Chester-le-EATS returns to Chester-le-Street this September with its biggest line-up yet, bringing street food, live entertainment and brand-new masterclasses to Durham Cricket.
Chester-le-EATS returns to Banks Homes Riverside on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, bringing two days of food, drink and live music to celebrate its fifth birthday.
The popular Food, Drink and Music Festival is promising its biggest year yet, with more traders, new experiences and a packed programme of entertainment across the weekend. Better still, entry to the main festival remains completely free for adults and children.
Five years of Chester-le-EATS
What began as an idea to bring people together has become an established date in the region’s events calendar.
Ythan Sale, Events Manager at Durham Cricket, said: “It’s difficult to believe Chester-le-EATS is five years old. What started as an idea to bring great food, drink, music and people together at Durham Cricket has grown beyond anything we could have imagined, and the support from traders, performers and thousands of visitors over those five years has been incredible.
“For our fifth birthday, we didn’t simply want to do the same festival again. We wanted to celebrate how far we’ve come while making this our biggest year yet with the most traders, new experiences, a fantastic entertainment programme and for the first time, our Masterclasses.”
Plenty to eat and drink
Visitors can expect Chester-le-EATS’ biggest trader line-up to date. From street food and sweet treats to artisan stalls and gifts, there will be plenty to discover.
Hot food traders include Chicken Ting, Flankman Tacos, Geordie Banger Co and Grandpa’s Fish Bar. Redheads Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Spud Gun Loaded Fries and Burgers, The Big Banh and The Loaded Dawg will also be serving across the weekend.
Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth can look out for The Dessert Hub, The Hedgehog Bakery and The Little Poffertje Pancake Shack. Le Mini Macaron and The Sunrise Patisserie will also be there, alongside coffee from Bass Notes Coffee.
There will also be plenty to take home. Great British Cheese Company, Sawley Kitchen and Clarence Spirits are among those attending. Prohibition Distillery, WL Distillery, Fat Rabbit Crafts and Pevs Prints complete the line-up of artisan names.
New masterclasses for 2026
For the first time, visitors can add one of three bookable food and drink masterclasses to their day.
Priced at £35, the sessions include Flight!, a beer and chicken wing experience with Hen & Hops; Uncorked!, a wine tasting experience with Durham’s Crush Wine Bar owner and expert sommelier Daniel Jonberger; and Distilled, a gin, cheese and charcuterie experience hosted by the Ginologists from Tin of Sardines.
Masterclass tickets must be purchased separately, but no advance booking is required to attend the main festival.
Live music and family entertainment
Chester-le-EATS has been designed as a full family day out, with children’s activities and a dedicated Family Zone joining the food and drink offering.
A packed programme of live music and performances, delivered in partnership with Proper Mint Concerts, will run throughout Saturday and Sunday. The popular Rock Choir will also return on Saturday with two performances.
Saturday 26 September
- 11.30am – Luke Palmer
- 12.30pm – Rock Choir & Live Theatre
- 1pm – To Hell or Verona
- 2pm – Rock Choir
- 2.30pm – Matty Fenny
- 3.30pm – Patrick Kelly
Sunday 27 September
- 11.30am – Annis Rallis
- 12.30pm – Live Theatre
- 1pm – Liv & Jon
- 2.15pm – Jamie Lee Harrison
- 3pm – Channy Dance Academy
Plan your visit
Chester-le-EATS takes place at Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3QR, from 11am until 5pm on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026.
Entry is free for everyone, with tickets only required for the optional masterclasses.
For the latest festival information, full trader line-up and masterclass bookings, visit durhamcricket.co.uk/events/chester-le-eats/
