Cardiff’s much-loved Food and Drink Festival is set to return this summer, offering an exciting blend of local food heroes, global flavours, award-winning producers, and a diverse programme of live music over three days. From Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, visitors to Cardiff Bay’s Roald Dahl Plass can enjoy a vibrant celebration of Welsh produce, alongside homegrown and international independent traders, serving up street food flavours from around the world.
A Celebration of Welsh and Global Cuisine
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Jennifer Burke, said: “Year after year, Cardiff Food and Drink Festival delivers a real treat for the taste buds and a great family day out that draws visitors to Cardiff Bay from far and wide.” This year’s festival features a strong line-up of Welsh businesses, including Cardiff Dough & Co, offering fresh brioche doughnuts and cookies made less than five miles from the site, and The Dough Thrower, serving freshly made wood-fired pizzas crafted with quality ingredients.
Food lovers can also enjoy bold global flavours, such as Keralan Karavan’s southern Indian street food, and crowd-pleasing favourites like Fat Bottom Welsh Cakes, serving traditional and inventive variations on the classic treat. Returning festival favourites include Barti Rum, an award-winning Welsh spiced rum infused with hand-picked Pembrokeshire laver seaweed, and The Mighty Soft Shell Crab, known for its standout tempura dish. Other notable traders include Cardi Bay Bangers, who produce premium sausages from Teifi Valley ingredients; The Bearded Taco’s award-winning Mexican street food; and Zio’s Gelateria, offering locally made gelato and sorbets from Barry Island.
Live Music Line-Up Across Three Days
Alongside the food offering, the festival will feature a packed programme of live music, showcasing a wide range of genres from indie pop and folk to reggae, funk and beyond. Friday’s line-up includes jangly guitar pop from Newport’s Burning Ferns, and one of the UK’s leading Cuban salsa bands, Fiesta Resistance, bringing Latin flair to the waterfront. Festivalgoers can also enjoy a who’s who of Congolese musical talent as Soukous specialists Kasai Masai, led by the “Voodoo King” Nickens Nkoso, sound a high-energy close to the day.
On Saturday, highlights include quirky indie pop from Dan’s People, eclectic twin-led outfit Nookee, and Butetown legend Keith Murrell and his band Roots and Branches, shining a light on reggae’s rich musical heritage. Sunday’s programme offers a soulful finale, with Jack Mac’s Funk Pack returning with brassy grooves, and Tiger Bay legend Li Harding leading a performance of soul, jazz, R&B and New Orleans sounds, backed by Gary Phillips’ internationally renowned band. Singing in Sanskrit, Welsh, Hindi and English, festival debutants Gitan will bring a unique cultural fusion, blending Welsh folk with Indian classical influences.
Opening Times and Admission
Opening times are as follows: Friday 12pm–10pm, Saturday 11am–10pm, and Sunday 11am–7pm. The Street Food Piazza and Bars are open until 10pm, while the Farmers Market, Producers Fair and Crafters Market close at 9pm, and trade stalls close at 7pm. Entry to the Cardiff Food and Drink Festival site is free, and no ticket is needed.
