Why choose only one restaurant or bar when you can try hundreds at once?
Food and drink festivals are ideal for that very reason: you can have little tastes of everything from all the best restaurants, breweries and liquor brands, all in one place. And lucky for us, NYC hosts tons of them every single year.
From whiskey to wine, from BBQ’s to global cuisines, here are all the top food and drink festivals that will be in NYC
1. Brooklyn Craft Brew Fest
Try over 100 incredible craft beers with unlimited samples while you enjoy live music and interactive games! Be sure to snack on some delicious food options available for purchase to satisfy your hunger after a long day of drinking.
2. Brooklyn Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
At this festival, you’re allowed to sample as many beers and bourbons as you’d like—sounds like a dream right!? Leave with an exclusive souvenir glass and a belly full of lip-smacking BBQ. Normally held in Manhattan, this festival is crossing the river to Brooklyn for its 11th year!
3. Seltzerland
This national seltzer festival is making its way to Brooklyn this summer for an event sure to have you bubbling with excitement! From your favorite brand names to ones you might have never known existed, be sure to see White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer, Vizzy, Playamar (Jose Cuervo Seltzer) and Basic making an appearance.
4. Jazz Age Lawn Party
This Prohibition-themed festival will transport you to the magical era of the 1920s! Sip on refreshing seasonal cocktails, listen to a musical performance from Andrew Hall & the Gowanus Iquanas, try bites from gourmet food trucks, shop vintage clothes vendors, and take adorable pics in the photo booth.
5. Staten Island Summer Fest! Beer, Wine and Spirits Tasting Festival
Food, alcohol, live music, what more could you want?! Staten Island will be hosting this all access pass to enjoy renowned brands like 902 Brewing, Root Out Whiskey, Bellis Bourbon, Codigo 1530, Babe, Santera Tequila and more.
6. Brooklyn Summer Fest: Beer, Wine & Spirits Tasting Festival
Sample hundreds of beers, wines, & spirits at this enormous Brooklyn festival. Dig into some of the city’s favorite food vendors like Taste of Poland, Chava’s and MozzArepas.
7. New York Rum Festival
From the same producers of the Puerto Rico Rum Fest “Taste of Rum”, California, Chicago Rum Festival and Miami Rum Congress, New York’s 4th Rum Festival is returning to the city this summer. Sample delicious rums and learn about the industry while you make your way around the space.
8. Famous Food Festival: Taste the World
Explore 60+ vendors at this global food festival taking over the Tanger Outlets. Guests will be able to taste international flavors while enjoying live music, a beer & wine lounge, along with mini golf, axe throwing and an escape room for a full day of fun! VIP options are available to guests that upgrade the experience to include access to the VIP bar area, private restrooms, 1 drink ticket, $5 off any food item, free Ices sample by Kona Ice, a T-shirt, and a drawstring bag.
9. Art Agave NYC
Celebrate Latin culture with this delightful festival highlighting agave spirits. Visitors will get 4-hours of unlimited Latin-inspired food and agave spirit samples!
10. The Feast of San Gennaro
The feast of San Gennaro takes over Little Italy each year for 11 days, and this year will mark the 95th anniversary of this special festival. Beginning on Thursday, September 16th, you’ll have plenty of time to chow down on all the cannolis and zeppole Little Italy has to offer.
11. New York City Wine and Food Festival
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival
Every year the Food Network and Cooking Channel host NYC’s iconic Wine and Food Festival. All the top chefs are there, as well are loads of personalities from Food Network’s cooking shows, plus tons of amazing tasting events, special dinners, seminars and classes.
12. NYC Hot Sauce Expo
Who loves food that completely burns the inside of their mouth? If so, this festival is for you! Enjoy as many hot sauce tastings as you can muster, plus craft beer and barbecue food. There are also scheduled events on the “Stage of Doom,” including intense spicy eating challenges.
