The Maine Lobster Festival is the food festival most worth a 2027 road trip, running August 4-8, 2027 in Rockland, Maine. The Florida Strawberry Festival (March 4-14, 2027) is #2 and the National Cherry Festival (July 3-10, 2027) is #3.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe lobster festival with confirmed 2027 dates.
Latest dates: August 4-8, 2027Location: Rockland, Maine
The Maine Lobster Festival runs August 4-8, 2027 in Rockland, Maine, and lobster is its core dish.
Go ifLobster-first eating on the Maine coast
Skip ifYou want a multi-cuisine tasting event
Why #1 over #2: Its dates for 2027 are published, unlike Taste of Chicago, whose latest dates are July 8-12, 2026.
2
Florida Strawberry Festival
Photo: Walter / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe longest run on the list and a fair-food classic.
Latest dates: March 4-14, 2027Location: Plant City, FloridaFirst held: 1930
The Florida Strawberry Festival runs March 4-14, 2027 in Plant City, Florida, and has been held since 1930.
Go ifFair food built around a harvest
Skip ifYou want a chef-led tasting weekend
Why #2 over #3: Its March 4-14, 2027 run is longer than the Cherry Festival’s July 3-10, 2027.
3
National Cherry Festival
Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe biggest crowd draw with confirmed 2027 dates.
Latest dates: July 3-10, 2027Location: Traverse City, MichiganAttendance: 500,000 annuallyFirst held: 1926
The National Cherry Festival runs July 3-10, 2027 in Traverse City, Michigan, and draws 500,000 annually; it has been held since 1926.
Go ifA summer week with cherry pie eating and an air show
Skip ifYou dislike big crowds
Why #3 over #4: Its 500,000 annual crowd and 1926 start beat the Memphis in May history of 1978.
4
Memphis in May Barbecue Contest
Photo: Lindsey Turner / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe barbecue contest to plan a spring trip around.
Latest dates: May 12-15, 2027Location: Liberty ParkMemphis in May history since: 1978
The Memphis in May Barbecue Contest runs May 12-15, 2027 at Liberty Park.
Go ifBarbecue fans who want the contest atmosphere
Skip ifYou do not eat pork
Why #4 over #5: Its May 12-15, 2027 dates are confirmed, while the American Royal’s latest dates are September 30-October 4, 2026.
5
National Buffalo Wing Festival
Photo: Fortunate4now / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe wing festival held in a ballpark.
Latest dates: September 4-5, 2027Location: Sahlen Field, Buffalo, New York
The National Buffalo Wing Festival is listed for September 4-5, 2027 at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York.
Go ifWing lovers and a Labor Day weekend ballpark crowd
Skip ifYou avoid fried food
Why #5 over #6: Its September 4-5, 2027 dates are listed, which the EPCOT festival’s 2026 dates are not.
6
Charleston Wine + Food
Photo: Warren LeMay from Covington, KY, United States / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe Lowcountry tasting event.
Latest dates: March 3-7, 2027Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston Wine + Food runs March 3-7, 2027 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Go ifA chef-driven food weekend in a historic city
Skip ifYou want free admission
Why #6 over #7: Its March 3-7, 2027 dates are confirmed, unlike Austin’s November 6-8, 2026.
7
Taste of Chicago
Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe free lakefront sampler; 2027 dates are not yet listed.
Latest dates: 2026 dates: July 8-12, 2026Location: Grant Park, ChicagoAdmission: FreeRestaurant vendors: 40First held: 1980
Taste of Chicago’s latest published dates are July 8-12, 2026 in Grant Park. Admission is free, there are 40 restaurant vendors, and it started in 1980.
Go ifSampling many Chicago restaurants without a ticket
Skip ifYou need confirmed 2027 dates today
Why #7 over #8: Its free admission beats Austin’s weekend pass from $280.
8
American Royal World Series of Barbecue
Photo: The original uploader was Gbleem at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe biggest barbecue field; check access before you go.
Latest dates: 2026 dates: September 30-October 4, 2026Location: Kansas City, KansasTeams planned: About 350 to 400
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue ran September 30-October 4, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas, with about 350 to 400 teams planned.
Go ifFollowing a huge field of competition barbecue teams
Skip ifYou want public activities on every day
Why #8 over #9: Its field of about 350 to 400 teams is far bigger than any other contest here.
9
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Photo: Michael Gray from Wantagh NY, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe grazing festival with the longest season.
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ran August 27-November 21, 2026 and has been around since 1996, with 30 anniversary dishes.
Go ifGrazing global dishes around a theme park
Skip ifYou do not want to buy park admission
Why #9 over #10: Its 30 anniversary dishes give more variety than a single-food festival.
10
Austin Food + Wine Festival
Photo: AdrienWikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looketup VerdictThe priciest ticket on the list.
Latest dates: 2026 dates: November 6-8, 2026Location: Auditorium ShoresWeekend pass: From $280
The Austin Food + Wine Festival ran November 6-8, 2026 at Auditorium Shores, with weekend passes from $280.
Go ifA premium chef-and-cocktail weekend
Skip ifYou want a low-cost day out
How we ranked these
We ranked festivals on whether 2027 dates are published, how central food is, and how easy the event is to attend; events with only 2026 dates rank lower. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Which food festival is held first in 2027?
Charleston Wine + Food, March 3-7, 2027, with the Florida Strawberry Festival starting March 4, 2027.
Is Taste of Chicago free?
Yes. Admission is free and food and drinks are bought from vendors; its latest published dates are July 8-12, 2026.
How much is an Austin Food + Wine Festival weekend pass?
Weekend passes started from $280 for the 2026 event, held November 6-8, 2026.
When is the National Cherry Festival in 2027?
July 3-10, 2027, in Traverse City, Michigan.
Year first held (as published) at a glance
National Cherry Festival1,926 year
Florida Strawberry Festival1,930 year
Memphis in May Barbecue Contest1,978 year
Taste of Chicago1,980 year
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival1,996 year
Year first held (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
