One of the greatest parts of the summer is all the food festivals that happen. From rib fests to beer fests, to even things like vegan fests, there’s sure to be some sort of cuisine that will get even the pickiest eater excited about.
Here are some festivals coming this summer you’ll want to attend.
Taste of Chicago
Nearing 30 years of feeding Chicagoans, Taste of Chicago has become one of the biggest food festivals in the country. It features a delectable mélange of local cuisine, musical performances, and fun activities for the whole family. Best of all, admission is free!
New York City Wine and Food Festival
If you’re looking for a food festival that caters to an older crowd, look no further than NYCWFF. The annual event attracts some of the greatest chefs from across the country, and the net proceeds go to charity, so you can feel like you’ve done some good while you enjoy your meal with a nice glass of wine.
Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
If you’re drooling over the thought of a wine and food festival, but New York is too far East, there’s the LAFW, which takes place over several days, and features mouth-watering foods, paired with delectable wines. In addition to the food and drink, the festival also includes performances from some of the biggest up-and-coming musical artists.
Picklesburgh Festival
For the last four years, pickle-fans have flocked to Pittsburgh for their annual Picklesburgh fest, which features new pickle-inspired twists on your favorite foods. The festival is for the whole family—there are lots of fun games and activities, and it even includes vendors that sell hand-crafted merchandise.
Oysterfest Music Festival
An institution when it comes to food festivals, Oysterfest has been serving Californians for the last 20 years. This year’s festival is being held in both San Francisco and San Diego and will include a variety of oyster dishes including: fried, baked, barbecued and even raw, along with musical performances. However, foodies who aren’t fans of oysters need not skip this festival, as there are other culinary options available as well.
Eat Drink SF
Another San Francisco festival, Eat Drink SF features some of the best food and wine you can eat, prepared by some of the most renowned celebrity-chefs in the country. Best of all, your ticket grants you access to a multitude of events the festival offers.
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
NOWFE is one of the nation’s most anticipated food festivals and includes delicacies from 24 restaurants across the city, and more than 1,000 wines from all over the world. Additionally, NOWFE has donated $1.2 million to local charities.
Taste of Vail
Featuring events such as Apres Ski Tasting, Mountain Top Picnic at Eagles Nest on the Vail Mountain, and Colorado Lamb Cook-off among others, this three-day festival is so much bigger than the small, mountain-town from whence it’s named.
Georgia Peach Festival
While this festival includes events such as a parade, live music performances and a beauty contest (the Miss Georgia Peach Pageant) the top attraction is the food—from sweet dishes such as cobblers and pies to savory favorites such as pizza and BBQ, there’s something for even the pickiest eaters.
Vermont Cheesemaker’s Festival
This festival features cheeses from all across the state, as the cheesemakers show off their best cheddar, goat cheese and many others. Tickets include samples, cheese-making demonstrations, farm tours and cheese-pairing workshops, and attendees can also try local wines, beers, ciders, spirits, and artisanal foods.
