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!
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