What a weekend! The Newtown Food Festival 2025 was a vibrant celebration of everything that makes our town so special – delicious food, fantastic music and a welcoming atmosphere that brought thousands of people together.
Held on the Town Hall Grounds over the weekend of 6–7 September, the festival showcased over 60 independent producers, street food vendors and drinks makers. From sizzling Caribbean dishes to artisan Welsh cheeses, there was something to delight every palate.
Jodie Griffith, Chair of the Newtown Food Festival Community Interest Company, captured the spirit of the event beautifully:
“This year’s Newtown Food Festival was fantastic – and it was all made possible by our dedicated volunteers, brilliant stallholders, talented performers and everyone who helped bring the weekend to life. It felt like the biggest and best yet… until 2026! A huge thank you to Newtown Town Council for supporting the event.”
But the festival was more than just a feast for the senses – it was a full-on experience. The Festival Kitchen hosted live cookery demonstrations, the Children’s Village kept younger visitors entertained, and the French Village marquee marked 25 years of town twinning with Les Herbiers, France.
Cllr Peter Lewington, Mayor of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, shared his pride in the event:
“What an incredible weekend at the Newtown Food Festival! It was wonderful to see so many residents and visitors enjoying this year’s fantastic event. A huge thank you to everyone who came along – you made it a true celebration of food, music, and community. To all the amazing stallholders, performers, volunteers, and organisers – thank you! It was a real pleasure to speak with so many of you and you all did a fantastic job. Like you, I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival!”
Behind the scenes, the infrastructure and support provided by Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council played a vital role in ensuring the event ran smoothly. Their partnership with the festival organisers and the Welsh Government funding helps keep the festival free and accessible to all.
Environmental responsibility was also front and centre. SV Events provided essential refuse facilities to keep the grounds clean and green and a heartfelt thank you goes out to the volunteers who helped with litter picking – a true example of community spirit in action. The introduction of reusable festival cups and a strong commitment to waste reduction and recycling made a real difference.
Free Parking for Festival Visitors: To make the Newtown Food Festival even more accessible, free parking was available across the town throughout the weekend. Visitors were able to use designated car parks and selected on-street spaces without charge, making it easier for everyone to join in the celebrations. This initiative, supported by Newtown Town Council, helped ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for all.
Whether you came for the food, the music, or simply to soak up the atmosphere, this year’s festival was a powerful reminder of what makes Newtown such a vibrant and connected community.
Photo credit: Joe Breakwell Photography
See you next year!