The Global Food and Pita Festival returns to Ipswich on Sunday 17 May 2026, offering residents a chance to sample a variety of international cuisines at Suffolk New College. Now in its 14th year, the free event will host food stalls featuring dishes from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China, and Africa.
Organised by the charity BSC Multicultural Services (BSCMS), the festival will also include pita competitions, entertainment, and activities for children. The organisation, which was established in 1998 and received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2022, aims to put multiculturalism into practice through community engagement. According to Mojlum Khan, a funding officer for the charity, the group has supported people from 65 different nationalities over its nearly 30 years in the town.
The festival has seen significant growth in recent years, with attendance rising from over 1,000 visitors in 2023 to more than 2,000 in 2025. Rupa Ahmed, the event coordinator, noted that the festival provides a space for everyone to gather together and enjoy a day filled with different cultures and food.
Local Member of Parliament for Ipswich, Jack Abbott, expressed his support for the event after attending the official launch. He stated that the festival, along with other upcoming summer activities, demonstrates the range of community efforts happening in Ipswich and highlights the town’s accomplishments.
The event is open to all members of the public and will take place at the college campus located on Rope Walk.
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