Eat Up: A Month-by-Month Guide to Visiting the Best Food Festivals

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2023

No matter how different we all are, if there's one thing that we all have in common, it's our love for good food. And while many of the best conversations take place at the dinner table, for those that love to hit the town, food festivals are an equally great place for a stellar time. Think about it: an adventurous opportunity to hang with friends — old and new — and try a plethora of tastes from restaurants all over? Who wouldn't want to live that type of life?

Of course, you probably have your one true food festival that you hit every year, but this year, why not try something new? If you're not sure where to start though, our month-by-month food festival guide is here to help you find the perfect one to attend during the month of your preference.

From the Taste of St. Croix fest this spring to Swine & Wine this fall, there's literally something for everyone on our list. And who knows, you might end up creating a new tradition for you and your pals. Here are the best food festivals happening each month of the year.

January 2025

Cayman Cookout

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Want to make plans to beat the cold weather next winter? Well, if you're looking for an amazing getaway, the highly celebrated Cayman Cookout is an ideal destination. Touted as the "epitome of exclusive culinary festivals," you'll want to mark your calendar for this week-long event.

Date: January 15-20

Location: Cayman Islands

Get more info here.

February 2024

Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate is Better with Pepsi

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Vegas is turning into Flavortown for one day only, thanks to Guy Fieri and Pepsi. Taking place on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, this tailgate will be free to the public for what just may be the largest tailgate ever. There are, however, tickets that you can purchase for other parts of the event, so be sure to check out the full breakdown.

Date: February 11

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Purchase tickets here.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival

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It's Florida or bust this February as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival takes center stage yet again. Brought to you by Food Network, the festival is one that delivers an unforgettable experience. With celebrity chefs, plenty of educational experiences and, of course, a good time, you'll want to secure your tickets year after year for this one,

Date: February 22-25

Location: Miami, Florida

Purchase tickets here.

Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival

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Touted as Hilton Head's most popular food festival, the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival brings together the best of local seafood, authentic Gullah cuisine and southern BBQ. Delivering a lowkey island atmosphere with a serene backdrop this is one off-the-radar festival you need to add to your list.

Date: February 22-25

Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Purchase tickets here.

March 2024

Lakeside Food & Wine Festival

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There's really never a reason needed to head to the west coast these days, but if you're looking for one in 2024, this just might be your sign. Unlimited tastes and a beautiful view are yours to be had at the 3rd annal Lakeside Food & Wine Festival. Though new to the festival scene, this is one you won't want to miss.

Date: March 3

Location: San Marcos, California

Purchase tickets here.

April 2024

Crawfish Festival

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Crawfish lovers, this one's for you. Gearing up for its ninth installment, Arkansas's Crawfish Festival offers up some of the best crawfish in The Delta. It's a family-friendly event and the best part is admission is free!

Date: April 6

Location: Wilson, Arkansas

Get more info here.

Taste of St. Croix

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There are plenty of reasons for you to head to the USVI, but in case you needed a little convincing, St. Croix's celebrated Taste of St. Croix festival is a huge reason you should add it onto your list this year. Boasting a picturesque backdrop that looks like it's straight out of your favorite movie, this festival is filled with good eats, boozy sips and everything you need to have an unforgettable time.

Date: TBA

Location: Christiansted, St. Croix

Get more info here.

May 2024

Fish to Fork

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There's no time like this year to get a taste of Florida's beautiful beaches and May will be the perfect time to do that. The reason? Omni Amelia Island Resort will be hosting its 8th annual Fish to Fork festival. Offering up picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean and an deliciously unmatched foodie experience, guests won't regret making this their Mother's Day weekend treat.

Date: May 9-12

Location: Amelia Island, Florida

Get more info here.

June 2024

Beer Cheese Festival

If beer cheese is your thing, then boy, do we have the place for you. Whether you enjoy yours on a pretzel, spread on a burger or just plain by itself (we won't judge you), the world's only Beer Cheese Festival is your place to be. Offering up sampling, shopping, music, a food court and — of course — an Amateur Beer Cheese Making Contest, you'll wonder why you didn't know about this one-of-a-kind festival sooner,

Date: June 8

Location: Winchester, Kentucky

Get more info here.

Bonaire Rum Festival

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What do you get when you mix together rum and the beach? One heck of a party, that's for sure. And if you're attending the Bonaire Rum Festival, you get it for a full week. Rum-pairing dinners are plentiful while cigar aficionados can have their fun too — and don't think your time on the waterfront will be limited. There's more than enough fun to be had for both you and your tastebuds.

Date: TBA

Location: Bonaire

Get more info here.

FOOD & WINE Classic Aspen

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Of course, there are plenty of food festivals sponsored by the infamous Food & Wine, but if you've ever been to its flagship fest, you know there's nothing like the original. And if you haven't, here's your sign to go this year.

Date: June 14-16

Location: Aspen, Colorado

Purchase tickets here.

July 2024

Main Lobster Festival

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Lobster fans,

Date: July 31-August 4

Location: Rockland, Maine

Get more info here.

August 2024

Whiskey Festival

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Can't get enough of whiskey? Then L.A. is your place to be this August. Brought to us by Los Angeles Magazine, the one-day-only event will bring together those who are both new and true to the whiskey genre and ensure you have a great time.

Date: August

Location: Los Angeles, California

Get more info here.

September 2024

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

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Looking for a reason to head to Atlanta this year? Well, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is one big reason to do so. Filled with chefs from the south and beyond, this is definitely one festival that's filled with good eatin' and sweet sippin'.

Date: September 13-15

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Purchase tickets here.

euphoria

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There are many reasons why Greenville, South Carolina is becoming a foodie hot spot and if you're still questioning why, the euphoria food festival will deliver the answer you're looking for. Serving up multiple days of good vibes, delicious eats and tasty sips, you might find yourself never wanting to leave.

Date: September 19-22

Location: Greenville, South Carolina

Get more info here.

October 2024

Swine & Wine at Barnsley Resort

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Atlanta isn't the only destination in Georgia worth stopping by this year. If you've never been to Adairsville, Georgia, you'll want to add its pet-friendly resort — Barnsley Resort — to your list of places to stop by, especially in the month of October for their aptly titled Swine & Wine festival. A full-on celebration of pork and cork, this weekend-long event offers up the perfect excuse to getaway for a few days.

Date: October

Location: Adairsville, Georgia

Get more info here.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas' Food & Wine Festival

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Returning for its second year, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas' official Food & Wine Festival is the excuse you need to get your passport ready. Created in partnership with Invited, this one-of-a-kind festival will bring celebrity chefs and food lovers together for a tasty experience you'll wish you can be apart of every single year.

Date: October

Location: Dominican Republic

Get more info here.

New York City Wine & Food Festival

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New York, October is your time to shine as the coveted New York City Wine & Food Festival makes its way back to the limelight. Featuring an overflowing amount of celebrity chefs, tastings, performances and more, you'll regret not nabbing your ticket once they become available.

Date: October 17-20

Location: New York, New York

Get more info here.

November 2024

Vineyard Fest

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Vino fans, this one is absolutely for you. Nestled not too far from Atlanta is the acclaimed Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. While the sprawling location has been home to many episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, each November, it's also home to one of the best festivals around: the Vineyard Fest. And if you're looking for a good time, you need to be there this year.

Date: TBA

Location: Braselton, Georgia

Get more info here.

Unspoiled Queen Rum & Saba Lobster Festival

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Lovers of rum, lobster and a dang good time will want to make their way to Saba for the Unspoiled Queen Rum & Saba Lobster Festival. The week-long festival will fuse together two of the island's local delicacies and provide both visitors and natives with an experience that will be talked about for years to come.

Date: November 6-12

Location: Saba

Get more info here.

St. Maarten Flavors

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If you've been looking for the perfect time to head to the beautiful St. Maarten, the month of November just might be it. Taking place throughout the duration of the entire month, the St. Maarten Flavors festival will see the island come alive with delicious specialties and experiences that can't be done justice be even the best photographer.

Date: November

Location: St. Maarten

Get more info here.

Ocala Food & Wine Festival

Though a relatively new event, the Ocala Food & Wine Festival is one that you won't want to miss. Taking place at the illustrious World Equestrian Center, this multi-day festival sees celebrated chefs serve up delicious dishes that pair with wine, beers and cocktails. And who doesn't love that?

Date: November

Location: Ocala, Florida

Get more info here.

December 2024

Palm Beach Food & Wine Fest

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Tired of spending your December in frigid weather? Then head on down to Palm Beach, Florida to switch up the scene. The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival delivers its promise of giving you a sunny good time and this year will be no different.

Date: December 12-15

Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Get more info here.

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