Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival

Ramsbottom has established itself as the number one Chocolate destination with its award winning chefs, restaurants and cafes - offering mouth watering delicacies of all things cocoa. From small humble beginnings in 2009, the event has grown into a hugely popular event seeing 30,000 visitors attending the annual Festival and we are pleased to announce Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival WON Manchester Tourism 'Small Event of the Year' 2012 Award and comes within the top TEN Chocolate Festival destinations in Europe!

Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 April 2014

What to expect

Expect more quality cocoa producers at the Street market, award winning street traders on our alfresco dining experience, in-store demonstrations at participating shops, special dining menus in our restaurants and cafes, children's entertainment and crafts, festival beer. All this packed into just two days!

Follow online

Go to Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival website to keep up to date. Get all the information about the Festival at your finger tips and follow on twitter @ChocFestival and facebook page.

Can't wait for the Festival?

Visit Ramsbottom stores for a sneak preview of their chocolate delicacies: Ramsons, The Chocolate Café, The Cultured Bean (famous award winning chocolate torte), Ramsbottom Sweet Shop or try chocolate cocktails at The Lounge or chocolate beer/wine at The Vineyard and The First Chop. Visit Ramsbottom Chocolate Trail web page.

Past Festivals

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival 2013

Two day Street market on Bridge Street
Two day Alfresco dining on Market Place
3ft Giant Easter Egg Competition
Childrens Craft Workshops
Hunt the Festival Ducks (hidden in shops)

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival 2012

UK Chocolate Champion, John Costello, will be constructing a life-size sculpture of Olympic Gold Medallist entirely from chocolate. Street market, alfresco dining, in-store demonstrations at participating shops, special dining menus in our restaurants and cafes, children's entertainment and crafts, workshops, ELR Festival trains with craft activities, adult workshops and demonstrations, festival beer and beer tent and the best of local bands.

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival 2011

Two day Street market on Bridge Street
Two day Alfresco dining on Market Place
Golden Ticket (find the 'Golden Ticket' hidden in chocolate bars)
3ft Giant Easter Egg Competition
Chocolate Workshops
Childrens Craft Workshops
Hunt the Golden Egg (hidden in shop windows)
Charlie Chick Festival mascot.

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival 2010

Thousands of people travelled to Ramsbottom on 27 and 28 March to indulge their taste buds in mouthwatering chocolate delights with many free samples and exquisite Easter Eggs from master chocolatiers and chocolate related products (i.e. beauty products containing cocoa etc.). Due to the huge success 2009's Festival, the organisers extended the festival over a weekend which included cookery demonstrations, evening dining experience, ELR Chocolate Express Train, Giant Easter Egg competition, wine tasting evening, World Record attempt, music and entertainment and much much more.

The Chocolate Experience

The organisers teamed up with local award winning chocolatiers and chefs to bring all chocolate lovers a pure indulgence treat with a delicious chocolate inspired menu and entertainment from Hot Chocolate tribute act Kennie Simon.

Market Place hosted Chocolate alfresco style, while visitors were stuck for choice with the many chocolate stalls on Bridge Street with traders from all over the North West promoting award winning mouth watering delicacies.

Stores in Ramsbottom Town centre hosted in-store demonstrations and tastings including Zotter's organic and fairtrade chocolate tastings, chocolate spray tans and hair treatments, chocolate cheese, chocolate beer wine and cocktails, and herbal remedies containing cocoa.

Children's Entertainment

Ministry of Chocolate 'the chocolate workshop specialists' ran an interactive and educational children's chocolate workshop. Each fun packed workshop lasted approximately 40 minutes which was both inspiring and engaging for children of all ages. Throughout the day children got creative making Easter cards and Easter Bunny bags, had their faces painted and were entertained by the magician and Festival Mascot Charlie Chick.

World Record Attempt - Ferrero Rocher

Eight lucky people took part in the Guinness World Record attempt to see 'How many Ferrero Rocher eaten in 1 minute'. The event took place at the Theatre Royal on Smithy Street where Charlie Chick and Simple Scott entertained the crowd and rallied the contestants on. It's not as easy as it sounds. No contestants are allowed to have any liquid during the minute and must show the judges that they have eaten a chocolate before starting another. The current record stands at Eight. Unfortunately no records were broken. Fireman Barry Scott and Ian White of Whites in Ramsbottom managed 6 each.

$Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival\crowd$

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival is jointly organised by Bury Council Town Centres Team and Ramsbottom Business Group.

Ramsbottom Annual Chocolate Festival 2009

If you missed the event, you missed a treat! The town was bursting with eager visitors waiting to get their hands on some heavenly delights. With mascott Charlie Chick, Giant Easter Eggs, a plethora of chocolate goodies and a World Record attempt - Ramsbottom was awash with Chocolate fever. No records were broken, but Barry Scott (Bury Amber watch Fire-fighter) definitely gave it a try - with 7 Ferrero Rocher. John Slattery of Slattery's and Mike Harrison from Zest Fine Food performed cookery demonstrations including insightful facts about the cocoa bean and that you don't have to limit chocolate to just cookies and cakes.

The colourful display of 3ft Giant Easter Eggs decorated by local school children took pride of place at the event. Winner of the 1st prize (Chocolate Hamper from The Chocolate Cafe) was 'Eggshilerating Eggsperience' designed by Year 6 St. Mary's RC Primary School in Radcliffe. Gorsefield Primary School Year 2, won second place with 'Spring into Easter', winning them a craft hamper donated by Clarks Craft of Ramsbottom.

Throughout the afternoon the crowd were entertained by mascott Charlie Chick, Jill Fielding Rock Folk Band, face painting and lots and lots of chocolate.