21 Food Festivals Across The U.S. You Need To Add To Your Bucket List

Nothing brings people together like food. We have been gathering around the dinner table for centuries, only now that table has been given a massive expansion. Food festivals take place all across the country celebrating every fancy and interest — from beignets to boysenberries. These events began as a way for a certain area or region to celebrate their food culture, but in recent times they have turned into so much more. Food tourism is a real thing with many culinary explorers making entire trips out of visiting these now highly branded, large-scale festivals.

It's the promise to gather with folks who are just like you and know the value of good people, good food, and a good time ... where the only limit is your stomach (or maybe your air miles). So, grab your best crew and head with us as we share the food festivals across the United States you need to add to your bucket list.

This next one might be the most unique food festival that you've never heard of. The history is rich in Buena Park, California — and the soil is, too. Knott's Berry Farm quite literally started as a boysenberry (a hybrid fruit with flavor profiles of blackberry, loganberry, and raspberry) farm in the early 20th century. This soon blossomed into a sought-after destination thanks to their standout fried chicken dinners backboned by some good old fashioned hard work. Eventually, it would lead the Knotts to building a world class theme park, but they never strayed away from the fruit that began it all for the ambitious family.

While the luscious fruit is celebrated on menus across the property year-round — including a can't miss boysenberry soft serve that's a perfect custard-like consistency — Knott's annual Boysenberry Festival brings this to the next level. Each spring, over 80 inventive food and drink items are offered to celebrate the Knotts family and their unique legacy. We promise not to go all "Bubba" on you, but there's boysenberry bread pudding with crème anglaise, boysenberry carne asada pizza, and so much more. Wash it down with some boysenberry sangria and it's one heck of a good time for berry enthusiasts (or general food fans) everywhere.

It's all thing sugar, spice, and everything nice as you'll be singing "Oh What Yum" it is to visit the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays at Walt Disney World in Orlando. One of the smaller of Epcot's festivals, but nevertheless noteworthy, it is a celebration of the season that comes with the added bonus of milder Florida temperatures. Aptly taking place around the World Showcase, this festival brings together the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holidays as you experience traditions from a selection of global destinations.

At over a dozen holiday kitchens, you can take in the bites of traditional dishes served at these locales during the holidays, from a traditional American Thanksgiving turkey dinner to a French Bûche de Noël au Caramel. Don't miss the fan-favorite cookie stroll that will have you wandering around the festival on the ultimate sugar-loaded scavenger hunt of sorts — if you seek out and consume five different cookies, you'll ultimately be handsomely rewarded. Spirited performers also showcase the music and oral traditions of these international communities with stunning décor and a massive Christmas tree serving as a centerpiece. This is the ultimate way to get in the festive mood for the season.

No one does it quite like Dolly Parton, so it is of no surprise that Dollywood — whose "Dreamer-In-Chief" is the music icon herself — pulls out all the stops for their annual September Harvest Festival. Although the theme park hosts award-winning seasonal events year-round, the Harvest Festival should be at the top of everyone's bucket list. With cooler fall temperatures, it's the ideal time to visit Pigeon Fork, Tennessee, and partake in a number of sweet and savory delights. Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop as you devour Autumn inspired treats, like sweet potato poutine, spiced pumpkin bisque, and maple pecan and bacon funnel cakes.

For a truly unique festival element, Dollywood brings in visiting artisans for demonstrations in creating original treasures and keepsakes. Music also plays a key role in the festivities with daily shows from nationally recognized gospel, country, bluegrass, and Americana artists. As the sun goes down, make sure you stay for the Great Pumpkin Luminights to witness thousands of glowing carved pumpkins brighten the night sky.

For over 20 years, Universal Studios Orlando has been home to a wildly popular annual Mardi Gras festival. The central Florida theme park comes to life with the spirit of the iconic event through live music, parade floats, colorful décor, and of course, food. International Flavors of Carnaval is the festival's food and beverage component — and let's just say that the good times do indeed roll. Food and beverage mini kitchens are found throughout the parks with over 70 dishes on offer highlighting regions around the globe that hold Mardi Gras and Carnaval celebrations.

The Puerto Rican booth shines with traditional pernil and mofongo, while you can enjoy authentic pork schnitzel from the Germany booth — plus wash it all down (and get a nice buzz) with these popular destinations' best beverages. Mardi Gras beads won't be the only thing you will want to be sporting around your neck as it's an absolute must to get the festival tasting lanyard. This allows guests to pre-purchase a number of food and drink items for a discounted rate.

Hershey, Pennsylvania might just be the sweetest place on earth. It is where all your Willy Wonka-esque, candy coated dreams can come true — whether it's paying a visit to a place literally called Chocolate World or celebrating the celebrated candy that the town was built upon at Hersheypark. It's a fascinating place, chock full of history and all things chocolate 365 days a year. During fall at Chocolate Town Square Park, the annual Choctoberfest becomes the ultimate destination for cocoa enthusiasts everywhere. This family-friendly festival is your one-day free pass to indulge in an array of incredible chocolates from over 70 booths — it is touted as one of the best chocolate festivals in the country after all!

The music is plentiful, regional craft beers are spotlighted, and there's food from favorite local restaurants. It's a smaller festival compared to others on our list, but well organized and a must for lovers of the cocoa.

California knows how to party and boy, is that ever more on display than at the SoCal Taco Fest. Taco 'bout a good time! (Okay, we're done here.) Gorgeous downtown San Diego welcomes thousands each October to one of the area's favorite festival dedicate to the all mighty taco. A food fiesta each and every year, dozens of Southern California's best taco slingers show up with one goal: feeding the masses.

Eclectic to say the least, the festival offering plenty of food and activities. Guests can enjoy handcrafted margaritas from the popular Corralejo Margarita Cantina or witness with their very own eyes adorable chihuahua races, a beauty pageant, and live Lucha Libre traditional Mexican wrestling (Did we mention it's eclectic?). National and local music artists take to the stage with past performers including Flo Rida. It's a true all day and night party and a must for those that love the fest's namesake portable Mexican staple.

The Windy City is a mecca for any food lover, and that passion for culinary craftsmanship is on display at the annual Taste of Chicago festival. For five long days each July, an estimated 1.5 million people show up for what has become one of the biggest, free-admission food festivals in the world. Along the lakefront of downtown Chicago, guests can sample a diverse range of options from food trucks, celebrity chefs, pop-up restaurants, and more.

To say it is an extravaganza would be an understatement. For over 40 years, the festival has welcomed guests to savor the flavors of the Midwest and beyond, from local staples like deep-dish pizza to international-inspired creations. Multiple stages present concerts from local and national acts and there's even a silent disco. Chefs take to their own stages for live cooking demonstrations so you can take notes and bring the culinary fun home with you. 

Epcot at Walt Disney World has been hosting acclaimed food and wine festivals since the 1990s. While the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival — the longest running and largest event — usually gets all the attention, we think you should adjust your plans for an early winter visit to experience the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This festival celebrates not only the culinary arts but visual and performing arts as well. Food here is both delicious and visually appealing, but the true draw is the incredible lineup of musical and artist talents.

The Disney on Broadway Concert series bring star-studded talent to the festival every day and it is included with admission. You can also take in some incredibly talented artists as they use paint to bring your favorite Disney characters to life right before your eyes, and explore galleries from both established and up-and-coming artists. You'll leave this festival utterly full and inspired.

There are many reasons we will never resist the chance to visit Las Vegas. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and we are hoping the calories do as well. The Great American Foodie Festival is one of the largest and most celebrated food centric festivals on the West Coast. They do things a little differently here. Instead of relying solely on the pool of incredible local talent, they also bring in chefs from across the country, making this a celebration of some of the nation's biggest and brightest culinary talents.

In addition to over 50 of the country's best food trucks, there are demonstrations led by celebrity chefs, a beer garden, carnival style games and rides, and an eating contest — because, America! The cuisine is diverse — from Southern comfort cuisine to the eclectic flavors of the West Coast— so there's something for every taste bud at this truly not to be missed annual event.

Few festivals hold such an iconic title as the downright legendary debauchery that is New York City's Feast of San Gennaro. Thousands upon thousands of people from nearby and beyond pile into the streets of Little Italy throughout the multi-day fest for the ultimate depiction of Italian pride. (When there's a cannoli eating contest you know it's going to be a good time.) Walking the string light-adorned streets of lower Manhattan, you can feast on food from some of the best Italian restaurants in the Big Apple. The celebration is over a week long with red, white, and green flung throughout and colorful parades adding to the celebration.

Food is, without a doubt, the highlight here and there are seemingly never ending options — from fried dough and chicken parmesan to sausage and peppers sandwiches and cheesecake cones — served by the street vendors that line the sidewalks. The people watching may even be just as good as the bites.