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Ohio Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.

Cincinnati 

Pinãq liqueur
Zin
Mar Mad
California's best food festivals, wine, spirits and beer festivals.
Tequila Fest Cincinnati
Taste of Cincinnati
Real Taco

Dayton

Columbus

Cleveland

Akron Pizza

Toledo

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Best food festivals in Columbus Ohio
Savoring Ohio: A Culinary Journey Through the State's Best Food, Wine, Spirits, and Beer 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.

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.

Best food and beer festivals in Cincinnati Ohio

Dayton - The Glass City's Culinary Charm

 

Minster Oktoberfest: October

 

The largest and most authentic German festival in Western Ohio draws thousands of visitors each fall to the Sycamore Grove in downtown Minster. Known as Minster Oktoberfest, this 3 day celebration features over 100 food and craft vendors, including local favorites like Wagner's IGA serving their famous bratwurst and Greve's Deli offering authentic German potato salad. More than 80,000 attendees enjoy traditional German beer from Moeller Brew Barn, along with imported selections from Munich-based breweries. The festival grounds come alive with multiple stages featuring live entertainment from bands like Klaberheads, Cincinnati Schnapps, and The Wooster Oompah Band.

 

A highlight of the gathering includes the popular beer tray relay races, where servers compete while balancing full steins of beer through an obstacle course. The family-friendly atmosphere includes a dedicated children's area with games, face painting, and a traditional German dress costume contest.

The Fleurs de Fête Wine & Gourmet Food Festival: May

 

This must attend wine festival in Ohio brings thousands of wine enthusiasts together each spring to sample vintages from around the world. The Fleurs de Fête Wine & Gourmet Food Festival, hosted at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, features over 400 wines from 75 different international and domestic wineries, including notable producers like Robert Mondavi, Caymus Vineyards, and Louis Jadot. Local restaurants and caterers, such as Amber Rose Restaurant, El Meson, and Jay's Seafood, serve gourmet food pairings alongside artisanal cheeses and fresh-baked breads.

 

Live jazz performances by the Chris Bowman Quartet and Latin fusion band Montunos keep the atmosphere lively throughout the day-long event, which typically draws more than 2,000 attendees. Professional sommeliers offer guided tastings and educational sessions on wine appreciation, while guests explore the historic park's beautiful outdoor pavilions and gardens. A special VIP area provides access to premium reserve wines and champagnes, along with exclusive food offerings and private seating areas.

 

Columbus - The Capital of Flavor

 

Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest: July

 

The tantalizing aroma of slow-cooked ribs drifts through downtown Columbus as one of Ohio's largest food festivals takes over the Arena District and McFerson Commons. The Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest draws over 200,000 visitors annually, featuring 23 award-winning rib vendors from across North America, including Texas Pit BBQ, Desperados, and Carolina Rib King. Local craft breweries serve up cold drinks while attendees enjoy live performances across three stages, with past headliners including contemporary jazz artists like David Sanborn, Brian Culbertson, and Norman Brown. Famous for its People's Choice Award where festival-goers vote for their favorite ribs, the event showcases diverse BBQ styles from Memphis dry rub to Kansas City sweet and tangy sauces.

 

Beyond ribs, vendors offer classic sides like cornbread, coleslaw, and mac and cheese, while the Jazz Café area provides a shaded retreat where visitors can relax with specialty cocktails and gourmet desserts. A dedicated kids' zone features face painting, balloon artists, and interactive music workshops, making this summer tradition a family-friendly destination.

North Market Wine Festival: August

 

During Ohio's premier wine tasting event, guests can sample from over 25 different wineries, including favorites like Buckeye Lake Winery, Debonne Vineyards, and Plum Run Winery. The North Market Wine Festival, hosted at the historic North Market in downtown Columbus, typically draws over 2,000 attendees throughout the weekend for this intimate indoor-outdoor celebration. Local jazz ensemble The Dave DeWitt Quartet provides smooth background music while patrons explore both domestic and international wine varieties, with a special focus on Ohio-produced vintages.

 

The market's diverse food vendors offer perfectly paired small bites, including artisanal cheeses from Black Radish Creamery, fresh baked breads from Omega Artisan Baking, and specialty chocolates from Pure Imagination Chocolatier. Special features include educational wine seminars by certified sommeliers, a VIP early access hour, and commemorative wine glasses for all attendees. Each ticket includes 10 tasting vouchers, allowing guests to sample wines from multiple vendors while strolling through both levels of the historic market building.

 

Whether you're in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo or Columbus, there's a festival waiting for you to explore. You won't be disappointed by the delicious discoveries that await you in the Buckeye State.

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