Autumn Food Festivals

Louisa Harry-Thomas reviews the highlights of the autumn festivals and is tempted by the season’s festive fairs.

Abergavenny hosts biggest Welsh food festival yet

Wales’ largest food festival this year welcomed 37,000 visitors and 220 traders across nine market sites to its most successful festival yet. In unprecedented September sunshine, visitors to the 21st Abergavenny Food Festival heard awe-inspiring stories from some of the most knowledgeable and powerful voices in food. The Monmouthshire market town hosted forages, feasts, talks and masterclasses on everything from butchery to vinegars. Our favourite was the fantastic cooking over fire demonstration by Samantha Evans and Shauna Guinn of Hang Fire Southern Kitchen in Barry (also seen on BBC’s Sam and Shauna’s Big Cookout) who cooked up a storm with some fabulous free-range Monmouthshire pork.

www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Plum festival celebrates PDO status

The annual Denbigh Plum Fest this year had reason to celebrate. Despite Brexit shenanigans, the Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum received Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the Union earlier this year, thus boosting the status of Wales’ only native plum. Festival goers across the weekend enjoyed free entrance and parking, and more than 40 quality food and craft stalls. There were imaginative plum delights ranging from plum chocolate truffles by Aballu of Wrecsam, plum vinegar and cordial by King’s Garden of Denbigh, and plum dessert from Llaeth y Llan, Llanefydd. Look out for more plum fun next year on 3 October 2020.

www.facebook.com/The-DenbighPlum-100877286748571

Gwledd Conwy Feast - Conwy, 25-27 October

This year’s festival promises to be larger than life, as S4C’s BBQ sensation Chris (‘Bwyd Epic’) Roberts will be heating up the coals. The Welsh Pinc Ffloyd will be raising the temperature in the music marquee and a virtual reality menagerie of mini beasts, plus pedigree sheep, turkeys, cows, pigs and chickens will play a central part in the festivities. Enjoy two days and nights of live music across two stages and where else can you make a bug hotel, meet a giant red squirrel, get creative in a bug life art workshop and then take part in a bug lantern parade? A family ticket is available from £25.20 (online).

www.conwyfeast.co.uk

Taste of West Wales Winter Festival - National Botanic Garden of Wales, 9-10 November

More than 75 exhibitors are expected with food, drink, gifts and treats. There will be entertainment from cookery and craft demonstrations, while street food vendors will endeavour to keep visitors’ energies up. Open from 10 till 4.

botanicgarden.wales/visit/whats-on/taste-of-westwales-winter-festival

Llandudno Christmas Fayre – Llandudno, 14-17 November

Probably one of the largest Christmas fayres in Wales, this four day event will feature more than 150 food and craft stalls and farmer Gareth Wyn Jones as event ambassador! Tickets are £3.75 when booked in advance.

www.llandudnochristmasfayre.co.uk

Royal Welsh Winter Fair - Builth Wells, 25-26 November

As one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, at the Llanelwedd Showground, always draws the crowds who come to enjoy the heaving Welsh food hall, choirs, bands and competitions – and, of course, gawp at the prizewinning livestock. Great news, too - the fair will again be open for free after 4pm on Monday for late night Christmas shopping, a thrilling fireworks display and maybe a special visit from you know who! Buy your e-tickets now.

www.rwas.wales

Abergavenny Christmas Fair - Abergavenny, 6 December

The ‘full’ Abergavenny Food Festival will return next year on 19-20 September, but if you’re missing that special Abergavenny charm meantime, the Christmas Fair in the Abergavenny Market Hall should fill the gap. We are promised carol singers and music, chestnut roasting, culinary gifts and, of course, festive food and drink. Plus, for the first time this year, a street-food and night market, and a short programme of special events. If the summer event is anything to go by, the events should be good. Entry is a snip at £6.50. See you there?

www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Food and Craft Festival – Portmeirion, 6-8 December

If you’ve never visited the fairy tale village of Portmeirion before, this could be your chance. This three-day event is set against the backdrop of an iconic and colourful Italianate village on a private peninsula on the edge of Snowdonia. More than 120 artisan stalls will be exhibiting the best Welsh produce and local crafts, plus there’s a full programme of entertainment from local artists. The village features incredible architecture, scenic gardens and award-winning restaurants and all the shops and cafes are open during throughout the festival. Tickets are just £7, so why not make the trip?

portmeirion.wales/visit/whats-on/food-and-craftfair

Abergavenny Christmas Fair

Plum festival

Gwledd Conwy Feas

Royal Welsh Winter Fair