Best Food and Drink Events showcases the top Food and drink festivals across the United States. Almost all posted events are 1,000 in attendance and up.
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Enjoy the spicy flavors of the New Orleans Wine and Food Festival, Vino samplings at Uncorked Wine Festivals or the refreshing craft beer pours at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. All of the top festivals and events are listed here.
Let's Take a Look at 10 Exciting Festivals Across the United States.
(1) The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - June
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience's Grand Tasting is a culinary extravaganza that showcases the best of the Big Easy's food and wine scene. Held at the spacious New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this event draws thousands of eager gourmands and oenophiles from around the world. Attendees have the opportunity to sample an impressive array of over 1,000 wines from 175 wineries, while indulging in delectable bites prepared by 75 of New Orleans' finest chefs.
The Grand Tasting not only offers a chance to savor exquisite flavors but also provides a unique platform for wine connoisseurs to engage directly with winemakers, asking questions and learning about special appellations from across the globe.
(2) The Great American Beer Festival - October
Held at the sprawling Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver, the Great American Beer Festival, is a beloved annual event in the craft beer world. This three-day extravaganza showcases an impressive array of over 800 breweries offering more than 4,000 different beers for tasting. Beer enthusiasts and industry professionals alike flock to the festival, with attendance typically reaching around 60,000 people over the course of the event.
Beyond the extensive beer sampling opportunities, the festival also hosts the largest professional beer competition in the United States, where brewers vie for prestigious medals in over 100 beer style categories. Attendees can explore creatively designed experience areas catering to various interests, enjoy food pairings, and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the diversity and innovation of American craft beer.
(3) Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival - February
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival's Grand Tasting Village is the crown jewel of the four-day culinary extravaganza, taking place on the pristine sands of Miami Beach. This massive beachside event attracts over 50,000 food enthusiasts who flock to sample delectable bites from more than 50 restaurants and sip premium wines and spirits from over 100 vendors. Sprawling across multiple tents, the Grand Tasting Village offers attendees the chance to mingle with celebrity chefs, watch live cooking demonstrations, and indulge in a diverse array of cuisines ranging from local Miami flavors to international delicacies.
The festival's signature event not only tantalizes taste buds but also provides a vibrant atmosphere with live music, interactive experiences, and the opportunity to discover new culinary trends.
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(4) Oktoberfest Zinzinnati - September
America's largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Munich, takes place at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove along Cincinnati's riverfront. This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over 100 food and beverage vendors offering authentic German cuisine and a wide selection of beers to the expected 800,000+ attendees. The new venue allows for expanded entertainment options, including more than 30 performances across multiple stages, highlighted by the Zinzinnati Festhalle, a massive 300-foot tent that can accommodate over 1,000 revelers.
Visitors can participate in beloved traditions such as the World's Largest Chicken Dance, the Running of the Wieners dachshund race, and the Stein Hoisting Competition. With its Bavarian-inspired atmosphere, live music, and family-friendly activities, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati continues to be a cherished celebration of German heritage and culture in the heart of the Queen City.
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(5) The Charleston Wine & Food Festival - August
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The Charleston Wine & Food Festival, a culinary extravaganza held annually in early March, transforms the Holy City into a gastronomic paradise for five days. Hosted primarily at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, with events scattered across the peninsula, the festival attracts approximately 35,000 food enthusiasts from around the globe. Visitors can explore over 100 events, including cooking classes, chef demonstrations, and exclusive dining experiences, all showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Charleston and the Lowcountry.
The festival's centerpiece, the Culinary Village, features a smorgasbord of flavors with numerous Snack Shacks, Foodie Kitchens, and food trucks offering diverse tastes from local and visiting chefs. Beyond the food, attendees can indulge in an array of wine, beer, and spirits from various exhibitors, making the Charleston Wine & Food Festival a true celebration of Southern hospitality and culinary innovation.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​(6) The Windy City Ribfest - July
The Windy City Ribfest, a sizzling summer tradition in Chicago's vibrant Uptown neighborhood, is set to return for its 12th anniversary this July. Hosted at the bustling intersection of Broadway and Lawrence, this three-day extravaganza attracts thousands of barbecue enthusiasts and music lovers from across the city and beyond. The festival boasts an impressive lineup of over 20 food vendors, serving up an estimated 50,000 pounds of mouthwatering pork ribs and other savory delights.
Beyond the culinary offerings, attendees can enjoy a diverse array of live music performances on multiple stages, showcasing both local talent and national acts. To round out the experience, the Ribfest features an arts and crafts area, family-friendly activities, and the perfect urban backdrop for both daytime fun and evening entertainment, thanks to its proximity to iconic Chicago music venues like The Green Mill, Aragon Ballroom, and Riviera nightclub.
(7) Atlanta Food & Wine Festival - September
This four-day culinary extravaganza is set to tantalize taste buds in September at the picturesque Historic Fourth Ward Park. This year's festival, themed "Big Top Bazaar," promises an expanded experience with over 200 celebrated chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists showcasing the best of Southern cuisine and beyond. Attendees can expect a carnival-inspired atmosphere with gourmet twists, featuring at least 40 chefs participating each day, offering a diverse array of flavors from renowned establishments like Nakato, Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ, and Tiny Lou's.
The festival's signature Tasting Tents, presented by Goya Foods, will now include Friday night sessions, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already bustling weekend. With record-breaking ticket sales and an anticipated crowd of thousands, this year's Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is shaping up to be an unmissable celebration of culinary artistry, complete with cooking demonstrations, intimate dinners featuring Food Network stars, and a new VIP tent offering exclusive bites and beverages.
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(8) Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival - October
Making its debut in Brooklyn's Sunset Park, the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival will continue to grow and entertain. Spanning 450,000 square feet at the Invesco QQQ Campus in the Brooklyn Army Terminal, the festival will host over 80 events across four exciting days. More than 500 celebrated chefs, including Bobby Flay, Scott Conant, and Marcus Samuelsson, will be part of the lineup, offering food enthusiasts opportunities to enjoy a range of activities from intimate dinners and cooking classes to wine tastings and late-night celebrations.
With its relocation to Brooklyn, the festival enters a new chapter in its 16-year history, drawing thousands of attendees into a vibrant celebration of food and drink. While the primary events are set in Brooklyn, select activities will continue in Manhattan, ensuring the festival’s presence is felt citywide.
(9) Bourbon & Beyond Festival - September
The Bourbon & Beyond Festival, held annually at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, has become a must-attend event for music and bourbon enthusiasts alike. Spanning four days in September, the festival attracts over 120,000 attendees who come to enjoy performances from more than 100 artists across five stages, ranging from rock legends to country stars and emerging talents. Beyond the music, the event features culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs, exclusive bourbon workshops, and a diverse array of food and drink options from over 70 local and regional vendors.
The festival grounds are transformed into a bourbon lover's paradise, with the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar offering a wide selection of Kentucky's finest spirits and The Hunter's Club showcasing rare and hard-to-find bourbons. With its unique blend of music, food, and bourbon culture, Bourbon & Beyond has solidified its position as a premier festival experience in the heart of Kentucky.
(10) Austin Food & Wine Festival - November
Austin Food & Wine Festival, a culinary extravaganza set to take place over 3 days at the Auditorium Shores in Austin Texas. This promises to be a feast for the senses. This event will feature over 50 top restaurants and 30+ wine, beer, and spirit makers, offering attendees a chance to indulge in a wide array of flavors and experiences. The festival's lineup boasts an impressive roster of more than 70 chefs, including local favorites and nationally renowned culinary stars, who will showcase their skills through cooking demonstrations, interactive sessions, and mouthwatering tastings.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Fire Pit, where attendees can savor hot bites fresh off the flames while interacting with pitmasters and chefs cooking over live fire. With an estimated attendance of thousands of food enthusiasts, the Austin Food & Wine Festival continues to cement its position as one of the premier culinary events in the country, celebrating the rich tapestry of flavors that define Austin's vibrant food scene.
These events showcase the country's rich diversity of food culture with a plethora of dishes to please the taste buds and a wide array of craft beers, wines, and cocktails to quench every thirst.
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