Crowds Flock to Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2025 - The Christmas Spirit arrived in style!

The Lincolnshire Showground was bustling with festive excitement last weekend as thousands of visitors attended the annual Lincolnshire Food & Gift event. The festivities began on Friday 28^th November with an exclusive Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) Members’ Preview evening, offering a relaxed and atmospheric first look at this year’s exhibitors, seasonal produce and artisan gifts.

Despite the harsh British weather on Saturday, spirits remained high as visitors filled the EXO and EPIC Centres, returning again in strong numbers on Sunday to complete their festive shopping. Guests enjoyed browsing an array of local and independent businesses, discovering unique hand-crafted items, Christmas décor, luxury food and drink, artisan gifts and bespoke homewares.

This year the Showground welcomed several new exhibitors, including Sophie Harmer and Linen and Rose, both featured at the Lincolnshire Show, as well as a returning favourite beINSPIRED. Visitors were also drawn to Oakdene Laser Crafts, a standout new addition that brought personalised, laser-engraved giftware.

A major attraction of the weekend was the Lincolnshire Kitchen, which hosted a dynamic schedule of demonstrations from celebrated chefs and local culinary talents. Highlights on Saturday included Billy Frost and Theo Edwards of The White Hart Hotel preparing Wild Lincolnshire Roe Deer with Winter Roots and Pickled Blackberries, Dominic Franks and Richie Stamp-Mason presenting their Upside Down Leftover Christmas Pie & Stourton Estates Venison, and Sandy Docherty, who drew an enthusiastic crowd with her much-loved Harewood Rolls. Visitors also enjoyed Christmas Revival cooking from Rachel Green, and festive mixology with Sophie Wilcocks from The Strait and Narrow.

On Sunday, The White Hart Hotel returned, followed by more cocktail mastery from Sophie Wilcocks, Party-perfect bites from Gareth Bartram of The Auction House, a Farm-to-Fork butchery and cookery session from Emma Blandford & Jamie Barnes of Lincolnshire Pork Co., before closing with another warmly received demonstration from Dominic Franks and Richie Stamp-Mason. Finally, Sandy Docherty drew the kitchen to a close. 

Trade and Membership Manager, Alice Joyce for the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society commented: “We’re thrilled with the turnout and atmosphere throughout the weekend. Not even torrential downpours could dampen the community spirit! Our visitors supported local businesses while children enjoyed the Christmas activities. The Showground was filled with festive cheer from start to finish.”

Upstairs in the EPIC Centre, families enjoyed the magic of Santa’s Workshop, where younger visitors got hands-on with festive crafts: from pine cone decorations with Heatherbelle Crafts to shaping shortbread cookies with Good Lookin Cookin, and even creating sparkly willow star wands with Lincolnshire Willow. The atmosphere was full of excitement and creativity, with children proudly carrying home their handmade treasures to hang on trees and share with their families. Alongside local businesses running workshops, the LAS presented two highlights: the Reindeer Food Bar, offering a fun, interactive experience and the Christmas Dinner display, which brought our charity’s mission to life by teaching visitors about food, farming and the countryside.

The Lincolnshire Food & Gift event continues to be a cherished seasonal tradition for families, shoppers and supporters of local businesses. The Lincolnshire Showground extends sincere thanks to all visitors, volunteers, demonstrators and exhibitors who helped make the weekend a huge success.

To find out more about the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, visit www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/ourcharity

About Lincolnshire Food & Gift

Lincolnshire Food & Gift is a festive shopping event that brings together local makers, producers and performers to celebrate the season in style. With a focus on community, creativity and Christmas cheer, it’s the perfect way to start the Christmas period.

About the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) is a charity dedicated to championing the importance of food, farming and the countryside. We exist to educate, inspire and connect communities by celebrating Lincolnshire’s rich agricultural heritage and representing the county with pride through engaging events, outreach and collaborations.