Stalls are being set up and Bishop Auckland is looking its best as final preparations get underway for one of the region’s most popular events.
The Bishop Auckland Food Festival is just days from returning, with Durham County Council making final arrangements ahead of welcoming visitors over the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.
To help with your visit, the council has rounded up everything festival-goers need to know to have a great time:
See how the TV chefs do it
If you’re a fan of TV cookery shows, you’re sure to see some familiar faces. The Cookery Theatre will play host to a packed programme across the weekend, with top tips and techniques along with great bakes. Saturday guests include TV favourite Phil Vickery, Shivi Ramatour, star of Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast, as well as finalist from 2025 Great British Bake-Off, Aaron Mountford-Myles. On Sunday, the stage will be ready for Briony May Williams, previous Bake-Off contestant and now presenter of Escape To The Country; last year’s Bake-Off winner Jasmine Mitchell and finally Lumberjaxe, who came to the nation’s attention when securing investment on Dragon’s Den. Hosting them all across both days will be Chris Bavin, who has an impressive resume of TV appearances, including co-presenting Eat Well for Less?
Treat your tastebuds
With more than 150 traders taking part in the festival, you really will be spoilt for choice. Whether it is something traditional, sweet treats, savoury favourites or world flavours, just make sure you are hungry. Buy food to shop and take home, or enjoy some of the region’s very best street food for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, there’ll be workshops with chocolatier Paul A Young. Paul, who was raised in Trimdon Station and went to Wellfield Community School and New College Durham, will be hosting hour-long Perfect Truffles Masterclasses and
Adventures with Chocolate sessions, both days. These sessions are bookable in advance via the website: www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
Enjoy fun for all the family
It may be a food festival but it’s not just food on the menu – the event offers a fantastic entertainment programme.
There’ll be live music from Mick Arnell, Tyne Valley Big Band, Spennymoor Town Band, Steve Pledger, Ferryhill Town Band, Isabel Maria and Rock Choir.
The roaming acts are always entertaining and great fun – don’t miss them. Appearing will be Bell and Bullock – Big Bloomers, Granny Tourismo, Bread and Butter Theatre Company, The Ran Tanners and Stanley Youngman Comedy Street Theatre.
New for 2026, the festival is delighted to present Cookery School, sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Council. Children aged five to 11 can take inspiration from the professionals and give cookery a go themselves at these free hands-on sessions, organised by County Durham based cooking school Creative Kitchen. Make sure kids register early so as not to miss out, as spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
There’s arts and crafts – including the opportunity to send a message into space, make your own lino print postcard and decorate a peg doll.
The Auckland Project’s Artists’ Hub will also be offering creative activity and hands-on fun across festival weekend too, including potting and planting for kids.
Where, when and how much
The festival is centred around the Market Place, in front of the impressive Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and runs from 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and 10am to 4pm on the Sunday.
The event is FREE to visit.
How to get there
Visitors are strongly advised to use public transport or to take advantage of the Park and Ride bus service which will operate from Bishop Auckland College (DL14 6JZ). Buses will run from 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday, with the last return at 5.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. Return tickets cost £2.50 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15 years old and are free for those under five.
Town centre car parks will be open but may be busy and drivers should be aware of diversions due to road closures for the event.
“We really cannot wait”
Cllr Karen Allison, the council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “We really cannot wait now for Bishop Auckland Food Festival.
“There’s been a lot of work put into organisation as ever and the festival promises to be a fantastic day out for everyone.
“We have familiar faces from the world of TV cooking, food from over 150 traders as well as live music, roaming acts and arts and crafts.
“We look forward to seeing everyone from near and far and we hope businesses in the town benefit from the anticipated high visitor numbers in Bishop Auckland over the weekend.”
Find out more online
To find out more, visit the food festival website at www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
