Ohio Best Food and Drink Festivals 

From the charming corners of Cincinnati to the vibrant neighborhoods of Cleveland, the food, wine, spirits, and beer festivals in the Buckeye State are a testament to Ohioans' passion for all things gastronomic. Join us as we take a journey through some of Ohio's finest culinary celebrations.

 

Cincinnati - The Queen City of Flavors

 

Taste of Cincinnati: May

 

 

America's longest-running culinary arts festival draws over 550,000 visitors each Memorial Day weekend to downtown Cincinnati. The Taste of Cincinnati spans five blocks along Fifth Street, featuring more than 50 local restaurants and food trucks serving their signature dishes. Popular vendors like Alfio's Buon Cibo, Eli's BBQ, and Tickle Pickle offer everything from Argentine empanadas to smoked brisket and gourmet burgers. Local craft breweries, including Rhinegeist, MadTree, and Taft's Brewing Company, pour dozens of beer varieties at multiple beverage stations throughout the festival grounds.

 

Three stages host continuous live performances from regional bands and national acts, with past performers including Better Than Ezra, Living Colour, and local favorite The Rusty Griswolds. The festival includes unique features like the Taste Experience tent where local chefs demonstrate cooking techniques, a food truck alley showcasing mobile cuisine, and specialized areas dedicated to international foods and desserts.

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Oktoberfest Zinzinnati: September

 

The nation's largest German heritage celebration draws nearly 700,000 people to downtown Cincinnati each autumn. The festival, hosted along 2nd and 3rd Streets between Elm and Walnut, features over 100 vendors serving authentic German cuisine including Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Mick Noll's, and Wiedemann's Beer Garden. Festival-goers can sample traditional favorites like schnitzel, cream puffs, potato pancakes, and strudel, alongside more than 50 different German beer varieties from local and international breweries.

 

Live entertainment spans seven stages with performances by German folk bands, including The Klaberheads and Polka Floyd, plus traditional dance groups showcasing the Schuhplattler. The weekend highlights include unique traditions such as the Running of the Wieners dachshund race, the World's Largest Chicken Dance, and the Gemutlichkeit Games where participants compete in beer stein holding contests. Special features of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati include authentic beer barrels tapped using traditional German ceremonial methods, plus handcrafted items from German artisans selling cuckoo clocks, beer steins, and lederhosen.

 

Cleveland - A Culinary Gem on Lake Erie

 

Cleveland Beerfest: February

 

This downtown festival at the Huntington Convention Center has grown into one of Ohio's largest craft beer events. The Cleveland Beerfest features over 65 local and regional breweries, including standouts like Great Lakes Brewing Company, Fat Head's, and Platform Beer Co, serving more than 200 unique craft beers. Food vendors dish out hearty fare including pulled pork sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and gourmet pretzels from local favorites like Barrio and Ohio City Pasta.

 

The event entertainment keeps the energy high with performances from local bands including Cleveland's own Carlos Jones & The P.L.U.S. Band and The Sunrise Jones. Around 6,000 beer enthusiasts typically attend each session, sampling drinks while collecting commemorative tasting glasses and festival merchandise. A unique "silent disco" dance floor and games area featuring giant Jenga and cornhole add extra entertainment value beyond the brews.

 

Cleveland Garlic Festival: August

 

This festival of all things pungent draws thousands of garlic enthusiasts to Shaker Square in Cleveland's historic district. The Cleveland Garlic Festival features over 40 local vendors, including popular spots like The Pierogi Lady, Adam's Reserve, and Countryside Farmers' Market artisans. Visitors can sample unique creations like garlic ice cream from Mason's Creamery, garlic-infused craft beers from Great Lakes Brewing Company, and dozens of varieties of fresh local garlic from Northeast Ohio farms. Live music fills the air throughout the weekend with performances by local favorites like Blue Lunch Band and The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

 

The family-friendly event typically welcomes over 20,000 attendees and includes cooking demonstrations by acclaimed local chefs, garlic braiding workshops, and a Miss Garlic contest where participants don garlic-themed costumes. The festival grounds also feature a dedicated children's area with face painting, craft stations, and educational displays about garlic farming and sustainability.