One of Stone’s biggest and best-loved annual events is back this spring as the Stone Food & Drink Festival returns to Westbridge Park from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May.
Now celebrating its 21st year, the three-day festival promises another huge weekend of food, drink, live entertainment and family fun, showcasing why Stone has earned its reputation as a top destination for food lovers.
This year’s line-up features celebrity chefs, artisan producers, street food favourites, live music, interactive experiences and activities for all ages – with several new additions for 2026.
Big names on stage
Food fans can look forward to a star-studded cookery programme across the weekend, with famous faces joining talented regional chefs in the popular Culinary Showcase.
Among the headline names are Nelly Ghaffar and Paul A Young on Saturday, while Sunday visitors can enjoy demonstrations from TV baking expert Juliet Sear. Expect plenty of recipe inspiration, expert tips and entertaining stage moments throughout the weekend.
The Talks & Tastings Tent also returns with a fun and varied programme including cocktail masterclasses, cake tastings, biscuit dunking competitions and beer tasting sessions.
Music, atmosphere and festival vibes
The festival’s live music offer is bigger than ever, with performances running across the weekend on the main stage.
Friday night will see party favourites Sonic Boom Band get the weekend started, followed by dance-floor favourites House Jammerz on Saturday. Closing the event on Sunday are soul crowd-pleasers The Lack of Commitments all supported by great live acts each day.
New for 2026 is an acoustic stage, offering a more relaxed soundtrack for visitors looking to sit back with a drink and enjoy laid-back live performances. There’s also a brand-new Silent Disco running all weekend!
Street food, shopping and local flavour
As always, food is at the heart of the festival, with traders serving dishes from around the world alongside sweet treats, snacks and gourmet favourites. Visitors can also browse stalls packed with artisan produce including cheeses, pies, cakes, preserves, sauces and handmade gifts – making it a great place to shop local, support independents and discover something new.
Great Stone Bake Off returns
Back by popular demand, the Great Stone Bake Off will once again invite visitors of all ages to bring along their best bake and enter daily heats. Free to enter with a festival ticket, the competition will be judged across the weekend, with Nelly Ghaffar joining the judging panel on Saturday and Juliet Sear judging the Sunday heat. A pair of VIP 3-day tickets for the 2027 festival is up for grabs for the overall winner!
Fun for families
The festival remains a major attraction for families, with plenty to keep younger visitors entertained. Highlights include a Kids’ Disco on Friday after school, free children’s cookery classes on Saturday and Sunday, craft and sensory activities, a Farm to Fork area, face painting and a pay-as-you-go funfair.
Book now
Organisers say the 2026 event will be one of the biggest yet, offering a brilliant boost for Stone while creating another unforgettable weekend for residents and visitors alike.
Advance tickets are on sale now, with savings available for those who book online in advance. For tickets and more information, visit stonefooddrink.org.uk
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