11 great food festivals in the U.S.

We’re jazzed about this four-day celebration of food, wine, beer and craft spirits emerging from the South and beyond. Walk between tasting tents, attend curated gourmet gatherings, watch cooking demos, and get your mouth around food prepared by more than 200 noted chefs. It’s going to be epic. Sep 20-24

Hosted by the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, on Hawai’i Island, this is the resort’s first-ever epicurean event to celebrate Hawai’i’s agriculture and culinary innovation. Held over Labor Day weekend, it includes masterclasses led by chefs, experimental collabs, tastings, parties, a silent auction to raise funds for charity, and more. The “Volcanic Vines and Wines” event with vintage wines from volcanic vineyards sounds out of this world! Aug 31-Sep 2

With a tagline of “come hungry, leave inspired,” this festival merges the celebration of culinary innovation with social responsibility. Held in 14 cities, it’s a three-hour event circling around live fire and unlimited bites from around 20 local top chefs. You’ll also appreciate the artisanal drinks and entertainment—plus the chance to vote at the end for the day’s Heritage Hero. July 29 in Snowmass, CO; Aug 20 in Napa Valley, CA; Sept 10 in the Willamette Valley, OR; Nov 12 in Miami, FL; and Dec 3 in Los Angeles, CA

This event has been held since 1959 to celebrate the harvest here at the artichoke center of the world (more than 60 percent of the world’s fresh artichoke supply is grown here). The festival also funds local nonprofits. Events include an artichoke eating contest, chef demos, music, a comedy show, wine tasting, and more. As the slogan says, “Thistle be fun.” Bonus fact: Marilyn Monroe was California’s first Artichoke Queen. June 2024

Come celebrate Texas’s chefs and the farmers who grow exceptional ingredients in two cities that are emerging as culinary destinations: Houston and Dallas. This “culinary rodeo of Texas-sized proportions” incorporates sustainability initiatives, environmental consciousness and charitable fundraising, all while serving up unlimited food, drinks and entertainment for one all-inclusive ticket. The charitable partner is Urban Harvest, which coordinates farmers' markets, community gardening and classes and, best of all, gets youth working the soil. Sep 30-Oct 1 in Houston, TX; TBA Dallas, TX

Taste and sip on this charming New England island—that sea breeze will add a little seasoning to whatever you’re trying. The festival goes for four days with lots of opportunities to taste local wines, and you know for sure there will have to be lobster rolls. Oct 19-22

This smorgasbord of food love incorporates walk-around tastings, small private dinners, “demo and dine,” master classes, cocktail parties and signature events like a Blue Moon Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray, or a Tacos and Tequila night hosted by the cast of The Kitchen. It all sounds like if you’re not stuffed by the end, it’s your own fault. Plus, you're eating for a good cause: proceeds from the festival benefit the God's Love We Deliver charity in NYC. Oct 12-15

Surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains, you can enjoy learning about food and wine—and happily indulging. Throughout the weekend, you can sign up for five different cooking demonstrations or beverage seminars, as well as attend panel discussions featuring celebrity chefs and wine and spirits experts. The event just extends out your après ski relaxation.

Next to be held: June 14-16, 2024

This cool foodie showcase hops from park to park throughout the city and is completely free to attend. You’ll taste appetizer-sized bites of many different cuisines, and there are game areas to keep kids satisfied. It’s the world’s largest food festival and takes place over six days. There’s even music from big-name artists to boot! Aug 5 at Marquette Park; Sep 8-10 at Grant Park

A full four days are devoted to celebrating internationally known chefs and wine and spirits producers; it began 22 years ago as a single-day festival. More than 65,000 people attend the roughly 110 associated events such as chef-hosted dinners and an Asian Night Market. It’s also a fundraiser for the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Feb 22-25, 2024

We adore our fungi because it’s fun, guys. Celebrate its musky power at this festival, which is also a fundraiser for high school seniors’ scholarships. There are plenty of vendors, cooking demonstrations, music, and mushrooms prepared every possible way. And you can’t leave until you’ve tried the mushroom beer! May 25-26, 2024