In pictures: The Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2026

Organisers, BID Leamington, felt the support shown for this year’s festival was extra special, coming at a time when local food and drink businesses really need an extra boost.

Around 120 stalls and pitches took part across the weekend, featuring businesses from across the region, offering a fantastic variety of treats to enjoy on the spot or take home.

Of these, 35 were Leamington town centre businesses, giving local visitors the chance to discover new favourites they can visit again.

Hosted by Kirsty Leahy, the Live Cookery Theatre proved a highlight, serving up plenty of delicious fun with demonstrations from Aubrey Allen, Bia’s Kitchen Show, Sophie Hyam, MasterChef 2025 quarter-finalist Darren Gurry, and the team from Rosa’s Thai.

Young foodies were kept busy at the Get Cooking Kids Cookery School with Anne Marie Lambert, which buzzed all weekend as budding young chefs whipped up all kinds of treats.

The Bandstand stage brought together much-loved festival favourites including Room 17 and Man Made Moon, alongside some fresh faces such as Amelia Webster from And The Sunset, and welcome newcomers Easy 3, Cartoon Tears, Papillon Jazz and Electric Ian, keeping the entertainment flowing throughout both days.

Families also enjoyed the return of the ever-popular stilt man, bringing his usual high energy antics to the gardens, while face painting was new for this year and proved so popular it drew a long queue all weekend.

Alison Shaw, the festival’s manager, said: “It was wonderful to see so many smiles and so much joy across the gardens this weekend.

“With 120 stalls and pitches on offer, including many of our brilliant town centre businesses, there was something for everyone to discover, from old favourites to new finds.

“Seeing that level of support for local traders, whatever the weather, is exactly what this festival is all about."

Stephanie Kerr, Chief Executive of BID Leamington, said: "This event is made by the community, for the community, and it shows.

“We’re enormously grateful for the huge efforts our traders put in, and for the continued support of our local community, which makes this festival what it is year after year.”

BID Leamington would like to thank all of its crew and volunteers, as well as the many photographers and influencers who came along and helped share the festival with a wider audience – the support is hugely valued.

Organisers hope visitors found some new favourite town centre businesses to revisit, and are encouraging everyone to keep supporting local, with many traders now launching their Christmas menus.

The full list of exhibitors can still be found at www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk.

For those looking forward to next year, the Leamington Food and Drink Festival will return on 11 and 12 September 2027.