Wimborne Food Festival 2026

A Feast of Flavours in Wimborne

Wimborne is a charming town, loved for its independent shops, quaint model town, and incredible foodie spots – so it’s no surprise it has its very own food festival. If you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss the Wimborne Food Festival, returning this year on Saturday 19th September from 11am to 4pm.

Get ready to indulge in a feast of flavours, fun, and local delights as the festival brings together the best of Dorset’s culinary scene. This year’s event is packed with cooking demonstrations, expert talks, artisan stalls, and pop-up foodie experiences all around the town.

Joining the fun are a host of talented chefs and food experts. Colin Nash, chef at The Colin Nash Restaurant at The Retreat near Christchurch, will be cooking up delights in the demonstration tent on Willow Walk, showcasing seasonal, sustainable Dorset ingredients in a live cookery demonstration. Food lovers won't want to miss former Great British Bake Off contestant Maggie Richardson, who'll bring baking tips, behind-the-scenes stories and advice on mastering choux pastry. Cristina Cavalleri, owner of LovItaly Deli and Restaurant in Wimborne and Ringwood, will share Sardinian family recipes, including the secrets of a perfect tomato sauce and amaretti biscuits, joined by pastry chef Sarah Read.

Throughout Wimborne, food lovers can explore artisan delights. The Dorset Farmers' Market in Wimborne Square will showcase the very best local produce, including local cheeses, fresh bread, prime meats, and locally caught fish, not forgetting your fruit and vegetables.

East Street and Church Street will be transformed into a buzzy café culture, complete with alfresco dining, tasty samples, and live music. Over on Minster Green, a variety of foodie stalls will give festival goers plenty to browse.

There's also a chance for budding bakers to get involved! Wimborne's Great Big Choc Bake Off invites chocolate lovers, star bakers and kitchen creatives to enter a chocolate cake competition on the day. Entries can be dropped off at the marquee on Willow Walk, near Waitrose, between 3pm and 3.30pm, with judging by Maggie Richardson and Colin Nash. Slices will be sold afterwards to raise funds for the Mayor of Wimborne's chosen causes, Lewis-Manning Hospice and Waggy Tails Rescue, and the winner will take home a Neff pan set worth more than £100, kindly donated by Dacombes of Wimborne. There will also be junior categories for ages 7–11 and 12–16, with book tokens for the winning young bakers.

Festival organisers Wimborne BID are proud to celebrate the town's amazing food and drink scene. Fiona Pawsey, Chair of Wimborne BID, said: "Wimborne BID is delighted to showcase the wonderful food and drink retailers and producers in the town and county. This free festival promises a delicious day out!"

If you're a foodie, you won't want to miss this fabulous event, mark your calendar and head to Wimborne on 19th September, see you there!

For more info, visit the Wimborne Food Festival website.