This spring, the Forest Feastival will return to the magical woodland site hidden beyond the sand dunes at Merthyr Mawr.
For six weekends during April and May (including three bank holiday Mondays) the street food festival organised by the folks at Street Food Circus will be pitched amongst the trees at Candleston Woods.
Now in its third year, 2023’s Forest Feastival will bring a mix of street food favourites from previous events, and some brand new ventures from some of Wales’ most exciting chefs.
To help visitors experience the widest possible range of dishes and flavours, most of the street food vendors will be offering £5 taster dishes alongside their usual menus.
On the menu
Forest Feastival favourites returning this year include British Street Food award-winners Fire & Flank and Keralan Karavan, along with Bao Selecta, Smokin’ Griddle, Nomad Kitchen, Rock & Scallop, Mr Noodle and Bare Bones Pizza.
The team behind some of Cardiff’s most successful recent restaurant launches are also bringing two new street food concepts to the forest this spring; Pot Heads comes from the fire-inspired kitchen of Kindle, bringing baked, smoked and fried potatoes stacked with creative flavour combinations.
Two new areas will be created using the woodland cabins and forest clearings this year. The Mexican Cabana & Terrace will bring together street food from Sin Nombre Tacos, El Cabron Tacos and Rock & Scallop seafood, drinks from Loco Tequilas, sweet treats from newcomers Church of Churros and music from guest DJs.
Drinks & Sweet Treats
A new sweet zone – Dessert Island Disco – will be home to Forest Feastival favourites Pwdin and, for the first time, Ammanford’s Coaltown Coffee. Street Food Circus mixologists will be creating a new Harlequin Cocktail Bar with premium mixed drinks and Welsh spirits, including a Coaltown Espresso Martini.
Forest Feastival’s main bar will be taken over by Tiny Rebel this year, bringing locally-brewed favourites including Clwb Tropicana, Cali Pale and Lager 313. New for this year, visitors will also be able to pre-book Tiny Rebel cans as part of their ticket package. Tiny Rebel will also be running the Tiny Rebel Fire Pit, with guest chefs popping up to cook during the run. Also on the bar will be Mydflower, a hand-made elderflower sparkling wine made in the Brecon Beacons.
Dates, times & location
- April: Friday 6 – Monday 10 (Easter, inc BH Monday)
- April: Friday 14 – Sunday 16
- April: Friday 21- Sunday 23
- April: Friday 28- Monday 1 May (BH Monday)
- May: Friday 5 – Monday 8 (Coronation, inc BH Monday)
- May: Friday 12 – Sunday 14
- Good Friday – 11am – 3pm; 3pm – 7pm; 7pm – 10:30pm
- Friday – 6pm – 10:30pm (adult only session)
- Saturday – 11am – 3pm (dogs allowed); 3pm – 7pm; 7pm – 10:30pm
- Sunday – 11pm – 4pm (dogs allowed), 4pm – 8:30pm
- Sunday (Bank Holiday weekends) 11am – 3pm (dogs allowed); 3pm – 7pm; 7pm – 10:30pm
- Bank Holiday Monday – 11pm – 4pm, 4pm – 8:30pm
Location: Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend CF32 0LS.
Prices & tickets
Tickets this year have been held at 2022 prices: £5+VAT & booking fee per person, which includes a Forest Feastival reusable cup for use at the bar.
Tickets must be bought in advance from forestfeastival.com and are on sale now.
