Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival: What to Expect from the 2026 Programme

Presented by Assembly Festival and launched in 2014, the Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival was originally a food festival that featured prominent chefs and industry figures in the Scottish food scene: people like Carina Contini, Sarah Rankin, Shirley Spear, Tom Lewis, Guy Grieve, and Neil Forbes. It was last year, 2025, that it grew to also include live folk music, and this year’s festival promises even more.

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We’re looking forward to the free cooking demos from MasterChef star Sarah Rankin who returns to the festival this year, family-friendly interactive workshops led by Edinburgh Food Social, and also the Feast of Words supper club.

Feast of Words is an immersive 90 minutes of poetry and storytelling from award-winning writer Casey Jay Andrews accompanied by live music from guitarist Jack Brett, while you enjoy a three-course tasting menu from Michelin Star Chef Tomás Gormley.

Gormley is behind Edinburgh establishments such as Heron in Leith, Cardinal and Skua in Stockbridge, and the Gilded Saloon in the Old Town. So, you’re in safe hands.

Feast of Words takes place at 3:30pm every day from Wednesday 29th till Friday 31st July in the Palais du Variete, George Square Gardens. £46.25 per person. Vegetarian & vegan options will be available.

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Other highlights include The Opening Ceilidh with Will Richards & The Ceilidh Nomads, which will take place at 10:30pm on Saturday 25th July for a full two hours. Tickets are from £8.25 per person.

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Get competitive on Thursday 30th July, from 7:30pm–9pm, with Goose’s Big Music Quiz; raising money for Edinburgh Food Project. It costs £9.25 per person to enter, with prizes available to be won, and maximum team sizes capped at six.

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To keep the weans entertained, there’s a variety of daytime shows built just for them. From Wednesday 29th July to Saturday 1st August at 12 noon daily is Circus The Show, featuring illusions, acrobats, jugglers, and a clown with a giant six-foot balloon.

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Running on the same dates at 1:40pm is The Greatest Magic Show, which features a mix of magic and child-friendly comedy.

It’s £16.75–£17.75 per person for these.

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The Explosive Science Show from Australia are multiple winners of the Best Children’s Event at Perth Fringe. They will perform between 2-3pm from Wednesday 29th July to Sunday 2nd August, costing £14.75 per person.

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From Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August, take a trip to Hello Beach, an interactive multi-sensory storytelling show about a beach picnic that is aimed at children up to two years old, featuring puppetry, singing, and key-word signing. This is £13.75 per person.

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On the same dates from 3:35pm is the award-winning Comedy Club 4 Kids, featuring one hour of swear-free stand-up, silly sketches, and child-friendly cabaret. Tickets cost £10.25–£12.25.

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For more information and to book any of the events, visit edfoodfest.com

Photo credit: Assembly Festival