Ashford Food and Drink Festival 2026: Dates, Times and What to Expect at the Town Centre Showcase

The post above, shared by @sojanuk, captures the mood well. “There were some really great stalls with incredible street food, artisan goods, and fresh produce,” they wrote. The sort of first-hand account that gets people off the sofa.

The Wine Evening That Kicks Things Off

Before the main event, there’s a separate evening worth putting in the diary. On Friday 26 June 2026, Ashford town centre hosts “An Evening With Wine Garden of England” — a preview event timed to coincide with English Wine Week. The Wine Garden of England is the collective representing Kent’s award-winning vineyards, and it gives wine lovers a chance to sample the county’s growing scene before the Saturday crowds arrive. Kicks off at 7pm.

Kent’s wine reputation has grown considerably over the past decade. And events like this give smaller vineyards — the ones without the marketing budgets to shout very loudly — direct access to the people who might actually buy their bottles.

Why Ashford Borough Council Organises It

Simple, really. The festival sits within Ashford Borough Council’s broader effort to bring footfall back to the town centre. Working alongside Love Ashford — the town centre promotion brand — the council uses events like this to support local traders and make Ashford somewhere people actually choose to come to, rather than somewhere they drive past on the way to Canterbury or the coast.

Visit Kent also lists the festival among the county’s food and drink events, placing it within a wider picture of food tourism across the region. But that’s not just box-ticking — when visitors come specifically for the festival, they tend to spend in nearby shops, cafés and hospitality venues too. Which adds up.

Family-Friendly From the Start

It’s not just about the food. The festival is designed to keep families occupied for the whole day, with children’s activities — including a Cardboard Café — arts and crafts and live entertainment running alongside the stalls. Longer visits mean more spending, which suits the traders and the town centre alike. Everyone wins.

So whether you’re coming for the street food, the local wine, the live music, or just a decent day out with the kids, keep 27 June free.

Practical Details at a Glance

Free to attend. Ashford town centre, centred on the High Street and Elwick Place. If you’re driving in, it’s worth checking with Ashford Borough Council or Love Ashford closer to the date — specific road and parking arrangements for the day haven’t been confirmed in publicly available sources yet, and things can change.

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Key Takeaways

• The Ashford Food and Drink Festival takes place on Saturday 27 June 2026, from 10am to 7pm, across Ashford town centre including the High Street and Elwick Place area
• A separate preview wine evening, “An Evening With Wine Garden of England,” runs on Friday 26 June 2026 from 7pm, tying into English Wine Week and showcasing Kent vineyards
• The festival is organised by Ashford Borough Council in partnership with Love Ashford and features street food, artisan goods, fresh produce, live cooking demonstrations, street theatre, arts and crafts and live music

What This Means for Kent Residents

If you’re in or around Ashford on 27 June, this is a free, full-day event with something for most tastes — street food, fresh local produce, live music, family activities. Local producers and small traders benefit directly from the concentrated footfall the festival brings, so it’s an easy way to support Kent businesses while actually enjoying yourself. If you’re planning to drive in, keep an eye on updates from Ashford Borough Council and Love Ashford in the run-up, as parking details and any temporary access changes are expected to be confirmed closer to the date.