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Tennessee Best Food and Drink Festivals 

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

Nashville

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Memphis

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Chattanooga

Best food and drink festivals in Tennessee

Tennessee's Grand Offerings: A Journey through the Best Food, Wine, Spirits, and Beer Festivals

From the musical beats of Nashville to the bluesy vibes of Memphis, the scenic beauty of Chattanooga, and the charm of Knoxville, each corner of Tennessee offers its unique flavors. Here, we'll explore some of the best food, wine, spirits, and beer festivals that these cities have to offer.

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Nashville: The Music City's Food and Drink Epicenter

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Nashville Wine & Food Festival: April

 

The largest wine and culinary gathering in Middle Tennessee welcomes thousands of attendees to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for a celebration of regional flavors. The Nashville Wine & Food Festival features over 150 wine and spirits vendors, including notable names like Chateau Ste Michelle, Josh Cellars, and local favorite Arrington Vineyards. Festival-goers can sample artisanal foods from 45 local restaurants and food trucks, with offerings ranging from gourmet sliders by Party Fowl to fresh seafood from Henrietta Red. Live music fills the air throughout the day with performances by local jazz ensembles and acoustic artists on two separate stages.

 

Expert sommeliers lead educational wine seminars in the VIP tasting pavilion, while interactive cooking demonstrations showcase techniques from celebrated regional chefs. The festival's unique "Bubble Lounge" area specializes in champagne and sparkling wines, complemented by a dedicated bourbon trail featuring premium Tennessee whiskeys.

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​East Nashville Beer Festival: April

 

This annual craft beer celebration in East Nashville returns once again to East Park, drawing thousands of beer enthusiasts from across the region. The East Nashville Beer Festival features over 45 craft breweries including local favorites like Southern Grist, Living Waters, and Bearded Iris, alongside national standouts such as Bell's and Dogfish Head. Food trucks line the festival grounds serving everything from hot chicken and wood-fired pizza to gourmet tacos, perfectly complementing the extensive beer selection. Live music keeps the energy high throughout the day with performances by local artists The Love Band and Steel Blossoms on the main stage.

 

With over 3,000 attendees, this makes it one of the largest beer festivals in Tennessee. Special features include a VIP tent offering exclusive rare beer tastings, a homebrew demonstration area, and a designated spirits section featuring local distilleries like Nashville Craft and Corsair.

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Memphis: Where Barbecue Meets Blues and Brews

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Memphis, with its legendary barbecue and soulful music, is a city that knows how to indulge your senses with premier food and drink festivals.

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​World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest: June

 

The largest barbecue competition in the world draws over 75,000 attendees to Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River in Memphis. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest features more than 200 teams competing in categories including whole hog, ribs, and shoulder, with legendary pit masters like Melissa Cookston and Chris Lilly showing off their smoking skills. Local favorites like Central BBQ and The Bar-B-Q Shop serve up pulled pork, smoked wings, and Memphis-style dry rub ribs, while dozens of vendors offer cold beer, bourbon tastings, and classic Southern sides.

 

Live music fills the air from multiple stages, with performances by Blues legends Bobby Rush and Southern Avenue, along with regional rock and country acts throughout the three-day event. Festival highlights include hands-on grilling demonstrations, a sauce-making competition, and the unique "Patio Porkers" division where amateur teams compete for bragging rights. Judges evaluate each entry on presentation, taste, and tenderness, with winners taking home over $115,000 in total prize money.

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Memphis Food & Wine Festival: October

 

This annual culinary celebration at Memphis Botanical Garden draws thousands of food enthusiasts to sample creations from over 40 local and national chefs. The Memphis Food & Wine Festival features acclaimed restaurateurs like Kelly English of Restaurant Iris, Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, and Jose Gutierrez of River Oaks. Attendees enjoy unlimited tastings of signature dishes ranging from elevated Southern cuisine to international fare, paired with selections from more than 150 wines and craft cocktails. Live entertainment includes performances by local jazz ensemble The Memphis Jazz Orchestra and blues guitarist Eric Hughes.

 

Festival highlights include chef demonstrations on the main stage, a VIP lounge with premium wine selections, and intimate meet-and-greet opportunities with participating chefs. The sprawling garden setting provides a picturesque backdrop for the event, with themed areas like the Champagne Garden and the Artisan Market featuring local food artisans selling specialty items.

Best food and drink events in Nashville Tennessee

Chattanooga: Whiskey, Wine and Food 

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Chattanooga's stunning natural landscapes provide the backdrop for some equally picturesque food and beverage events.

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Tennessee Whiskey Festival: September

 

Thousands of spirit enthusiasts gather at the First Tennessee Pavilion in downtown Chattanooga for a celebration of the region's finest distilleries. The Tennessee Whiskey Festival features over 40 distilleries from across the state, including renowned names like George Dickel, Jack Daniel's, and Chattanooga Whiskey Company serving their finest bourbon and whiskey varieties. Local food vendors offer Southern barbecue, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet food pairings specifically chosen to complement the whiskey tastings.

 

Live bluegrass and country music performances keep the energy high throughout the event, with regional bands playing on the main stage. Master distillers host educational seminars teaching attendees about the whiskey-making process, while specialty vendors sell whiskey-related merchandise and hand-crafted items. The VIP section provides access to rare whiskey tastings and exclusive meet-and-greets with master distillers in a more intimate setting.

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​Wine Over Water Festival: October

 

A cherished tradition spanning over two decades draws thousands of wine enthusiasts to the historic Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. The Wine Over Water Festival features over 50 wineries pouring more than 300 different wines from across the globe, including notable vintners like Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi and France's Louis Jadot. Local restaurants such as Easy Bistro, St. John's, and Public House serve gourmet small plates to complement the wine selections. Live jazz and acoustic performances from regional artists fill the air while attendees stroll the 2,376-foot pedestrian bridge spanning the Tennessee River.

 

Around 3,000 people typically attend this sophisticated outdoor tasting event, which has become the signature fundraiser for Cornerstones Inc., a local historic preservation organization. The festival's unique venue allows guests to sample wines while enjoying panoramic views of the riverfront, Lookout Mountain, and the city skyline at sunset.

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Knoxville: A City of Festivals and Flavors

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Knoxville, nestled in the Smoky Mountains, offers a vibrant food and beverage scene that caters to all tastes.

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Southern Tacos, Tequila & Margaritas Festival: April

 

A vibrant celebration of Mexican cuisine and culture brings thousands of food enthusiasts to World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville. The Southern Tacos, Tequila & Margarita Festival featured over 25 local and regional food vendors, including popular spots like Alebrijes Mexican Street Food, El Mezcal, and SoKno Taco Cantina. Festival-goers enjoyed an extensive selection of handcrafted margaritas, with flavors ranging from classic lime to unique combinations like spicy watermelon and lavender-peach, alongside premium tequila tastings from regional distributors.

 

Local musicians kept the energy high throughout the day with live performances from Knoxville's own Conjunto Bravo and La Fusion Latina Band. The event transformed the park into a colorful fiesta atmosphere with traditional papel picado decorations, custom photo opportunities, and interactive culinary demonstrations from visiting chefs. Unique festival features included a salsa-making competition, taco-eating contests, and an artisan marketplace showcasing local Mexican handicrafts and artwork.

 

Knoxville BrewFest: June

 

Local craft beer enthusiasts annually gather at World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville for one of Tennessee's largest beer sampling events. The Knoxville BrewFest features over 50 regional and national breweries, including local favorites like Crafty Bastard Brewery, Xul Beer Co., and Pretentious Beer Co. serving more than 150 different craft beers. Food trucks line the festival grounds offering everything from wood-fired pizza and gourmet tacos to artisanal pretzels and locally-made ice cream, while live performances from local bands like The Dirty Guv'nahs and Electric Darling keep the energy high throughout the day.

 

Nearly 3,000 attendees sample unlimited 2-ounce pours while exploring specialty tents featuring rare barrel-aged beers, sour varieties, and cider offerings. The festival's VIP area provides access to exclusive brews, climate-controlled spaces, and a dedicated food buffet. A portion of proceeds supports the CureDuchenne organization, adding a charitable component to this celebration of craft beer culture.

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Tennessee's food, wine, spirits, and beer festivals are a testament to the state's rich culinary heritage. Whether you're a barbecue lover in Memphis, a wine aficionado in Chattanooga, a craft beer enthusiast in Knoxville, or just looking for a great food experience in Nashville, Tennessee has something for everyone. 

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