The 2026 Food Festival Bucket List You'll Want To Build Early

Food festivals are more than just places to eat. They are where culture, creativity, and community come together over shared plates and unforgettable flavors.

Planning ahead for 2026 means you can snag tickets early, book travel at better prices, and make sure you don’t miss out on the year’s most exciting culinary events.

Get ready to mark your calendar with festivals that will feed your soul and spark your taste buds.

Disclaimer: Event details can change and the suggestions are not health, nutrition, or safety advice, so always confirm current information with official organizers before you go.

1. South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this Miami festival combines celebrity chefs, beachside energy, and incredible tastings.

February weather on South Beach is perfect for outdoor parties and live cooking demonstrations that draw crowds from across the globe.

Expect truffle dishes, fresh lobster rolls, and Southern comfort food prepared by the biggest names in the industry.

The four-day event runs February 19 to 22, so book your Miami hotel now before prices skyrocket.

2. Slow Wine Fair

Bologna becomes the epicenter of sustainable wine culture every February.

This isn’t a party festival. Instead, it’s a thoughtful exploration of organic and biodynamic wines led by passionate vintners and industry insiders.

Running February 22 to 24, the fair attracts serious enthusiasts who care about how wine is made.

You’ll taste rare bottles, attend seminars on eco-friendly farming, and connect with winemakers committed to preserving tradition and the planet.

3. Charleston Wine + Food

Southern hospitality reaches its peak during this five-day celebration in one of America’s most charming cities.

Historic courtyards become dining rooms where Lowcountry cuisine takes center stage, from shrimp and grits to she-crab soup.

March 4 through 8 offers intimate tastings, chef-led dinners, and bourbon seminars.

Charleston’s cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture add romance to every bite, making this festival feel less like an event and more like a warm embrace.

4. TuttoFood Milan

Want to know what everyone will be eating next year? Head to Milan in May.

TuttoFood is a massive global trade show where food trends are born, tested, and launched to the world.

From May 11 to 14, industry professionals gather to showcase innovations in packaging, ingredients, and flavors.

It’s not open to casual visitors, but if you work in food or hospitality, this is where you’ll discover what’s coming next.

5. California Strawberry Festival

Ventura transforms into strawberry heaven every May.

Build-your-own shortcake contests, strawberry beer, strawberry salsa, and even strawberry pizza prove just how versatile this little red fruit can be.

May 16 and 17 bring families together for wholesome fun, live music, and farm-fresh flavors.

Kids love the interactive activities, while adults enjoy craft beverages and creative culinary twists on a classic California crop.

6. Taste of Paris

Imagine tasting dishes from Paris’s most exclusive Michelin-starred kitchens without the reservation wait or the hefty bill.

Taste of Paris makes that dream real by offering affordable tasting portions in a stunning grand venue.

May 21 through 24 is your chance to sample creations from culinary legends.

Each plate is crafted with precision, and the atmosphere buzzes with excitement as food lovers discover flavors they’ve only dreamed about.

7. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

Known as the Davos of Food, this exclusive mountain festival attracts the elite of the culinary and wine worlds. Aspen’s thin air at 8,000 feet adds a unique twist to wine tastings and chef demonstrations.

June 19 to 21 features premier crus, rare vintages, and high-end cooking sessions.

Tickets aren’t cheap, but the experience of sipping world-class wine surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks is worth every penny for serious foodies.

8. Picklesburgh

Pittsburgh goes pickle-crazy every July.

A giant floating pickle balloon drifts above the city as vendors serve every pickled creation imaginable, from classic dill spears to pickled watermelon and fried pickle ice cream.

This cult favorite festival celebrates fermentation, brine, and all things tangy.

Expect quirky contests, live music, and a crowd that takes their pickles seriously. Mid-July is the perfect time to embrace Pittsburgh’s weirdest and most beloved food tradition.

9. Copenhagen Cooking

New Nordic cuisine reaches its peak in Copenhagen every August.

Long communal tables fill the streets, where strangers become friends over foraged ingredients and innovative dishes that challenge everything you thought you knew about food.

August 21 through 30 offers foraging workshops, chef collaborations, and tastings that highlight Denmark’s culinary revolution.

Copenhagen’s commitment to sustainability and creativity makes this festival a must for anyone passionate about the future of dining.