Colchester Food & Drink Festival 2026

Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2026

11am – 6pm Both Days

📍 Lower Castle Park
St Peters Street Entrance (Ryegate)
Colchester, Essex, CO1 1HL

Originally established in 1999, the Colchester Food & Drink Festival now celebrates 27 years as one of Essex’s best-loved food and drink events.

Returning once again to the beautiful Lower Castle Park, this hugely popular summer festival brings together fantastic street food, artisan producers, live entertainment, shopping and family fun in the heart of historic Colchester.

Over the years, the festival has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors and become a major part of the Essex events calendar, attracting people from across the region and beyond.

Whether you are looking to discover incredible food from around the world, enjoy live music with friends, browse artisan shopping stalls, sample craft drinks, or simply relax and enjoy a fantastic atmosphere with the family — there is something for everyone.

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What To Expect

Visitors can enjoy a huge range of attractions, entertainment and food experiences throughout the weekend, including:

• Street Food from Around the World
• Craft Beer, Cider, Gin & Cocktail Bars
• Artisan Food & Drink Producers
• Cakes, Desserts & Sweet Treats
• Local Cheeses, Sauces & Handmade Produce
• Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free & Halal Options
• Live Music & Entertainment Throughout the Day
• Craft & Gift Stalls
• Children’s Rides & Family Attractions

The Colchester Food & Drink Festival combines the atmosphere of a summer festival with the quality and variety of a large food event, creating an unforgettable day out for visitors of all ages.

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Ticket Information

General Admission

• Adults: £8.00
• Under 16s: FREE

Disabled Visitors & Carers

Disabled visitors purchase a standard adult ticket, and one accompanying carer may enter free of charge with valid supporting ID or documentation.

Children under 16 already receive free entry, therefore accompanying carers for children under 16 also receive free admission where applicable.

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VIP Marquee Experience

For visitors looking to enjoy the festival in comfort and style, the exclusive VIP Marquee offers a premium festival experience throughout the day.

VIP Ticket Prices

• VIP Marquee Per Seat – £30
• VIP Table of Six – £160
• VIP Table of Eight – £210

VIP Experience Includes

• Complimentary welcome drink on arrival
• Exclusive VIP bar with reduced queueing
• Private covered seating area
• Waitress table service
• VIP lanyard
• Private toilet facilities

Enjoy all the atmosphere, entertainment and incredible food of the festival — with the added comfort of a dedicated VIP experience from start to finish.

⚠️ VIP tickets are strictly limited and regularly sell out in advance.

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Parking Information

FREE Parking

Free parking is available at:

Kings Meadow
End of Catchpool Road
CO1 1XN

From the car park, visitors can walk along Pavilion View and cross via the Lower Castle Park footbridge.

The festival entrance is approximately a five-minute walk from the parking area. Routes will be clearly signposted, and staff will be available to assist visitors with directions.

Disabled Parking

Disabled parking is available at the leisure centre.

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Alcohol & Bag Search Policy

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol into the festival.

Bag searches will be conducted upon entry, and any alcohol found will be confiscated.

By purchasing a ticket and attending the event, visitors agree to comply with this policy. Failure to comply may result in refusal of entry or removal from the festival site.

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Ticket Sales Policy

All ticket sales are final.

Refunds or exchanges will only be offered if the event is cancelled or rescheduled. This does not affect your statutory rights under UK consumer law.

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We look forward to welcoming you to Lower Castle Park for another fantastic weekend of food, drink, entertainment and summer atmosphere at the Colchester Food & Drink Festival 2026.

Beer supplied by

Ticket Sales Policy
All ticket sales are final. We do not offer refunds or exchanges unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled. This does not affect your statutory rights under UK consumer law.