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If you’re a foodie passionate about travel, there’s no better way to experience different cultures than attending international food festivals. These events celebrate culinary delights, where you can savor delicious food from local street vendors or watch renowned chefs in action during cooking demonstrations.
From the Maine Lobster Festival in the United States to exotic flavors in Asia and Africa, each famous food festival offers a unique taste of its region.
Here are the 30 best global food festivals from around the world to add to your bucket list.
North American Food Festivals
Taste of Chicago (USA)
The Taste of Chicago is the world’s largest food festival, drawing millions of visitors yearly to Grant Park. This vibrant event showcases the diversity of Chicago’s culinary scene, offering everything from the city’s famous deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs to gourmet international cuisine.
In addition to the incredible food options, the festival features live music from renowned performers, cooking demonstrations by top chefs, and fun, family-friendly activities.
Time of year: Typically held in July
New Orleans Food & Wine Experience (USA)
The New Orleans Food & Wine Experience celebrates the city’s unique blend of Creole and Cajun culinary traditions. This multi-day event features wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and exclusive dining experiences with local and international chefs.
The festival also supports local non-profits through fundraising efforts. A highlight of the event is the Grand Tasting, where guests can sample signature dishes paired with fine wines.
Time of year: Typically held in June
Related: Best 11 Cajun Cookbooks to Spice up Your Kitchen
Maine Lobster Festival (USA)
Held annually in Rockland, the Maine Lobster Festival celebrates the state’s most famous seafood: lobster. This family-friendly event offers a wide range of lobster dishes, from traditional lobster rolls to creative options like ‘lobster’ mac and cheese.
In addition to food, the festival features cooking contests, a lively parade, local art shows, and live entertainment. It’s the perfect way to enjoy Maine’s coastal charm while indulging in its signature crustacean.
Time of year: Typically held in early August
Maine Lobster Festival website
PoutineFest (Canada)
PoutineFest is a celebration of Canada’s beloved dish, poutine—a savory mix of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Held in various cities nationwide, the festival features creative poutine dishes with toppings like pulled pork, truffle oil, or foie gras.
Food trucks, competitions, and live entertainment enhance the lively atmosphere. PoutineFest offers indulgent variations on this Canadian classic for comfort food fans, perfect for anyone looking to experience its delicious local cuisine.
Time of year: Varies by location (usually spring or fall)
Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival (Mexico)
The Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival unites top chefs from Mexico and around the world for an unforgettable culinary adventure. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Riviera Maya’s pristine beaches, the event offers gourmet dinners and wine tastings that celebrate the fusion of Mexican and international flavors.
Focusing on local ingredients like fresh seafood and tropical fruits, the festival provides an immersive experience showcasing the region’s vibrant culinary heritage and global influences.
Time of year: Typically held in March
CRMFEST website
Related: 16 Best Mexican Cookbooks for Authentic Mexican Food
South American Food Festivals
Mistura Food Festival (Peru)
The Mistura Food Festival is Latin America’s largest and most celebrated food festival annually in Lima. It showcases Peru’s incredible culinary diversity, with offerings spanning its unique ecosystems—from the highlands’ vast selection of Andean potatoes to the Amazon’s exotic fruits.
Street vendors, home cooks, and renowned chefs unite to serve iconic Peruvian dishes like ceviche, anticuchos (grilled skewers), and cuy (roast guinea pig). The festival also offers food workshops, cultural performances, and artisan markets, giving visitors an authentic taste of Peru’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Mistura highlights the blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences that make Peru a world-class food destination.
Time of year: Typically held in September
Feria Masticar (Argentina)
Feria Masticar is Argentina’s premier food festival, hosted annually in Buenos Aires. This event showcases the country’s culinary creativity, with chefs from the country’s top restaurants collaborating with farmers and food producers to highlight local and sustainable ingredients.
Visitors can indulge in Argentine favorites like empanadas, choripán, grilled meats, and locally-produced wines while also attending workshops and talks from culinary experts.
The festival emphasizes sustainability and innovation while maintaining a strong connection to Argentina’s rich agricultural traditions. Feria Masticar offers food lovers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the flavors and culture of Argentina.
Time of year: Typically held in November
Festival do Camarão (Brazil)
The Festival do Camarão in Florianópolis is one of Brazil’s standout international food festivals. It celebrates the country’s rich seafood heritage, particularly shrimp.
This family-friendly event is a seafood lover’s dream. It offers an array of shrimp dishes, from the iconic moqueca (shrimp stew) to grilled and barbecued delights.
In addition to the food, the festival features live music, cooking competitions, and fun activities like a shrimp peeling contest. Local chefs and restaurants showcase traditional and creative shrimp preparations, making it a must-visit for those seeking to explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
Time of year: Typically held in November
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Sabor Barranquilla (Colombia)
Sabor Barranquilla is the Caribbean coast’s largest culinary festival, held annually in Barranquilla. It celebrates the region’s unique blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences that shape Colombian coastal cuisine.
Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes such as arepas de huevo (fried arepas with egg), coconut rice, and fried fish, while also attending cooking workshops, live cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances.
The event, which has a festive atmosphere, also features live music and traditional Caribbean dances, making it a culinary and cultural celebration that attracts food lovers from across Colombia.
Time of year: Typically held in August
Festa da Uva (Brazil)
The Festa da Uva (Grape Festival) is held in Caxias do Sul, Brazil’s southern region. It celebrates the area’s Italian heritage and wine production. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, grape stomping, parades, and other traditional activities that honor the region’s grape harvest.
The event also highlights Italian culinary traditions, with various pasta dishes, risotto, and other Italian-inspired foods available. Festa da Uva is not just about wine—it’s a cultural experience that reflects the deep influence of Italian immigrants on Brazil’s food and agriculture and offers visitors a taste of southern Brazil’s unique flavors.
Time of year: Typically held in February
European Food Festivals
Oktoberfest (Germany)
Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, is the world’s largest beer festival, drawing millions of visitors annually. This iconic celebration of Bavarian culture is centered around traditional foods like bratwurst, pretzels, roast chicken, and hearty steins of beer brewed specifically for the event by Munich’s historic breweries.
The two-week festival features lively beer tents, folk music, parades, and cultural performances in traditional Bavarian attire. Guests enjoy carnival rides and games, making it a fun, family-friendly celebration.
Oktoberfest symbolizes German hospitality, where locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy food, drink, and festive camaraderie.
Time of year: Typically held from mid-September to the first weekend in October
Salon du Chocolat (France)
The Salon du Chocolat in Paris is the world’s premier festival for chocolate lovers, celebrating the art of chocolate-making with a dazzling array of confections and artisanal chocolates from top chocolatiers.
Attendees can indulge in tastings, participate in hands-on workshops, and watch cooking demonstrations by leading chefs. One of the festival’s highlights is the famous chocolate fashion show, where models wear stunning, edible outfits made entirely of chocolate.
The festival showcases cutting-edge innovations in chocolate craftsmanship and is a must-visit for anyone passionate about sweets and culinary delights.
Time of year: Typically held in late October
Truffle Festival (Italy)
Held in Alba, Italy, the Truffle Festival celebrates the elusive white truffle, one of the world’s most expensive ingredients. The festival includes a bustling truffle market, where visitors can purchase fresh truffles and tastings of truffle-infused dishes like pasta, risotto, and eggs.
Visitors can witness truffle-hunting demonstrations with specially trained dogs, providing insight into the unique process of finding these underground treasures.
The event draws chefs, food enthusiasts, and gourmands from around the world to the picturesque region of Piedmont, making it a highlight of the autumn culinary calendar.
Time of year: Typically held from October to December
Related: 10 Best Italian Cooking Vacations: Buon Appetito
Taste of London (UK)
Taste of London is a biannual food festival held in Regent’s Park. It brings together the best of the city’s vibrant dining scene. Visitors can sample small plates from top London restaurants, meet renowned chefs, and attend live cooking demonstrations.
The festival celebrates London’s status as a global culinary capital, mixing British classics and international fare. The event also features artisan food stalls, where attendees can discover and purchase gourmet products. It’s a dynamic showcase of the city’s diverse culinary scene.
Time of year: Held in June and November
La Tomatina (Spain)
La Tomatina, held in the small town of Buñol, Spain, is the world’s largest food fight, where thousands of participants engage in a massive tomato-throwing battle in the streets. The festival kicks off with a frenzy of squashed tomatoes flying through the air, covering the town in red pulp.
Following the epic tomato fight, visitors can enjoy a feast of traditional Spanish dishes such as paella, chorizo, and sangria.
Although the food fight is the main event, the festival also celebrates Spanish culture, attracting tourists from around the globe for this unique and lively experience.
Time of year: Typically held on the last Wednesday of August
Related: 11 Best Spanish Cookbooks to Uncover the Rich Flavors of Spain
Galway International Oyster Festival (Ireland)
The Galway International Oyster Festival is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned seafood festivals, held annually in Galway, Ireland. Celebrating the region’s famous oysters, the event includes oyster shucking competitions, tastings, seafood banquets, and lively street performances.
Visitors can savor fresh oysters paired with champagne or Guinness while enjoying the vibrant and festive atmosphere. In addition to the oyster-centric events, the festival features cooking demonstrations, parades, and live music, showcasing Ireland’s rich seafood traditions and drawing food enthusiasts worldwide.
Time of year: Typically held in late September
Galway International Oyster Festival website
Asian Food Festivals
Giant Lantern Festival (Philippines)
The Giant Lantern Festival, held annually in San Fernando, Pampanga—known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”—is one of the most unique festivals around the world. While the main attraction is the breathtaking display of massive, intricately designed lanterns, or “parols,” food also plays a central role in the festivities.
Street vendors offer traditional Filipino holiday treats like bibingka (rice cakes cooked over coals) and puto bumbong (purple rice snacks steamed in bamboo tubes), alongside popular street food favorites such as kwek-kwek and fish balls.
Families gather to enjoy the stunning lantern displays while indulging in these beloved holiday flavors, marking the joyful start of the Christmas season in the Philippines.
Time of year: Typically held in December
Giant Lantern Festival website
Singapore Food Festival (Singapore)
The Singapore Food Festival is a month-long celebration of the city-state’s diverse and rich culinary heritage, bringing together hawker fare, fusion cuisine, and fine dining experiences in a lively showcase.
Visitors can indulge in iconic dishes like chili crab, laksa, and Hainanese chicken rice while exploring contemporary food innovations at pop-up restaurants and food markets. The event features cooking demonstrations, food tours, and exclusive tasting sessions, allowing locals and tourists to experience Singapore’s vibrant food culture influenced by its Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan roots.
It’s a must-attend for anyone passionate about exploring new flavors.
Time of year: Typically held in July
Singapore Food Festival website
Tokyo Ramen Show (Japan)
The Tokyo Ramen Show is an annual celebration of Japan’s beloved noodle dish held in Tokyo. Ramen chefs from across Japan gather to showcase regional variations of the dish, offering diverse flavors, from the rich and creamy miso-based broths of Hokkaido to the lighter soy-based varieties of Tokyo.
The festival also serves as a platform for innovation, with chefs presenting creative takes on ramen with unique toppings and combinations. Visitors can explore numerous ramen styles, making this event a true haven for ramen enthusiasts.
Time of year: Typically held in late October to early November
Related: 13 Best Japanese Cookbooks to Master Japanese Cuisine
Durian Festival (Thailand)
The Durian Festival is celebrated in various locations across Thailand, such as Chantaburi, where this “king of fruits” is a regional specialty. Durian enthusiasts gather to sample different varieties of the pungent yet creamy fruit, from the highly prized Monthong to the smaller Chanee.
Visitors can also enjoy durian-based desserts, snacks, smoothies, and other tropical fruits like mangosteen and rambutan.
The festival features local Thai dishes and street food, making it a delicious exploration of the country’s vibrant tropical bounty. It’s a unique experience for those looking to dive into Southeast Asia’s love affair with durian.
Time of year: Typically held from May to June
Thaipusam Festival (Malaysia)
The Thaipusam Festival is a significant Hindu religious festival celebrated by the Tamil community in Malaysia, particularly at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. The festival involves intense rituals of devotion, with devotees carrying kavadi (ornate, decorated structures) and participating in prayer processions.
Alongside these spiritual activities, the streets come alive with South Indian street food vendors offering dishes like idli (steamed rice cakes), dosa (thin crispy pancakes), and savory vadai, alongside traditional sweets such as laddu and jalebi.
The festival is a vibrant mix of cultural, spiritual, and culinary delights, making it a deeply immersive experience for visitors.
Time of year: Typically held in January or February
African Food Festivals
Cape Town Good Food & Wine Show (South Africa)
The Cape Town Good Food & Wine Show is South Africa’s premier annual food and wine festival, bringing together top chefs, winemakers, and food enthusiasts. The event showcases the best of South African cuisine with a focus on local produce, including game meats, fresh seafood, and artisanal cheeses.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings from the country’s renowned wine regions, such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, while attending live cooking demonstrations by internationally acclaimed chefs.
The festival also promotes sustainability and highlights South Africa’s culinary diversity, blending traditional African, Dutch, and British influences with modern gourmet trends.
Time of year: Typically held in May or June
Good Food and Wine Show website
Harare International Food Festival (Zimbabwe)
The Harare International Food Festival is an exciting celebration of African and international cuisine held annually in Zimbabwe’s capital. Visitors can sample a variety of traditional Zimbabwean dishes like sadza (maize porridge), biltong (dried meat), and matemba (dried fish), while also enjoying global culinary offerings from chefs and vendors.
The festival features cooking competitions, live music, and cultural performances, creating a lively atmosphere. The event serves as a platform for Zimbabwean chefs to showcase their skills and allows attendees to experience Zimbabwe’s rich culinary traditions.
Time of year: Typically held in October
Lagos Seafood Festival (Nigeria)
The Lagos Seafood Festival is a vibrant celebration of Nigeria’s rich coastal and seafood heritage. Held annually, this event highlights a variety of seafood dishes, including grilled fish, prawns, and crab, all enhanced by traditional Nigerian spices and flavors.
Along with the cooking competitions and live music, the festival promotes sustainable fishing practices and celebrates the contributions of Lagos’s fishing community.
Both locals and tourists flock to this event to experience the authentic coastal cuisine of Nigeria in a festive and welcoming environment.
Time of year: Typically held in November
Lagos Seafood Festival website
Djerba Mediterranean Food Festival (Tunisia)
The Djerba Mediterranean Food Festival, held annually on the picturesque island of Djerba, showcases the flavors of the Mediterranean with a particular emphasis on Tunisian cuisine. Visitors can enjoy seafood dishes, olive oil tastings, and traditional foods like couscous and brik (a savory pastry).
The festival offers cooking demonstrations and workshops focusing on Mediterranean ingredients and culinary techniques, blending North African, Arab, and European influences.
The event provides a cultural and gastronomic experience, reflecting Tunisia’s rich culinary heritage within the broader Mediterranean context.
Time of year: Typically held in September
Oceana Food Festivals
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Australia)
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is Australia’s largest and most prestigious culinary event, attracting food lovers from across the globe. Held annually, the festival features wine tastings, chef masterclasses, and an array of outdoor dining experiences, including the famous World’s Longest Lunch.
With a strong focus on local produce, sustainable farming, and winemaking practices, the festival celebrates Melbourne’s diverse food scene—from street food to fine dining.
It’s a must-attend event for food enthusiasts eager to discover Australian and international culinary trends.
Time of year: Typically held in March
Melbourne Food and Wine website
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (New Zealand)
The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is an adventurous culinary event known for its exotic and wild food offerings. Held annually in Hokitika, on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast, this festival challenges visitors to sample unusual dishes like huhu grubs, possum stew, and various wild game alongside more conventional options.
The festival celebrates the West Coast’s deep connection to nature, offering an array of wild and foraged foods.
With live music, cooking competitions, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for foodies looking for a unique and daring experience.
Time of year: Typically held in March
Taste of Tasmania (Australia)
The Taste of Tasmania, held annually in Hobart, celebrates Tasmania’s fresh produce, gourmet food, and fine wines. Visitors can sample everything from freshly shucked oysters to artisanal cheeses while enjoying the island’s renowned cool-climate wines and craft beers.
The festival offers cooking demonstrations, live music, and waterfront dining, all set against the stunning backdrop of Hobart’s harbor.
With an emphasis on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients, the event highlights the pristine environment and fertile landscapes that make Tasmania a food lover’s paradise.
Time of year: Typically held in December and January
Noosa Food & Wine Festival (Australia)
Set in the idyllic beach town of Noosa, the Noosa Food & Wine Festival celebrates Australia’s finest chefs, winemakers, and food producers. The event includes gourmet dinners, cooking classes, and wine tastings, emphasizing sustainability and local ingredients.
Visitors can explore the stunning coastal surroundings while enjoying traditional Australian cuisine, including fresh seafood, organic produce, and artisan products.
The relaxed atmosphere and scenic beachside location make this festival a unique culinary experience.
Time of year: Typically held in May
Noosa Food and Wine Festival website
Auckland Food Show (New Zealand)
The Auckland Food Show is New Zealand’s largest and most popular food festival, drawing thousands of visitors annually. This event offers a comprehensive showcase of local and international cuisine, with cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, gourmet food stalls, and tastings of artisanal products such as cheeses, chocolates, and craft beverages.
Visitors can also sample wines, beers, and ciders from top producers while learning about the latest trends in the food industry.
It’s an ideal event for foodies looking to discover new products and innovations in the culinary world.
Time of year: Typically held in July