What is the Calentita Food Festival and when does it take place?

Short answer

Calentita is Gibraltar's annual community food festival, held each June since 2007 and named after the Rock's signature chickpea-flour bake. The 2026 edition, the 17th, ran on 19 and 20 June at the Landport Ditch car park, its first two-day staging.

Detailed answer

What it is

Calentita celebrates Gibraltarian identity through food. Stalls are run by local cooks, community associations and resident communities, so one evening can take in traditional Gibraltarian dishes alongside Moroccan, Filipino, Indian, Spanish, Caribbean and Eastern European cooking, with live music and dance.

History and organisation

The festival began in 2007 and has run annually apart from COVID interruptions. It is delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Culture by Gibraltar Cultural Services; Word of Mouth produced the 2025 and 2026 editions.

When and where

Calentita is a June fixture. The 2026 edition ran on 19 and 20 June at the Landport Ditch car park, the first time it was held over two days and the first time at Landport. Earlier venues included John Mackintosh Square, the Line Wall Road Boulevard and Campion Park.

Visitor tips

Entry is free and food is sold by the portion. Dates are confirmed each spring by Gibraltar Cultural Services, and stallholders register through calentita.gi.