York’s tastiest festival is returning this month – and there’s three exciting new additions for 2025.
York Food Festival is back to showcase the best of this vibrant city’s food, drink, film, and culture. Running from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 September, the foodie festival aims to immerse both locals and visitors in they city’s thriving creative and culinary scenes.
The exciting programme includes annual favourites like the taste trails, workshops with the food factory, street food at the markets – and three new events.
The BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival is teaming up with York Food Festival and beloved local favourite Rafis Spicebox to present Curry and Comedy Night, a vibrant evening celebrating the best in independent British comedy cinema paired with unforgettable South Asian cuisine.
This one-night-only event (Sat 20 Sep) brings together six award-winning short films from the Aesthetica archives, featuring performances from Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Ricky Gervais (The Office), and Siobhn McSweeney (Derry Girls).
The event aims to offer a multi-sensory evening rooted in York’s dynamic cultural identity. Rafis will present a South Indian inspired set menu, served family-style and featuring traditional recipes spanning the business’s 35+ year heritage.
Gain an intimate knowledge of York’s culinary scene with An Insiders Guide & Tasting the Festival tour, led by local food writer and guide Ben Thorpe of York on a Fork.
Get first-hand insights into the behind-the-scenes running of the Food Festival, whilst sampling a variety of local dishes from festival traders and local partners as you wind through the streets of York.
“This will be a great chance to eat your way around the event and some of the city centre while quizzing me on how we make it work and where to experience the best of York,” said Ben.
The tours will run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the Festival, at 11am and 3pm.
The Great Yorkshire Tasting is an evening (Sat 27 Sep) dedicated to tasting Yorkshire beer, wine, and spirits. The local producers themselves will join you in the festivities to showcase their creations, share insights, and answer any questions you may have.
The York Food Festival’s creative director, Michael Hjort, said: “After many years of the Festival we are delighted to be able to continue to offer innovative events.
“This year’s programme highlights not only the incredible food and drink talent we have here in York and Yorkshire, but also the creativity and partnerships that make the festival such a special part of the city’s cultural life.”
For more information, the full programme and tickets, visit the York Food Festival website.