monday, 25 August 2025, marking its 20th year.
· The festival features over 180 artisan stalls, celebrity chef cookery demos, live music stages, family activities, and street entertainment.
· Star chefs include Michael Caines MBE, Ainsley Harriott, James Martin, Aiden Byrne, Simon Rimmer, and Gok Wan.
· Festival highlights include cookery demos, a pop-up ‘Made in Bolton’ restaurant, wine tasting sessions, and special ticketed events.
· The festival supports local charities such as Backup, who provide services to homeless young people.
· Organised by Bolton Council in partnership with headline sponsor Aldi and Peel L&P, among others.
· Tickets for special events start from £10 for adults and £5 for children, with priority urged to avoid disappointment.
· The event attracted over 263,000 attendees last year and is a major contributor to Bolton’s local economy.
· The festival promotes community spirit, cultural diversity, and the talents of local producers and artisans.
What is the Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2025?
Entering its 20th anniversary, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is one of the UK’s largest and most celebrated food festivals. As reported by Inside.UoB, the event will run from the 22nd to the 25th of August 2025, in Bolton Town Centre. The festival promises a packed programme reflecting a celebration of food, culture, and music, designed to appeal to all ages and tastes.
This year, visitors can expect over 180 artisan stalls offering a diverse range of foods and drinks, alongside family-friendly activities and a vibrant live entertainment lineup. Bolton Council, together with headline sponsors Aldi and Peel L&P, has curated an impressive event that blends culinary innovation with local community spirit.
Who are the Celebrity Chefs and What Are Their Roles?
The festival boasts a stellar lineup of celebrity chefs who will participate in cooking demonstrations and special events across the weekend. Michael Caines MBE, known for his Michelin-starred Lympstone Manor, will officially launch the festival on Friday.
As Inside.UoB highlights, other renowned chefs include Ainsley Harriott, James Martin, Simon Rimmer (co-presenter of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch), and Michelin-starred Aiden Byrne. Notably, new to the festival is Gok Wan, who will showcase Asian-inspired recipes and perform a DJ set on the live music stage, bringing a fresh, entertaining twist to the festival’s offerings.
Special event highlights include a ‘Made in Bolton’ pop-up restaurant led by Aiden Byrne on Saturday, alongside wine tasting sessions hosted by wine critic Simon Woods and Ainsley Harriott on Sunday.
What Activities and Entertainment Can Visitors Expect?
Apart from the gastronomic extravaganza, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival will feature two music stages, including the Festival Music Stage on Le Mans Crescent with headline acts and local talent performances. The weekend also offers free children’s activities in the Children’s Marquee on Le Mans Crescent.
Street performers, live entertainment, and arts and crafts stalls add to the lively atmosphere, ensuring the festival is a comprehensive cultural experience. The event fosters community togetherness by showcasing cuisines from diverse cultures and supporting a wide talent base of local producers, bakers, brewers, and artists.
How Does the Festival Support Local Charities and Community Initiatives?
The festival champions social causes by inviting local charities to participate. Bolton At Home CEO Jon Lord noted their support for the charity Backup, which provides housing and support services for homeless young people in Bolton. Backup will have a presence at the festival with their coffee van, aiming to raise funds and awareness during the event.
The festival also highlights social enterprise initiatives such as ‘Proper Good,’ which offers business support and training to local social enterprises, helping them scale and increase their community impact.
Where and How Can People Get Tickets for Special Events?
Tickets for the Bolton Food and Drink Festival’s ticketed cookery demos and special sessions are available from 22 May at noon. Interested attendees can purchase tickets through Bolton Octagon Theatre, the festival’s official website, or by phone. Athlete James Martin’s demos, for example, offer premium seating with exclusive cocktails or mocktails for £16, while other events like wine tastings and afternoon teas with celebrity guests are priced at £25.
Bolton Council Leader, Councillor Cliff Morris, urged early ticket purchase, citing the popularity and limited availability of special attractions.
How Has the Festival Impacted Bolton and Its Economy?
The festival draws hundreds of thousands of people annually, with last year’s attendance surpassing 263,000 visitors. According to Bolton Council’s Chief Executive, Sue Johnson, the event significantly boosts Bolton’s local economy by attracting visitors from abroad, including Australia and South Africa.
Sponsors such as Stateside Foods have long supported the festival, recognising its role in community engagement and economic recovery. Deputy leader Councillor Hilary Fairclough praised the event’s atmosphere and the opportunity it provides for meaningful community interaction.
What Should Visitors Know About Festival Logistics and Partners?
The festival runs throughout Bolton Town Centre, with multiple venues such as Victoria Square, Albert Halls, Le Mans Crescent, and the main festival marquee. More than 180 traders, including food, drink, arts and crafts vendors, fill the streets, making it a food lover’s paradise alongside a family-friendly space.
Partners and sponsors include Aldi, University of Bolton, Willmott Dixon, Grosvenor Windows; while supporting organisations stretch across Bolton’s cultural and commercial landscape, from the Octagon Theatre to local colleges and hospitality venues.