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Hampshire is famous for its exceptional food and drink and this summer we have a jam packed programme of events to celebrate our love of food and drink. You’ll find delicious food festivals, foodie themed music events, cocktail celebrations and many more foodie inspired activities. If you love your food and drink Hampshire is the place to visit this summer.
Our guide below highlights the top 10 summer foodie themed events in Hampshire. For a full guide of summer events in Hampshire see our what’s on guide.
Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July
If you love seafood this is an event for you! This free weekend event celebrates Portsmouth’s seafood and ancient fishing heritage with seafood and local produce stalls, tastings, seafood specialists, seafood chefs in action and a programme of live music. Gunwharf Quays is home to over 90 famous brands so don’t forget to schedule in some shopping time.
Every Sunday evening throughout June, July and August
Enjoy your favourite drink whilst enjoying the sunset over the city of Portsmouth, 100 metres above sea level. Emirates Spinnker Tower’s bar will be serving a number of local ales and spirits including Uphams Ale and Isle of Wight Gin. Sip your dink, listen to live music and watch the sun go down.
Sunday 1st July until Tuesday 31st July
The Hampshire food festival is a month long celebration of the finest food and drink produced in Hampshire. Throughout the month you’ll find a jammed pack programme of events including farmer’s markets, cookery classes, pop-up eateries, vineyard tours plus much, much more.
Saturday 14th July
If you want to relax whilst enjoying amazing food and musical talent smoke and uncut is the festival for you. This small summer festival features some of the best street food, BBQs, wood-fired flat breads and old school ice-creams. This event is very popular so be sure to book your tickets straight away.
Monday 16th July until Sunday 22nd July
Top venues in Southampton are coming together for a week of cocktails and you are invited. This week long event is an opportunity to sample the best of Southampton’s cocktail scene with special signature cocktails, cocktail themed events and exclusive masterclasses. Wristbands are available to purchase now.
Why not make your visit to Hampshire longer by booking accommodation? Choose from campsites, hotels, glamping, holiday cottages and much more. See our accommodation guide.
Sunday 22nd July
Hampshire is famous for its English Sparkling wine and the county is home to seven vineyards. This festival celebrates all things Hampshire wine related with vineyard tours, workshops, tastings and the chance to meet the winemakers.Each year the vineyards across Hampshire take turn to host the festival and this year it will be held at Raimes Vineyard near Alresford. This is a must attend event for any wine lover.
Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th July
This traditional county show brings together all things Hampshire with livestock displays, stalls, horse-riding, fairground rides and local food drink. Foodie lovers can enjoy fun kitchen workshops for the whole family, a local produce market, cooking demonstrations from top local chefs and an array of food and drink to be enjoyed whilst exploring the show. Tickets can be booked in advanced or purchased on the day.
Sunday 5th August
The picturesque town of Stockbridge in the Test Valley is famous for its trout fishing and this annual one day free festival celebrates this by bringing together the very best local food, drink and produce to Stockbridge’s high street. You’ll find over 100 stalls showcasing local food, produce and craft as well as live music and children’s entertainment.
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August
The Lymington Seafood Festival is two days of fishy fun, delicious food and drink stalls and live music. Taking place on the coast of the New Forest National Park in the picturesque town of Lymington, this event is a must for any seafood lover. Around 300 artisan food and drink producers will be cooking up different delicacies for you to enjoy.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August
Love cheese? Or love chillies? Then this event is for you. Taking place in the historic city of Winchester you’ll find an array of cheese and chilli stalls from across the world. If cheese and chillies aren’t for you the event has a number of other attractions including cooking demonstrations, pig racing, live music performances and a beer festival.
For a full guide to summer events in Hampshire see our what’s on guide.
Looking for places to eat in Hampshire? See our restaurant guide.
Related
Gunwharf Quays is the UK’s only waterfront outlet shopping destination. Located on Portsmouth’s historic waterfront, you can shop at over 90 famous brands including Coach, North Face, The White Company, Hugo Boss and Nike; grab a bite to eat in a choice of over 30 restaurants, bars and cafes; and watch the boats go by as you take in the stunning marina location.
The iconic Spinnaker Tower stands at a soaring 170 metres tall, offering awe-inspiring 23 mile views over Portsmouth, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. From delicious High Teas to mind-boggling virtual reality, nerve-jangling abseils to magical weddings, there are outstanding experiences for everyone, all set against the most breath-taking of backdrops.
The Cheese & Chilli Festival is set to spice up the summer, with highlights including a chilli eating competition, food challenges, cooking demonstrations, family friendly entertainment and much, much more! The Cheese & Chilli Festival offers a fantastic family friendly, fun-filled event. Spicing things up with all things cheese and chilli, the event will see a whole host of tasty treats, amazing entertainment and food competitions for those that can handle the heat.
Raise a glass 100 metres above sea level while enjoying a panoramic view of the sunset over Portsmouth Harbour at Emirates Spinnaker Tower. Sunset Sundays events offer live music and a sky-high pop-up bar serving wines, beers and spirits including locally sourced favourites such as Upham Ale, Portsmouth Distillery and Isle of Wight Gin.
Hampshire Food Festival is taking a break for 2024. Check back for details of future events. Wander through vines, explore the lavender fields, tour breweries and get hands on in the kitchen. All this and more is happening across the county as part of July’s month-long Hampshire Food Festival organised by local food group, Hampshire Fare.
The Vineyards of Hampshire (VoH) Fizz Fest is returning for its tenth year, showcasing Hampshire's leading vineyards at The Grange, The Winery at Burges Field Vineyard.
Taking place in Brockenhurst in the heart of the National Park, the New Forest Show offers visitors 30 acres of showground for the whole family to explore. Showcasing the very best of the New Forest and Hampshire, the Show brings together livestock and equine competitors, local producers, local businesses all topped off with lots of delicious food and drink and an exciting timetable of main ring attractions.
Trout ‘n About is a thriving local food festival which takes place in the market town of Stockbridge on the first Sunday of August every year. With over 100 stalls showcasing the very best of local food, produce and crafts, it is a family friendly event attracting thousands of visitors from all around.
Taking place on 14th – 16th July, Lymington Seafood Festival is one of the UK’s leading boutique food festivals. With views across the Solent, the town hosts some of the south coasts most delicious seafood stands, a pop-up restaurant, craft ales, gins, a rum shack and Hattingley Valley supplying award-winning bubbles. Expect live music all weekend with ‘Tina Turner’ taking the stage for Saturday’s tribute night.
