One of the North’s most popular food festivals is back, and it’s not just about the food. From 24th to 26th May, Malton’s Food Lovers Festival promises a packed Bank Holiday weekend of flavour, craft, music and family fun.
Held across the town centre, the free event features over 100 stalls showcasing food and drink from across Yorkshire and beyond. Visitors can expect to see top TV chefs and Michelin-starred talent on the demonstration stage, but that’s just the beginning.
“This is one of the biggest and best festivals we’ve ever hosted,” says Mark Brayshaw from Visit Malton CIC. “Malton is a town of markets and makers. While food is the highlight, this is an incredibly family-friendly event with something for everyone.”
Food, Fun and Forging
Away from the food stalls, there’s plenty to discover. Visitors can try their hand at blacksmithing with MUST Forge, creating their own metal rose in a hands-on workshop that runs hourly from Saturday to Monday. Each session lasts around 40 minutes and can be booked online.
Families with young children can head to the vintage funfair in The Shambles car park. Expect a traditional mix of rides, stalls and games. Over in Newgate, near the Yorkshire Pudding wall, Animal House Birds of Prey will be showing off rescued owls and hawks. You can even hold one with the help of a special gauntlet.
A new Sculpture Trail adds a creative twist to the weekend, with more than 20 artworks dotted around the town. Live music from local brass bands, choirs and buskers, including White Star Band and Yorkshire Voices, will keep festivalgoers entertained as they eat and explore.
Family Activities and Puffin Selfies
A dedicated children’s tent will host storytelling and craft activities throughout the festival. For something a little different, the RSPB will be bringing a six-foot tall puffin to town. It’s a rare chance to grab a selfie with one of Yorkshire’s most recognisable birds, without needing to travel to Bempton Cliffs.
Getting There
Parking in Malton during the festival is limited, so drivers are encouraged to use the Park & Ride, signposted from the A64. For £7.50, you’ll get a parking space and return shuttle service to the festival. Public transport is a strong option too, with Malton served by the Coastliner bus and the TPExpress train from Liverpool to Scarborough via York. It’s just an 8-minute walk from the station to the heart of the festival.
As Brayshaw puts it, “It might be called the ‘Glastonbury of Food’, but there’s no need to scramble for tickets. Just turn up and enjoy the atmosphere.”
For the full programme of chef demos and events, head to visitmalton.com/food-festival-yorkshire.
