You are in for a treat (quite literally) this year as over 170 traders have been unveiled as part of the award-winning festival’s 18th birthday celebration.
With hundreds of thousands of visitors set to flock into Bolton town centre on August bank holiday weekend, there’s something for everybody to enjoy.
Located on Victoria Square, Le Mans Crescent, Oxford Street, Market Street, Deansgate and Newport Street, you can get your hands on everything from yummy sweet treats and hot food from around the world, to unusual drinks, baked goods and lots of unique handmade gifts such as jewellery, arts and crafts and luxury pamper products.
To top it all off, there is an extensive range of offerings to cater for all diets including gluten free, vegan, halal, kosher, organic and vegetarian plus plenty of healthy food options.
Market highlights
Starting your shopping journey on Newport Street, take a trip to Turkey and pick up some lunch at Istanbul’s Kitchen, sample the delights of Italy at well-known Franca’s or grab a juicy burger at What’s Your Beef.
If you’re looking for something closer to home, why not take back some scrummy scones, jam and clotted cream from Signature Scones. Enjoy in the garden after kitting it out with handmade garden furniture at Charles Taylor Trading and some pretty flowerpots from Kiec Garden Products.
On Victoria Square you can take a trip around the world with Spanish paella and a Polish BBQ from Dobra Kitchen before visiting Greek Street Food, Halloumination, Thai 2 Go and rounding off with Chinese at festival regular, Little China Noodle Bar.
If you’re looking for some unusual ingredients or gifts, you can find cheese, sauces, pickles and chutneys at The Great British Cheese Co, handmade vintage cordials at Mr Fitzpatrick’s and for those with a sweet tooth, cakes, brownies and cheesecakes at Vegan Infinity.
If you wander down both sides of the town hall you will be drawn in by the sights and smells from Turkey, India, Asia and Africa and the Caribbean and some seating areas where you can enjoy your finds.
Moving on to Oxford Street, you’ll be greeted by festival partners, Carrs Pasties stocking a wide range of baked local delicacies (pasties!) including the brand new The More Cheese, Ham and Chilli Jam Pasty.
Pick up one of 28 varieties of coffee beans at Flavour Art Coffee, to go alongside a delicious treat from Bella’s Bakes. It’s not only humans that can make the most of the fantastic produce, treat your favourite furry friends at Millie & Ruby’s Dog Bakery.
Grab a seat at the Reminisce Beverage Bus and soak up the bustling atmosphere while you sample a refreshing beer, a thirst-quenching cider or treat yourself to a glass of fizz.
A short walk will bring you to Deansgate where you can discover a world of spirits and liqueurs at The Bolton Gin Company, olives, oils and vinegars at the Gift of Oil and scrumptious fudge at the Fudge Factory.
“In Bolton we celebrate diversity and strive to bring different cultures into the town so it’s great to see offerings from all over the world for people to try on their doorstep.”
If you get peckish on your travels you can pick up hot food at Wrap Ninjas, Acapulco or some Portuguese cuisine at Portu St Food. Topped off with some moreish flapjack at The Wilde Bakery.
Washed down with a crisp glass of wine or a fruity cocktail at Movers & Shakers Mobile Cocktail Co while you grab a minute to rest your feet.
Or take a little stroll onto Market Street to find plenty of mouth-watering food ready to go. From pulled pork at Roly Poly to grilled chicken at Jason Jamie’s Oriental Charcoal Grill, not forgetting the ever-popular spiral potatoes on a stick at Chipstix.
After a busy day sauntering around the artisan stalls, why not sit and watch the world go by at one of the festival bars where you can also get your toes tapping with over 60 live music acts.
The Festival Music Stage and Bar will once again be located on Le Mans Crescent and the Acoustic Bar will be on Victoria Square.
You’ll find the Reminisce Beverage Bus on Oxford Street and Movers & Shakers Mobile Cocktail Co on Deansgate.
Market stalls are open 10am until 6pm everyday (5pm Monday).
Live music and bars are open 11am until 10pm everyday (6pm Monday).
If you’d prefer to be wined and dined in the luxurious Albert Bar, tickets are on sale for the lavish Bottomless Brunch where you can choose from the luscious brunch menu and enjoy alongside unlimited select cocktails and prosecco for an hour and half.
Is it even a festival without a wristband? Grab a festival wristband for only £1 and everyone who purchases will be entered into a prize draw to win a brand new Samsung tablet. You can also treat the kids to a branded children’s apron to help with those messy hands!
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said:
“We received an incredible number of applications from local, regional and national traders to be part of the festival. Some return year on year and some are brand new to the event.
“I’m pleased that we are able to support and give opportunities to many businesses, and it’s fantastic to see the variety coming along, there really is something for everybody.
“In Bolton we celebrate diversity and strive to bring different cultures into the town so it’s great to see offerings from all over the world for people to try on their doorstep.”
Wrap Ninjas Owner, Rob Fenton, said:
"I'm delighted to be part of the Bolton Food Festival this year! Having heard from fellow traders how successful last year's event was, I was keen to bring Wrap Ninjas to the event.
“Our gourmet wraps have been a real hit at other foodie events up here in the North West, and I'm looking forward to sharing our food with many more new customers in Bolton.
“I hope everyone will love our colourful, fresh and flavour-packed food, and that we'll be a welcome addition alongside so many other fantastic small food businesses.”
The full trader list, full music line up plus all ticket sales and info about the wristband can be found on the website www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com