The award-winning Bolton Food and Drink Festival will return to the town centre for its 21st edition this August Bank Holiday, running from Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August 2026. Organised by Bolton Council, the event will feature a range of free live music performances, including headline sets from The Real Thing on Saturday night and Liberty X on Sunday evening.
The festival, which was recently named Best Large Speciality Market at the National Association of British Market Authorities Great British Market Awards 2026, continues to be a major draw for the region. Last year, the four-day event set a new record by attracting 550,000 visitors. The festival is free to enter, and all live music performances on the main stage do not require advance booking.
In addition to the music, more than 200 specialist traders will be on hand offering a wide variety of local, regional, and international food and drink. Celebrity chef James Martin is also set to return for his 16th consecutive year at the festival, with live cooking demonstrations scheduled for Saturday 29 August at the Octagon Theatre.
The festival serves as a significant economic contributor to the area. Figures from 2024 showed that visitors spent £5.6 million directly at the festival, with an additional £2.2 million spent at other local businesses, including shops, hotels, and restaurants across the borough.
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