Bishop Auckland is set to welcome top chefs and foodies from across the region for the annual Bishop Auckland Food Festival on Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19.
Durham County Council is pulling out all the stops as it prepares to welcome visitors across the weekend.
The Cookery Theatre will host a packed programme across the weekend, with top tips and techniques along with great bakes. Saturday guests include Phil Vickery; Shivi Ramatour, star of Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast; and 2025 Great British Bake-Off finalist Aaron Mountford-Myles. On Sunday, the stage will be ready for Briony May Williams, a previous Bake-Off contestant and presenter of Escape To The Country; last year’s Bake-Off winner Jasmine Mitchell; and Lumberjaxe, who came to the nation’s attention when they secured 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?
More than 150 traders will also be taking part in the festival. Whether it is something traditional, sweet treats, savoury favourites or world flavours, just make sure you are hungry.
For those with a sweet tooth, there’ll also 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 on both days. These sessions are bookable in advance at www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
It may be a food festival, but it’s not just food on the menu and 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 too, from Bell and Bullock – Big Bloomers, Granny Tourismo, and Bread and Butter Theatre Company to The Ran Tanners and Stanley Youngman Comedy Street Theatre.
New for 2026, the festival will also present Cookery School, sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Council. Children aged 5-11 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. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
There are arts and crafts too – 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, including potting and planting for kids.
The free festival is centred around the Market Place, in front of Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
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, 50p for children aged 5-15, 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.
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.”
To find out more, visit www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
