Food Fests
A Feast for the Senses
Food is such a key part of life & travel. What better way to sample food from a destination than at a Food Fest! Food Festivals have gotten so popular that most places now have one of some sort. So I compiled 10 Food Festivals from top travel destinations in the US to consider for your next trip!
Key West Food & Wine Festival - Late January
The Key West Food & Wine Festival takes place at the end of January with a series of events Wed-Sun at locations around Key West. It's the perfect time to escape the cold further north and head to the Southernmost Point of the United States for Key West's laid back island life vibe. Visitors can also eat key lime pie, bar hop, & enjoy lots of seafood while there. For ideas on where to stay, what to do, plus more, go to the Key West Guide & Gifts.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival - Late February
The Food Network hosts a 4 day SOBEWFF on the beach & other venues across South Beach featuring over 100 events with Food Network celebrity chefs. Another great opportunity to escape the cold for warmer, sunnier weather down south, plus enjoy the Art Deco Ocean Drive, Wynwood street art, & Little Havana Cuban culture while there. For top picks on hotels, activities & more, to help plan your next Miami Getaway, check out the Miami Guide & Gifts.
Napa & Sonoma
Bottlerock Napa Valley - Late May
Napa Valley has a few food & wine events with the largest being BottleRock - a 3 day music, food & wine festival over Memorial Day Weekend. The fest features over 75 bands across 5 stages, plus celebrity chef presentations & access to food & drinks from top Napa restaurants for an all-out super fun, action packed weekend! For insights on where to stay and what else to do, eat, drink & more, head to the Napa & Sonoma Valley Guide & Gifts.
New Orleans
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - Mid-June
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience takes place in mid-June with a 3 hour Grand Tasting in the convention center. While there be sure to check out more great food & drinks in the French Quarter. For a curated list of where to stay, what to do, eat, drink and more, head to the New Orleans Guide & Gifts. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Disney World
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival - Late Aug - Nov
A highlight of visiting Disney World is sampling food from around the world at Epcot. So why not up the ante and visit during the annual EPCOT Food & Wine Festival that takes place at the end of Aug - end of Nov?? In addition to tasting food from 14 countries, there are additional food kiosks during the festival for more options, plus a nightly concert to Eat to the Beat. For ideas on where to stay and what else to do, check out the full Disney World Guide & Gifts.
Chicago Gourmet - Late September
Chicago Gourmet is a collection of tasting events across 4 days (Thurs-Sun) in late September. Events include a Grand Cru wine tasting, ultimate Sunday brunch, Hamburger Hop, Asian Market @ Tao, and Taco & Tequila event. For top picks on hotels, activities & loads more to help plan your Chicago Getaway, check out the Chicago Guide & Gifts.
New York City
NYC Wine & Food Festival - Mid-October
The Food Network hosts the NYC Wine & Food Festival with 50 events across 5 days (Wed-Sun) in various venues featuring top chefs & Food Network personalities. Events range from brunch to dinner, master classes & grand tastings, even an evening with Martha Stewart. Ideas on where to stay, what to do, eat, drink & more in NYC are available in the New York City Guide & Gifts.
Hawaii
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival - Second Half of October
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival takes place the last 3 weekends in October with various events staggered each weekend on Hawaii Island, Maui & Oahu. Hawaii can be a lot to navigate with several islands to visit, so I compiled the highlights for each, and a way to visit all 4 main islands in 1 week in the Hawaii Guide & Gifts.
Charleston
Charleston Food & Wine Classic - Mid-November
Charleston Food & Wine Classic is a 3-day event over a weekend in mid-November co-hosted by Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure & Southern Living magazines featuring various presentations & tasting events. It is a very pricey 3-day ticket seemingly for those in the industry or willing to splurge for a weekend of Southern Hospitality at its finest. For ideas on where to stay and gifts to give, check out the Charleston Guide & Gifts.
Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival - Mid-November
Palm Spring Food & Wine Festival takes place over a weekend in mid-November and provides an opportunity to try food & drinks from local restaurants and meet top chefs while enjoying live music too. It's a beautiful time of year to visit Palm Springs and sneak in some hiking, shopping & golf too! For ideas on where to stay, eat & drink and what to do & wear there, check out the Palm Springs Guide & Gifts.