12 Food Truck Festivals In The U.S. You Should Know

Food trucks are often considered to be a modern phenomenon that sprang out of the rise of pop-up restaurants in the 2000s, but history buffs may be aware that the general concept of a mobile food cart has been floating around in the U.S. since at least the days of the Texas chuckwagon. Sometimes dismissed as a fad, the recent interest in trucks reflects a changing economy that has seen fewer entrepreneurs able to open a brick-and-mortar shop instead of relying on the comparatively low cost and mobility of a food truck. Although some authorities believe food trucks detract from local economies, other experts state they may help rather than hinder local restaurants, making them an all-around economic boon in many scenarios.

With the popularity of food trucks apparently not yet having reached its peak, festivals celebrating the proud tradition of these restaurants on wheels have been making appearances around the country for years. As food truck festivals and rallies can make for some of the best-attended local food events for many cities, there are plenty of gatherings for foodies to take note of when planning their summer travels. While the pandemic forced many into hiatus, temporary or otherwise, there are still a lot of food truck festivals happening year after year that you should know about.

If you're "Big on Little Rock," then you already know that it's one of the prettiest cities in the South, with an incredible river district that can easily make for a vacation destination all its own. Usually held in the late summer or early fall months, Main Street Food Truck Fest is the largest free annual event in Little Rock's downtown area, with the 2023 event set to feature 64 trucks and more than 50 other vendors, including artisans selling everything from jewelry to vintage clothing. Main Street is an all-ages, family and pet-friendly event, but 21+ guests can enjoy any number of offerings from local brewers.

All of this is in addition to the built-in appeal of downtown Little Rock, which has an abundance of public art and murals and live musical performances from a variety of performers. The fest first started over a decade ago as part of a revitalization attempt of the area and has since grown into one of the best-known food events in the country, attracting several new businesses over the years. If you are planning on visiting Little Rock, put this event and its wide array of affordable food samples from dozens of vendors at the top of your list.

The Great New Mexico Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival takes place in Albquerque's famed Balloon Fiesta Park, so named for the city's autumnal celebration of hot air balloons, the International Balloon Fiesta. Though this festival generally takes place in the spring, the park itself features events all year long. 2022 saw the festival start back up again for its seventh year as it made its triumphant return for the first time since 2019. This is a ticketed event, and as such, offers various VIP tiers while granting cheaper general admittance tickets at the gate for attendees. 

Traditional New Mexican foods are very much its own thing, merging Pueblo Native American cuisine with Hispano Spanish and Mexican cuisine, so be sure to check out what Albuquerque has to offer. In addition to its incredible food selections, New Mexico is known for its artisans, so the non-food vendors can be a major part of the draw for local and out-of-town visitors alike. While food is still the star of the show, beer lovers should make a point of visiting this one due to its diversified selection of national and regional brewers.

Located in Cape May County, Sea Isle City, New Jersey is often hailed as a boon to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere due to its ample opportunities for fishing, surfing, and sailing. Should you find yourself looking to visit this lovely destination, consider coinciding your trip with the Sea Isle City Food Fest, which in 2023 takes place over two weekends in the summer, one in June, and the other in August. Over the course of these combined four days, the event runs at a total of around 32 hours, giving plenty of time for locals and tourists alike to swing on through for some food truck magic.

While many food truck festivals shut down during the early months of the COVID pandemic and some simply never returned, Sea Isle City's 2020 edition opted to create a takeout event, showing a level of quick thinking that has kept the gathering going strong. Today, the event continues on, with high attendance and many dining and artisanal options, making it one of the most widely celebrated food truck festivals in the U.S. as it regularly appears on 'best of' lists in no small part due to its impressive array of options from the Tri-state area.

With a booming tech industry and a thriving art scene to its credit, Ohio's state capital of Columbus is easily one of the great underrated cities of the U.S. In the same vein, its food truck festival is one of the less-known, most well-organized events on this list. With 2023 marking its twelfth year in the food truck festival game, the assembly has only gotten more recognition as time has passed. Taking place over two days in August at the historic Franklin County Fairgrounds, the most recent edition promises to be something special.

Columbus' thriving music scene means that it has an exceptionally well-curated list of performers each year, making for a mini music fest alongside a food truck event. Presale tickets go for around $5 every year, making it a highly affordable event to enjoy with the family. Oh, and then there's the small matter of the food itself. Seafood specialists, Mediterranean fare, BBQ, empanadas, pretzels, eggrolls, donuts, and more grace the event lineup year after year alongside local vendors selling art, clothing, jewelry, and more. This festival was cited as Columbus' best food event by the Columbus Underground in 2015, and things have only gotten better since then.

Located in the Denver suburb of Northglenn, Food Truck Carnival is one of Colorado's strongest celebrations of local cuisine. 2023 marked the festival's sixth year, starting in 2016 and taking two years off due to COVID before coming back in 2022. The Carnival is aptly named in regard to its inclusion of various amusement rides. Meanwhile, its location at the E.B. Rains Park and Civic Center Campus near the Northglenn Recreation Center makes public transportation readily available, allowing more foodies to join in on the fun without requiring a designated driver to get home safely.

The festival is free to attend, but the purchase of all-day passes or single tickets allows participants to enjoy the rides. As a three-day event, there is plenty of time to enjoy the many features of the event, which includes live music selections from homegrown Coloradan talent. Not only are there a number of amusement options, this dog-friendly event often highlights pet services such as gourmet dog treats. Arcade games and rides are a lot of fun, but make sure to save plenty of time to sample the work of the many chefs that make the Carnival the best it can be.

The MN Food Truck Festival is a series of local Minneapolis area events that span the cities and suburbs of Hopkins, St. Paul, and Anoka, all taking place through the summer months. The Twin Cities area is known for gorgeous public parks, accessible public transportation depots, and, of course, exceptional food trucks. Each of these festivals takes place in spaces like St. Paul's Union Depot or Anoka's scenic downtown. The similarities don't end there, with each event sporting more than 40 different food vendors spanning just about any style you can think of, including pierogis, fried shrimp, Indian street food, and many more. Additionally, the fests feature interactive games and giveaways.

With an eye toward providing beverages for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, these fests provide a wide selection of the Twin Cities' many local breweries alongside ciders and nonalcoholic drinks as well. With music legends like Bob Dylan, Lizzo, and Prince all at once calling Minneapolis home, the area's music scene has always been strong, so be sure to catch the live music that accompanies these events. MN Food Truck Festival frequently pairs with the nonprofit FMSC, each free drink wristband providing three meals for those in need.