St Ives Food & Drink Festival – St Ives, England 2026
Overview
The St Ives Food & Drink Festival, a beloved annual seaside extravaganza since its inception over a decade ago, transforms the golden sands of Porthminster Beach into a culinary playground, celebrating Cornwall’s rich larder with top chefs, artisan producers, and live entertainment that draws thousands for a weekend of flavors, fun, and family vibes. As the UK’s only beach-based food festival, it spotlights local seafood, foraged veg, and innovative demos at the Chef’s Fire Pit, while weaving in music, markets, and community spirit—think sunset sessions with renowned artists blending bites from stalls like The Cornish Larder with tunes echoing over the waves. Volunteer-driven and evolving yearly, it supports local businesses and charities, turning St Ives’ iconic coastline into a hub of gastronomic joy that has become a must for foodies seeking sun-kissed suppers.
For 2026, the festival returns May 15–17 with an even bigger lineup, promising expanded Sunset Sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, plus refreshed zones like the Artisan Market for bakers and hot sauce makers, the Community Tent for grassroots groups, and wellness spots for post-feast yoga. Expect all-star chef demos from talents like Jude Kereama of Kota Kai and Dorian Janmaat of Ardor, alongside family entertainment such as bouncy castles and circus activities, all set against the backdrop of St Ives’ shimmering bay—creating an unforgettable fusion of food, music, and maritime magic that honors Cornwall’s creative edge.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Chef demos at the Fire Pit with UK stars like Ashley Palmer-Watts and Tom Brown; live music across Sunset Sessions featuring top artists; street food tastings from local vendors and artisan markets showcasing producers like Flapjackery and Muti Hot Sauce.
- Special traditions or features: Beachside setting with fireworks on Friday nights; family-focused additions like Maypole dancing and history walks; community ties with charity stalls and school involvement, evolving from past editions with more music and eco-friendly sourcing.
- Unique attractions for visitors: UK’s sole beach food fest with ocean views enhancing every bite; interactive zones like the Wellness Tent for mindful munchies and the Community Tent for local chats; free-entry core access blending demos, markets, and entertainment for a relaxed, sandy stroll.
About this event
- Launched over a decade ago as a showcase for Cornwall’s food scene, growing into a beachfront staple that attracts thousands annually with its blend of culinary demos, music, and markets.
- Organized by local enthusiasts with ties to St Ives Town Council, emphasizing sustainability through local producers and minimal waste, while supporting community groups via dedicated tents.
- Focuses on diverse offerings from seafood feasts to vegan innovations, with live music expansions in recent years turning evenings into Sunset Sessions under the stars.
- Held on Porthminster Beach, leveraging St Ives’ artistic heritage for a vibe that’s as creative as its Tate gallery neighbor, with family perks like free kids’ activities.
- Evolving post-2025 success with bigger lineups and trader invites; past highlights include fireworks and circus fun, making it a cornerstone of Cornwall’s spring calendar.
- Boosts local economy through artisan sales and chef spotlights, fostering ties with spots like Porthminster Café for seamless beach-to-table experiences.
Why attend
Attending the St Ives Food & Drink Festival means surrendering to a sensory symphony on one of Britain’s most stunning beaches, where the salty breeze carries scents of grilled mackerel and fresh sourdough, and you can watch a chef conjure fire-pit magic while tots bounce nearby—it’s the effortless joy of grazing stalls laden with Cornish cheeses and hot sauces, pausing for a sunset set that has you swaying with strangers, all framed by turquoise waves that make every bite feel like a holiday highlight. With its free-entry ease and family flair, it’s a low-pressure paradise for food wanderers, blending pro demos with casual chats that uncover hidden gems like Freda’s Peanut Butter.
Beyond the plates, you’re fueling a coastal creative pulse that spotlights local makers and charities, turning your weekend into a ripple of support for Cornwall’s larder and lore—ideal for couples clinking cider or clans chasing circus antics. Whether you’re a gourmet chasing Jude Kereama’s flavors or a newbie lured by the live tunes, the festival’s sun-drenched authenticity delivers those golden, grubby-fingered memories that eclipse any indoor eatery, leaving you blissed-out and beach-bound.
Date & Duration
- Dates: May 15 – May 17, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Porthminster Beach, the festival’s sandy epicenter with space for stages, stalls, and fire pits, offering panoramic sea views and easy beach access.
- Additional venues: Adjacent Porthminster Café for intimate tastings; spillover to nearby community tents and artisan markets; potential town-center walks for history tie-ins.
- Main event Google location address: Porthminster Beach, St Ives TR26 2EA, England
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via the official website (stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk) for music sessions; core festival entry is free, with advance booking for Sunset Sessions to avoid sell-outs.
- Admission is mixed—free for daytime demos, markets, and family activities; paid for evening Sunset Sessions to cover artist costs.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Single evening sessions $22 USD (Friday/Saturday), $17 USD (Sunday); weekend pass $45 USD.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $17 USD (Sunday evening session); maximum $45 USD (full weekend music pass).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with early bird discounts via mailing list signup for 2026.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; reserved viewing for sessions at $50 USD including priority access and goody bags; standard is general admission for beach blankets.
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: Not specified; use website contact form for inquiries and mailing list signup for updates.
- Phone: Not specified; use email or social media for prompt responses (typically within 24–48 hours).
- Website: https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk (full program, bookings, and trader info).
- Social Media: @stivesfoodfest (Instagram and Facebook for lineups, photos, and announcements).
- Key Staff: Festival Coordinator (contact via website for programming and volunteer queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press releases to website form; volunteer opportunities for setup and stalls via social media (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY), 10 miles away (20-minute drive via A30); Exeter (EXT) for more flights, about 100 miles (2-hour drive or train).
- Public transport: Trains from London Paddington to St Ives station (5 hours via GWR, with Penzance change); local buses (First Kernow 16/17) connect station to beach (10-minute ride).
- Driving: Access via A30 coastal road, with pay-and-display parking at Porthminster (nearby lots £5–10/day); SatNav postcode TR26 2EA; carpool for beach traffic.
- Cycling/walking: Coastal path from station (1-mile, 20-minute scenic walk); bike racks at beach; pedestrian-friendly sands for easy venue hopping.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible paths on beach with ramps; taxis from station ($15 via apps); contact for priority viewing and sensory zones.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Porthminster View Apartments (beachfront, from $90/night, self-catering with views); hostels like St Ives Backpackers ($50/night dorms for groups).
- Mid-range: The Gannet Inn (coastal pub hotel, $110–140/night, family rooms with sea proximity); St Ives Harbour Hotel ($120/night, modern comforts).
- Luxury: Carbis Bay Hotel (cliff-top, $180+/night, spa and private beach); Primrose Valley Hotel ($160/night, gourmet dining).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays with rail deals via VisitCornwall.com; camping at nearby Ayr Holiday Park ($60/night pitches with shuttles).
- Booking tips: Reserve early for May; check stives.co.uk for deals tying transport to beach-adjacent spots.
Reviews
- Beach bites and beats perfection—the fire pit demos had us drooling, sunset tunes sealed the seaside spell.
- Family feast heaven; kids loved the circus, we savored stalls—sunny, sandy, and simply sublime.
- Culinary coasting at its best—artisan gems and live vibes left us stuffed and singing for more.
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Contact
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FAQ's
What can I expect from the 2026 St Ives Food & Drink Festival's lineup and vibe?
A tantalizing trio of days headlined by Chef's Fire Pit demos from stars like Jude Kereama and Tom Brown, whipping up Cornish seafood and veg wonders, paired with Sunset Sessions of live music from indie acts to DJs under starry skies—vibe's breezy beach bliss, with artisan markets hawking hot sauces and flapjacks amid family fun like bouncy castles. Free daytime entry amps the casual flow; evenings glow with fireworks echoes from past years. Ties to local lore via community tents make it feel like a seaside supper club. 2026 ups the music ante post-2025; full reveals spring via mailing list. Pro tip: Blanket down early for golden-hour grazing.
When and where exactly is the 2026 festival happening, and how's the layout?
May 15–17, 2026, unfurls over 3 sun-soaked days on Porthminster Beach (TR26 2EA), St Ives' iconic crescent of sand—perfect for stall-strolling without straying far. Gates from 10am daily; Fire Pit central for demos, markets fringe the sands, music stage bayside for sunsets, with wellness and community tents tucked for chill. Compact yet captivating, no long legs needed—park nearby, pad to the waves. Timed for spring tides, it syncs with blooming bays for post-bite dips. Updates on Insta; rain? Tented backups. Arrive Friday for fireworks flashbacks.
How much are tickets, and what's the best way to snag them for 2026?
Daytime free keeps it welcoming, but Sunset Sessions run $17–22 USD (£13–17) per evening, weekend pass $45 USD (£35) for all music magic—early birds snag discounts via signup, a bargain for beachfront beats. No fees for markets/demos; families bundle for 15% off. Buy via stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk now—2025 evenings sold swift, first-come rules. Groups email for extras; proceeds boost locals. E-tickets beach-ready; refunds if swells surge. All-ages, pet-welcoming; your spend sizzles twice.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what kid-centric fun is there?
Spot-on for sandy suppers—free entry hooks tots with bouncy castles, circus workshops, and Maypole romps, while parents plate up from stalls sans worry. No booze zones keep it mellow; inter-demo play areas let little foodies forage safely. Older kids dig chef chats and music moshes; families rave it's "our annual appetite awakener," sparking seafood love. Quiet wellness tents ease overstims; pack buckets for beach builds. It's nurturing nosh that bonds over waves.
How do I get to Porthminster Beach for the festival, and what's parking like?
Newquay Airport's 20-min A30 jaunt east, or Paddington trains to St Ives (5 hours, £100 return) drop beach-close. Buses hug the coast; taxis $20 from station. Cars? Pay lots steps away (£5–10/day, pre-book via site); disabled bays upfront. Cycles cruise paths, walks unveil views—1 mile from rails. Site's flagged for wheels; shuttles from town TBD. Once there, it's towel-down ease. Locals whisper: Rail + rickshaw for ripple-free rides. Splash in, savor out.
