10 European food festivals you won't want to miss this summer

Europe has no shortage of food and drink festivals, from Spain’s La Tomatina, when a sea of crimson tomatoes flow down the streets, to Oktoberfest, where tall glasses of Festbier are raised into the Bavarian air.

Beyond the thronging crowds and viral images, however, are culinary celebrations that remain entrenched in heritage and history. Quiet villages come alive to extol the virtues of regional produce such as potatoes, and colourful cities like Leskovac in Serbia and Gijón in Spain revel in their own unique styles of cooking.

Here are 10 of the best festivals at which to enjoy mouth-watering food and drink in Europe this summer — most of which are free to enter.

1. Festival da Sardinha, Portimão, Portugal

When: 4-9 August 2026
Every August, the aroma of fish on charcoal rises from the riverside of Portimão, where the humble sardine takes centre stage. Once a main driver of the city’s economy, sardines are celebrated at a festival that opens with a traditional unloading — a reenactment involving 80 actors and 500kg of fresh fish. All the while, wailing seabirds circle above the large open-air barbecue that runs along the water. The sardines are served the Algarve way: on a slice of rustic bread to soak up the oil.

2. Sagra della ’Nduja di Spilinga, Calabria, Italy

When: 8 August 2026
Italy is famous for its many sagras — traditional festivals centred around a specific dish or ingredient — and the Sagra della ’Nduja is one of the spiciest, in both taste and energy. Now popular on menus beyond Italy’s borders, ’nduja — a spreadable sausage made of pork and chilli — was born in the Calabrian town of Spilinga, which this year marks the 50th anniversary of its sagra. Expect a range of fiery dishes to try (don’t miss the fileja alla ’nduja pasta), all paired with soft Calabrian red wines to complete the authentic Italian experience. Watch out, too, for Mata and Grifone — papier-mache giants that are paraded through the streets.

3. Natural Cider Festival, Gijón, Spain

When: 20-30 August 2026
The natural cider of the Asturias region is not only inscribed on Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, but is also celebrated each August by thousands who come together to drink it under the Spanish sun. There’s a market serving cider and other apple-themed treats, such as ice cream and empanadas, but the main event is an attempt to break a record. The world’s largest simultaneous cider pour brings nearly 10,000 people to Poniente Beach to fill a glass the Asturian way — by lifting the bottle to head height and pouring it into a glass by the waist in order to stimulate carbonation.

4. Fête du Bleu d’Auvergne, Riom-ès-Montagnes, France

When: 22-23 August 2026
Bleu d’Auvergne is a blue-veined cheese with a creamy mushroom flavour, made from the milk of the cows that graze Auvergne’s hillsides. Each year it draws up to 20,000 people to the quaint town of Riom-ès-Montagnes for the Fête du Bleu d’Auvergne, during which over 100 exhibitors line the streets, creating an atmosphere as bold and vibrant as the aroma of the cheese itself. The Gentiane Express — a tourist train that weaves through the region’s lush valleys and villages — even offers gourmet shuttles that stop on the stunning Barajol Viaduct for a tasting break. Live production and cooking demonstrations, music and quizzes will complete the weekend in 2026, marking 50 years since the cheese gained its protected AOC status.

5. Roštiljijada Barbecue Festival, Leskovac, Serbia

When: 24-30 August 2026
This celebration of Serbian barbecuing is renowned in the Balkan region, attracting up to half a million visitors annually. Leskovački roštilj encompasses a range of specific preparation and cooking techniques, grilling in particular, which originated in the historic city of Leskovac, where the festival is held. The city’s main street is shut for the week to host local vendors, barbecue competitions and live music for the throngs who travel here to soak in Serbian culture, munching on juicy ćevapi sausages or tender pljeskavica burgers as they do so. The highlight is an attempt to create the world’s largest pljeskavica, breaking the town’s own record each year; in 2025 the patty weighed a whopping 90kg.

6. Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt, Bad Dürkheim, Germany

When: 11-15 & 18-21 September 2026
Germany is known for its beer extravaganza, Oktoberfest, but it also hosts the largest wine festival in the world — Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt. Despite its name translating to ‘Dürkheim sausage market’, a pivot in the 19th century means it’s now wine that brings over 600,000 people to the Wurstmarkt, with 36 stalls selling over 300 different varieties from the region’s vineyards. Jazz music fills the tents in the Wine Village on Sundays, and children can experience a range of amusement rides. Hop on the Ferris wheel for the best view of the spectacular fireworks display on the final evening, as the inky sky is blotted with explosive bursts of colour.

7. The Big Brine, London, UK

When: 12-13 September 2026
Brand new for 2026, The Big Brine takes place in London’s vibrant East End. Pickles have exploded in popularity in recent years, and now lovers of this food can open the jar to a new world of fermented flavours and sour snacks. Over two days, artisan producers and chefs will present all things pickled, brined and fermented — including unexpected flavour pairings and high-quality classics. Fermentation demonstrations will get you itching to experiment in your own kitchen, but only after staying to enjoy live music and DJ sets at one of Hackney Bridge’s modern bars. Tickets cost £22.25 and can be booked online.

8. Bulgarian Plum Festival, Troyan, Bulgaria

When: 18-21 September 2026 (provisional dates)
Bulgaria hosts a range of ultra-specific food festivals dedicated to everything from yoghurt to sprats, but one highlight of its culinary calendar is the plum festival that takes over the town of Troyan in September. Plums are the most grown fruit in Bulgaria and are used to make rakia — a strong brandy that’s the undisputed drink of the Balkans. Alongside the bacon-wrapped plums, plum preserves and plenty of rakia, there are cultural offerings including folktale dramatisations, local music and craft stands.

9. Eplafestival, Sandur, Faroe Islands

When: 19 September 2026
Every year, in a quiet corner of the Faroe Islands, families and farmers come together to celebrate the humble potato. In the 19th century, the vegetable was crucial for food security on this remote archipelago — now, it’s even used for games of ‘potato darts’, ‘potato racing’ and more at the Eplafestival. Try fresh Faroese cuisine with a view of verdant valleys and rising cliffs, then end the day with a traditional community sing-along. In 2026, Eplafestival falls on the same weekend as the Mikkeller Beer Celebration, which takes place in Tórshavn less than an hour’s drive away, giving visitors the chance to enjoy two doses of the local culture.

10. Äppelmarknaden, Kivik, Sweden

When: 19-27 September 2026
The largest apple market in Sweden, Äppelmarknaden began almost 40 years ago as an attempt to promote Swedish-grown fruit. A folk festival with apples at its core, the event is best-known for the Äppeltavlan — a huge picture created using thousands of red and green apples. The fruit mosaic is revealed during the opening weekend, alongside the drumming feet of folk dancers and the scent of smoked delicacies swirling in the country air. The second weekend is family-focused, with face painting and pony riding among the activities. Craft cider, preserves, textiles and jewellery complete the offering. Tickets cost 75KR-140KR (£6-£11) depending on the day and are available to purchase on site.