Bringing people and food together is what we do, and this December, yet again, we’re doing that with EatDrinkFestival! Having done this for 8 years now, we realise there’s truly an art to doing food festivals right, so we’ve put together a Festival survival guide to make sure you get maximum value from your ticket!

Follow these tips to make the most of EatDrinkFestival!

Come rested

Food festivals require a lot of walking around and standing, so try to make sure you’re as rested as possible.

Comfy clothes and shoes are key

This cannot be overstated! The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable in your outfit 20 minutes in.

Protect yourself

The Festival is an open-air, outdoor event, so it’s advisable to protect yourself from the sun. Wear a hat or sunglasses, and don’t forget to throw on some sunscreen too 🧴

Top up early

You can also add funds to your account online before the Festival so your wristband is ready to use when you arrive.

Step 1: Register on our site using your ticket number; it is below the QR code in the attached ticket.

Step 2: Add funds to your account with a debit card.

Step 3: Collect your funded wristband at the Festival.

Please note that the funds you add to your account are linked to your specific ticket. Do not give your wristband or ticket to anyone else, and do not purchase another ticket at the entrance.

Arrive early

Why not beat the crowd by turning up a little earlier? The Festival starts at 12pm.

Be adventurous

Food festivals offer an opportunity to explore and discover new vendors (especially those who might not necessarily have physical locations), food and drinks. Try something you’ve never had before, this year!

Keep a list

Having a list of vendors you’d like to try out helps filter your options and saves time spent walking around.

Space out your meals

Pace yourself while eating, and remember there is a lot of food to potentially go through! Also keep in mind that liquids take up space in your stomach faster than food, so pay attention to your drink intake.

A tip on getting some space

At food festivals, people tend to cluster near entrances, so try walking towards the farthest end of the event space to find a little more room for yourself.

Enjoy the activities too

At the Festival, we always provide opportunities to play games, enter competitions, win prizes, and engage with our brand partners and influencers. Use them and have a little more fun.

Don’t forget the event is also a great place to network, so say hello to the food vendors and strike up conversations with the other attendees.

Prepare for takeout

Have a takeout bag with you. It will come in handy when your takeaway stash starts (inevitably) getting out of hand 😅

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Torinmo Salau is a writer/journalist based in Lagos. Her work has been published in Quartz, Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy, The Guardian and elsewhere.