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Travel · Top 10

The 10 Best Food Festivals in the United States in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Direct answer

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach is the best food festival in the United States, running February 25-28, 2027 with 105+ events. The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen (June 18-20, 2027) is #2 and the free Taste of Chicago is #3.

At a glance

#PickWhenBest for
1South Beach Wine & Food FestivalFebruary 25-28, 2027A star-studded beach weekend with the biggest line-up of chefs
2Food & Wine Classic in AspenJune 18-20, 2027Top wine and chef seminars in a mountain town
3Taste of Chicago2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran Wednesday - Sunday, July 8-12, 2026Eating your way through Chicago restaurants for free
4Charleston Wine + FoodMarch 3 - 7, 2027Lowcountry food and five days of events each March
5Atlanta Food & Wine Festival2027 dates to be announced; 2026 ran Sept. 11–14Southern food, drinks and all-inclusive tasting tents
6Pebble Beach Food & WineApril 1-4, 2027Luxury wine and chef events on the Monterey coast
7Music City Food & Wine Festival2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran April 24-26Nashville food, drinks and live music in a park
8Maine Lobster Festival2027 dates not yet announced; held the first weekend of August, Wednesday through SundayFresh hot Maine lobster on the harbor
9New York City Wine & Food FestivalOctober 14 - 17, 2027 (its 20th anniversary)Grand Tastings and big-name chefs in Manhattan
10Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking ContestMay 12-15, 2027Competition barbecue and smoky team cook sites

Pick by what you want

Best overall
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Best for wine
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Best free festival
Taste of Chicago
Best for seafood
Maine Lobster Festival
Best for barbecue
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

The ranking

1

South Beach Wine & Food Festival

South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Answrs VerdictThe biggest name in American food festivals, with 2027 dates already set.
When: February 25-28, 2027Where: Miami Beach, FloridaEvents: 105+ events with 500+ experts over 4 daysRaised: $46M; all net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival returns February 25-28, 2027 in Miami Beach, with 105+ events and 500+ experts over 4 days. It has raised $46M, and all net proceeds benefit FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Go ifA star-studded beach weekend with the biggest line-up of chefs
Skip ifYou want a small, low-key local festival
Why #1 over #2: Its 105+ events and 500+ experts make it the largest line-up on this list.
2

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Answrs VerdictThe original, held in Aspen since 1983.
When: June 18-20, 2027Where: Aspen, Colorado; the Grand Tasting Pavilion is in Wagner ParkSince: 1983Getting there: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) will be closed from April 4 through November 19, 2027; plan to fly into another airport

The Food & Wine Classic has been held in Aspen since 1983, with the Grand Tasting Pavilion in Wagner Park. The 2027 Classic runs June 18-20, 2027; Aspen’s airport (ASE) will be closed from April 4 through November 19, 2027, so plan another way in.

Go ifTop wine and chef seminars in a mountain town
Skip ifYou want a cheap or easy-to-reach trip in 2027
Why #2 over #3: Held since 1983, its chef and wine seminars give it a depth the free, walk-in Taste of Chicago does not aim for.
3

Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago
Answrs VerdictA free summer tradition in Grant Park since 1980.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran Wednesday - Sunday, July 8-12, 2026Where: Grant Park, Columbus Avenue from Balbo to Monroe, Chicago, IllinoisEntry: FREE Admission; 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Since: 1980

Taste of Chicago, established in 1980, fills Grant Park with Chicago eateries and charges no admission. The 2026 edition ran July 8-12, 2026 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifEating your way through Chicago restaurants for free
Skip ifYou want chef dinners and wine seminars
Why #3 over #4: It has run since 1980, longer than Charleston Wine + Food, founded in 2005, and admission is free.
4

Charleston Wine + Food

Charleston Wine + Food
Answrs VerdictThe South’s nonprofit festival, with 2027 dates set.
When: March 3 - 7, 2027Where: Charleston, South CarolinaFounded: 2005Attendees: Over 456,000 since its inceptionRun by: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Charleston Wine + Food, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005, hosts a five-day festival each March and has welcomed over 456,000 attendees since its inception. The 2027 festival runs March 3 - 7, 2027.

Go ifLowcountry food and five days of events each March
Skip ifYou want a summer trip
Why #4 over #5: Founded in 2005, it predates the Atlanta festival, which began in 2011, and its 2027 dates are already set.
5

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
Answrs VerdictA four-day celebration of Atlanta food since 2011.
When: 2027 dates to be announced; 2026 ran Sept. 11–14Where: The Home Depot Backyard, Atlanta, Georgia (2026 Tasting Tents)Since: 2011Talent: 200+ acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and culinary insidersAges: All events are 21 and olderTickets: All-inclusive: no additional charges for food, drinks or gratuity

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival has run since 2011 with 200+ chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and culinary insiders. The 2026 Tasting Tents were at The Home Depot Backyard on Sept. 11–14; 2027 dates are to be announced, and all events are 21 and older.

Go ifSouthern food, drinks and all-inclusive tasting tents
Skip ifYou are bringing kids (all events are 21+)
Why #5 over #6: Its tickets are all-inclusive, with no additional charges for food, drinks or gratuity, and it brings 200+ chefs and culinary insiders.
6

Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Pebble Beach Food & Wine
Answrs VerdictThe luxury coastal pick, with 2027 dates set.
When: April 1-4, 2027Where: Pebble Beach Resorts, Pebble Beach, CaliforniaEvents: More than 50 experiences over four days in 2026Hosted by: The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, a nonprofit supporting over 10,000 Monterey County youth annually

Pebble Beach Food & Wine returns April 1-4, 2027 at Pebble Beach Resorts. The 2026 edition had more than 50 experiences over four days, and the festival is hosted by the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, which supports over 10,000 Monterey County youth annually.

Go ifLuxury wine and chef events on the Monterey coast
Skip ifYou are on a tight budget
Why #6 over #7: Its 2027 dates are already set, while Music City has not yet announced its 2027 dates.
7

Music City Food & Wine Festival

Music City Food & Wine Festival
Answrs VerdictNashville’s spring food festival, relaunched in 2025.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran April 24-26Where: Centennial Park, Nashville, TennesseePrice: Weekend General Admission starting at $225; Weekend VIP Pass starting at $449 (2026)Relaunched: April 2025Restaurants: More than 40 of Nashville’s top restaurants at the Grand Tasting (2026)

The Music City Food & Wine Festival relaunched in April 2025 at Centennial Park in Nashville. In 2026 it ran April 24-26, with more than 40 of Nashville’s top restaurants at the Grand Tasting, Weekend General Admission from $225 and a Weekend VIP Pass from $449. 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifNashville food, drinks and live music in a park
Skip ifYou want a festival with a long track record
Why #7 over #8: It covers chefs, wine, spirits and music, while the Maine Lobster Festival centers on one dish.
8

Maine Lobster Festival

Maine Lobster Festival
Answrs VerdictThe classic seafood festival, run by volunteers since 1947.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; held the first weekend of August, Wednesday through SundayWhere: Harbor Park, Rockland, MaineSince: 1947Volunteers: Nearly 1,300 area citizens each year2026: Its 79th year

The Maine Lobster Festival has been held since 1947 and runs five days, Wednesday through Sunday, on the first weekend of August at Harbor Park in Rockland. Nearly 1,300 area citizens volunteer each year, and 2026 was its 79th year; 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifFresh hot Maine lobster on the harbor
Skip ifYou don’t eat seafood
Why #8 over #9: Held since 1947, it has a far longer history than the New York City festival, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2027.
9

New York City Wine & Food Festival

New York City Wine & Food Festival
Answrs VerdictNew York’s big fall festival, with 2027 dates set.
When: October 14 - 17, 2027 (its 20th anniversary)Where: New York City; the 2026 festival campus was in the SeaportTalent: 300+ celebrated chefs, winemakers, mixologists and culinary stars

The New York City Wine & Food Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary October 14 - 17, 2027, with 300+ celebrated chefs, winemakers, mixologists and culinary stars. The 2026 festival campus was in the Seaport.

Go ifGrand Tastings and big-name chefs in Manhattan
Skip ifYou want a relaxed small-town feel
Why #9 over #10: Its 300+ chefs, winemakers and mixologists cover far more than the barbecue contest’s single cuisine.
10

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Photo: Lindsey Turner / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe world barbecue championship, with 2027 dates set.
When: May 12-15, 2027Where: Liberty Park, Memphis, Tennessee (2026)Since: 1978Part of: The month-long Memphis in May International Festival

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, held since 1978, runs May 12-15, 2027. It is part of the month-long Memphis in May International Festival, and the 2026 contest was at Liberty Park.

Go ifCompetition barbecue and smoky team cook sites
Skip ifYou want wine and fine dining

How we ranked these

We ranked each festival on national standing first (the size of its line-up and how long it has run), then on what it offers a traveler in 2027. Dates come from each festival’s own site; where 2027 dates are not out yet, we say so and give the 2026 dates. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

When is the Miami (South Beach) Food & Wine Festival 2027?

February 25-28, 2027 in Miami Beach, Florida. It runs 105+ events with 500+ experts, and all net proceeds benefit FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

When is the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen 2027?

June 18-20, 2027. Note that Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) will be closed from April 4 through November 19, 2027, so plan to fly into another airport.

Is Taste of Chicago free?

Yes. The City of Chicago lists FREE Admission at Grant Park; 2026 ran July 8-12, and 2027 dates are not yet announced.

When is Charleston Wine + Food 2027?

March 3 - 7, 2027, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Year first held at a glance

Maine Lobster Festival1,947 year
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest1,978 year
Taste of Chicago1,980 year
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen1,983 year
Charleston Wine + Food2,005 year
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival2,011 year
Year first held, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.