For the first time since the pandemic, several London festivals are scheduled this year with the return of All Points East, the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, and Meatopia.
Here are some of the food festivals in store you should be aware of:
Pub in the Park
When: 17 June — 18 September
Where: Various locations
What: Pub in the Park celebrates everything about ye good ol’ British pub. Naturally, this means pub grub, chef partnerships, guest beers, and lots of music. The touring festival kicked off in May, with dates planned around the country until September.
All Points East
When: 19 — 27 August
Where: Victoria Park, Grove Road. Bow E3 5TB
What: The music festival has become one of the capital’s premier events since its launch in 2019. For 2022, it will revert to its original format, being held over two weekends in Victoria Park in east London. Alongside a diverse musical line-up, expect a range of food trucks from festival veterans, East London traders, and an array of cocktails.
Yam Carnival
When: 27 August
Where: Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, Clapham SW4 9DE
What: From the creators of Afro Nation, Yam Carnival is a celebration of the cultures of the African diaspora, including the Caribbean and Latin American representation. As well as live music from the Afrobeat, reggaeton, R&B, hip hop, Afro-swing, and dancehall genres across three stages, expect African-influenced food trucks, Caribbean cuisine, Latin American staples, and American-inspired options from New Orleans creole and cajun cooking to southern soul food.
Chinese Food Festival
When: 26 — 28 August
Where: Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury WC1B 3ES
What: As well as workshops, demos and market stalls, cuisine from several provinces in China will be available to try at this festival to showcase Chinese culture. Restaurants, including Master Wei Xi’An, Rice Coming, and Chilli Legend, will be preparing a selection of their popular dishes from Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, and Hunan.
Estrella Galicia’s Gastronomy Month
When: 1 — 30 September
Where: Various locations
What: This month-long celebration of Spanish cuisine is returning this September. Occurring at various locations across the UK, diners can go to masterclasses, try special guest tapas, and order tasting menus. London locations taking part include Bar Daskal, Barrafina and Parrilla at Borough Yards, and Brindisa in Battersea.
Meatopia
When: 2 — 4 September
Where: Tobacco Dock, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, Wapping E1W 2SF
What: London’s fire-cooking festival returns with 70 of the world’s best live-fire chefs cooking exclusive dishes, using sustainable wood and charcoal and responsibly sourced ingredients. Beverages will come from craft brewers, artisan distillers, and mixologists.
London Halal Festival
When: 24 — 25 September
Where: London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 2ST
What: A host of London’s halal establishments have come together with a live cooking theatre, shopping stalls, and over 100 food stands featuring halal burgers, hot dogs, and other street food. A variety of international cuisine, dessert stalls, mocktails, and food competitions — including chili challenges and eat-offs — await at this event, which challenges bragging guests to prove their eating prowess in front of a live audience.
Rumfest
When: 15 — 16 October
Where: ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, Earl’s Court SW6 1UD
What: A bonanza of tastings, seminars, and demonstrations from distillers and blenders — both new and established — will mark the finale of London Rum Week, which runs from 10 — 17 October. Food and rum pairing classes will be hosted by various traders, who will also serve a selection of snacks and meals based on rum as an accompaniment and ingredient.