One of the greatest joys of travel [1] is discovering different cultures through cuisine. And with an upswing of food festivals popping up around the world — often bringing together top chefs [2], renowned mixologists, beverage experts, and celebrities for extravagant multiday celebrations — there's never been a better time to take a trip solely for the food.
The best festivals offer globe-trotting gastronomes an opportunity to broaden their horizons, experience local flavours, and connect with superstars of the culinary world — all while creating delicious memories along the way. And lucky for us, 2020 is full of amazing ones we want to attend. So mark your calendars, book those flights, and start planning your getaway to one (or more!) of these fantastic food destination events.
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
The Big Easy is famous for its legendary food, drinks, music, and lively atmosphere, so it's no surprise that its annual festival (the ultimate celebration of all these things) attracts thousands of culinary enthusiasts to the Louisiana city each Spring. Now in its 28th year, NOWFE [5] festivities include parade-filled food crawls down Royal Street, fine-dining experiences in the French Quarter, and expert-led seminars, along with boatloads of live music.
2020 Dates: March 18-22
Pizzafest
What sounds better than celebrating one of the world's most glorious foods (pizza, obviously) in the birthplace of the beloved dish? Every year, the lovely seaside promenade of Naples, Italy, transforms into a comfort-food paradise for 'za-lovers. The globe's most talented pizza masters will dish out more than 100,000 wood-fired, classic Italian, freestyle, and even gluten-free pies to enjoy until your heart's content. In between munching, Pizzafest features live concerts, cooking classes, workshops, contests, and lots of vino.
2020 Dates: May 29-June 7
Dragon Boat (Dumpling) Festival
The fifth day of the fifth month on the Lunar calendar is when many Chinese families worldwide feast on dumplings. Also known as Duanwu Festival [8], Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival is a 2,000-year-old celebration and day of worship for the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. The annual spectacle famously centres on ancient myths and thrilling boat races, with rowers paddling furiously to the beat of drums. Crowds will gather on riverbanks to cheer them on while drinking local wine and eating lots of zongzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves.
2020 Date: June 25
National Cherry Festival
Sweet and juicy Summer cherries are one of life's greatest simple pleasures. And this mid-Summer jubilee in Traverse City, MI, celebrates the red fruit in all its glory. The festival [9] began in 1925 and now takes place in July to coincide with the cherry harvest season and Fourth of July holiday. The weeklong celebration in America's cherry capital includes pie-baking contests, pit-spitting competitions, and even a Grand Cherry Parade complete with a Cherry Queen crowning.
2020 Dates: July 4-11
Maine Lobster Festival
This five-day celebration of all things lobster brings seafood-lovers to Maine during the height of Summer for the ultimate lobster feast. In addition to classic boiled lobster, the tasty crustacean will be served up in a slew of dishes ranging from rolls and salads to dumplings and mac 'n' cheese. The 73rd annual festival [10] will be held at Rockland's Harbour Park, and it's definitely worth cracking into.
2020 Dates: July 29-Aug. 2
Mistura
Peruvians take their food very seriously, so it only makes sense that the country hosts Latin America's largest food festival: Mistura [11] (which means "mixture" in Portuguese). Every September, Peruvian restaurants and world-famous chefs, along with thousands of natives and visitors, gather in Lima to proudly celebrate the culinary diversity of Peru. This colourful 10-day fiesta is a testimony to how deeply intertwined food is within the country's rich history and culture.
2020 Dates: September dates TBD
Salon du Chocolat
Known as "the world's largest event dedicated to chocolate," this five-day fair in Paris [14] is a little taste of heaven for cocoa-lovers. Salon du Chocolate [15] brings 500 participants from 60 countries — including top pastry chefs and the biggest names in chocolate — to the French capital every Fall. The program is chock-full of workshops and demos, sculpture competitions, live performances, decadent tastings, and even a fashion show where models work the catwalk in chic choco fashions.
2020 Dates: Oct. 21-25
Barbados Food & Rum Festival
Often referred to as the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean" and considered the birthplace of rum, it's no wonder that Barbados goes all out every October for its festive Food & Rum Festival [16]. During the colourful culinary celebration in Bridgetown, attendees can sip the renowned elixir, sample fresh seafood and island delights, and dance in the sand along with local and visiting chefs and mixologists.
2020 Dates: October dates TBD