Food lovers in Cwmbran are just two train stops away from one of the UK’s biggest and most celebrated food events as Abergavenny Food Festival returns on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September.
The not-for-profit festival, now in its 28th year, will welcome around 18,000 visitors to the town for a weekend of food, drink, live music, demonstrations and discussions.
Held across 16 venues in Abergavenny, the festival features more than 80 events, 120-plus stallholders and over 16 live music acts. What began as a gathering of 39 producers in 1999 has grown into an event that generates an estimated £2 million for the local economy over the two days.
Alongside opportunities to sample food and drink from independent Welsh and Borders producers, organisers say the festival is also “a festival of ideas, not just ingredients”.
Visitors can enjoy chef demonstrations, workshops, tastings and debates exploring topics ranging from ultra-processed foods and food security to regenerative farming and the future of local food systems.
The programme includes appearances from authors launching new cookery books, live-fire cooking demonstrations at the popular Cooking Over Fire stage in the grounds of Abergavenny Castle, and the return of BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme.
More than 80 per cent of stallholders come from Wales or within two hours of Abergavenny, and more than 300 local people are employed over the weekend.
Tickets to Abergavenny Food Festival
Under-16s can attend free with an adult, while weekend wristbands give access to the full programme of events and activities. Visit the festival’s website here.