The Best Food Festivals Summer 2017
Get ready for all the lobster rolls you can handle
If you're willing to travel for food, then you've come to the right place. Events and festivals catering to the hungry, thirsty and adventurous will be taking place all across the country, and you don't want to miss out.
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Even if some of your favorite festivals are already sold out, we have six other food events that are worth traveling for this spring and summer.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
Multiple locations and dates in May, June, July and August
Nothing screams summer like barbecue, and this year the ultimate BBQ festival is hitting six cities from Tennessee to North Carolina over the course of four months. Attendees can indulge in as much barbecue as they please and can sample more than 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap.
Photo: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ via Facebook
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
May 25 to 28
The food scene in the Big Easy is legendary, and there's no better way to capitalize on everything NOLA has to offer than by hitting this one-stop shop event. This year, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary and will host more than 7,000 food-, art- and music-loving fans, including Tory McPhail from Commander's Palace.
Photo: Courtesy of New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Pinknic Festival
June 24 and 25
If rosé is your drink of choice, you won't want to miss this event on NYC's Governors Island. There will be endless supplies of the pink stuff in all forms, including rosé wine, rosé Champagne and frosé. Guests can also sample food from local celebrity chef Chris Santos, all while listening to live music throughout the day.
Photo: Andrew Day
Taste of Chicago
July 5 to 9
An outdoor food festival is the perfect way to get a taste of this one-of-a-kind city. Residents and visitors can feast on bites from local restaurants and food trucks like Chicago's Dog House and Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, then head over to Petrillo Music Shell for some post-festival tunes.
Photo: Courtesy of Taste of Chicago
California Wine Festival
July 13 to 15
Anything that involves sipping wine while taking in the views of the Santa Barbara coastline works for us. In addition to hundreds of premium California wines at your fingertips, the 14th annual festival will host local microbreweries, top chefs and food vendors.
Photo: Courtesy of California Wine Festival
Maine Lobster Festival
August 2 to 6
From lobster shacks to fine dining, this Rockland festival is where you'll eat some of the best shellfish in the country. This five day event is the perfect way to get your seafood fix, watch amateur chefs compete in cooking contests and listen to top-notch entertainment.
Photo: Courtesy of Maine Lobster Festival