Foodies, unite! Wine warriors, assemble! Feast your eyes and whet your whistles, because we’re embarking on a flavor frenzy – a whirlwind tour of the best food and wine festivals that’ll tantalize your taste buds from Tokyo to Tuscany!
Think grape stomping with Argentinian gauchos, mastering the art of sake pairing in Kyoto, and waltzing with chocolate masterpieces in Paris (yes, you read that right!). We’ll conquer culinary Mount Everest with celebrity chefs in Aspen, then unravel the ancient secrets of the vine in Italy’s sun-drenched vineyards.
Forget lukewarm hot dogs and predictable pinot noirs. We’re talking Michelin-starred bites, hidden grape gems, and enough culinary fireworks to illuminate the Eiffel Tower. So, pack your curiosity, your dancing shoes, and your bottomless appetite, because this global feast is about to get delicious!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Food and Wine Festivals 2024
London Wine Fair 2024
Sharpen your tasting buds and polish your wine wisdom, for the London Wine Fair, the undisputed champion of best food and wine festivals returns to Olympia from May 20th to 22nd, 2024. This isn’t just a sip-and-spin shindig, it’s a clash of the titans, where over 10,000 industry professionals and wine warriors from 30 countries descend upon London, ready to conquer new grape frontiers.
Olympia is transformed into a battlefield of the best, with over 4,000 exhibitors wielding bottles like shimmering swords. Discover hidden treasures from volcanic Mount Etna or sun-drenched Puglia, bottles you won’t find on supermarket shelves. This is a treasure hunt for the adventurous palate, a quest for hidden grape gems that puts London Wine Fair among the top contenders for best food and wine festivals worldwide.
The London Wine Fair will have a new format in 2024, with separate days for trade professionals and the public. This allows for focused interaction and networking for industry members, while providing a more relaxed and educational experience for public attendees.
Key facts you need to know:
Location: Olympia, London
Dates: 20th May 2024 – 22nd May 2024
Opening Times:
Monday – 20 May : 10:00 – 18:00
Tuesday – 21 May : 10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday – 22 May : 10:00 – 17:00
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Calling all gourmands, oenophiles, and epicureans! If your idea of paradise involves clinking glasses of vintage shiraz under a starlit sky, indulging in melt-in-your-mouth dim sum, and learning the secrets of Michelin-starred chefs, then mark your calendars (15th to 24th March) for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: one of the world’s best food and wine festivals, and arguably the best in Australia.
Held annually in March, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival transforms the city into a vibrant tapestry of culinary delights. For ten glorious days, Melbourne’s streets, laneways, and iconic landmarks become a smorgasbord of epic proportions.
This isn’t just your average food fair. The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival boasts an unparalleled lineup of international talent, bringing the world’s best flavors to your plate. Savor the delicate spices of Moroccan tagines, sharpen your chopsticks on melt-in-your-mouth Japanese sushi, or embark on a whirlwind tour of Tuscan trattorias without ever leaving Melbourne.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates the art of the grape with aplomb, showcasing award-winning wineries from across Australia and beyond. Stroll through endless rows of chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling shiraz, or attend masterclasses hosted by renowned winemakers and sommeliers.
La Tomatina Festival, Spain
Forget Michelin stars and meticulously plated courses. The world of best food and wine festivals has a wilder side, where squished tomatoes become the haute cuisine and laughter replaces clinking glasses. Welcome to La Tomatina, the messiest, most exhilarating food fight you’ll ever encounter, held annually in the small Spanish town of Buñol.
Imagine this: over 20,000 participants from all corners of the globe, armed with 120 tons of perfectly ripe tomatoes. The air crackles with anticipation as trucks loaded with this juicy ammunition rumble through the narrow streets. Then, with a deafening ¡Viva la Tomatina!, the battle begins.
For an hour, Buñol transforms into a technicolour spectacle. Squirting missiles of tomato pulp fly through the air, splattering everything and everyone in sight. Laughter and good-natured screams fill the air as participants embrace the joyful chaos. It’s a sensory overload like no other, the sweet scent of tomatoes mingling with the earthy aroma of crushed leaves and the infectious energy of the crowd.
La Tomatina’s origins are shrouded in playful mystery. Some say it stemmed from a 1945 food fight between rival groups of young men, while others claim it was a playful protest against local authorities.
Whatever the reason, La Tomatina in 2024 will be held on Wednesday, August 28th. So mark your calendars, dust off your tomato-flinging arm, and get ready for a messy but thrilling fiesta!
Of course, no best food and wine festival is complete without indulging in the local gastronomy. After the tomato frenzy subsides, head to Buñol’s charming bars and restaurants to savor authentic Valencian cuisine. Paella bursting with fresh seafood, roasted vegetables drizzled with local olive oil, and melt-in-your-mouth jamón serrano are just a few of the delights awaiting you.
And to wash it all down? Raise a glass of the region’s famed Tempranillo or Garnacha wines. These bold, flavorful reds pair perfectly with the rich flavors of Valencian cuisine, creating a culinary symphony to cap off your La Tomatina adventure.
So, if you’re looking for the best food and wine festival experience that’s anything but ordinary, La Tomatina is calling your name. It’s a chance to unleash your inner child, connect with fellow adventurers, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Just remember to pack your swimsuit (it’s the preferred attire!), your sense of humor, and a willingness to get gloriously, delightfully covered in tomatoes.
Bordeaux Wine Festival, France
Bordeaux’s cobblestone streets shimmer beneath the French sun, but there’s more brewing than mere café au lait. From June 27th to 30th, 2024, the city explodes in a whirlwind of swirling glasses, delectable bites, and whispers of ancient vines – it’s Fête le Vin, and it’s a symphony for your senses rivaling any best food and wine festival out there.
Bordeaux Unveils its Grape Secrets: Why Fête le Vin Should Be on Your Best Food and Wine Festival Bucket List
Dive headfirst into a smorgasbord of over 800 appellations. Crisp Sauvignon Blancs dance on your tongue, opulent Sauternes linger on your palate, and each sip becomes a whispered story of sun-drenched vineyards and generations of winemakers. Forget dusty textbooks, this is Bordeaux’s liquid history poured right into your glass.
Pair your perfect pour with culinary adventures worthy of any best food and wine festival. Imagine fresh oysters plucked from the Atlantic, melting-in-your-mouth Canelé pastries like sugared clouds, and rich duck confit that will have you saying “oui, oui, oui” with every bite. Bordeaux isn’t just a wine wonderland, it’s a gastronomic playground.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the Garonne River becomes a canvas of liquid gold. Find a cozy corner, savor your final sip, and soak in the magic of Bordeaux at dusk. This is a moment that will linger long after your last cheese plate crumb is gone, a perfect coda to any best food and wine festival experience.
Oktoberfest, Germany
Ditch the lederhosen (unless you’re feeling extra Bavarian bold!), because we’re embarking on a whirlwind trip to the king of all best food and wine festivals: Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest!
Sit back and picture this: 16 glorious days (September 21st to October 6th, 2024, mark your calendars!) of clinking steins filled with frothy Münchner helles, the air thick with the aroma of roasting bratwurst and sweet gingerbread hearts, and the oom-pah of brass bands echoing through Theresienwiese, a vast fairground buzzing with over 6 million revelers like you and me.
Prepare your taste buds for one of the best food and wine festivals, or say for a Bavarian blitzkrieg:
Culinary Carousel: Dive into a smorgasbord of Bavarian delights beyond just the Weißwurst and pretzels. Picture crispy Schweinshaxn (roasted pork knuckle), juicy Leberkäse (meatloaf), and tangy Käsespätzle (cheese noodles) – all begging to be washed down with another stein.
Liquid Gold: Forget your IPAs and sours, Oktoberfest is all about Märzen, a rich amber lager brewed specifically for the festival. Pro tip: Learn to sing “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” the unofficial Oktoberfest anthem, to impress your newfound biergarten buddies.
A Feast for the Senses: Oktoberfest isn’t just about the food and drink. Get swept up in the infectious energy. Sing along to folk tunes, sway to the polka, and maybe even attempt a yodel or two. Trust me, the lederhosen-clad locals will love your enthusiasm!
So, is Oktoberfest the best food and wine festival? Prost! With its intoxicating blend of beer, bites, and Bavarian bonhomie, it’s a contender for the top spot. Raise a stein with us in 2024 and see for yourself why Munich’s Oktoberfest is an experience that will leave you singing (and yodeling) long after the last drop of Märzen is gone.
ProWein, Tokyo
For over 28 years, ProWein has held its crown as the paramount marketplace for wines, spirits, and craft beverages, consistently drawing over 90,000 visitors from across the globe. Now, this prestigious event extends its tendrils to the heart of Asia, with ProWein Tokyo returning from April 10th to 12th, 2024. Prepare to experience a unique confluence of tradition and innovation, solidifying ProWein Tokyo’s place among the best food and wine festival experiences worldwide.
Dive into a spectrum of flavors, from the ethereal elegance of Junmai Daiginjo to the robust complexities of Koshu. Masterclasses, guided tastings, and intimate encounters with renowned sake sommeliers will unveil the ancient wisdom and meticulous craft behind this revered beverage.
But ProWein Tokyo isn’t just about the drink; it is one of the best food and wine festivals that tantalizes all senses. Witness the art of pairing sake and wine with exquisite Japanese cuisine through captivating culinary demonstrations led by master chefs. These culinary maestros weave magic with fresh local ingredients, showcasing the delicate balance of umami and other Japanese flavors. From melt-in-your-mouth sushi to melt-in-your-heart wagyu, be prepared for a tastebud odyssey that rivals any best food and wine festival experience.
Food & Wine Classic, Aspen, USA
Forget your run-of-the-mill food shows, this is a 40-year legacy of best food and wine festivals, a high-altitude playground where Michelin-starred chefs and legendary vintners collide, creating an experience that redefines “gourmet getaway.”
Dust off your hiking boots and polish your palate, because Aspen’s iconic Food & Wine Classic is gearing up for another epicurean escapade from June 14th to 16th, 2024.
Over 5,000 discerning palates descend upon Aspen, a mountain haven transformed into a culinary wonderland. Grand Tasting Pavilions overflow with over 300 wineries, each pouring liquid landscapes from Napa to Bordeaux, Argentina to Australia.
Witness live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs like Andrew Zimmern or Rick Bayless, their knives pirouetting with artistic precision. Sample delicacies from over 70 renowned restaurants, each bite is a passport to a different culinary horizon.
The Food & Wine Classic isn’t just one of the best food and wine festivals, it is a legacy, a four-decade love letter to the finest things in life.
Vinitaly, Verona, Italy
Ready to swap your winter coats for sun-kissed piazzas and trade snowdrifts for swirling glasses of liquid sunshine? Then uncork your calendars and mark April 14th to 17th, because Vinitaly 2024, the undisputed champion of best food and wine festivals, is rolling back into Verona, Italy, ready to paint your taste buds with unforgettable brushstrokes.
Imagine 4,000+ wine warriors from 30 countries, wielding bottles like shimmering swords, not just Cabernets and Chardonnays, but forgotten champions like Gaglioppo from Calabria or Timorasso from Piedmont. Prepare to have your palate ambushed by unexpected delights, your preconceptions shattered by the sheer diversity of Italy’s liquid landscape.
But Vinitaly isn’t just about conquering new grape frontiers. It’s about learning at the feet of the wine whisperers themselves. Masters like Angelo Gaja and Roberto Anselmi, their voices seasoned with time and tradition, lead masterclasses that transform every sip into a journey through terroir and history. You’ll taste beyond the grape, savoring the whispers of centuries in every drop.
And while your palate dances with these liquid legends, your stomach won’t be left out. Vinitaly’s food scene is a Michelin-starred masterpiece. Forget limp hot dogs and stale pretzels. Here, artisanal cheesemakers sculpt pecorino into edible sculptures, prosciutto carvers pirouette their blades with ballet-like precision, and truffle-laced tagliolini redefine comfort food. It’s a culinary concerto composed on your plate, each bites a brushstroke on a canvas of pure deliciousness.
But Vinitaly is more than just filling your glass and stomach. It’s a sensory symphony that transcends any best food and wine festival label.
Grape Harvest Festival, Argentina
The Grape Harvest Festival, nestled in the heart of Mendoza, Argentina, isn’t just about squishing grapes and sipping Malbec. It’s a vibrant whirlwind of cultural immersion, epic fiestas, and culinary delights, vying for a top spot among the best food and wine festivals in the world. Mark your calendars for March 2nd to 6th, 2024, and prepare to be swept away by this exhilarating celebration of the grape.
Over 25,000 souls get united in a fiesta like no other. Dazzling parades paint the streets in a kaleidoscope of colors and the rhythmic stomp of the Pisa (grape press) blends with the soul-stirring melodies of cuyanos music.
But delve deeper, and you’ll discover a fascinating journey into the heart of Argentinian winemaking. Masterclasses led by acclaimed bodegas (wineries) unlock the secrets of Malbec, grown under Mendoza’s sun-drenched vines.
Witness the age-old tradition of the pisa, your laughter mingling with the stomping rhythm as you become part of the process. This ain’t a tasting, folks, it’s a baptism by Bacchus, a pilgrimage to the source of every sip, elevating your experience to the best food and wine festivals level.
But the grand finale? Brace yourself for the Vendimia Queen election, a spectacle transcending any best food and wine festival you’ve witnessed. Imagine dazzling costumes, choreographed dances, and an electrifying atmosphere as 17 queens representing different districts compete for the crown.
Mendoza’s magic awaits, and believe me, this fiesta will rewrite your definition of best food and wine festivals forever.
Salon Du Chocolat, France
Calling all chocoholics and cacao crusaders! Get ready to unleash your inner Willy Wonka, because Paris is brewing a whirlwind of cocoa magic from October 28th to November 1st, 2024. Salon du Chocolat, the undisputed heavyweight champion of best food and wine festivals dedicated to all things chocolate, returns with a sugar rush of epic proportions.
Salon du Chocolat showcases over 500 artisan chocolatiers from around the globe, each wielding their craft like a culinary sword. Imagine tasting Madagascan single-origin bars with floral whispers, Venezuelan truffles infused with smoked chili, or even vegan delights that redefine indulgence without a drop of dairy.
Every year, Salon du Chocolat unleashes a fashion phenomenon unlike any other – the chocolate dress parade. Imagine gowns, hats, and accessories meticulously crafted entirely from edible chocolate, each a testament to the boundless creativity this humble bean inspires. It’s a visual feast, a dazzling parade of cocoa couture, and a guaranteed highlight of any best food and wine festival calendar.
Salon du Chocolat isn’t just one of the best food and wine festivals, it’s a celebration of everything delicious!
