The ever-popular York Beer & Cider Festival returns again to the spectacular surroundings of St Lawrence Parish Church!
This festival, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will have more beers and ciders than any other festival in Yorkshire with over 200 available plus wines, prosecco, meads and soft drinks, plus a great selection of food on site.
The festival dates are Wednesday 17 September to Saturday 20 September 2025. Saturday evening is pay-on-the-door only this year.
A self-guided walking trail around the city of York and an opportunity to try samples from some of the best York’s food scene by visiting a range of deli’s, restaurants and suppliers.
We have two Taste Trails for you to enjoy, East and West York.
Each trail features around 20 stops to sample the best of York’s food and drink scene as well as a tasting hub with more samples to enjoy.
This year’s participants are still being finalised, however you can view last year’s for an idea of what to expect: East Trail and West Trail
You will receive the map and guide similar to that above outlining the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The samples provided on the taste trail vary widely depending on the participating businesses, but may include small bites of food, such as cheeses, meats, breads, and desserts, as well as drinks, such as wine or beer.
Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.
Tickets are limited to 100 per day – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
*Please note that some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail. Some businesses are closed on specific days.
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this demonstration programme for all visitors to the festival to attend.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
The York Food Festival offers a series of FREE cookery workshops, which are designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to learn new culinary skills and how food is made.
The workshops are open to all ages and held at the Museum Gardens, and St. Crux Hall.
(and also home to our Schools Workshop programme, where we welcome over 1000 children to participate over the 5 weekdays)
Opening times for public:
Friday 19th 3pm to 5 pm in St Crux only
Monday to Thursday – 3pm to 4pm
Second Friday – 2pm to 4pm
Both Weekends (Sat & Sun) – 10am to 4pm
At the minimum, there are six workshops available, covering a range of themes including bread making, pasta making, vegan dips, and smoking your own food. New workshop themes will be added in for 2025, ensuring that there is always something new to learn and discover at the festival.
The workshops are interactive and hands-on, providing participants with an opportunity to get involved in the cooking process and learn by doing. The workshops are suitable for all ages, and experienced instructors are on hand to provide guidance and support.
The York Food Festival is always on the lookout for talented volunteers to work with the public by delivering workshops. If you are someone who has a passion for cooking and wants to give back to the community, then we encourage you to consider volunteering with us. If interested, please fill out our online form
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this extensive free food education programme for all visitors to the festival.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
A fun and interactive activity designed for families with children. A self-guided walking tour, answering clues along the way, and finishing with decorating your own Chocolate Bar with York Cocoa Works
Participants receive a guide map (FREE for all) providing a unique and engaging way for families to explore the local chocolate scene, while also having fun and learning new things along the way.
Purchased ticket holders end the tour decorating a Chocolate Bar with York Cocoa Works.
Tickets can either be pre-booked online or purchase at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the guide map is from the Information Point any day of the festival from 10am, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
Last entry for the chocolate bar decorating at York Cocoa Works will be 4pm (Please allow at least 45 minutes to come back to collect your Chocolate Bar once it has set).
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this demonstration programme for all visitors to the festival to attend.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
A self-guided walking trail around the city of York, with some of York’s food establishments offering a vegan alternative to their non-vegan samples.
You will receive a guide map listing the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The trail features around 20 stops to sample – small bites of food or drink samples – which will vary depending on the participating businesses.
These will be confirmed closer to the festival dates.
Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.
Tickets are very limited – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
Come down to St Crux to play the Chocolate Bar Game, or pick up family activities from Plantlife and the Woodlands Trust (weekend only). Part of a range of activities at St Crux which includes the Demo area, a café, and the Food factory activities – hands on cookery for people of all ages.
Live demonstrations from York College students and staff situated on market stand at the heart of the Festival market. The College will also have information available about Careers and courses in Tourism and Hospitality.
The stand is open everyday except Thursday 25th
Go behind the scenes on a tasty Tour of York Food & Drink Festival to get an idea of how we make this event work! Obviously we can’t show you around without feeding you so there’ll be a range of samples included too, both around the festival itself as well as a few nearby friends of the festival.
Your guide will be one of the festival organisers who knows the foodie scene in York intimately after having been closely involved with it for over a decade, make sure you ask lots of questions and get plenty of recommendations! Tours will take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sundays of the festival at 11am and 3pm.
Explore the chocolate making process from cocoa bean to the chocolates we make here at York Cocoa Works, learning and tasting your way around the chocolate manufactory with our Tasting Journey.
Quote “YORKFOODFEST25” for 25% off
During your time with us, one of our expert chocolate makers will share the secrets of our cocoa and how we transform it into chocolate. You will discover our origins and learn the rich history of chocolate making in York before taking a peek into our manufactory and watching our chocolate being made. This session concludes with a special tasting conducted by our cocoa connoisseur. You will sample the chocolate we make from cocoa beans all around the world, experiencing the different strengths and flavour notes in our range.
Following the journey, you are invited to join us in our Chocolate Cafe where you can use your ticket to enjoy further discounts across our whole product range.
Learn how to craft your own beautiful box of hand made chocolate truffles to your own favourite recipe.
Chocolate Truffle Making Masterclass
Ganache is a perfect balance of chocolate and cream, at the York Cocoa Works we work with ganache to create a whole range of different flavours and textures. During our Chocolate Truffle Masterclass we’ll share the secrets to be able to create exciting and perfect flavour combinations for your ganache that can be used in a range of recipes to different effect.
During the workshop you will:
Learn how to make water, alcohol and cream based ganache
By the end of this workshop you will be able to recognise and correct split ganache
You should be able to identify ways to effectively manage your environment to achieve perfect ganache.
You learn how ganache can be used in truffles, filled chocolates, filled tarts & sauces..
You will beautifully wrap your creations to take home and enjoy
Go home with recipes and your newly found chocolate knowledge
What do you take away with you?
Each participant will take home approximately 400g of your own chocolate as well as the recipes and technical worksheets to be able to make your own and perfect your skills at home.
What’s your blood pressure?
On behalf of the NHS, a pop-up Blood pressure stand to help people avoid heart attack and stroke by knowing their blood pressures. This is a free service for the general public.
Running daily at York Food Festival and part of the York Chocolate Bar Challenge, join York Cocoa Works to craft your own little chocolate bar.
Explore the chocolate making history of York and create your own mini Chocolate Bar!
Pre-booking available – 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 1.30, 2.00, 2.30, 3.00, 3.30 (4pm on Saturday and Sundays)
Live wheel thrown demonstrations all day, alongside pots and sculptures for sale
Crafting high-quality, handmade ceramic pots and vessels that blend artistry with everyday living. Driven by a passion for craftsmanship and creativity, each piece is thoughtfully designed and meticulously handcrafted to bring a touch of uniqueness and beauty into your home. Discover pottery that’s as functional as it is artful.
Meet some of the York City Ladies players by St Crux
Bring your cameras and autograph books, and chat with some of our players!
Owner and Head Chef at Corner House Grill
Join Radek for a demonstration of what Corner House Grill has to offer! With a total of 13 years’ experience in the industry, from outside catering to a 2 AA Rosettes restaurant there’s sure to be a wealth of knowledge shared!
Join Ahmed (Head Chef at Legacy at The Grand), and Kevin (Executive Head Chef at The Grand) as they take to the stage!
Ahmed is known for the vibrant dishes he produced representing Yorkshire and the North East on the Great British Menu. In October 2023 Be Inclusive Hospitality, (BIH) crowned Ahmed with their Chef of the Year Award.
Kevin’s culinary expertise spans over two decades, including hist time as Head Chef at Michelin-starred restaurant De Mondion.
Daily – 2.30pm and 4pm
25% Discount for York Food Festival
– Quote “YORKFOODFEST25”
Great British Bake Off star Freya returns to the Food Festival Stage!
Freya took Bake off by storm in 2021, pushing her vegan creations to the fore. We can’t wait to welcome her to our demonstration stage
Discover Chocolate History & Make Your Own Truffles!
Available daily between 3.30pm-5.30pm
Begin your journey with our Classic Guided Tour, where you’ll:
Explore the rich history of chocolate, from its ancient origins to its transformation into today’s indulgent treat.
Learn the art of chocolate tasting like a connoisseur.
Dive into York’s chocolate-making heritage, discovering the stories behind its famous confectionery families.
At the end of your tour, enjoy an additional 15 minutes of hands-on chocolate making, where you’ll:
Roll four decadent ganache-filled truffles in the finest Belgian couverture chocolate.
Personalise and package your creations to take home as a sweet memento.
Sash takeover the St Sampson’s stage for a charity fundraiser
Live For St Leonard’s will return between 19th and 27th September. This live music event is organised by York BID, as part of the York Food & Drink Festival, and all charitable funds raised are donated in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice. Over the last 2 years the initiative has raised nearly £9,000 for the charity. The events is free for the public to attend and St Leonard’s volunteers will be on-site collecting cash and card donations.
This year’s event will feature two separate stage areas with performances running in parallel. The main stage can be found in the marquee on Parliament Street, and the acoustic stage on St Sampsons Square.
Patrons can expect performances from great local talent, every evening from 5pm!
The line up can be found HERE, once announced.
The BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival is teaming up with York Food Festival and beloved local favourite Rafi’s Spicebox to present Comedy & Curry – a vibrant evening celebrating the best in independent British comedy cinema paired with unforgettable South Asian cuisine.
This one-night-only event brings together six award-winning short films from the Aesthetica Film Festival archives, featuring past performances from renowned actors including Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Ricky Gervais (The Office), and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls). These programme, curated by Festival Director Cherie Federico, will showcase some of the most exciting and original voices in contemporary comedy, capturing the wit, warmth and sharp observations that define British humour.
More than just an entertaining night out, Comedy & Curry is a creative collaboration that underscores how storytelling and sensory experience go hand in hand. By pairing bold, cinematic narratives with the rich, aromatic dishes inspirited by Raffi’s Spicebox, the event creates a multisensory experience rooted in York’s dynamic cultural identity. As part of the York Food Festival’s ongoing innovation and commitment to cross-sector partnerships, this initiative highlights how food and film can come together to reflect community, celebrate diversity and bring people closer.
Rafi’s Spicebox will be serving a special South Indian inspired set menu. Featuring traditional family recipes, Kevin, Rafi’s son, will showcase dishes that span the 35+ year heritage of the business. Served ‘family style’ the menu will feature a variety of vibrant Indian dishes packed full of flavour.
Films to be Shown
7 Minutes
Jellyfish Lobster
Choked Up
Just be Awesome
Good Boy
Spud
