Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May 2027
What's On
A weekend of fabulous food both in the town and beyond, chefs on stage and frantic cheese racing.
The Weekend
Full timings for each day will be added as they are confirmed.
Festival Food Trail
Visit wonderful local producers in the stunning countryside around Shaftesbury. Expect tours, tastings, farm walks and demonstrations as doors open to show you what they do, where and how.
See the trail stopsStreet Market
Shop, eat, browse, discover, eat some more! Over 120 stalls offering the best of local and global food, drinks and crafts.
Find out moreLive Action Kitchen
Top chefs cook live from their latest books at free demonstration sessions in Shaftesbury's historic town hall. Chefs to be announced early in 2027.
Find out moreFestival FAQs
Dates, location and the essentials for the weekend.
The festival takes place over the early May bank holiday weekend in 2027:
- Saturday 1st May 2027 — The Food Trail
- Sunday 2nd May 2027 — Market, cheese races and chefs live in Shaftesbury
On Sunday, the main festival is based across:
- Gold Hill
- Shaftesbury High Street
- Park Walk
- Town centre (SP7 8LY)
On Saturday, the Food Trail extends into the surrounding Dorset countryside, connecting farms, producers and makers.
Yes, the festival is free to attend, including the Street Market and the Live Action Kitchen demonstration sessions.
If any part of the 2027 programme needs booking in advance, we will say so on the relevant page as soon as details are confirmed.
You do not need to book to visit the Street Market or to watch the cheese races.
If entering the cheese races, or any part of the 2027 programme, needs booking, we will say so on the relevant page and by email to anyone registered for updates.
Full timings for the Food Trail and for Sunday will be announced nearer the time. The Gold Hill cheese races run from around 10am to 3pm on Sunday 2nd May.
The festival runs in all weather conditions. Many activities are outdoors, so we recommend dressing appropriately for the British spring weather and checking the forecast in advance.