Skip to content

The Best Food Festivals in America

There’s nothing better than the senses you experience at a food festival – the rows of food trucks and tents as far as the eye can see…the sizzles, crackles and pops you hear from cooking….the smells of dozens of delicious being prepared around you….the crinkle of the tiny tapas sized paper plate in your hand…and of course the taste of everything you can stomach.  Food festivals are an extrasensory explosion and we’re lucky to live in a time where there’s one happening somewhere near you.

We looked for the most popular food festivals in the top 50 markets in the country based on google trends data and found some of your favorites below.  Whether it’s Asian umami bombs, terrific tacos, five star dining or fried favorites, food festivals have the best bites you can get all in one place.  Take a look at our list below and find a food festival near you.

A vendor at the New York Food and Wine Festival in New York, NY
Instagram/sweetsciencebkl

New York, New York
New York Food and Wine Festival
An annual four-day event, the New York Food and Wine Festival is the largest food festival in NYC. Featuring over 80 events with celebrity chefs and television personalities, the festival also serves as a fundraiser and attracts tens of thousands of attendees. The next food festival will be held October 2022.

Tacos from the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival in Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/magically.aide_

Los Angeles, California
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Unique snacks, musical performances, and fun activities for kids await festival attendees at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The West Coast version of the popular EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, this event features culinary demonstrations and novel Disney entertainment appropriate for the whole family.

Attendees at the Taste of Chicago food festival in Chicago, IL
Instagram/_thecreolebarbie

Chicago, Illinois
Taste of Chicago
More than deep dish and hot dogs, the Taste of Chicago returns in 2022 after a hiatus due to the pandemic. This year’s festival will take the form of neighborhood pop ups across the city in June, followed by a downsized event in Grant Park in July. Over 30 eateries will be represented at the event, alongside food trucks and three stages of entertainment in the Windy City.

Chefs prepare dishes at the Otaku food festival in Houston, TX
Instagram/otakufoodfestival

Houston, Texas
Otaku Food Festival
This free two day event in Houston is held in January as a celebration of the Lunar New Year. Many international cuisines are represented, including authentic dishes and street food from Laos, Mexico, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Thailand, and more.

Tacos from the Street Eats Food Truck Festival in Phoenix, AZ
Instagram/streeteatsaz

Phoenix, Arizona
Street Eats Food Truck Festival
A two-day long festival of food trucks and fun! Each of the over 40 food trucks offer a $2 sample for festival goers, who can also enjoy free activities for kids, eating contests, games, and a local vendor marketplace.

A dish from Manayunk's StrEAT Food Festival in Philadelphia, PA
Instagram/manayunkdotcom

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Manayunk’s StrEAT Food Festival
Food trucks and food vendors line up along Philly’s historic Main Street for this one-day festival celebrating the Manayunk neighborhood. Also featuring a full day of live music and shopping, the festival is easily accessible via biking and public transportation.

San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Lebanese Food Festival
An annual food festival held in October at San Antonio’s St. George Maronite Catholic Church showcasing the rich culture and heritage of the city’s Lebanese community. The event showcases homemade authentic cuisine, traditional Lebanese dance, and live music.

Dishes from the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival in San Diego, CA
Instagram/ursulakoenig

San Diego, California
San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival
A week-long event in the picturesque San Diego Bay with hundreds of domestic and international wineries, craft beer and spirits, food tastings, and late night parties. This year’s festival will take place in November, and culminates in a Grand Tasting Finale event on the waterfront Embarcadero.

An attendee poses in front of a sign at the Soul Food Festival in Dallas, TX
Instagram/sheilamilsap

Dallas, Texas
Soul Food Festival
One of the top food festivals in Texas, the Soul Food Festival brings vendors from around the state to share their soul food favorites. Many vendors also have vegan and keto options.

A dish from the Assyrian Food Festival in San Jose, CA
Instagram/assyrianfestival

San Jose, California
Assyrian Food Festival
An annual two-day event showcasing and educating the community about Assyrian food, culture, and traditions. The next event will be held in August, and in addition to traditional food will have live performances, exotic teas and pastries, a raffle, and kid’s activities.

Signage at the Austin Food + Wine Festival in Austin, TX
Instagram/austinfoodwine

Austin, Texas
Austin Food + Wine Festival
Returning in November, this hugely popular food festival in Austin features top restaurants, renown chefs, and plenty of food, wine, and spirits to sample. In addition to fantastic barbecue, the event has inventive tacos and a hands-on grilling event.

Jacksonville, Florida
Soul Food and Music Festival
Just a short drive south of Jacksonville is one of the area’s most popular food festivals, the Soul Food and Music Festival. Held annually on the first Saturday of October at the Vera Francis Hall Park, this family-friendly food festival features a parade, live entertainment, a barbecue rib contest, horseback riding, and more.

Attendees at a lounge area of the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival in Fort Worth, TX
Instagram/fortworthfwf

Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival
A food and wine festival for adults only, this massive four-day event in North Texas highlights the diversity of Texas cuisine with a variety of events curated by talented chefs and food artisans. The festival serves as a fundraiser to provide grants and scholarships to local culinary students.

Attendees at the food trucks from the Columbus Food Truck Festival in Columbus, OH
Instagram/colsfoodtruckfest

Columbus, Ohio
Columbus Food Truck Festival
A popular food truck festival being held in mid-August, this multi-day event is held at the historic Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. There are also multiple stages of live music, 50+ food trucks, a play area for kids, and tickets are only $5 a day!

Indianapolis, Indiana
First Friday Food Truck Festival
A food truck festival in Indianapolis held the first Friday of every month. Taking place at the Old National Centre Parking, this event is held from May through October.

Dishes from Charlotte Food and Wine Week in Charlotte, NC
Instagram/msquaredpr

Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Wine & Food Week
An event held in late Spring, this festival highlights fine wine and food pairings from the region while raising money for Charlotte-area children’s charities. There are also raffles, wine tastings, seminars, auctions, brunch events, and a bbq cookout.

Diners at the Singapore Food Festival in San Francisco, CA
Instagram/singaporefoodfestival

San Francisco, California
Singapore Food Festival
A unique food festival in San Francisco with authentic dishes from Singapore, masterclasses, and insider tours. The festival draws renowned chefs from around the world and has a new hybrid format of in-person as well as virtual events.

Tacos from the Foodie Fest in Seattle, WA
Instagram/heighconnectsfood

Seattle, Washington
Foodie Fest
Seattle’s popular End of Summer Foodie Fest is held in September annually at the Stone House Cafe along the lakefront. The festival is a free, family friendly event with a live DJ and pop-up shops for some of the city’s most beloved restaurants!

Vendors from the Holiday Food and Gift Festival in Denver, CO
Instagram/holidayfoodandgiftfestival

Denver, Colorado
Holiday Food & Gift Festival
The Holiday Food and Gift Festival is an annual tradition in Denver with an over 30 year history. Held in late November, this holiday event features local food booths as well as an expansive gourmet food area where locals can buy a wide variety of one-of-a-kind gifts. The festival also booths for small businesses, plenty of activities for children, and a meet-and-greet with Santa.

Attendees at a bar at the Taste of DC food festival in Washington, DC
Instagram/tasteofdc

Washington, District of Columbia
Taste of DC
A long-standing tradition since 1989, this food festival in Washington DC takes place over the course of an entire weekend. The event highlights over 50 of the region’s best restaurants, a large beer garden, an artisan market featuring local businesses, and two stages of live music.

Brunch offerings from the Nashville Wine and Food Festival in Nashville, TN
Instagram/nashvillewineandfoodfestival

Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Wine & Food Festival
This Music City bash is sponsored by Corkdorks Wine Spirits Beer, and brings eclectic wines from around the world as well as signature local dishes from Nashville restaurants for patrons. The food and wine festival is held at the classy and modern Omni Hotel in the heart of downtown, which is also integrated with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

A competitive eating competition from the El Reno Burger Day Festival in Oklahoma City, OK
Instagram/933jakefm

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
El Reno Burger Day Festival
The annual Burger Day Festival is just a short drive from Oklahoma City, and a tribute to the fried onion hamburger which has been cooked in El Reno since the early 1900’s, which is considered the most iconic dish of the area. The festival also features local artists, a burger eating contest, and a popular classic car show.

A glass of wine from the El Paso Wine and Food Fest in El Paso, TX
Instagram/epwinefest

El Paso, Texas
El Paso Wine and Food Fest
The El Paso Wine and Food Festival is a rapidly growing annual event held in October to benefit local charities. The largest food and wine event in the Borderplex, this exceptional festival offers special VIP experiences, wine tastings, and a variety of local fine dining restaurants.

Tents set up for the Boston Local Food Festival in Boston, MA
Instagram/alyxseaport

Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Local Food Festival
Located along the historic Fort Point Channel waterfront, this Boston food festival celebrates locally grown and produced foods. Festival-goers have the unique experience of not only sampling from local restaurants and food trucks, but also meeting chefs and farmers face-to-face in collaborative workshops and demonstrations. The festival is easily accessible by bike as well as public transportation.

A chef presenting food at Feast Portland in Portland, Oregon
Instagram/feastportland

Portland, Oregon
Feast Portland
Feast is an international culinary festival spreading over three days in Portland. Held each September, the festival features special dinners, social hours, hands-on classes, and more. There will be pop-up events throughout the summer as a part of a Feast series.

Dancers reveling at the Las Vegas Greek Food Festival in Las Vegas, NV
Instagram/lvgreekfest

Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas Greek Food Festival
Nevada’s best food festival according to National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine, this massive Greek food festival has a diverse lineup of events including authentic food tastings, live music and dancing, raffles, rides, a local artisan market, and a relay race. A long-standing tradition first established at the Stardust Hotel in 1973, this celebration of Greek culture benefits multiple local charities.

A vendor from the Detroit Foodie Fair in Detroit, MI
Instagram/detroitfoodiefair

Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Foodie Fair
A new festival growing in popularity, the Detroit Foodie Fair has delicious samples, hand-crafted kitchen tools, unique pre-made goods, and more. The event coincides with a vegan market, and provides an opportunity for the attendees to crown “Detroit’s Best Foodie Find.” The next event will be held in September.

A branded wine glass from the Memphis Food and Wine Festival
Instagram/memphisfoodwinefestival

Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis Food & Wine Festival
An annual event held in October, the Memphis Food & Wine Festival in Tennessee celebrates local and regional chef talent alongside certified sommeliers. Held in a beautiful botanical garden, festival-goers will enjoy a relaxing celebration of food, wine, and the city of Memphis.

Louisville, Kentucky
International Food Truck Festival
The Louisville International Food Truck Festival is a free food festival near the Big Four Bridge at the Waterfront Park. This fun-filled outdoor event features local performers and over a dozen food trucks. The next event will be held in May.

A burger from the Trifecta Food Truck and Music Festival in Baltimore, MD
Instagram/lgk_baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland
Trifecta Food Truck & Music Festival
Over 40 food trucks, live bands, craft beers, and local vendors await festival-goers at Maryland’s largest food truck and music festival, held in Timonium just a short drive north from Baltimore. The event has unique activities, such as axe throwing, mechanical bull rides, and more. Children under 12 are free at this family-friendly festival.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
OnMilwaukee’s Food Truck Fest
A popular mid-summer food truck festival in Milwaukee, get your tickets early because this event frequently sells out! Held at the Henry Maier Festival Park near Lake Michigan, this festival features over a dozen food trucks with a variety of offerings, live DJs, and family activities.

Hot sauces from the National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show in Albuquerque, NM
Instagram/fieryfoodshow

Albuquerque, New Mexico
National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show
If you’re a heat-seeker, you’ll want to attend this food festival in Albuquerque dedicated to spicy food and barbecue! With over 200 exhibits and more than 1,000 hot and spicy products, there are plenty of opportunities to sample and purchase new products, as well as participate in cooking demonstrations and vote in a bracket-style culinary competition for charity.

Tacos from the Tucson 23 Food Festival
Instagram/debbywolvosphotography

Tucson, Arizona
The Tucson 23
A Mexican food festival celebrating what is considered the “Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food in America.” Tucson has some of the most diverse Mexican food offerings north of the border, with many authentic eateries represented being family-owned and decades old. Previously cancelled due to the pandemic, the festival is expected to return in 2022.

Dishes from the Fresno Greek Fest in Fresno, CA
Instagram/fresnogreekfest

Fresno, California
Fresno Greek Fest
Held annually in September, this year will be Fresno Greek Fest’s 60-year anniversary celebration. While the past two years were downsized to to-go and street food events, this year it is expected to be back in full force, with authentic Greek cuisine, music, dancing, and entertainment.

A diner at the California State Fair Food Festival
Instagram/castatefair

Sacramento, California
CA State Fair Food Festival
The food festival portion of the California State Fair, this event features over thirty food vendors with sweet and savory treats sure to please! The fair also features a competitive element which awards prizes to the best vendors and dishes, and inclusive festival passes.

A food truck from the Boulevardia food festival in Kansas City, MO
Instagram/blvdia

Kansas City, Missouri
Boulevardia
Held on Grand Boulevard at Crown Center, Kansas City Boulevardia is a massive festival of food, alcohol, and music. This “grand experience for your senses” has a food sampling event with a diverse lineup of culinary offerings, as well as local craft beers from over 50 different breweries.

Mesa, Arizona
Yum Food Fest
A family-friendly food festival, Yum Food Fest in Mesa highlights great local food trucks alongside a beer garden for adults, shopping, and live music. The next event will be held in May, and VIP passes are available.

Cocktails from the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival in Atlanta, GA
Instagram/atlfoodandwine

Atlanta, Georgia
The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival
A large festival with events around Atlanta, the annual Atlanta Food and Wine Festival will be held in mid-September. A “celebration of the South” with intimate dinners, tasting tents, and demonstration stages, this food festival features all day entertainment and unlimited samples.

Dishes from the Taste of Omaha food festival in Omaha, NE
Instagram/therelocationexpert

Omaha, Nebraska
Taste of Omaha
An early June event with live entertainment that attracts people from throughout the Midwest, Taste of Omaha is a three-day food festival held annually. Specialty restaurants present a wide variety of foods and Omaha staples, with dozens of establishments represented.

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off & Carnivale Parade
A massive gumbo cook-off and celebration of Carnivale, this popular Colorado Springs food festival is an affordable, family-friendly event. Attendees are able to vote for their favorite gumbo, or participate in the cook-off themselves in the amateur division.

Raleigh's International Food Festival in Raleigh, NC
Instagram/internationalfoodfestraleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh’s International Food Festival
An international food festival with over 30 countries represented, this diverse event is free, outdoors, and family friendly. They even invite you to bring your pets! Apart from great food and desserts, there are also non-stop performances and a large dance party. In previous years, over 20,000 people attended this popular festival.

Crab legs and lowcountry boil from the Long Beach Seafood Festival in Long Beach, CA
Instagram/socialliite

Long Beach, California
Long Beach Seafood Festival
If you love seafood, you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind festival in Southern California. Featured on Big 7 Travel, this popular food festival is held in late May, and features a wide variety of seafood suitable to everyone’s tastes. Kids can participate in life-size games, and adults can check out the beer garden and live music with hits from the 80’s and 90’s!

The Neptune Food Festival in Virginia Beach.
Instagram/neptunefestival

Virginia Beach, Virginia
Neptune Spring Wine Festival
A long-running annual festival held in May, the Neptune Festival is a non-profit which partners with other charitable organizations to hold events in Virginia Beach throughout the year. In spring, head down to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for unlimited wine tastings, live music, and food trucks. A similar event is also held in the fall.

Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Instagram/sobewffest

Miami, Florida
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Sponsored by the Food Network and Cooking Channel, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is held in Miami in late February annually. This four-day festival has a wide variety of events, from private tastings to family activities to late night parties, there is something for everyone. The festival features numerous celebrity chefs and television personalities, as well as live tapings.

Dishes from the Eat Real Festival in Oakland, CA
Instagram/eatrealfest

Oakland, California
Eat Real Festival
Described as “a state fair, street-food festival, and block party all rolled into one,” the Eat Real Festival in Oakland is free to attend with affordable food options made with regionally-sourced and sustainably-produced ingredients. The event has curated food experiences, craft beer and cocktails, and live entertainment and demonstrations.

Food trucks lined up at the St. Paul Uptown Food Truck Festival in Minneapolis, MN.
Instagram/uptownfoodtruckfestival

Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Paul Uptown Food Truck Festival
Held in late summer, this food festival in the Twin Cities features over 40 food trucks along with beer and live music. The St. Paul Uptown Food Truck Festival is free to attend and very popular, with games and giveaways making it fun for the whole family. Pets are invited!

The Jenks America Food Truck Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Instagram/jenks_chamber

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jenks America Food Truck Festival
In addition to numerous food trucks, this event also has live music and regional artists. A variety of vendors line the charming Main Street in Jenks, which is a short 15-minute drive south of Tulsa.

Attendees at the St. George Bakersfield Greek Food Festival in Bakersfield, CA
Instagram/bakersfieldgreekfest

Bakersfield, California
St. George Bakersfield Greek Food Festival
A large Greek food festival held annually in Bakersfield by St. George Church, this event is a celebration of Greek culture which also benefits charity. This three-day weekend festival includes raffles, tours of the historic church, live music, and of course, plenty of delicious and authentic Greek cuisine!

Wichita, Kansas
Air Capital Bacon, Bourbon & Brews
Held at Hartman Arena, this large festival celebrates bacon, bourbon, and craft beer! A newer annual festival which is growing and expanding, all tickets include bacon and beer samples along with premium bourbon sampling options. When you’re not enjoying the food and drinks, the Air Capital Bacon, Bourbon & Brews Festival also has live entertainment, a bacon-eating contest, and mechanical pig riding.

Attendees at the Texas Taco Festival in Arlington, TX
Instagram/texastacofestival

Arlington, Texas
Texas Taco Festival

A two-day event held in late November, the Texas Taco Festival is a highly anticipated food and entertainment festival that some would describe as “taco heaven.” In addition to the over 75 varieties of tacos available, the festival also has a massive football watch party, Mariachi bands, lucha libre wrestling, delicious margaritas, and more!