Tampa Florida Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Tampa Spirits Festivals: 

 

Whiskey & Barrel Nite: March

 

This spirited tasting event has become a highlight of Tampa's food and beverage scene, drawing over 800 whiskey enthusiasts to sample premium spirits. Hosted at Armature Works, the historic Heights Public Market venue provides an atmospheric backdrop for guests to sample over 180 bourbons, scotches and whiskies from 35 distinguished distilleries and spirits vendors, including Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Angel's Envy. Local Tampa restaurants serve carefully curated food pairings designed to complement the complex whiskey profiles, with Heights Public Market vendors offering special menu items throughout the evening.

 

The festival features live jazz performances by The Black Honkeys and Jeremy Thomas Quartet, creating an ambient soundtrack for tasting sessions. Master distillers lead educational seminars focusing on whiskey production techniques, aging processes, and the art of proper tasting. VIP ticket holders gain early access to exclusive pours of rare and limited-edition whiskeys, plus intimate meet-and-greet opportunities with brand ambassadors and industry experts.

 

St Pete Tacos & Tequila: May

 

This wildly popular Gulf Coast celebration draws over 5,000 attendees who gather to indulge in handcrafted tacos and premium tequila tastings at Vinoy Park annually. The St Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival features 25 local food vendors including Urban Restaurant Group, Lolita's Wine Market, and Casa Tina's, each offering their unique take on street tacos filled with everything from traditional carne asada to fusion creations like Korean BBQ and Thai-spiced fish. A dedicated tequila village showcases over 40 premium tequila brands providing neat pours and craft cocktails, while local mixologists demonstrate their skills in the festival's spirited margarita competition.

 

Live entertainment includes performances by Latin fusion band Tropical Sun and DJ sets by Tampa Bay's own DJ Fresh. The waterfront venue transforms into a celebration of Mexican culture with traditional folk dancers, artisan vendors selling handmade crafts, and an interactive guacamole-making station where guests can create their own fresh blends.

​

Tampa Beer Festivals: 

 

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ: March

 

This annual celebration of Southern staples brings together craft beer brewers, bourbon distillers, and pitmasters at the Curtis Hixon Park. The festival features over 60 beer varieties from local Florida breweries including Cigar City and 3 Daughters, alongside national craft favorites like Sierra Nevada and New Belgium. More than 40 bourbon selections are available for tasting, with prestigious labels such as Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Maker's Mark offering guided sampling sessions. Professional pitmasters serve up Memphis-style ribs, Carolina pulled pork, and Texas beef brisket, with local favorite Holy Hog BBQ headlining the food offerings to typically 4,000 attendees over this 2 day event.

 

Live bluegrass and country music fills the air throughout the day, with regional bands like The Cadillac Cowboys and Steel Creek providing the soundtrack. The festival distinguishes itself with unique features like a bacon eating contest, whole hog demonstrations, and a detailed seminar series called "BBQ University" where guests can learn smoking and grilling techniques from expert pitmasters.

 

Oktoberfest Tampa: October

 

The largest German cultural celebration in Tampa Bay draws thousands of beer enthusiasts and food lovers to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park each October. Oktoberfest Tampa features over 40 craft and traditional German beer varieties alongside authentic German cuisine from vendors like Deutsche Küche, Schnitzel House, and Bavaria's Haus. Live music fills the waterfront park with traditional German bands and local favorites performing on multiple stages, while attendees enjoy activities including the popular stein-hoisting competitions, keg-tapping ceremonies, and traditional folk dancing. The festival transforms the downtown venue into a Munich-style beer garden complete with long communal tables, festive decorations, and dedicated spaces for both families and adults.

 

More than 15,000 attendees typically participate in this three-day celebration, many wearing traditional dirndls and lederhosen while sampling specialties like schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels, and apple strudel. Special features include a dachshund race known as "The Running of the Wieners," carnival games, photo opportunities with authentically-dressed performers, and a marketplace selling traditional German crafts and merchandise.

 

With these incredible food, wine, spirits, and beer festivals, Tampa and its surrounding cities offer a feast for the senses. Whether you're a gourmand, a wine aficionado, a spirits enthusiast, or a beer lover, there's a festival that will cater to your cravings and introduce you to the rich flavors of Florida's culinary and beverage scene.