Fifty Foodie Festival Destinations In The United States
Whether you're traveling through the US and want a food experience like no other, or are simply a food lover and want to see what's within striking distance of your town, these are some of the best food-centric festivals in the US. For the food-lover in us all, there's bound to be something you'll like on our list of the top 50 foodie destinations across the country.
National Peanut Festival: Dothan, AL
Unless, of course, you're allergic to peanuts, then the National Peanut Festival is the place to be between November 1 and 11, 2024 in Dothan, Alabama. It features dozens of food vendors selling all manner of peanuts. If you love peanuts and live anywhere near Dothan, Alabama, then this is the festival for you.
Kodiak Crab Festival: Kodiak, AK
The Kodiak Crab Festival has unfortunately already happened this year—between March 23 and 27, 2024. However, expect one of Alaska's premiere food festivals to return next year, with plenty more cracking crab to tuck into.
Phoenix Pizza Fest: Phoenix, AZ
If you love pizza, then the Phoenix Pizza Fest is definitely the place to be on November 11 and 12 of this year, as pizza-lovers from all over Phoenix converge on Margaret T Hance Park in downtown Phoenix for two days of dough-licious pizza.
Little Vignettes Photo, Shutterstock
The Arkansas Cornbread Festival: Little Rock, AR
Cornbread as far as the eye can see! That's what takes over Little Rock, Arkansas on November 4, as the Arkansas Cornbread Festival begins. Featuring the best cornbread in the country, the Cornbread Festival features hundreds of vendors and attracts thousands of visitors to Little Rock—and is now completely wheelchair accessible! Get yourself down to Main Street in Little Rock on November 4 for some delicious cornbread.
Los Angeles Fall Fair: Los Angeles, CA
For those who'll be in LA between October 25 and November 3, the Los Angeles Fall Fair is also in town. This huge event celebrating the commencement of the fall season in LA also features unlimited carnival rides for the kids and a massive food court. The event is taking place at the La Prada Events Plaza and spots are still open for vendors. Pre-gate tickets are on sale now.
The Sazón Food Festival: Brighton, CO
If you love food with a Latin twist, you'll love the Sazón Food Festival in Brighton, Colorado. Taking place on Saturday, October 19, the food fest features a wood-fired grill, barbecue fusion food, and Latin musicians. Head down to Carmichael Park in Brighton to experience the best Latin American food in the state.
Jeremy Keith , CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Get To The Greek Food Festival: New London, CT
The city of New London, Connecticut knows how to go to the Greek: It has an entire food festival dedicated to Greek food and spices, from November 7 to 8. Known as the St Sophia Grecian Food Festival, you can experience the very best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. A serving of souvlaki? Head to the Grecian Food Fest in New London in early November to sample the stunning cuisine of Greece.
Samples Aplenty At The Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival: Schellville, DE
The Southern Delaware Music Festival will take place in Schellville, Sussex County, Delaware on October 5. You can sample food from up to 20 different restaurants and more than 75 wines, cocktails, and beers from different vendors in one of Delaware's greatest food extravaganza's of the year.
Florida's Fantastic Seafood Festival: Apalachicola, FL
One of the largest seafood festivals in the United States takes place annually in Apalachicola, FL. The 61st annual festival will take place on November 1 and 2 and is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors—you should be one of them! Whether you love shrimp, catfish, oysters, or anything else fish-related, the Florida Seafood Festival is sure to be a highlight of fall in Florida.
The Georgia Apple Festival: Ellijay, GA
The Georgia Apple Festival takes place annually in Ellijay, Georgia over two exciting weekends in mid-October: the first on October 12, and the second on October 19. Although vendor applications are now closed for the festival, those who love apples and/or need something to do with the kids in Ellijay on those weekends should definitely check out this awesome apple fest!
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival: Kona, HI
Hawaiians (and visitors) who love coffee are encouraged to head down the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in Kona, Hawaii. Taking place from November 1 to 10, the coffee cultural festival is a place for all coffee connoisseurs to coalesce and talk caffeine while enjoying a nice hot cup of Joe.
Head Down To Hoptober Beer Festival: Boise, ID
Love craft beer? Then a place at the Hoptober Freshtival in Boise, ID should be yours. It's filled with craft brewing, live music, and promises the best brews in Idaho on October 12, 2024. Expanded to include over 20 breweries and an incredible food menu, Hoptober will leave you refreshed and feeling like you need to expand your beer repertoire.
The Fantastic Chicago Food Truck Festival: Chicago, IL
Located in North Cicero, this Chicagoan food truck festival promises to bring a vibrant food experience to the streets of Chicago and should appeal to locals and visitors alike who love the often eclectic tastes and flavors of street food.
Harvest Festival: Bargersville, IN
The Harvest Festival in Bargersville, Indiana at the Mallow Run Winery features a variety of food vendors, food trucks, and your favorite wines from Mallow Run Winery. Bargersville locals and those traveling through the area—lovers of food and wine—should definitely stop into the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 12.
Missvain, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations: Des Moines, IA
Dia de los Muertos, or the "Day of The Dead," is an annual Mexican celebration that takes place on November 1 and 2 in Mexico and many cities in the United States. This experience of food, music, and celebration are not to be missed in early November, as Dia de los Muertos celebrations take place across the US—find yours locally.
Poloide93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Spectacular Sweet Potatoes: Wichita, KS
If you love sweet potatoes, then there's no other place you should be than at the Sweet Potato Festival in Wichita, Kansas on November 24 of this year. The humble sweet potato is celebrated in all of its orange glory at Firefly Farm, with multiple sweet potato dishes on offer to those in attendance.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr
Louisville Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival: Louisville, KY
If you love chocolate, wine, whiskey—or all three—then a visit to the Louisville Chocolate, Wine and Whiskey festival is definitely a stop you should make on any trip through Louisville this fall. Taking place on November 9 of this year, the Louisville Chocolate, Wine and Whiskey Festival is the best place to be if you love all of those things.
Pohled 111, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Giant Omelette Celebration: Abbeville, LA
These two days of fun for all the family are a must-do for anyone who loves omelettes. The giant omelette celebration combines 5,000 eggs into a gigantic omelette. They season it to your liking and serve up a plate for everyone. The history of this celebration reportedly began during the time of Napoleon, when Louisiana was a French colony.
Maine's Garlic Fest: Skowhegan, ME
If you love garlic, then Maine's Garlic Festival is the only place to be on October 5 in Skowhegan, ME. It features multiple food vendors with a garlic twist and delightful drinks on-tap to wash down the pungent garlicky dishes with. Pay a visit to Skowhegan, Maine at the Garlic Fest this Saturday.
Sheila Fitzgerald, Shutterstock
Diwali Food Festival: Baltimore, MD
Lovers of east Indian food, unite! The Diwali food festival in Baltimore, Maryland is the culmination of the Indian Festival of Light, known as Diwali. If you love a good chicken curry or a samosa, then head down to the Diwali Food Festival in Baltimore on October 31 at 6pm.
Laura, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fall Food Truck Festival: Ludlow, MA
Another vote for fall food trucks at the Ludlow, Massachusetts Fall Food Truck Festival, taking place on November 16 from 5pm to 10pm. There will be live music, fire pits, and s'mores occurring during the evening, with a fantastic mid-winter celebration.
Monster's Ball Halloween Party: Detroit, MI
If you're in the mood for Halloween a little earlier than usual this year, you can pay a visit to the Monster's Ball Halloween Party in Detroit, Michigan. Taking place at the Russell Event Center, the Monster's Ball Party is a fantastic evening of fun and dancing not to be missed. Come dressed as you would for Halloween and enjoy all that the Monster's Ball has to offer. Tickets are on sale now!
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Another Fall Food Truck Festival: Hermantown, MN
Fall seems to be the time of year for food trucks; Yet another food truck festival is taking place in Hermantown, Minnesota on October 27. It's a "day of family-friendly fun," according to the organizers, as 10 food trucks featuring different types of food come together in Hermantown for the annual Food Truck Festival. Anywhere near Hermantown, MN on the 27th? Time to get down for some food truck festivities.
CelticFest: Brandon, MS
CelticFest is a celebration of all things Irish and Celtic about Brandon, Mississippi and its residents, their origins, and ancestry. Filled with live music, a Highland games-style competition, and Scottish and Irish foods, you can expect to see some haggis hanging out at CelticFest in Brandon, Mississippi.
Comfort Food Festival: St Louis, MO
This one-of-a-kind foodie event is dedicated to those who love to eat comfort food, even though it's being hosted in an oyster bar. Taking place at the Broadway Oyster Bar in St Louis, the Comfort Food Festival will be enjoyed by those who love to comfort eat.
Ennis Hunter's Feed: Ennis, MT
The Ennis Hunter's Feed is an event in Ennis, Montana that celebrates the town's rich hunting heritage with an annual community feast, featuring a variety of wild game dishes. From elk chili to antelope sausage, there's a best dish award and more hearty food than you can possibly eat in a single sitting. If you're hankering for something hearty on October 18, 2024, pay a visit to the Ennis Hunter's Feed.
Havelock Fall Festival: Lincoln, NE
Pumpkin pie competitions, a chili cook-off, and the Sugar Shack? What's not to enjoy about the Havelock Fall Festival? Bring along the kids and enjoy the best family fun in the city of Lincoln. The one-day festival takes place on October 19.
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Picryl
Chester's Halloween Night Food Truck Festival: Chester, NH
What better way to spend Halloween than the Night Food Truck Festival in Chester, New Hampshire? Maybe something to hit up after Halloween's trick-or-treating with the kids, before the morning's inevitable sugar rush? Whether you're going trick-or-treating or not, Chester's Halloween Night Food Truck Festival is the best way to spend a pre- (or post-) trick-or-treat evening in Chester, New Hampshire.
Japanese Food Festival: Leonia, NJ
If you love Japanese cuisine, then you simply must hit up the Japanese Food Festival in Leonia, New Jersey. It's one of the largest food festivals in the United States, as the Japanese Food Festival sees over half a million visitors every year. You could be one of them! Check out the stunning offerings of spectacular Japanese food on October 12.
The Southwest GrubFest: Hobbs, NM
The Southwest GrubFest is a celebration of food in Hobbs, NM. Part food-eating competition and part music festival, the Southwest GrubFest attracts thousands of visitors to Hobbs, NM annually. Even if you're not a power-eater, you can still enjoy the fantastic food on offer. Head down to the Southwest GrubFest on Saturday, October 26 to experience the allure of awesome food.
African Restaurant Week Food Festival: New York, NY
If you love African food, then you'll love spending an entire week in New York at the African Restaurant Week Food Festival, taking place from October 19 to the 26. No matter your preference of African food, New York's African street week likely has it—in spades.
spaztacular, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The North Carolina Seafood Festival: Morehead City, NC
If you're close to Morehead City, NC on October 4, do yourself a favor and head down to the North Carolina Seafood Festival. Filled with a fantastic seafood menu from shrimp and crab to scallops and other delicious seafood caught fresh from the seas of North Carolina.
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Picryl
8th Avenue & Main Pasta Fest: Carrington, ND
Love pasta? Head down the 8th Avenue & Main Pasta Fest in Carrington, North Dakota from October 17 to 18 to experience the best pasta in the country, from lasagna to spaghetti and many other quintessential pasta dishes. Get yourself down to the 8th Avenue & Main Pasta Fest in Carrington in a couple of weeks to experience pasta like you've never experienced it before.
The Columbus Taco Fest: Columbus, OH
If you love tacos, then you'll love the Columbus Taco Fest, starting on October 5 and concluding the next day at Goodale Park in Columbus. Come by and experience some of the world's best tacos—unique flavors and cultural nuances are aplenty at this festival. There's also live music from local bands to enjoy. Whatever you're doing in Columbus this weekend, the Columbus Taco Festival should be on your weekend agenda.
Texas Food Fest In Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, OK
Are you a Texan longing for a taste of home in Oklahoma? Then head to the Texas Food Fest at the Santa Fe Family Life Center in Oklahoma City on October 13, between 12pm and 6pm, for the finest Texan food in the state. Whether you love chili, pecan pie, chicken fried steak, or an incredible, slow-cooked brisket, you're sure to find something to your tastes at the Texas Food Fest.
A Snacker's Dream At SnackFest: Portland, OR
If you're a snack-lover, then Portland, Oregon's SnackFest is the place to be in November. Whether you love cookies, cakes, ice cream, potato chips, or something else entirely, SnackFest likely has it. Unleash your snacky desires at SnackFest on SE Alder Street in Portland.
Philadelphia TASTE!: King Of Prussia, PA
Philadelphia TASTE! is a festival that celebrates the culinary expertise of many of King Of Prussia's best restaurants: including dumplings, Angie's Vietnamese, Gaucho's Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, and a dose of Italian with parmigiana. There will also be many local breweries on-site offering a variety of tasters. Head on down to one of Philadelphia's ultimate food festivals.
Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival: Newport, RI
Featuring fresh, locally-caught seafood and continuous live music, this family-friendly event is perfect for the seafood lover in or around the Newport Area in mid-October. No matter what type of seafood you like, as long as it's caught in local waters around Newport, RI, it'll be there! From oysters to fish tacos, lobster rolls, chowder, fried calamari, and more—the legendary Bowen's Wharf Seafood Fest is the seafood festival to check out.
Foodees Food & Culture Fest: Florence, SC
Over 60 food vendors descend on Florence, SC in mid October for the Foodees Food & Culture Festival—a food truck extravaganza celebrating all things food and culture in the city of Florence and the surrounding area. If you love tasting food from different places, then take a trip to Florence for the Foodees Food & Culture Fest this October.
Black Hills Meat Fest: Box Elder, SD
The Black Hills Meat Festival is a celebration of all things meat. With prizes to win, ranging from turkey and chicken to whole sides of beef, as well as (of course) the incredible food on offer, this charity event is held annually in Box Elder, South Dakota and supports children with physical limitations. A worthwhile cause and worthwhile to visit Box Elder in early November.
St Elmo's Feast Day: Chattanooga, TN
Not only will St Elmo's Feast Day in Chattanooga provide free food, but there's also a pumpkin patch to keep the kids occupied. Dozens of food trucks descend on Chattanooga for this charity festival that supports local initiatives in Chattanooga, particularly in the St Elmo community of the city.
Do Your Wurst At WurstFest: New Braunfels, TX
If you love nothing better than a bratwurst, then WurstFest in New Braunfels, Texas, is the place to be. From food to German language lessons and a variety of amazing treats to taste, WurstFest is a celebration of German heritage, culture, and food in New Braunfels that's not to be missed.
Sunset Farmer's Market: Orem, UT
As the mid-October sun goes down a little earlier, residents and visitors to Orem, Utah prepare for the Sunset Farmer's Market. This one-night event, from 5pm to 8pm, showcases many fantastic food and arts and crafts vendors from Orem and the surrounding area.
Thomas Wozniak, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Harpoon Oktoberfest: Windsor, VT
From potato pancakes and bratwurst to delicious craft brewed beverages, Harpoon Oktoberfest in Windsor, Vermont on October 12 is not a celebration to be missed! If you're looking for one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the country, then the one happening in Windsor is sure to impress. There will also be pretzels and soup available—what's not to love?
Barbecue Smoke & Flavor Festival: Fredericksburg, VA
If you love a good barbecue, then head down to the Barbecue Smoke and Flavor Festival in Fredericksburg, Virginia in late October. Taste the succulence of both traditional and global barbecue flavors in everything from chicken to hotdogs, burgers, and more. Take in the ultimate barbecue food experience in Fredericksburg this October.
Afreeman, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
First Foods Festival: Walla Walla, WA
The First Foods Festival in Walla Walla, Washington is a festival that honors Indigenous first foods and the history and culture of the tribes of the Walla Walla Valley. If you'd like to learn more about the Indigenous culture and history of the west coast and the Walla Walla Valley, pay a visit to the First Foods Festival, held annually during the second week of November.
Aaron of L.A. Photography, Shutterstock
Discovery World Food Truck Festival: Parkersburg, WV
Another incredible food truck festival on our list is the Discovery World Food Truck Festival in Parkersburg, WV. Held in late October at the University of West Virginia, Parkersburg, and featuring dozens of food trucks with flavors from around the world, the Discovery World Food Truck Festival is the perfect place to be if you love food trucks!
Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock
Milwaukee Oktoberfest: Milwaukee, WI
One of the biggest celebrations in Milwaukee is the Milwaukee Oktoberfest, taking place during the first week of October. Like many Oktoberfest celebrations across the country, Milwaukee's features delicious food and beverages inspired by the German roots of the festival. If you're in Milwaukee in early October, head to Milwaukee Oktoberfest.
Taste Of Wyoming Festival: Rawlins, WY
The Taste of Wyoming Festival is one of the most anticipated festivals in Rawlins, Wyoming, Featuring food trucks filled with local delicacies and delights, the Taste of Wyoming Festival is a food extravaganza not to be missed!
Jamilya Khalilulina, Shutterstock
The Fyre Festival's Food Deception
The Fyre Festival was one of the most infamous deceptions in festival history: The entire thing was a scam and the organizer, Billy McFarland, spent time in prison for financial crimes—having defrauded investors of $27 million dollars. Festival attendees were promised gourmet meals all-day, every day—but instead received bread, cheese, and salad—with no dressing.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
