Love tasting your way through new flavors? These food and wine festivals serve up gourmet bites, fine wines, and unforgettable vibes—perfect for weekend getaways or culinary adventures.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Food and Wine Festivals:
1. Sample the Nation’s Capital One Bite at a Time at Taste of DC
Taste of DC is the largest culinary festival hosted annually in the mid-Atlantic region, offering a weekend full of food-related festivities since 1989. More than 65 of the DC region’s top restaurants are showcased throughout the event, which also features the area’s largest beer garden. Three stages offer live music performances and culinary seminars and demonstrations, and an artisan market showcases the works of local artists and crafters. A Taste After Dark event also offers a sneak peek at vendors and food offerings in an intimate evening setting. Four ticket package tiers offer general, early, and VIP admission, and all food sales are operated through a cashless RFID TasteBand ticketing program.
Washington, DC, Phone: 202-618-3663
2. Spice Things Up at the Arizona Taco Festival
The Arizona Taco Festival offers general admission and VIP tickets to sample tacos and Mexican dishes from more than 50 area restaurants. The event takes place in mid-October at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. Beverage stations throughout the event also freely serve margaritas, beer, soft drinks, and water, and you will also find premium bars operated by local bars and breweries. All food and beverages are purchased using event tokens. Event highlights include a Lucha Libre Wrestling competition, a live music stage, taco and hot chile pepper eating contests, and a chihuahua beauty pageant. A Tequila Expo and Margarita Mixology event are also showcased, along with a Kid’s Zone featuring a bungee trampoline, bounce houses, and a mechanical bull.
7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85258, Phone: 480-270-5000
3. Toast to Culinary Royalty at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic
The Aspen Food & Wine Classic is the United States’ premier food and wine festival, offering three days of wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and panel discussions from top national and international chefs for 5,000 ticket holders ages 21 and older. The event is presented by Food and Wine magazine and has been dubbed the “Food Olympics” by Denver magazine. Since its inception in 1983, the event has hosted internationally-renowned food industry luminaries such as Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, and Tyler Florence. Annual programming includes a Restaurant Trade Program offering seminars and networking opportunities, a Grand Tasting Pavilion showcasing more than 300 vendors, and exclusive happy hour events for industry members.
69 Aspen St, Floral Park, NY 11001, Phone: 970-429-9581
4. Savor Seaside Sophistication at the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
The Big Sur Food & Wine Festival offers special dinners and tasting events at venues throughout the Big Sur area, including several walking with wine excursions to area historic properties and natural attractions. A nonprofit organization hosts the four-day event, and they donate all event proceeds to local charities supporting the arts, health, public safety, and education, including wildfire relief funds. A walkabout marketplace is held at Loma Vista Gardens, showcasing dozens of local artisans and live entertainers. Other major events include a public auction, a winemakers’ panel, a sommelier dinner, and a jazz night continuing in the tradition of the former Big Sur Jazz Festival.
P.O. Box 487, Big Sur, CA 93920, Phone: 831-596-8105
5. If You’re All About Crustacean Cravings, Head to the Maine Lobster Festival
The Maine Lobster Festival is a five-day event held during the heart of Maine lobster season within the coastal town of Rockland. Daily lobster dinners are served, and unique lobster delicacies such as lobster macaroni and cheese, wontons, and stuffed risotto balls are available for sale. A number of family-friendly activities and ceremonies are showcased throughout the event, including the annual coronation of the Maine Sea Goddess on opening night. Other highlights include an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, a seafood cooking contest, a lobster eating contest, and a 10K road race. A carnival ride section is offered for young visitors, along with a one-mile kids’ fun run, a children’s codfish carry, and a family activity zone.
1 Pleasant St, Rockland, ME 04841, Phone: 800-576-7512
6. Celebrate Oregon’s Best at Bounty of Yamhill County
Bounty of Yamhill County has been voted as one of the top 10 food festivals in the United States by USA Today and The Culture Trip. The three-day festival offers exclusive limited ticketing for participants ages 21 and older, with all event proceeds benefiting the Yamhill Enrichment Society. Chefs, farms, and vintners from around Oregon’s Wine Country region are highlighted, with many offering one-of-a-kind dishes created for the event. Event highlights include winemaking and food pairing classes, demonstration and discussion events, Chill and Grill alfresco evenings, and a Big Night signature event that pairs local chefs and farmers for a unique walkaround feast.
638 NE Fifth Street, McMinnville, OR 97128, Phone: 503-883-9654
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
-
How many food festivals are held annually in the United States?
- More than 7,000 food festivals are held annually in the United States, with many events themed around regional specialties such as seafood, barbecue, or tacos.
-
What do top food and wine festivals feature?
- Top food and wine festivals feature panels, demonstrations, and seminars by leading industry professionals such as Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, and Wolfgang Puck, while local cook-off competitions highlight the unique creations of amateur chefs.
-
What entertainment and activities are available at food festivals?
- Many weekend or weeklong festivals offer live entertainment from top recording artists as well as activities for young visitors, including kids’ zones and children’s cooking events.
Plan Your Trip