90’s boyband praises ‘UK’s best festival’ returning to Oxfordshire

Oxford’s Foodies Festival will take place in South Park from the August Bank Holiday weekend, August 29 to 31, marking the festival’s 21st year.

The festival, which is touring the UK, features a huge line-up of TV celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars, including Boyzone and Westlife supergroup Boyzlife, with Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, Pop Idol star Gareth Gates with his Boyband in the Park show, and iconic 90s group, B*Witched.

Boyzlife performing (Image: Stuart Martin)

The three-day festival will include live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, including MasterChef and Bake-Off champions, Great British Menu winners, judges and TV guest chefs, and highly-rated regional chefs.

Among the star announcements are MasterChef 2025 Champion Harry Maguire, who’s recently moved to the region, and 2025 finalist Sam Kaeokon.

Other renowned chefs and bakers appearing include head chef and Great British Menu star Ashleigh Farrand from Kingham Plough and head chef Andrew Carr from Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant The Yurt.

Gareth Gates performing (Image: Stuart Martin)

Boyzlife said: “We’re really looking forward to performing at Foodies Festival in Oxford.

“The crowd is always buzzing there and up for a great day and night out.

“We’ve got a set list full of our favourite hits, so dancing and singing along is a must!”

Gareth Gates added: “I’m so pleased to be bringing my ‘Boyband in the Park’ tour to Oxford.

“Summer vibes, music and food… count us in!”

Throughout each weekend, local and touring bands and artists will perform.

Visitors will be immersed in a food and drink haven, with jam-packed schedules in the interactive live theatres.

Cake and Bake theatre (Image: Stuart Martin)

In the Chefs Theatre, celebrities will create their signature dishes and share new tips and tricks, cooking mouth-watering dishes and showing off the very best of locally sourced produce, whilst in the Cake & Desserts Theatre, patisserie chefs and star bakers whip up showstoppers and offer tempting sweet treats.

Foodies’ legendary chilli-eating competition returns, adding a new level of heat with the Ultimate Hot Wings Challenge.

New for 2026, ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ presents the ultimate competitive cook-off featuring star names and powered by audience interaction.

B’Witched are set to perform at the festival (Image: Stuart Martin)

Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include tutored sessions on Champagne, Beer, Cider, Cocktails, and Wine, featuring presentations from experts from ITV, BBC, and Channel 4.

There will also be a Kids Cookery School sessions, where they can prepare delicious food to eat or take home.

Boyzlife performing (Image: Stuart Martin)

The brand-new Foodies Treasure Hunt Trail will keep the little ones busy, following clues and uncovering hidden secrets across the entire festival.

Visitors can browse the latest food trends in the Shopping Village, meet local producers and sample a variety of delicious goods in the Artisan Market and taste exotic and unusual new dishes in the Feasting Tent.

The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) is returning to Foodies Festival Oxford, bringing festival-goers the opportunity to taste different styles of Port, explore new ways of enjoying this Portuguese wine and discover its versatility beyond traditional pairings.