Wf 2 25 Web
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Wf 2 25 Web

Welsh Fest: a totally cheesy weekend!

It arrives at the table still bubbling, sometimes spills over the edges and usually wins everyone over from the very first bite. In Lille, welsh deserves far more than a place on the menu: it has a festival of its own!

From 20 to 22 November 2026, Welsh Fest takes over Gare Saint-Sauveur in Lille for three days of great food and festivities. Restaurateurs, competitions, concerts and a Christmash market make up a generous programme celebrating this firm favourite on tables across northern France.

Entry is free. As for your appetite, we’re counting on you.

Warming dishes, great encounters and cheese that brings everyone together.

What is  Welsh Fest?

Welsh Fest is an event for anyone who loves great food just as much as a good time.

Organised by AAAW, the Association Amicale des Amateurs de Welshs, the festival brings enthusiasts together around one deliciously simple idea: celebrating welsh and the pleasure of getting together.

Come along to taste, discover what local restaurateurs have to offer, cheer on the competition entrants and enjoy the music. Swap favourite addresses, champion your preferred version and discover that melted cheese can become a surprisingly serious topic of conversation.

You don’t need to be an expert to join in. Curious food lovers are just as welcome, fork at the ready.

When is  Welsh Fest 2026?

Join us from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026 at Gare Saint-Sauveur, boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas, in Lille.

Entry to the festival is free. Check the event website for detailed opening times and information about the different activities to help plan your visit.

Ten restaurateurs  to make you melt

Ten restaurateurs are taking part in Welsh Fest, each bringing their own expertise to the table.

It’s a chance to rediscover everything you love about a welsh, while being surprised by the different interpretations of those who make it. Because behind what looks like a generously simple dish lie choices, techniques and a delicate balance to get just right.

With friends or as a couple, take your time to taste and compare notes. Texture, character, indulgence: everyone will have their own opinion. And if no one agrees, that’s an excellent reason to keep the conversation going around the table.

Where does  Welsh Fest take place?

The festival takes over Gare St So, in Lille’s parc JB Lebas district.

Gare St Sauveur 

17 bd Jean-Baptiste Lebas
59000 Lille

 

 

Getting to  Lille

Competitions  where welsh takes  centre stage

At Welsh Fest, it’s not just about tucking in: it’s also about cheering on those stepping up to the stove.

Four competitions are planned, including an international competition for professionals. A chance to showcase culinary expertise and give this popular dish all the recognition it deserves.

The Welsh Olympics:  every town has its supporters!

Lille, Calais, Boulogne, Dunkerque, Arras… Towns across northern France go head-to-head in the Welsh Olympics, organised by “Au Georges V”.

A competition guaranteed to stir up some local pride. Got a town you’re rooting for? Now’s the time to make some noise. All in good fun, of course: here, rivalries are settled on the plate.

Concerts and  a Christmas Welsh market to keep the festivities going

Food sets the rhythm
With more than fifteen concerts announced, music is also a big part of the festival.

Between tastings, give your fork a rest and enjoy the programme. Stay for one song, then another… and before you know it, your foodie outing has turned into a full day of festivities.

A little taste of the festive season
The Christmas Welsh market adds another dimension to the event and invites you to keep exploring.

It’s a chance to wander between festival highlights and start getting into the end-of-year spirit. In Lille, even Christmas finds a way to take on a foodie twist.

Your questions about Welsh Fest

Top tips  for welsh-loving festival-goers

Pick out your must-sees
Competitions, concerts, tastings: check the programme before you arrive so you don’t miss anything you fancy.

Leave room for discovery
Already have your favourites? Great. But a festival is also the perfect opportunity to try something different and discover new places.

Take your time
The best accompaniment to a welsh is often a good conversation. Come ready to enjoy yourself, without trying to squeeze everything in at once.