Sample Food Festival

The Sample Food Festival is one of New South Wales’ biggest food events. It takes place every September at the Bangalow Showgrounds near Byron Bay and serves as a platform for showcasing the best local produce, food, and growers.

Ever since the debut event in 2011, more growers, producers, farmers, and other leaders in the local culinary scene have participated in the event.

It continues to grow in scale each year, offering a wide array of program events to enjoy – all centred on food. The region’s top restaurants also compete for the highly-coveted Gold Fork award and work together to curate special lunches for attendees.

The Sample Food Festival is attended by well over 15,000 people, more than 200 exhibitors and dozens of the best restaurants in town. Tasting plates are sold at $5 upwards, but entry to the event is free. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be served.

The event is a hotspot for food lovers in the region, but it will also feature a diverse array of entertainment and attractions for kids, including reptile shows, stilt walkers, and more.

The Bangalow Showgrounds are located at 1 Market Street in Bangalow. If you are travelling to Bangalow from Sydney, you may want to consider booking accommodation in town to spend the weekend and relax. But with few hotels in Bangalow, another option would be to stay in Byron Bay, just 15 minutes away.