The ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL 2025 opened under a relentless curtain of rain on Saturday, the kind that makes you wonder if anyone will bother stepping outside. Yet, in true festival fashion, the crowds showed up in waterproofs and under umbrellas, ready to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. The drizzle may have soaked the cobbled streets of the market town, but it did nothing to wash away the enthusiasm that always defines this event. From the first hour, it was clear that Abergavenny’s reputation as one of the country’s leading food festivals remains well deserved.
The soggy start did not stop visitors from exploring the rows of stalls set up around town. Local cheesemakers, bakers, distillers, and farmers stood proudly behind tables stacked with their products, many offering generous samples to entice passing tasters. The rain created an oddly cosy atmosphere, with people ducking into the Market Hall to warm up with a coffee or a steaming plate of something rich and comforting. The sense of community that underpins this festival was on display everywhere, with producers chatting to regulars and newcomers alike.
Saturday night brought a highlight that no amount of bad weather could spoil: the Party in the Castle. By evening the skies had cleared just enough to allow the celebrations to shine. Visitors gathered within the castle grounds, where live music set the tone for a relaxed but lively evening. The real spectacle came with the fireworks, which exploded high above the town and lit up the surrounding hills. For a few moments, Abergavenny glowed in brilliant colour, and the rain of the morning felt a distant memory.
If Saturday was marked by resilience, Sunday was a reward for perseverance. The sun finally broke through, warming the town and giving visitors the perfect backdrop for a day of food and discovery. The contrast could not have been sharper, and the change in mood was immediate. Families strolled the streets with ice creams in hand, couples lingered over glasses of local cider, and the producers, many of whom had battled through the previous day, were visibly relieved to see crowds browsing and buying in comfort.
The Market Hall in particular became a hub of activity, hosting talks, tastings, and demonstrations that pulled in steady audiences throughout the day. The Castle grounds, meanwhile, provided space to spread out and enjoy food in the open air, with stalls offering everything from artisan bread to international street food. It felt like the festival in full flow, with the sunshine highlighting exactly why people travel from across the UK to attend.
A special moment came with the culinary showdown in the Market Hall, where celebrity chefs NICK NAIRN, STEPHEN TERRY and CYRUS TODIWALA took part in an Abergavenny style version of Ready, Steady Cook. The crowd loved the playful energy between the chefs, who showed both skill and humour as they worked with surprise ingredients. It was the kind of event that captured the spirit of the festival perfectly: entertaining, engaging, and rooted in a genuine love of food.
By the time the festival drew to a close on Sunday evening, it was hard to remember the soaking start. The combination of great food, lively events, and a town that knows how to celebrate ensured that Abergavenny Food Festival 2025 will be remembered for more than just the weather. It was, once again, a weekend that celebrated food and community in the best possible way.
