Ashburton Food Festival returns on Saturday 12th September, with a new opening night event - The Dartmoor Feast - on the Friday 11th.
2026 year marks the festival's 15th anniversary, alongside Dartmoor National Park's 75th anniversary. It's being celebrated with a new opening night event, The Dartmoor Feast, showcasing the landscape, producers and heritage that shape the region's food and drink.
What to expect
Saturday's main festival will see more than 50 food and drink traders, showcasing the best of local produce and craftsmanship, wind their way through the heart of the town. The festival programme features:
- Masterclasses, including a wine tasting with Susy Atkins from Saturday Kitchen.
- Panel discussions with local food organisations Apricot Centre and Food in the Community.
- Live music from The Hot House Combo, Stompin Dave and othersīˇKids' activities and picnic spaces.
New for 2026
The festival introduces a new green space for live music, alongside expanded children's activities and picnic areas, with a new festival bar run by Bays Brewery.
The Dartmoor Feast
A new opening night event takes place on Friday evening at The Dartmoor Lodge, featuring a specially curated meal inspired by Dartmoor. Each dish showcases ingredients and stories rooted in the landscape, offering a deeper connection to the region's food culture.
Five chefs will collaborate on a five-course menu:
- Tom Hill, Duck Soup and Emilia's, Ashburton.
- Ollie Vernon, The Chagford Inn, Trencherman's Award for Best Pub.
- Chiara Tomasoni, Grand Finalist, MasterChef: The Professionals.
- Connor Reed, former Head Chef Tutor, River Cottage.
- Ed Nagy, Head Chef, Dartmoor Lodge
"Fifteen years is a milestone worth marking properly. Ashburton is one of the foodiest towns in the South West, built on real local talent and passion, and this festival exists to celebrate that."
David Kilkelly, Ashburton Food Festival