It is almost that time again for Oxford to host the Oxford Foodies Festival 2023! Tickets are now open for purchase and a very exciting line up has been released. The festival will be held 26th August 11am-9pm, 27th August 11am-9pm and 28th August 11am-8pm in Oxford’s South Park.
Oxford Foodies Festival 2023 – What is it and why you should go
The Oxford Foodies Festival is one of Oxford biggest yearly events, in association this year with Cotswold Life. It is a festival celebrating everything a foodie could ever want or need.
If you love all things food and drink then this is the festival for you! There are delicious street food stalls, artisan food and drink stalls, a drinks theatre, chilli eating competitions, a kids cookery theatre, a cake & bake theatre as well as live music entertainment. Dogs are also welcome as long as they are on leash, so there is fun to be had for all of the family.
What’s on?
Each day you will be treated to new chefs, singers and performers so every day will be different. Kids can get their hands dirty in the Kids Cookery Theatre, those who drink can enjoy delicious cocktails and bubbles in the Drinks Theatre, enjoy your street food or purchases in The Feasting Tent or simply find a nice spot to sit and enjoy the live music at The Main Stage.
Below is a list of what to expect on each day in the Cake & Bake and Chefs Theatre, which this year is called La Espanola, to help you decide which day you would like to go.
Alternatively you could have a look at the Oxford Foodies Festival website to ensure you are kept up to date with any changes.
26th August
Cake & Bake tent – Learn how to bake with expert bakers and Great British Bake Off Stars
- Christine & Phil Jensen from Channels 4’s Extreme Cake Makers
- Jack Sturgess from Bake with Jack
La Espanola Chefs Theatre – Watch Masterchef Champions and Michelin star chefs create signature dishes
- Samuel Squires from The Old Crown Coaching Inn
- Chruv Baker a MasterChef Champion
- Taste Tibet
27th August:
La Espanola Chefs Theatre – Watch Masterchef Champions and Michelin star chefs create signature dishes
- Mike North from the Nut Tree Inn
- Paul Welburn from The Swan Inn & Cygnet Restaurant
- Madeeha Qureshi a MasterChef Finalist
28th August:
La Espanola Chefs Theatre – Watch Masterchef Champions and Michelin star chefs create signature dishes
- Chariya Khattiyot a Masterchef Champion
- Alex Webb a MasterChef: The Professionals Champion
Tickets & Parking
Tickets are now available at the price of £23 per adult, £18 concession, £6 for those between 12 and 16, £3 for children between 6 and 12 and £49 for families consisting of 2 adults and 2 children. If you are wishing to grab yourself a goodie bag filled with delicious treats than you are able to purchase this alongside your tickets at £5 per bag.
There is also an option to upgrade to VIP if you are wanting to celebrate in style. The VIP experience will include a glass of bubbly on arrival, access to the VIP area, a goody bag, priority entry to the theatres and masterclass session as well as refreshments. Tickets start at £40 for the VIP experience.
Parking in and around Oxford can be a bit tricky. However, South Park does have their own parking on site which is available at the cost of £5 per car. If you are wishing to take public transport to the venue, buses 8, 9, 4A, 4B and 4C will bring you to St Clements Street which is just a few minutes walk away from the Foodies Festival entrance. There is also the option of the Park & Ride service. Catching the 400 from the Park & Ride will also bring you to St Clements.
Foodies Festival Line Up
Alongside the delicious food and drink stalls that will be available at the festival, you will also be treated to live music starring a different headline act each day. On day one of the festival August 26th you will be treated to the music of Scouting For Girls with hits like “She’s So Lovely” and “This Aint a Love Song”. On day two August 27th you will be serenaded by the sound of Sophie Ellis-Bextor with hits such as “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Take Me Home. Finally on the last day of the festival Martin Kemp, pop and TV legend who also graced the stage of The Masked Singer, will be taking it back to the 80s.
Whilst you are in Oxford why not see the sites. A great article to read about things to do in Oxford is “best places to go and things to see in Oxford”.
