Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2024: Everything you need to know

This year’s festival, starting on Friday is set to be bigger and better than ever with a mix of celebrity and regional chef cookery demos, two special events, more than 200 market stalls, flamboyant street entertainment, two live music stages and plenty of children’s and family entertainment.

The event attracts thousands to Bolton and TV chef James Martin described it as the 'world's best festival'

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said:“Each year I am blown away by Bolton Food and Drink Festival and the lineup for this year looks incredible.

“We have worked especially hard to ensure that the event is inclusive for everyone, and there is something to be enjoyed by all.

“I am delighted to welcome new and familiar faces to Bolton, see local businesses thriving and celebrate our fantastic town.”

More information, including tickets, can be found on the website: www.foodanddrinkfestival.com

All schedules are subject to change.

Celebrity cooking demonstrations

Fan favourite celebrity chefs James Martin and Ainsley Harriott will be returning to this year’s festival, after dazzling audiences in previous years.

Both celebrity chefs will be offering live cooking demonstrations where they will rustle up remarkable recipes.

Ainsley Harriott: Saturday, August 24

11:00am Brunch demonstration (Book signing available)

1:00pm Lunch demonstration

3:30pm Rum Fiesta

James Martin: Monday, August 26.

11:00am (Book signing available)

1:00pm Cooking demonstration

3:00pm Cooking demonstration

Both celebrity cooking demonstrations will be BSL interpreted.

Tickets are on sale on the website: www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com

READ MORE: Bolton Food and Drink Festival has Mayor's Prosecco Picnic Platter

Regional chef cookery demonstrations

Bolton Food and Drink Festival attracts record number of visitors

There’s a great line up of FREE demos, from some of the regions and nations most well-respected chefs in a full programme of cookery demonstrations over the four days.

Sean Noonan, Brian Mellor, Joe Mcloud, Scott Bannon, Doug Crampton, Baking Nana, Mike Harrison and Michael Caines are just some of the talented chefs lined up to showcase their delicious delicacies.

Special Events

The Albert Halls are showcasing two exciting events, both with three-course meals included.

Sheer Luck Holmes – The Case of the Floating Fiancée

On Saturday, August 24, get your magnifying glasses out for the brand-new show “Sheer Luck Holmes”, an immersive murder mystery night that is made to keep you guessing.

The show will be 2 hours long and a 3-course meal will be served to all participants.

Faulty Towers Dining Experience

On Sunday, August 25 the fan favourite event “The Faulty Towers Dining Experience” returns to the Albert Halls for another year, so make sure to join Basil, Sybil and Manuel as they serve up mayhem on a plate alongside a 3-course meal and hours of non-stop laughter.

Booking is needed for both events

Market stalls

More than 200 renowned artisan stalls will be scattered throughout the town centre offering tastes from all around the world to grow your palate, as well as a range of arts, crafts and gifts for the whole family.

Children / Family entertainment

For the younger festivalgoers, there is plenty of child friendly entertainment, including a variety of free events, activities and street performers at the Elizabeth Park Festival Garden area, Octagon Theatre and Bolton Central Library.

The following activities will be running all bank holiday weekend free of charge (with the exception of face painting at £3).

Mark Daniel Magic Shows 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Family Bingo 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Make your own Carnival Crown 11:30am – 4:30pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Inflato-Worm art installation by Get It Done 11:30am – 4:30pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Facepainting (£3) 11:30am – 15:45pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Giant carnival puppets 11am – 4pm Elizabeth Park Family Zone

Bubble artiste 11:30am – 4:30pm Elephant Park (Outside Octagon Theatre)

The following events are free but do require tickets:

Octagon’s Family Festival 2024

Free, tickets must be booked via Eventbrite

Sunday, August 25

10:00am-12:30pm

1:30- 4pm

Monday, August 26

10:00am-12:30pm

1:30- 4pm Octagon Theatre (and throughout town centre)

Author Talk with TikTok and TV chef Jon Watts

Free, tickets must be booked via Eventbrite

Friday,August 23, 2-3pm Bolton Central Library Lecture Theatre

Scrumptious

Free, tickets must be booked via Eventbrite

Sunday, August 25

11am and 2pm

Monday 26 August

11am and 2pm

Bolton Central Library Lecture Theatre

Further free children’s activities will be taking place at the Festival Garden area on Le Mans Crescent.

Children can take part in pea planting, ‘meet the bees’, build a bug hotel and make a flower bomb.

Children aged 11 – 16 who are eligible for free school meals at high school, are invited to take part in a free professional chef-led ‘cook and dine’ session, as part of the Bolton Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Tickets for 'cook and dine' need to be booked in advance

Music stages

There is an exciting music line up throughout the bank holiday weekend with two hit stages set to return with new artists and festival favourites ready to leave a lasting impression.

Headliners and other fantastic acts will be performing on the Festival Music Stage on Le Mans Crescent. Headliners for each day include:

Friday 

Appy Mundays

Ultra 90s vs 2000s

Saturday 27 August

Rockchoir

Kennedy Caitlin (Dolly Parton Tribute)

Absolute Bowie

Sunday 

Pure Weller

The Absolute Stone Roses

Monday 

Chasing Mumfords

Not only this, but there will be local talent on the Acoustic Stage on Victoria Square as well as choirs, Rachel Burnett (as featured on The Voice 2023), Will Edgar (finalist in Kid’s Voice 2023), Cash Wallwork (Britain’s Got Talent 2023) and Bolton Ukulele Group taking the stage.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival is being supported by:

•Headlines sponsors Watson Homes.

•Main sponsors Stateside Foods, Peel Land, Step Places and Agilisys.

•Partners Bolton at Home, Carrs Pasties, Clear Futures, Placefirst, Wagamama, Recycle for Greater Manchester, Harworth, Bolton Arena, Impression, Serco, Mercure Hotels, the University of Bolton and GM Business Growth Hub.

More information, including tickets, can be found on the website: https://boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com/.

All schedules are subject to change.