The Best Food Festivals in Sydney and NSW for 2026

Holidaying is excellent. Whether it’s a lengthy trip or a weekend away. Hell, we love a daytrip somewhere nice. One easy way to pick your destination is by thinking about what you’d like to eat. Trip south for a sunset meal on the Jervis Bay coast. Head to Orange for a tasty, boozy celebration. Or, cruise west for an event dedicated to lamb and potatoes.

Food festivals are an excellent chance to support regional producers and get around the country hospitality. And some of the best fests happen close to (or within) the city limits.

Here are all the food festivals and events in NSW worth adding to your calendar now.

January

Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival, January 14 to 26

The New England town of Guyra – half an hour north of Armidale – is celebrating 40 years of its annual Lamb and Potato Festival in 2026. It’s a 12-day celebration of the region’s two main industries (lamb and potatoes), with the community coming together to enjoy market stalls, live music, art exhibitions and lots of meals based around – you guessed it – lamb and potatoes. Free entry, times vary.

February

Jewish Food Festival, February 15

This year will be the fourth installation of the Jewish Food Festival. From 10am till 3pm, find an array of food stalls (spanning Reubens, blintzes, challah, bagels and falafel-stuffed pita, as well as lesser-known dishes from different Jewish communities) and cooking demonstrations. Plus, live music and a kids’ area. The 2026 location and talent program are yet to be announced, but last year’s took over a section of Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, and included workshops hosted by Alice Zaslavsky and Ed Halmagyi. Tickets available soon, from 10am till 3pm.

Ramadan Nights, February 19 to March 16

Each night at sundown, during the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe the fast-breaking tradition of iftar: drinking a glass of water, eating three dates and coming together for a meal. Many of Sydney’s Muslims – as well as people from the wider community – descend on Lakemba’s Halden Street for the expansive Ramadan Nights food market. People find spots in venues or on the street to eat the Halal Brothers Lebanese kofta, Ramadan Camels camel burgers, Shahi Dastarkhwan curry chicken rotis, murtabak, knafeh and more. Expect crowds, a fantastic vibe and a full tummy. Free entry, from 6pm till 2am. 

March

Sparkling Wahroonga, March 1

For one day in autumn, it’s all about sparkling wine in one north shore Sydney locale. Sparkling Wahroonga is the day-long festival where you can try over 60 fizzy drops. Cellar doors from here (like Rowlee, Weerona and Torch Bearer) and abroad will be pouring all their wines, with sparkling the hero. Expect 11 boutique distillers (such as Unexpected Guest, Buffalo Vale and Hold Fast), plus plenty of food, local produce, artisan makers and live music. Plus, beers by Six String Brewing Company. Free entry, from 11am till 5pm.

Field to Forest, March 1 to 31

It’s all about fungi and foraging at Field to Forest, which takes over the Oberon region throughout March. Expect guided wild mushroom forages, lunches in the forest, boutique wine trails and truffles. More information will be available on the Oberon tourism website in the coming weeks. Prices and times vary.

Shoal Bay Food & Wine Festival, March 14

Another pristine part of our state is Shoal Bay, a bushy northern surburb of the Hunter region with an exceptional white-sand beach. An excellent way to experience the area? Shoal Bay Food & Wine Festival. The one-day event kicks off in the arvo, bringing together restaurants and local boutique breweries and distilleries. The country club will host live music and there’ll be cooking demonstrations, too. All of it only made better by one of the area’s spectacular sunsets. Free entry, from 3pm till 9pm.

Orange Food Week, March 20 to 29

Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, Orange Food Week returns with restaurant, bar and winery takeovers, plus collaborative dinners, night markets, pizza parties, apple pie workshops, fermenting classes and more. The Shell House team is in town for some hot-ticket events at its own beloved local venue Hotel Canobolas, including wine dinner Locally Grown, food trivia and Raw Fizz. There are two pinnacle events – the Sampson Street Lunch and Forage – and tickets sell out quick, but you can join waitlists. The first will have you dining in the middle of Orange’s “prettiest street”, underneath its stunning leafy canopy. And the second is an eight-stop roaming feast inspired by Mangialonga, a four-kilometre food-and-wine-fuelled hike through vineyards in Italy’s Piedmont. Tickets are on sale now, prices and times vary.

April

Newcastle Food Month, April 1 to 30

New South Wales’s second largest city has had something of an eating and drinking renaissance. And Newcastle Food Month celebrates all of it – from neighbourhood bistros to laid-back pubs, conceptual bars and forward-thinking fine diners – over 75 events throughout April. The early release program is out now, with more to be announced soon. Honestly, Newy’s good anytime you visit – but it’s ideal for an April weekender. Early tickets are on sale now, times and prices vary.

May

Meatstock, May 1 and 2

The carnivores’ carnival returns for 2026, taking over Sydney Showground for one weekend this May. Meatstock is as much a mega barbeque as it is live music festival, producer spotlight and industry expo. Tickets are on sale now, starting from $89.50. Ticket prices and event times vary.

Narooma Oyster Festival, May 1 to 3

The south coast NSW town is a popular getaway at all times, but Narooma Oyster Festival is when the party’s biggest. Trip south – four-and-a-half hours by car – for high-speed shucking and biggest oyster comps, plus farm tours, restaurant takeovers and the chance to try prized bivalves from across the state. Tickets go on sale on February 4, prices vary.

Dates to be announced

Australian Saké Festival: a three-day celebration of the Japanese spirit, with more than 80 producers pouring tastings, plus Japanese food, pantry items, ceramics and more to take home.

Mould Cheese Festival: a multi-day showcase of all things Aussie cheese. 

Naturellement: P&V’s Mike Bennie and food event pro Kristy Austin resurrected their two-day festival of food and drink in 2025, bringing an excellent clutch of small-batch producers and top-tier chefs to the Central Coast. Here’s hoping it returns this year. 

Huge Moves: more a wine party than a festival, Huge Moves from the Drnks crew is always a good time. The last one took over The International, and was a hit. 

Maybe Cocktail Festival: each year, the Maybe Sammy team brings star bartenders from across the globe to Sydney for the Maybe Cocktail Festival, a week-long party taking over some of our best bars. Stay tuned for this year’s dates.