One of the Best UK Food Festivals – in Essex

Smoke & Fire Festival Maldon is one of the UK’s fastest-growing food festivals, combining incredible street food, live-fire cooking, BBQ competitions, chef demonstrations and live entertainment in one unforgettable summer weekend.

Taking place at Promenade Park in Maldon on 15–16 August 2026, the festival attracts food lovers, families, BBQ enthusiasts and music fans from across Essex and beyond.

Discover Incredible Street Food & BBQ

Taste flavours from around the world as top food traders and pitmasters serve everything from smoked brisket and BBQ ribs to burgers, tacos, loaded fries, desserts and vegetarian dishes.

Visitors can also enjoy:

  • Live chef demonstrations
  • BBQ tasting experiences
  • Artisan food traders
  • Festival bars & cocktails
  • Outdoor dining areas
  • Cooking competitions
  • Fire cooking showcases

Live Music & Festival Entertainment

Smoke & Fire Festival combines the atmosphere of a live music festival with the excitement of a major food event.

Expect live bands, tribute acts, DJs and entertainment across the weekend, making it one of the best summer food festivals in Essex for couples, groups and families alike.

Family-Friendly Food Festival in Essex

With family entertainment, kids activities and plenty of open space in Promenade Park, Smoke & Fire Festival is ideal for visitors of all ages.

Whether you’re planning a family day out in Essex or a full weekend festival experience, there’s something for everyone.

Buy Food Festival Tickets

Tickets for Smoke & Fire Festival Maldon 2026 are on sale now.

Book online today to secure your tickets for one of Essex’s biggest food and BBQ festivals.

Official Tickets • Secure Checkout via Ticketmaster • Instant Digital Delivery

2026 Maldon Smoke & Fire Festival Lineup

EMBER LOUNGE SESSIONS

Check out out brand new Ember Lounge Sessions – offering an exclusive live-fire dining experience, providing a unique and immersive atmosphere away from the main festival excitement.

Official Tickets • Secure Checkout via Ticketmaster • Instant Digital Delivery

EUROPEAN BUTCHER WARS

European Poster 1

Official Tickets • Secure Checkout via Ticketmaster • Instant Digital Delivery

Parking at Maldon

To park at Maldon you can pre-book a space using the QR code or via this link.

No overnight parking, your car must be out by 11pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday.

What 3 words: duties.measuring.branched.

Parking is also available in the park which comes under the usual council parking charges – or can be paid on the app (RingGo).

For more details view the “Car Parking” FAQ below.

maldon parking qr code

MALDON FAQs

Getting to Maldon

By car:

We advise all visitors to use the A414 and A414 Maldon Bypass, which connects with Limebrook Way and Park Drive to access Promenade Park.

o park at Maldon you can pre-book a space using the QR code or via this link.

No overnight parking, your car must be out by 11pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday.

What 3 words: duties.measuring.branched.

Parking is also available in the park which comes under the usual council parking charges – or can be paid on the app (RingGo).

By bus and train:

We encourage you to use public transport where possible. Promenade Park is well served by bus routes 31/331/332, 288, 75, and 95, providing regular and reliable links to rail services at Chelmsford and Colchester.

Please visit travelessex.co.uk to find out more about these services.

By taxi:

🚕 Please book in advance as availability tends to reduce after the event.

  • Banyards 01621 850850
  • Arrow 01621 855111
  • Happicabs 01621 883883
  • Maldon Taxi Service 07399 355095
  • Maldon Taxis 07966 797741
  • Ace Cabs 01621 855596
  • JK Maldon 07852 643708
  • Maldon Local Taxis 07852 643708

Cab drop off point is a designated area inside the park close to the main car park.

Food and Drink

You are not permitted to bring your own food and drink to the festival, bag searches will take place. There will be plenty of drink, food and dietary options for you to sample throughout the day.

If you require specific specialist food/drink for personal dietary requirements, then you will be allowed to bring it in./butt

Car Parking

We advise all visitors to use the A414 and A414 Maldon Bypass, which connects with Limebrook Way and Park Drive to access Promenade Park.

To park at Maldon you can pre-book a space using the QR code or via this link.

No overnight parking, your car must be out by 11pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday.

What 3 words: duties.measuring.branched.

There is also parking available in the park which comes under the usual council parking charges – or can be paid on the app (RingGo).

Public Pay and Display Car Parking:

There are several public pay and display car
parks available for your convenience:

  • Promenade Park car parks, CM9 5JQ, ///whoever.blackouts.birthing
  • White Horse Lane car park, CM9 5QP, ///tower.above.overdone
  • Friary Fields car park, CM9 5BY, ///primed.pokes.wounds
  • Butt Lane car park, CM9 5HD, ///winds.send.assembles
  • High Street East car park, CM9 5RU, ///allies.onion.amphibian
  • Council Offices car park, CM9 5DL, ///dabbled.trombone.clearcut

Disabled Parking:

There is disabled parking available at Promenade Park, with a small number of dedicated disabled parking bays near the festival entrance. If these bays are not available when you arrive, you can park in any other space and park for free if a Blue Badge is displayed.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Camping

Tents and camper vans are acceptable you are not allowed to sleep in your car and will be asked to leave the site if found to be doing so.

The campsite is open from 08:30 on Saturday and closes at 9:30 am on the Monday 19th so all campers need to be off site by this time as the site reverts back to being a public park.

Address: Maldon’s Promenade Park, off Park Drive, Maldon CM9 5JQ,  and follow sign for the camp site on arrival 

Directions: Please adhere to the AA signs which will begin on the outskirts of Maldon town. These signs will guide you directly to the main entrance.

The campsite; is basic but will have lighting and will be secure providing toilets including disabled and water will be  available in the camping area and a  shower will cost you £2 per shower, in one of the shower units. which will  stewarded and be open at various times of the day (times will be published on the door from Saturday).

Please note:

  • There are NO electrical hook ups available the campsite.
  • NO live fires or BBQs of any kind are allowed on the the camp site.
  • Noise MUST be kept to a minimum, no loud music etc – and there is a noise curfew from 22:30 each night until 8:30am.

If you have a dog please ensure that they are kept on a lead at all times and PICK UP after you dog failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave the site.

During the festival operation the camp site will have 24/security.

What are the Age Restrictions?

Smoke and Fire Festivals are family friendly events, however all persons under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, aged 21 or over at all times.

There is a limit of 3 under 18’s tickets that can be purchased with 1 adult ticket.

If you wish to purchase more than 3 under 18’s tickets then an additional adult will be required to attend the festival as part of your group.

All under 18’s tickets must be bought in the same transaction as the accompanying adult.

Please note on entry all under 18s need to arrive at the gate with their parent or guardian over the age of 21.

Extreme Eating contests: you must be 18yrs or over to enter.

Do I need ID?

Yes. Each named ticket holder will need to show id if asked by security at the gate. If you cannot produce ID you may be refused entry to the festival.

Acceptable forms of ID are as follows:

  • valid passport
  • valid drivers licence
  • valid pass card

All bars will operate a challenge 25 policy.

You may be asked to provide ID at the bars.

The bars reserve the right to refuse sale of alcohol to anyone unable to show valid photo ID.

Do I have to buy a ticket for a child?

Yes, every person attending smoke and fire festival must have a ticket.

Click here for all ticket types and further info.

Do I need to bring cash?

The festival site does not have any ATM’s on the site, but most traders have card machines for those extra purchases.

Do you have disabled toilets?

Yes of course. All smoke and fire festival sites are very accessible.

Any more questions?

For general festival FAQs, including lost property, dogs and smoking policies, head over the FAQs page.

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