There’s nothing better than being surrounded by food — and people who love it just as much as you do… unless you’re traveling to get to that food. Across the United States, Americans can be proud of our ability to share in and experience different cultures, a prominent way being through our shared appreciation of food. It seems there is no shortage of people who share this sentiment — that food can bring us together. And so, pack up the car or book your flights because these food festivals are ones you won’t want to miss.
Global Food Festivals
PIZZAFEST
Where: Naples, Italy
When: Mid-June
Whats on the menu:
Ten days worth of the best Neapolitan pizza you can find!
OKTOBERFEST
Where: Munich, Germany
When: Late September – early October
Whats on the menu:
Bavarian cuisine, beer
and lederhosen at every turn!
LA TOMATINA
Where: Buñol, Spain
When: Late August
Whats on the menu:
The biggest food fight in the world!
SALON DU CHOCOLAT
Where: Paris, France
When: Late October – early November
Whats on the menu:
Chocolate, fashion, food and more!
Domestic Food Festivals
L.A. WINEFEST
Where: Long Beach, California
When: Early June
Whats on the menu:
California wines, craft beers and L.A. food trucks.
VAIL CRAFT BEER CLASSIC
Where: Vail, Colorado
When: Mid-June
Whats on the menu:
Craft beers, ciders, seltzers and kombuchas.
WILMINGTON STREET FOOD FESTIVAL
streetfoodfests.com/event/wilmington
Where: Wilmington, Delaware
When: Late May
Whats on the menu:
BBQ, birrieria, chicken, curry, Caribbean, beignets, Thai, potatoes and more!
FROG LEG FESTIVAL
Where: Fellsmere, Florida
When: Every January
Whats on the menu:
Frog legs, gator tail and southern fare like grits, coleslaw and hushpuppies.
KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Where: Kona, Hawaii
When: Early November
Whats on the menu:
Coffee!
POTATO DAYS
Where: Meridian, Idaho
When: Late September
Whats on the menu:
Potatoes — baked, boiled, fried — you name it!
THE TASTE OF CHICAGO
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Early September
Whats on the menu:
The Taste of Chicago is a multicultural wonderland boasting Indian, Italian, Thai, African, Mexican, Senegalese, English, American and so much more!
AMERICANROYALWORLD 8 SERIES OF BARBECUE
Where: Kansas City, Kansas
When: Every fall
Whats on the menu:
The largest BBQ competition in the world!
WORLD CHICKEN FESTIVAL
Where: London, Kentucky
When: Late September
Whats on the menu:
Contests, music entertainment, vendors, carnival rides and delicious food.
FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Early April
Whats on the menu:
Cajun fare, pralines, BBQ, beignets, po’ boys, seafood and more!
MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL
Where: Rockland, Maine
When: Early August
Whats on the menu:
Everything lobster, from lobster dinners and mac and cheese, to bisque and coleslaw as well as other seafood dishes and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast!
QUAD STATE PICKLE FEST
Where: Boonsboro, Maryland
When: Late May
Whats on the menu:
All types of pickles accompanied by BBQ and jerk fare.
WILD RICE FESTIVAL
Where: Deer River, Minnesota
When: Mid-July
Whats on the menu:
Come for a wild rice dinner, snapping turtle soup, a turkey dinner, burgers and midway treats.
DREAM FOOD FESTIVAL
Where: East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: Mid-July
Whats on the menu:
Tons of creative global street food!
THE NATIONAL BUFFALO WING FESTIVAL
Where: Buffalo, New York
When: Labor Day weekend
Whats on the menu:
Any flavor of chicken wings you can imagine, but you’re sure to find buffalo sauce on everything!
TASTE OF CHARLOTTE
Where: Charlotte, North Carolina
When: Early June
Whats on the menu:
Southern cuisine, American cuisine from across the country and global cuisine, with over 100 menu items.
NORSK HØSTFEST
Where: Minot, North Dakota
When: Late September
Whats on the menu:
Scandinavian cuisine like lefse, krumkake, fiskekaker, Norwegian waffles, Danish aebleskivers, Swedish meatballs and Oofda tacos.
OKTOBERFEST ZINZINNATI
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
When: Late September
Whats on the menu:
German beer, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, bratwurst and sausages, pretzels and strudel.
PORTLAND SEAFOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Where: Portland, Oregon
When: Early March
Whats on the menu:
Endless seafood dishes, cheese, global cuisine and local wines and beers.
NEWPORT OYSTER 21 & CHOWDER FESTIVAL
Where: Newport, Rhode Island
When: Late May
Whats on the menu:
Plenty of oyster dishes and seafood chowders — fresh oysters are also available for purchase.
MUSIC CITY HOT CHICKEN FESTIVAL
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
When: Every Fourth of July
Whats on the menu:
Nashville’s best hot chicken, drinks and southern fare.
BEAR LAKE RASPBERRY DAYS
Where: Garden City, Utah
When: Early August
Whats on the menu:
Fresh raspberries, raspberry pie, raspberry milkshakes
and more!
A TASTE OF THE DMV
Where: Washington D.C.
When: Mid-June
Whats on the menu:
A celebration of global cuisine and a beer garden.
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