Worthing Food and Drink Festival 2025: Entertainment guide
Plan your weekend at Steyne Gardens with live music, walkabout acts and family friendly extras. Here is the programme for each day.
Saturday 13 September
Buskers
11am Ivana Mahoney
12pm Anne Whiteside
1pm Ben Hails
3pm Dominic O’Connor
4pm Giulia Pedrana
5pm Chris Keats
6pm Emma Olsen
Walkabout and features
Duo Millers
Walkabout Circus: 12pm to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 2pm, 3pm to 3.30pm
David Croucher, magician: 12pm to 3pm
Face painting and caricatures: all day
Live food demos
Festival kitchen demos: all day
Sunday 14 September
Buskers
11am Anne Whiteside
12pm Mica Allen
1pm Mica Allen
2pm Dominic O’Connor
3pm Ben Hails
4pm Giulia Pedrana
5pm Chris Keats
6pm Emma Olsen
Walkabout and features
Duo Millers
Walkabout Circus: 12pm to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 2pm, 3pm to 3.30pm
David Croucher, magician: 12pm to 3pm
Face painting and caricatures: all day
Live food demos
Festival kitchen demos: all day
Enjoy the music between tastings, catch a show, and use these times to plan your next stop around the site.
Worthing Food and Drink Festival 2025. We have you covered.
Rain in the forecast is not going to stop the festival. The plan is simple. You can still eat, drink and enjoy the weekend in comfort.
This year there is a marquee three times bigger than before, plus a large beer tent. That means more dry space to sit, more room to browse, and cover for the traders and demo areas. If a shower passes through, the programme carries on and you stay comfortable.
The festival is about bringing people together and backing our independent traders. Come along, try something new, and meet the makers who keep Worthing’s food scene buzzing.
Join us at Steyne Gardens on 13 and 14 September, 11am to 7pm each day.
Get Ready, Worthing – The Food and Drink Festival is Almost Here
The countdown is on — the Worthing Food and Drink Festival returns to Steyne Gardens in just a few days. On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025, the town will come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of one of Sussex’s most popular free events. With more than sixty traders, roaming entertainers, and a packed schedule of live demos and activities, it promises to be a weekend full of flavour, family fun, and seaside atmosphere.
When and Where
The festival takes place on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September 2025, running from 11am until 7pm each day. The setting, Steyne Gardens, provides a spacious and welcoming backdrop, perfectly located between the town centre and the seafront. Entry is free, making it one of the most accessible and family-friendly festivals in Sussex.
What to Expect
The Worthing Food and Drink Festival is designed to showcase the very best of Worthing’s independent cafés, restaurants, and local makers, alongside regional and national traders. With more than sixty stalls, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of cuisines, drinks, and artisan products. From international street food to locally made chutneys, cheeses, and sweet treats, there is something to suit every taste.
This year the festival also brings together a strong line-up of entertainment, ensuring there is as much to enjoy between meals as there is on the plate. Roaming performers, live music, and engaging demonstrations all help to create a welcoming festival atmosphere.
Traders and Food Highlights
The diversity of the trader line-up is one of the festival’s greatest strengths. Among the highlights are:
Street food and savoury dishes: Expect bold flavours from names such as Boom Sauce, 3 Bros, German Sausage Co., So Dumpling Good, Taco Look at Me Now, Nitas Thai, Kalasin Thai, and StrEAT Food. Local pubs and restaurants including Egremont, La Cena, Rose and Crown, and The Old Bike Store will also be serving festival favourites.
Sweet treats and desserts: Visitors with a sweet tooth can enjoy Churros Ole, Thai Stir Fry Ice Cream, Yum Yum Sweets, New Forest Shortbread, Pofferjtes Kitchen, and Olde English Fudge.
Artisan producers: Stalls such as Great British Cheese Co., Sussex Bee Farm, Joe’s Chilli Sauce, Jim Jams, and Little Pet Biscuit Co. showcase the creativity and quality of small independent makers.
Drinks and craft beverages: Worthing’s drinks culture is represented by Beer No Evil, Silent Pool Gin, Worthing Gin, and Partners in Wine, alongside tea and coffee specialists Bird & Blend, Bolt Espresso, and Tru Bru.
The line-up also includes a wide range of regional businesses such as Mac Daddy, Macmillans, Moswicks, Saltio, Summit Tasty, Windward, Manuka, and Sussex Seaside Events.
Entertainment and Atmosphere
In addition to the food and drink offering, the festival features roaming entertainment across both days:
Duo Millers stilt walkers: performing colourful stilt sets at 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm each day.
David Croucher, close-up magician: entertaining festival-goers with sleight of hand magic from 12pm until 3pm.
Rock Choir: performing on Saturday 13 September at 2pm, bringing uplifting vocals to the festival.
Buskers: providing live music from open to close across both days.
One of the weekend’s most popular features is the Chilli Eating Competition, hosted by Boom Sauce on Sunday 14 September at 2pm. Contestants test their limits with increasingly hot chillies, and the winner takes home a £100 Worthing Gift Card. This fiery event always draws a crowd and adds a memorable highlight to the programme.
The Demo Kitchen will also return, showcasing chefs and producers in action. The timetable is being finalised and will feature live demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Family-Friendly Fun
The festival is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all ages. Families can look forward to a relaxed setting with child-friendly food options, sweet snacks, and open spaces to enjoy picnics. Roaming entertainers and interactive features like treasure hunts keep younger visitors engaged, while the atmosphere remains informal and welcoming. Even pets are included, with stalls such as Little Pet Biscuit Co. ensuring dogs don’t miss out.
How to Get Here
By train: Worthing station is well connected with frequent services from Brighton, Chichester, London Victoria, and London Bridge. Steyne Gardens is a 15–20 minute walk from the station or a short taxi ride.
By car: Worthing is easily accessible from the A27 and A259. Several car parks, including High Street and Grafton multi-storeys, are within walking distance of the festival site. Parking is pay-and-display.
By bus: Local operators Stagecoach and Compass Travel run regular services into Worthing from Shoreham, Brighton, Lancing, and Littlehampton. Stops on Marine Parade and Warwick Street are closest to the event.
On foot or by bicycle: If staying in Worthing, the site is easy to reach on foot. The seafront cycle path connects directly to the area, and bike racks are available nearby.
The Worthing Food and Drink Festival brings the community together in celebration of food, drink, and creativity. It offers a platform for small businesses and local makers, while giving residents and visitors a chance to explore new flavours, meet producers, and enjoy a weekend of entertainment.
With its seaside setting, welcoming atmosphere, and broad variety of stalls, the festival has something for everyone. Whether you want to explore artisan products, relax with live music, enjoy international street food, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Worthing Food and Drink Festival 2025 promises a memorable weekend.
Plan Your Visit
Dates: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025
Times: 11am – 7pm daily
Location: Steyne Gardens, Worthing
Admission: Free entry
For full details and updates, https://www.worthingfoodfestival.co.uk/exhibitors
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
Arrive early to enjoy the widest food choices before stalls get busy.
Bring cash and card as payment methods vary between traders.
Share dishes with friends or family to try more options.
Use the festival hashtag (e.g. #worthingfoodfest25 #worthingfoodfestival #worthingfood) when sharing photos online to see what others are enjoying.
Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly, as most of the festival is outdoors.
The Worthing Food and Drink Festival continues to be a highlight of the local calendar, combining flavour, entertainment, and community spirit. With more than sixty traders, roaming performances, live cooking demos, and a chilli competition that will test the bravest visitors, the 2025 edition promises to be one of the best yet.
The wait is nearly over — with just days to go, now is the time to mark your diary and plan your visit. Gather your friends and family and head to Steyne Gardens for two days of food, fun, and flavour by the sea.
Stay Connected with Us
To stay up to date with all the latest news and announcements leading up to the event, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Our dedicated event pages will be regularly updated with profiles of the participating businesses, sneak peeks of what to expect, and real-time updates during the festival. Don’t miss out on any of the action—give us a follow and join the conversation!
Facebook @Worthingbid
Intagram @Worthingbid
TickTok @Worthingbid
Family-Friendly Bites and Activities at the Festival
The Worthing Food & Drink Festival is designed for everyone – including families. Across the two-day event, there are plenty of child-friendly food options, relaxed open spaces, and entertainment to keep little ones smiling.
You’ll find a wide range of stalls offering mini meals and sweet treats perfect for younger appetites – from freshly made pizzas and fruity smoothies to handmade fudge and artisan ice cream.
In between bites, families can enjoy live music, street performers, and informal seating areas where kids can take a break. Past years have also featured hands-on cooking demos that welcome young foodies to get involved.
Best of all, the central location means it's easy to pop in and out as you explore the town. Whether you're bringing toddlers or teens, the festival offers a fun, friendly atmosphere where everyone’s welcome.
Five Local Flavours You Must Try at This Year’s Festival
With so many brilliant food and drink traders attending the Worthing Food & Drink Festival, it can be hard to know where to start. We've picked out five must-try local favourites to give you a head start.
1. Small Batch Bakes – Known for their indulgent brownies and beautifully decorated cupcakes, this Worthing-based bakery always draws a crowd.
2. South Downs Cider Co. – Made using apples grown right here in Sussex, their crisp, refreshing cider is the perfect way to toast the festival weekend.
3. Thai Street Kitchen – Bringing authentic Thai street food flavours with dishes like Pad Thai and sticky mango rice, all freshly made to order.
4. Worthing Coffee Roasters – Whether you're after a morning pick-me-up or an iced latte to sip in the sun, their locally roasted beans deliver top-quality flavour.
5. Seaside Smokehouse – Their smoked mackerel and salt beef rolls are festival favourites – ideal for those who want something hearty and delicious.
With dozens of traders across the weekend, there’s something for every taste. Bring an appetite!
Behind the Scenes: How the Festival Comes Together
Each year, the Worthing Food & Drink Festival draws thousands of visitors – but what goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen?
The festival is proudly organised by Worthing Town Centre BID, a not-for-profit team dedicated to supporting local businesses and creating a thriving town centre. Planning begins months in advance, with careful coordination of traders, suppliers, entertainment, and logistics.
From booking a wide variety of stallholders to ensuring waste management, safety measures, and live cooking demonstrations are all in place, the event is a true community effort. Many local businesses offer their support, and volunteers play a key role in helping the weekend run smoothly.
It’s a great example of how collaboration can create something special – and it’s all driven by a shared love for Worthing and its vibrant food scene.