Key Points
- Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival returns on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10am to 6pm at Jubilee Park in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
- Organised by award-winning Shropshire Festivals team for Whitchurch Town Council, following a successful 2025 relaunch.
- Free entry event featuring live music on the bandstand, stands from local businesses, street food, bars, chef demonstrations, kids’ entertainment area, and garden activities.
- Positive feedback from 2025 event highlighted families enjoying demos, music, free kids’ activities, and local stands.
- Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Rose Hall, anticipates celebrating local food sector, chefs, producers, performers, and businesses.
- Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals praises Whitchurch’s welcoming vibe and talented producers.
- Builds on pre-Covid tradition, first held at Jubilee Park in 2025 with around 60 exhibitors, sustainability activities, and community features like Harry Richards Garden.
- 2025 featured kids’ activities including inflatables, alpacas, circus skills; Forest School with bees and food waste demos; Edible Trail for picking produce.
- Event shines light on North Shropshire’s thriving food scene with restaurants and producers.
Whitchurch (Cardiff Daily) February 12, 2026 – Whitchurch’s acclaimed Food & Drink Festival is confirmed to return on May 16 at Jubilee Park, promising an enhanced family-friendly day out after last year’s triumphant relaunch. Organised by the expert team at Shropshire Festivals on behalf of Whitchurch Town Council, the free event will showcase local culinary talents through diverse attractions from dawn till dusk.
When and Where Is the Festival Happening?
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, running from 10am to 6pm at Jubilee Park, the heart of Whitchurch in North Shropshire. This marks the second year at this venue following its debut there in 2025, a shift from pre-pandemic locations.
As reported by Dominic Robertson of Shropshire Star, Whitchurch Town Council announced the date, emphasising continuity from the successful prior event. The choice of Jubilee Park allows integration with community spaces like the Harry Richards Garden and Community Allotment, featuring unique elements such as a recycled Bottle Greenhouse built by students from Sir John Talbot’s School.
Councillor Rose Hall, Mayor of Whitchurch, stated: “We are looking forward to celebrating Whitchurch’s fantastic food and drink sector once again, where we’ll be shining a light on some of the region’s chefs, producers, performers, and businesses.”
Who Is Organising the 2026 Event?
Shropshire Festivals, the award-winning team behind major events like Shrewsbury Food Festival and Oktoberfest, is delivering the festival for Whitchurch Town Council. Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals said: “We are delighted to have been asked to deliver this brilliant event once again. The 2025 festival received an enormous amount of positive feedback, with families and friends enjoying live chef demonstrations, music performances, free kids’ activities, and a selection of stands from local businesses in the heart of the town.”
Heath further noted: “Whitchurch is such a warm, welcoming town, and is absolutely packed with talented chefs and producers – I’m so glad it can all be celebrated at the festival this May.” This partnership was hailed as a “big coup for the town” in prior coverage.
The Mayor added: “Shropshire Festivals delivered a fantastic event for the town last year, and we’re sure the 2026 festival will be even better. Make sure you save the date for a brilliant free day out for the whole family.” Note that in 2025 announcements, the Mayor was listed as Cllr Andy Hall, who said: “Whitchurch has a thriving food scene with some fantastic restaurants and producers based in the area. We are looking forward to shining a light on these brilliant North Shropshire businesses and celebrating Whitchurch with a free day out for all.”
What Attractions Will Feature at the Festival?
Attendees can expect live music on the bandstand, stands from local businesses, street food vendors, bars, chef demonstrations, a dedicated kids’ entertainment area, and a garden zone with hands-on activities from local organisations.
Drawing from 2025’s lineup, which included around 60 exhibitors, regional produce-focused chef demos for all ages, and sustainability initiatives, the 2026 event aims to build on this foundation. Specific 2025 highlights encompassed a kids’ zone with free inflatables, vintage games, alpacas, circus skills, and sports; Forest School demos on bees and food waste; seed-planting workshops; and an Edible Trail for hands-on picking of fresh produce from baskets and pots.
Beth Heath, Shropshire Festivals’ Director of Fun, remarked on the 2025 vibe: “The town has so much to offer, and such a passion for great food and community, we are bursting with ideas on how to reflect that. Don’t miss this free event, it’ll be a great day out for the whole family.” The bandstand will again host local bands and performers, potentially emceed by town officials as in previous years.
Why Was the Festival Revived and What Made 2025 a Success?
The festival, absent since before Covid, was successfully relaunched in 2025 at Jubilee Park, earning rave reviews for uniting families through food, entertainment, and community engagement. Whitchurch Town Council sought to spotlight the area’s vibrant food scene, including restaurants and producers.
Positive feedback focused on the blend of professional organisation and local flavour, with Shropshire Festivals’ expertise ensuring smooth delivery. As per Shropshire Star coverage, the event’s warmth and talent showcase positioned Whitchurch as a welcoming destination. Cllr Andy Hall in 2025 noted the award-winning team’s role as pivotal to revitalising the tradition.
How Can Locals Get Involved or Stay Updated?
Local businesses and producers are encouraged to apply for stands via the official site, though specific 2026 application details were not yet listed in announcements. In 2025, applications were directed . Social media updates from the Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival Facebook page confirm: “We’re doing it all again on Saturday 16th May 2026… Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear…”
The event remains free, promoting accessibility for all in North Shropshire. Visit Shropshire also promotes it as a key attraction, aligning with regional tourism efforts. Councillor Rose Hall urged: “Make sure you save the date for a brilliant free day out for the whole family.”
What Makes Whitchurch a Foodie Hotspot?
Whitchurch boasts a “thriving food scene” with fantastic restaurants and producers, as repeatedly highlighted by officials. The festival serves as a platform to celebrate these assets alongside regional exhibitors, fostering community pride and economic boost.
Beth Heath emphasised the town’s packed talent: “Whitchurch is such a warm, welcoming town, and is absolutely packed with talented chefs and producers.” This positions the May 16 event as more than a festival—it’s a showcase of North Shropshire’s culinary heartbeat.
