The Harrogate Food & Drink Festival 2026, Ripley Castle

Whisks at the Ready – It's Time to Cook Up Some Fun! Join us for a jam-packed day of delicious creativity at our Kids Cooking Classes! Whether your little chef is a biscuit beginner or a pizza pro, there's something for every budding cook - and yes, adults can get stuck in too.

Class Schedule:

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

🧪 10:30 – Fizzy Cocktails & Exploding Rockets (Ages 5+)
A mad mix of science and silliness – goggles included!

🧀 11:30 – Cheese Scones (All Ages)
Golden, gooey, and just the right amount of crumbly.

🍕 12:30 – Pizza Making (All Ages)
Design your dream pizza with all your fave toppings.

🍪 13:30 – Choccy & Sugar Cookies (All Ages)
Get your hands doughy and your hearts happy!

🍦 14:30 – Make Your Own Ice Cream (All Ages)
From swirl to scoop – yes, it's as fun (and tasty) as it sounds.

🧪 15:30 – Fizzy Cocktails & Exploding Rockets (Ages 5+)
Because once just isn't enough!

From tiny tots to curious teens (and big kids too!), everyone can get involved - our classes are all about fun, flavour, and the simple joy of making your favourite treats together.

🎟️ Tickets are limited to 20 seats per class, so grab yours before they're gone – don't say we didn't warn ya! Please note this does not include general admission to the festival, which needs to be purchased separately.

Festival Overview:
We're returning to the peaceful parklands of Ripley Castle on August 22nd & 23rd, 2026, marking our seventh year in this beloved corner of Yorkshire. As we step into the new year, we're stepping into the realm of wild and whimsical - new production touches, fresh activities and unexpected moments you won't find anywhere else.

What's New for 2026:

• Brand-new Live Music Lineup - rock, pop, indie, jazz, swing, funk and soul. Evening tributes: Fleetwood Shack (Fleetwood Mac, Saturday) and The Freddie and Queen Experience (Queen, Sunday)
• Yorkshire's Leading Chefs in refreshed Cookery Theatre with new host Steph Moon! Featuring Ruth Hansom (Hansom Restaurant), Chris Hobson (Wrea Head Hall) and Adam Degg (Fifty Two Rudding Park)
• A FOURTH live stage - The Sizzling Showdown Arena, hosted by comedian Neil Frost. Featuring The Foodie Olympics, Wally Woof's Family Dog Show, The Chilli Challenge, and Pies Down Eyes Down Bingo with Barry Bingo
• Brand-new Attractions & Family Activities: Inflatable Banana Jousting, Viking Heritage Kitchen, Target Paintball, roaming acts and comedy
• Heightened Production & New Stage Designs with giant inflatables and donuts
• Refreshed Street Food, Bar and Markets: 21 independent street food & dessert vendors, 9 independent bars, 85+ local businesses and entrepreneurs

What's Included with Your Ticket:
👨‍🍳 FREE Live Chef Demos from Yorkshire's Leading Chefs (10 demos over 2 days)
🎵 FREE Live Music (Minimum of 12 acts over 2 days)
🎤 FREE Live Entertainment / Performing Arts – 6 shows per day
😂 FREE Roaming Comedy Acts
📖 FREE Festival Programmes
🎨 FREE Kids Activities & Foodie Colouring Books
🥇 FREE Foodie Olympics – Sports Day-Inspired Family Mini-Games
🕵️‍♀️ FREE Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt
🛍️ Explore Artisan Markets
🍔 Delicious Street Food from Leading Vendors
🪑 Ample Furniture & Deckchairs
🍻 Independent Bars (Ale House, Speciality Cider, Gin & Wine Bars)
🎠 Fun Fair
🖼️ Art Displays
⚡ Fast Track Entry

Street Food & Dining:
Over 30 cuisines from Greece, Italy, Spain, Jamaica, Malaysia, Venezuela, Gambia, Hungary, Mexico and more. Savoury options include slow-cooked beef, braised pork belly bao, and Birria tacos. Sweet treats feature Japanese bubble waffles, Dutch mini-pancakes, and Belgian chocolate brownies. Vegan options available at nearly every stall.

Live Entertainment:
Live Cookery Theatre with regional chefs, Independent Bars with craft cocktails, specialty rums, gins, ciders and alcohol-free options. Entertainment Arena with magic, comedy and circus acts. Children's entertainment includes Magic Matt's shows, foodie-quiz trails, drawing competitions, and traditional fun fair.

Community Impact:
Proud partnership with Harrogate Mind. Over £182,000 raised for mental health initiatives across the north so far.

FREE ENTRY into Ripley Castle Gardens and Grounds for ticket holders Please note, the castle itself remains closed.

Location: Ripley Castle Chapel Flats (Next to Ripley Cricket Club), Ripley Castle, HG3 3AX, GB
Opening Times: 10am - 8pm (Saturday) | 10am - 7pm (Sunday)

⭐ As seen in BBC, The Guardian & iNews ⭐
💬 "Variety of stalls, something for everyone, great atmosphere and entertainment." - 2025 Attendee Feedback