Glasgow's foodies, mark the diary: the Eat & Drink Festival is back at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre on Friday 22 May 2026, with doors open from 10am to 6pm and around 300 exhibitors lined up under one very large roof.

Now in its second year, the festival has rapidly carved out a spot as Scotland's flagship indoor celebration of food and drink — a one-day showcase where artisan producers, mixologists and home cooks rub shoulders with industry buyers and the merely peckish.

What's on the menu

Organisers are promising a packed programme of celebrity chef demonstrations, interactive mixology workshops and a dedicated showcase for local artisan producers — the small Scottish makers who turn out everything from smoked fish and farmhouse cheese to small-batch gin and seasonal preserves.

More than 15 sessions across the day will cover culinary innovation and sustainability, with chef demos running alongside tastings and live cookery. Major beverage brands are also using the festival to launch new seasonal drinks, so expect a few firsts to sip on.

Last year's event drew around 10,000 visitors from 25 countries, and while a sizeable chunk of the floor is geared towards trade buyers, there's plenty for ordinary food lovers — wandering, sampling and stocking up on things you didn't know you needed until you tried them.

Practical details

  • Date: Friday 22 May 2026
  • Venue: Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SEC), Glasgow
  • Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Getting there: The SEC is well served by Exhibition Centre railway station, regular city buses, and around 500 paid parking spaces on site. Glasgow International Airport is roughly 13km away for any visitors travelling further afield.

Who it's for

Families are welcome, and the mix of demonstrations, tastings and producer stalls makes it an easy day out for anyone who enjoys good food — whether you're a serious home cook chasing new ingredients, a curious eater who fancies a chef demo or two, or just someone happy to graze their way around 300 stalls.

For Scottish small producers, it's also a rare chance to put their work in front of buyers and the public on the same day, in the same hall — and a reminder of just how strong the country's food and drink scene has become.

How to book

Tickets and registration are available via the festival's official site at eatanddrinkglasgow.com/register. Early booking is sensible: last year's festival was busy, and with 300 exhibitors confirmed for 2026, the SEC's halls are likely to be humming again.

Bring a tote bag, comfortable shoes and an empty stomach. You'll need all three.