Lots of food and free entrance.

What better way to enjoy a day out than going to a food and/or drink festival? Being able to discover new food, new tastes and meet new people is a must at festivals but even more when the entrance is free.

The not so beautiful days of spring are almost over, and summer should finally bring the sun. Sunshine means going out, and going out means enjoying nice food and drink.

And it’s always better when the entrance is free too, so here’s a list of the free-to-enter food and/or drink festivals in London:

URBAN FOOD FEST STREET FOOD MARKETS

Every Saturday from 12noon

Source: Urban Food Fest

Every Saturday, Shoreditch organises a food street festival, open from midday until midnight.

Enjoy a wide variety of food from all around the world, such as American Lobster brioche rolls or Japanese Okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), or traditional Italian homemade ice cream.

And if you need a drink with all that food, why not slug down a pint of craft beer, a creamy milkshake or an original cocktail? Those with a sweet tooth will be pleased as well as there’s a range of desserts to suit every taste.

“I discovered the festival last year and it was amazing,” said Mylene Dosal, 25, a storytelling strategist and food festival enthusiast. “I love the variety of food and being able to discover food of the world every week.”

And now the festival have a ‘V Corner’, so vegans don’t feel left behind. In this corner there will be stall selling imitation beef, Spanish vegetarian feta, vegetable and cheese pizza, and much more.

For more information: www.urbanfoodfest.com

Euro Car Parks

162-167 Shoreditch High Street

Shoreditch, London, E1 6HU

CLISSOLD PARK FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

Fri 13th – Sun 15th May 2016

Source: Market Square Group

This family-friendly festival is back again by popular demand after a successful start last year. It’s a three-day event with different buying options. If you feel like your fridge is missing some fresh homemade food from around the world, the grocery stalls are made for you.

If you are more of a spontaneous person looking for a quick fix, then there’s plenty here for you too; there will be nine food stalls ready to serve you with mix of burgers and crepes, as well as vegan samosas and kebabs. Fresh beverages like liquor shakes and simple ice cream milkshakes are festival-goer favourites.

“There will be plenty to browse and buy from,” said Mark Pearson, Market Square Group account manager, “including the popular non-alcoholic pina colada in pineapples from the Abyssian Ethiopian team and Kentucky pulled lamb from Mean Street BBQ.”

Families are welcome, for the adults there will be live music and for children, there’s an expansive play area with rides and slides.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1570014579692492/?active_tab=about

Clissold Park

Green Lanes

London, N16 9HJ

STREAT LIFE - STREET FOOD AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

May 27th - May 28th

June 17th - June 18th

July 22nd - July 23rd

August 19th - August 20th

Source: Alexandra Palace

For many years, Alexandra Palace has welcomed its classic food and drink festival - and 2017 is no different.

This year, there’s an emphasis on craft beer, though there’s plenty of variety on the food front too, with Italian food, burgers, even crabs and the Tiki bar which offers famous watermelon and pineapple cocktails. There are vegetarian options as well, with the possibility of eating some Caribbean wraps full of raw fruits and vegetables or spicy Indian dishes that are also low-fat.

“This year, over 30 of London’ top street food traders are coming,” said Chloe Merriman, marketing executive of Alexandra Palace. “Each festival weekend will have its own street art and selection of craft beer.”

Each weekend will have its own entertainment programme, with live music such as DJ Yoda on the Saturday 19th of August the first act to be announced.

For more information: streatlife.alexandrapalace.com

Alexandra Palace

N22 7AY

CITY BEER FEST

Thursday 6th July 2017

Source: City Beer Fest

If you want a break from your standard food festival, go and have beer - or six - at City Beer Fest. They have partnered with Worshipful Company of Brewers for this new edition of the festival. Famous names like McMullen, Shepherd Neame and Fuller will be on tap, alongside some of the best local, independent hops.

You can pre-order beer packages online; each one includes four beer tokens which will get you four half pints and a limited edition City Beerfest Glass.

For more information: citybeerfest.org

Guildhall Yard

Gresham Street

London, EC2V 5AE

JUST V SHOW

7-9 July 2017

Source: Just V Show

If you are fed up with not having enough vegetarian and vegan options at classic food festivals, this is for you.

Just V Show is the place to go to learn more on how to live a meat-free life; with food sold as well as hands-on cooking classes.

Savour a taste of whole foods, superleaves, all kinds of nut milk and even some meat-free bacon.

“It’s quite busy, there are a lot of people and queues but it’s worth it!” said Eilidh Murray, 28, marketing worker and festival regular.

The event welcomes meat-eaters that are open minded too. and anyone interested in learning about a different lifestyle.

For more information: www.justvshow.co.uk

Olympia London

To book your free tickets click here, otherwise tickets are £10.

BEER FESTIVALS

Source: The Priory Arms

Need more drink than food? Head to the Priory Arms.

This Stockwell pub organises three annual beer festivals: Early May Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday and the third in November.

During those festivals over 100 beers will be there for your taste, 14 keg beers, 20 cask ales, six real ciders and over 80 bottles and cans from all over the world.

For more information: theprioryarms.com

83 Lansdowne Way

SW8 2PB

THE LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW

Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 July 2017

Always wanted to spend the weekend in the country but to lazy to go out of London? Then consider heading to the Lambeth country show, now in its 43rd year.

More than 170,000 people annually come to enjoy great local food and quirky activities like Quidditch matches. This year’s activities have not yet been announced.

“We are a country show within the city,” said Emma Fenner, Lambeth Country Show’s spokesperson. “Sunday will welcome back Roots Reggae Day to the Main Stage and our Village Green stage will showcase an eclectic mix of local talent playing acoustic folk, soul and pop, along with steel orchestras and samba bands.”

For more information: lambethcountryshow.co.uk

Brockwell Park

Brixton

There you have them, you can now start planning your summer around those free entrance festivals.