BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026: Dates, Tickets, Celebrity Chefs and Festive Highlights

Christmas is coming early to Birmingham this year. The BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026 takes place from November 26 to 29 at the NEC Birmingham. It is one of the UK’s biggest Christmas food events, bringing together celebrity chefs, hundreds of artisan producers, and festive shopping under one roof.

Each year, thousands of food lovers travel to the NEC to kick off their festive season. They watch their favourite chefs cook live, taste seasonal products, and pick up ideas for their Christmas table. Additionally, the show offers hands-on workshops, tasting theatres, and dedicated zones for cheese, baking, and gifting. Therefore, whether you are planning your Christmas menu or simply want a fun day out, this guide covers everything you need to know before you go.

What Is the BBC Good Food Show Winter?

The BBC Good Food Show Winter, also known as the Festive Good Food Show, is part of the wider Good Food Shows series. These events run throughout the year across the UK and are organised in partnership with BBC Good Food magazine.

The Winter edition is specifically focused on Christmas. It brings festive cooking inspiration to life through live demonstrations, expert tips, and seasonal recipes. Unlike a typical food market, this event combines entertainment, education, and shopping in one experience.

The show has built a loyal following over many years. Visitors return annually to see familiar faces on stage, discover new producers, and stock up on Christmas gifts and ingredients. Additionally, the event has a reputation for being well organised, with clear signage and a programme that helps visitors plan their day in advance.

Dates, Venue and Opening Times

The BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026 runs from Thursday, November 26, to Sunday, November 29, 2026. The venue is the NEC, short for the National Exhibition Centre, located in Birmingham, England.

The NEC is one of the largest exhibition venues in the UK. It sits close to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station, making it easy to reach by train, plane, or car from across the country.

Day tickets grant entry to the show on a specific date. Therefore, visitors should choose the day that best matches their travel plans and the chefs or sessions they most want to see. Some additional experiences, such as the Big Kitchen, may carry an extra cost on top of general admission.

Tickets: How to Book and What to Expect

Tickets for the BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026 can be booked through the official website at goodfoodshow.com. Signing up to the newsletter is a smart first step, as it ensures you are among the first to know when tickets go on sale.

Booking online in advance typically offers the best prices. Walk-up tickets on the day, if available, are usually more expensive than tickets bought ahead of time. Additionally, early booking gives visitors a better chance of securing places in popular workshops and ticketed theatre sessions, which can sell out quickly.

Children aged 0 to 5 can attend for free. However, if a young child needs their own seat in the Big Kitchen, a ticket must be purchased for that seat. This is an important detail for families planning to watch the main stage shows together.

Good Food Magazine subscribers and Good Food App members often receive exclusive ticket rates. Additionally, members may gain access to a dedicated Subscriber’s Lounge or Member’s Lounge at the show, offering a quieter space to relax during the day. If you are a subscriber, it is worth using your unique membership number when booking to take advantage of these benefits.

Celebrity Chefs and the Big Kitchen

The Big Kitchen is the heart of the BBC Good Food Show Winter. This main stage hosts the event’s biggest names, cooking live in front of an audience throughout each day. Seats here are highly sought after, so arriving early or booking ahead is recommended.

Previous editions have featured an impressive line-up of culinary stars. Names such as James Martin, Michel Roux, Gennaro Contaldo, Si King, Lisa Faulkner, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, Nadiya Hussain, and Tom Kerridge have all taken to the stage in recent years. These chefs share their favourite festive recipes, practical tips, and entertaining stories from their careers.

Watching a live cookery demonstration is very different from watching television. You can see techniques up close, hear questions from the audience answered in real time, and sometimes even sample the finished dishes. Therefore, the Big Kitchen consistently ranks as one of the most memorable parts of the show for many visitors.

Beyond the main stage, smaller theatres and stages run throughout the halls. These often feature rising stars, food writers, and specialist experts, offering a more intimate setting for those who want to get closer to the action.

Festive Kitchen and Seasonal Cooking Inspiration

The Festive Kitchen is one of the show’s most popular free theatres. Here, chefs and experts focus entirely on Christmas dinner inspiration. Visitors can discover alternatives to traditional turkey, learn new techniques for classic sides, and pick up creative ideas for their festive table.

This stage is particularly useful for anyone hosting Christmas for the first time, or for those simply looking to refresh their usual menu. Demonstrations are practical and easy to follow, with experts breaking down each step clearly. Additionally, many of the recipes shown on stage are later published in BBC Good Food magazine or on the Good Food website, so visitors can recreate the dishes at home.

The Cheese Hub and Christmas Table Workshops

For cheese lovers, the Cheese Hub offers a dedicated tasting experience. Visitors can sample a wide range of artisan cheeses and learn how to put together the perfect festive cheeseboard. Experts share pairing tips, presentation ideas, and advice on choosing cheeses that suit different tastes and budgets.

The Christmas Table workshops take this further, focusing on the art of festive entertaining. These sessions cover table styling, seasonal centrepieces, and showstopper desserts. They are hands-on, meaning visitors get to try techniques themselves rather than simply watching from a distance.

Additionally, the Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre showcases extraordinary artisan flavours from smaller producers. This is a great opportunity to discover new brands and products that you might not find in mainstream supermarkets.

Shopping: Hundreds of Producers Under One Roof

Shopping is a major part of the BBC Good Food Show Winter experience. The show typically features over 350 handpicked producers and big brands, all under one roof. This makes it an excellent place to tackle your Christmas shopping list in a single visit.

Stalls range from artisan chocolatiers and specialist cheesemongers to drinks producers, spice merchants, and gift sellers. Many exhibitors offer samples, so visitors can taste before they buy. This is particularly useful for gifting, as it allows you to choose products with confidence.

Cookbooks are another popular purchase. Many of the celebrity chefs appearing at the show sign copies of their books on site. Therefore, a signed cookbook makes a thoughtful and personal gift for the food lover in your life.

The Good Food Hub and New Features for 2026

Recent editions of the show have introduced the Good Food Hub, a space where the magazine’s recipes come to life. This area includes book signings, live podcast recordings, and interactive sessions designed to bring readers closer to the content they enjoy at home.

Additionally, a Kitchen Clinic has been introduced as a new feature. This space allows visitors to get hands-on advice and answers to their cooking questions from experts on site. It reflects a broader trend at the show towards more interactive, personalised experiences, rather than purely watching demonstrations from a distance.

These additions sit alongside the show’s established favourites. Therefore, returning visitors will find familiar elements alongside fresh content each year, giving them good reason to attend again even if they have been before.

Family-Friendly Entertainment

The BBC Good Food Show Winter is not only for adults. Family entertainment has become an increasingly important part of the event. Recent editions have included appearances from Peppa Pig, offering younger visitors the chance to explore, play, and enjoy character meet-and-greets.

This family-friendly element makes the show a good option for a full day out with children, particularly during the school half-term period in late November. However, parents should note that some areas, particularly tasting zones involving alcohol, are intended for adult visitors only.

Accessibility at the NEC

The NEC in Birmingham is committed to ensuring the venue is accessible to all visitors. The venue offers accessible parking, step-free routes, and facilities designed to support visitors with additional needs.

If you require specific accessibility arrangements, it is worth checking the official show website or contacting the organisers in advance. This allows you to plan your visit with confidence and ensures any necessary support is in place before you arrive.

Practical Tips for Visiting

A little planning goes a long way when visiting a large-scale event like this one. Here are some useful tips:

• Book tickets online in advance for the best prices and to secure your preferred day.
• Sign up to the newsletter so you do not miss the ticket release date.
• Arrive early if you want a seat in the Big Kitchen, as these fill up quickly.
• Bring a reusable bag for all the samples, cookbooks, and festive treats you are likely to pick up.
• Wear comfortable shoes, since the NEC halls are large and you will be walking for most of the day.
• If you hold a Good Food Magazine or app subscription, use your membership number when booking for exclusive rates.
• Check the show programme on arrival, as some sessions and workshops carry an additional cost.

Conclusion

The BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026 promises another unmissable start to the festive season. Taking place from November 26 to 29 at the NEC Birmingham, the show combines live cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, hands-on workshops, tasting theatres, and shopping from hundreds of artisan producers. Highlights include the Big Kitchen, the Festive Kitchen, the Cheese Hub, and the Christmas Table workshops, alongside newer additions like the Good Food Hub and Kitchen Clinic. With family-friendly entertainment, accessible facilities, and exclusive benefits for magazine subscribers, there is something for everyone. Book your tickets early, plan your day around the sessions you most want to see, and get ready to enjoy a delicious, inspiring day out in Birmingham this winter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When and where does the BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026 take place?

The show runs from Thursday, November 26, to Sunday, November 29, 2026, at the NEC in Birmingham, England. Day tickets give access to the show on a specific date within that period.

How do I book tickets for the BBC Good Food Show Winter 2026?

Tickets can be booked online through the official Good Food Show website. Booking in advance usually offers better prices than buying on the day. Signing up to the newsletter ensures you are notified as soon as tickets go on sale.

Which celebrity chefs usually appear at the show?

Past line-ups have included James Martin, Michel Roux, Gennaro Contaldo, Si King, Lisa Faulkner, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, Nadiya Hussain, and Tom Kerridge. Chefs perform live cookery demonstrations, mainly on the Big Kitchen main stage.

Is the BBC Good Food Show Winter suitable for children?

Yes, the show is family-friendly and has featured character appearances such as Peppa Pig in recent years. Children aged 0 to 5 enter for free, although a ticket is needed if a separate seat is required in the Big Kitchen.

What can I expect to find at the show besides cooking demonstrations?

The show features over 350 artisan producers and brands for festive shopping, along with the Cheese Hub, Christmas Table workshops, Festive Kitchen, Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre, and the Good Food Hub with book signings and podcasts.

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