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The Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council and the Highcliffe Foodand Arts Festival C.I.C. are delighted to announce that the village’s
popular Food and Arts Festival is due to return for an eleventh year
in 2026, with the help of grant funding from the Parish Council. The
festival will take place on Saturday 13 th and Sunday 14 th June.
Mary Reader, who has returned as Chair of the Festival, said:
“The Festival has gone from success to success in recent years,
and we so appreciate the support of the Parish Council, business
sponsors and local residents in enabling it to happen. It is a free-
to-enter event, with over 90 food and drink stalls, over 60 arts
and craft stalls, three music stages, celebrity chef cookery
demonstrations, and a range of children’s activities. It is a family-
oriented festival, with the majority of our stall holders offering
locally produced food and quality artisan products.
“There are many unavoidable costs in putting it on, including the
road closure, health and safety, security and traffic
management, signage, and administration. Although many
volunteers give their time to help in running the Festival, the
total outgoings each year exceed £60,000, and it would not be
possible to continue without significant financial support from
the Parish Council and local sponsors, for all of which we are
most grateful.”
Fantastic news for our 2026 festival
This week Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council members voted
unanimously to again support the Festival with a £15,000 grant,
which enables it to go ahead as a free two-day event.
Adam Sofianos, Chair of the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council,
said:
“Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council supports many great local
events throughout the year, but the Food & Arts Festival is our
jewel in the crown. It’s a fantastic event staged across the whole
village, bringing pleasure to residents & visitors, raising the
profile of our area, and supporting our businesses.
Mary and the whole Festival team do an incredible job every
year to deliver the event, and we’re delighted to help make it
happen. We all look forward to welcoming residents and visitors
next year.”
For regular updates please visit our website: www.highcliffefoodandartsfestival.co.uk
Food Trader applications are now open
Arts & Crafts Applications will be open by the end of October
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