Two Irish food festivals make list of Europe's best food fests
Big 7 has released their list of the top 25 Summer Food Festivals in Europe, with the Galway festival securing the no. 2 spot.
Big 7 is a travel site and media company that specialises in rounding up the best experiences, food and drink spots and activities around the world. Drawing from recommendations and tips from readers, the editorial team also add in their contributions, curating a selection of 'best of' lists across food, travel and more.
Running this year from 26 to 28 September, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival was founded in 1954 to coincide with the annual oyster harvest and is the oldest oyster festival in the world, as well as one of the longest-running food festivals in Europe.
A highlight of the festival is the annual Oyster Opening or 'Shucking' Competition, which sees more than 20 competitors, representing countries from all over the world flock to Galway to vie for the World Championship title. As well as this, the city is lit up with parades, demos and more over the last weekend of September.
COMPETITOR INTRO - Denmark, Jesper Knudsen 🦪
Welcome back, Jesper! Jesper has won the Danish Oyster competition for 11 years in a row!
He also won the World Oyster Opening Championship in 2013, will he do it again?
Catch him in action on Sat 28th of September 🤩 #GIOSF2024 pic.twitter.com/Wjt5X2qxNa
— Galway Oyster Fest (@galwayoyster) August 20, 2024
"Sling back oysters by the bucketload, enjoy the toe-tapping trad music, and watch the masters at work – all set against the backdrop of the wind-whipped Atlantic coast", the editors of Big 7 write.
Taste of Dublin, which takes place 12-15 June, was also named on the list, coming in at no. 23. The annual festival, which takes place in Merrion Square, celebrates the best food producers and chefs in the country and is an excellent opportunity to try new things.
"Festival goers can pick up tips and tricks from demonstrations and panel discussions with top chefs, as well as take part in hands-on classes and tastings", Big 7 writes. "There's also a gorgeous slice of the Mediterranean in the Tasting Spain corner – sample meats, cheeses, olive oil, and tapas, and learn from the best with masterclasses and expert wine tastings."
The Sardine Festival in Portimão, Portugal nabbed the top spot, a lively celebration of the humble sardine that promises stalls selling local handicrafts, street artists, and live music.
Almo do Vinho in Alenquer, located just 35 minutes from Lisbon, was ranked third on the list. This festival celebrates the region's wine producers, with guests free to come meet winemakers and indulge in grape-stomping competitions, wine-barrel rolling races, jewellery-making workshops, traditional folk dances and more.
Read the full list of festivals below:
The Sardine Festival – Portimão, Portugal
The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival – Galway, Ireland
Almo do Vinho – Alenquer, Portugal
Maschseefest – Hannover, Germany
Stragusto Food Festival – Trapani, Italy
Napoli Pizza Village Festival – Naples, Italy
Fête de l'Ail Rose – Lautrec, France
Fistiki Festival – Aegina, Greece
Istrian Pasta Festival – Žminj, Croatia
Gladmat Food Festival – Stavanger, Norway
Lymington Seafood Festival – Lymington, England
Foodies Festival – Across the United Kingdom
Sarajevo Street Food Market – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival – Loch Lomond, Scotland
Copenhagen Cooking Festival – Copenhagen, Denmark
Cycladic Gastronomy Festival – Sifnos, Greece
La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
Abergavenny Food Festival – Abergavenny, Wales
Aarhus Food Festival – Aarhus, Denmark
Trøndelag Food Festival – Trondheim, Norway
Taste of London – London, England
Bordeaux Wine Festival – Bordeaux, France
Taste of Dublin – Dublin, Ireland
Bite of Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Matstreif – Oslo, Norway
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