St Ives Food and Drink Festival

St Ives Food & Drink Festival is a three-day culinary celebration held on Porthminster Beach, Cornwall. It takes place in mid-May when the weather is warming up but before the height of tourist crowds.

The festival is friendly for families. There are daytime artisan tents, live music, street food stalls, market stalls, and a food trail in the town to explore more of St Ives’ food options. Views from Porthminster Beach are beautiful, so you get that mix of sea breeze, food smells and live music with a view.

You’ll find stalls and pop-ups from local restaurants and food traders. Think tapas, charcoal-cooked meats, seafood, street food, and desserts, among other options. Additionally, there are artisanal drinks, including craft beers, wines, and cocktails. There are also masterclasses/tastings, including wine tasting sessions, beer tastings, and even foraging / cookery classes.

In the evenings, you have live music (“Sunset Sessions”).

The daytime events are free to attend, but if you’re after evening music, you’ll need a ticket.

Getting There: The Best way is by train using the branch line from St Erth, with the station located behind the beach. If you’re driving, there’s limited parking in St Ives, so consider using Park & Ride or arriving early.