FESTIVALS 2027
Colchester Food & Drink Festival 2027
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 June 2027
Venue: Lower Castle Park, St Peter’s Street entrance (Ryegate), Colchester, Essex, CO1 1HL
Opening times: 11am–6pm both days
Choose your tickets
Choose your festival day and tickets below. Adult admission is £12 per person, per day in advance, plus Eventbrite booking fees, or £13 on the gate. Under-16s enter free with a paying adult; an essential carer enters free with a paying disabled attendee. VIP reserved seating is £30 per person and includes admission for the selected day.
Colchester Food & Drink Festival returns to Lower Castle Park in June 2027.
A celebration of food, drink and live entertainment
Join us in Lower Castle Park for a fantastic weekend of international street food, artisan producers, bars, shopping and live entertainment. Bring friends and family to discover delicious flavours and enjoy a relaxed summer festival.
Food, drink and entertainment for everyone
Explore international street food, artisan food and drink producers, cakes, desserts and sweet treats, alongside festival bars, shopping stalls, live music and family entertainment.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads. Under-16s enter free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Discover delicious flavours
Enjoy freshly prepared dishes from around the world, gourmet street food, local producers, speciality drinks, cakes and desserts. There’s something for every appetite.
Festival bars and live music
Relax with a drink, enjoy live music and soak up the festival atmosphere. Food and drinks are sold separately; alcoholic drinks are available to adults aged 18 and over, subject to age checks.
Plan your festival visit
The festival is open from 11am to 6pm on both days. Browse the food stalls and independent traders at your leisure, and check with the festival team on the day for entertainment times.
VIP reserved seating
Relax in your own VIP area with guaranteed reserved seating, waitress service to your table, private VIP toilet facilities and a dedicated entrance to the private area. Your seating is close to the entertainment stage, with a choice of undercover or outdoor seating.
VIP admission is £30 per person, per seat, plus Eventbrite booking fees, and includes festival admission for your selected day. Food and drinks, including beers and spirits, are available to buy separately.
There are 100 VIP seats available per day. Tables seat up to eight people; a full eight-seat table costs £240 plus booking fees. Select your VIP seating option in the booking area below.
Getting here & parking
Free visitor parking is at Kings Meadow, end of Catchpool Road, Colchester, CO1 1XN. Walk along Pavilion View and cross the Lower Castle Park footbridge to reach the festival; allow approximately five minutes. Follow the event signs and ask the team if you need directions.
Disabled parking is available at the Leisure World Sports Centre. Please contact us before your visit if you need help with access.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the festival?
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June 2027, 11am–6pm both days, at Lower Castle Park. Use the St Peter’s Street entrance (Ryegate).
Where can I park?
Free visitor parking is at Kings Meadow, CO1 1XN. The walking route via Pavilion View and the footbridge takes approximately five minutes; see the map above.
Can children attend?
Yes. Under 16s have free admission and must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or over.
Can I bring my dog?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please keep your dog on a lead, under control, and clean up after them.
How do I buy tickets?
Use the booking area above to reserve your chosen day. Adult admission is £12 in advance, plus Eventbrite booking fees, or £13 on the gate if you have not booked in advance. Tickets are valid for one festival day.
Is there accessible parking?
Disabled parking is available at the Leisure World Sports Centre. Contact us beforehand to discuss your access needs.
Are there options for different diets or allergies?
Explore the food traders and ask each trader directly about ingredients, allergens and preparation before ordering.
Can I bring my own alcohol?
Alcohol bought outside the festival cannot be brought onto the site. Bag searches may take place on entry.
What will there be to enjoy?
International street food, artisan traders, festival bars, live entertainment and family activities.
Need a hand planning your visit?
For event or access enquiries, contact [email protected] or call 07984 358255.