Alresford Watercress Festival 2026

On Sunday 17 May 2026, this nationally acclaimed annual festival will attract thousands of visitors to New Alresford in Hampshire, to celebrate watercress, the superb locally-grown, delicious and versatile crop.

This beautiful market town becomes the site of a huge street festival. Over 80 stalls showcase the very best local food and drink producers. Others sell arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing, items for house, garden and much else besides.

Throughout the day, musicians and street performers entertain on the main stage, in St. Johns Church and on the streets. For children and families, there are circus skills workshops, face painting, Punch & Judy shows, a petting farm and much more.

Well-known chefs will demonstrate delicious watercress-inspired dishes. And more adventurous visitors can take up the challenge of the World Watercress Eating Championships now in the Guinness Book of World Records.

A procession kicks off the day with entertainers and children accompanying a newly crowned Watercress King & Queen, who will distribute the first of the seasons watercress harvest to visitors!