The Best Food Festivals Across the USA

Food truly is the great equalizer. We all need it, we all love it, and it’s been bringing us together for millennia. Despite our differences, we can always come together around a delicious meal. And with the increasing popularity of food festivals across the country, our dinner parties just got a whole lot bigger! Whether it’s a classic Texas BBQ or a decadent indulgence of wine and sweets, food festivals across the nation have given us the opportunity to come together with the common interest of sampling a region’s specialties and expanding our culinary horizons. Check out our top picks for can't-miss festivals in the US.

1. Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival — Port Angeles, Washington 

Port Angeles is the place to be in early October. The town erupts into a crab frenzy with this classic three-day festival, featuring the region’s world-famous Dungeness Crab and several other seafood delicacies. Attendees can sample crab from restaurants around the town, enjoy live music performances, and explore over 75 craft, merchant, and food booths.

Where to Stay: A 10-minute drive from the event venue, Elwha Dam RV Park awaits. A cozy campground on the edge of town, this one gets bonus points for also being so close to Olympic National Park.

2. Shrimp Festival — Gulf Shores, Alabama

For 50 years running, Gulf Shores locals and visitors from all over the country have attended the annual Shrimp Festival. Drawing nearly 250,000 attendees, this classic festival features shrimp prepped in just about any way you can imagine, along with live music, art exhibits, local vendors, and activities planned just for the kids. Mark your calendars for the 2nd week of October!

Where to Stay: 10 minutes down the road, Gulf Breeze RV Resort has you covered with over 250 full hookup RV sites, cabins, and an on-site fishing pond.

3. Austin Foodie Fest — Austin, Texas 

Austin is quickly earning the reputation for festivals and cultural events, and the Austin Foodie Fest is a prime example. Featuring over 100 local restaurants, live music, cooking demonstrations, and various activities to entertain food lovers of all ages, this festival is a must-see event.

Where to Stay: Head south on I-35 for just 15 miles to find Buda Place, the perfect RV resort to escape the hustle and bustle of Austin and unwind between festival days.

4. Las Vegas Food and Wine Festival - Las Vegas RV Resort

Lacking none of the luxury and extravagance that you expect out of Las Vegas, this festival is one you don’t want to miss. Indulge in only the best food and drink curated by some of the world’s top celebrity chefs at the exclusive Palms Resort & Casino. And despite the unadulterated decadence of the event itself, you can feel good knowing that it runs 100% carbon neutral and all profits are redistributed to children’s charities based in Las Vegas.

Where to Stay: Settle in at the Las Vegas RV Resort, a relaxing getaway less than 10 miles down the road from the Palms.

5. Taste of Madison — Madison, Wisconsin 

For three days straight, Madison comes together around some of the finest cuisine the city has to offer, prepared by local chefs. From French pastries to authentic Costa Rican fish tacos, nothing is off-limits at this event with over 80 vendors. You can also enjoy live music all day long by a long list of diverse artists.

Where to Stay: 15 miles up the road, Madison Campground has everything you need: full hookups, a general store, and peace and quiet on the edge of town.

6. Manitou Springs Wine Festival — Manitou Spring, Colorado 

Set in the charming Colorado mountain town of Manitou Springs, this classic wine festival features over 35 wine vendors, only featuring wines made in the great state of Colorado. You can also enjoy three live music artists and plenty of pop-up food vendors and food trucks!

Where to Stay: Just a 5-minute drive from the event, Garden of the Gods RV Resort offers a luxurious, amenity-rich basecamp complete with stunning mountain views.

7. Myrtle Beach Fall Jerk Festival — South Carolina

From noon until 10 pm, Myrtle Beach shuts down an entire street for this food festival. Celebrate the fusion of African and Taíno cultures in Jamaica with this spicy and delicious extravaganza. Taking place in one of the most charming beach towns in America, and jam-packed with unique jerk-style dishes, live music, and local vendors, this brand new festival is a can’t-miss event.

Where to Stay: 8 miles from the event location, Hideaway RV Resort offers a peaceful getaway right on the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway.

8. Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival — Malibu, California

After selling out multiple years in a row, this festival has cemented itself as one of the best in the state. Bringing together 40 of California’s top chefs and dozens of food, wine, beer, and spirits vendors, all with a casual, yet upscale vibe, this is the place to be in June. And the decadence is all for a good cause, with all of the proceeds of this non-profit event distributed to local education and arts programs.

Where to Stay: 16 miles away and right on the seashore, Malibu Beach RV Park features full hookup RV sites, tent sites, a welcoming atmosphere, and an unbeatable ocean view.

9. Chili Quest and Beer Fest — Galveston, Texas

This one has it all: Award-winning chili sampling, an open-invite chili cook-off, local craft beer tasting, and a 5k fun run to pre-emptively burn off some extra carbs before the event. This festival also features a cornhole tournament and plenty of local vendors for all your window-shopping curiosities.

Where to Stay: Stella Mare RV Resort offers over 200 paved, full hookup RV sites in a luxury beachfront location, and it's just a 20-minute jaunt from the event venue along the beautiful Galveston Island coastline.

10. Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival - Louisiana

The Baton Rouge soul food festival brings you a family-friendly atmosphere packed to the brim with delicious southern cuisine and scored by non-stop soul, blues, R&B, Gospel, and Christian music. The event also features a soul food cook-off and a vendor's village full of local artisans.

Where to Stay: Westgate RV Park is only 20 minutes from the festival location and offers spacious sites in a peaceful country setting outside of town.

11. Florida Seafood Festival - Apalachicola

Hosted at Battery Park, this celebration of Florida’s seafood industry offers a lively atmosphere with stunning views of the Apalachicola River and the Gulf of Mexico. Not to mention all the seafood delicacies that make Florida’s Gulf Coast world-famous, a variety of live music, arts and crafts, and local vendors!

Where to Stay: Less than 10 miles down the road, Coastline RV Resort offers spacious RV sites, cabins, and suites right there on the seaside.

12. Buellton Wine & Chili Festival — Solvang, CA 

Do your taste buds a favor and come sample creations from over 30 local wineries and craft breweries, or throw your hat in the ring for the chili/salsa cook-off at the Buellton Wine & Chili Festival this year. And the best part; it takes place at one of the greatest RV parks in California! 

Where to Stay: Check out Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground for a luxury resort experience with an iconic food festival right at your doorstep.

13. Taste of Charlotte — Charlotte, North Carolina 

Come and experience the taste of Charlotte at this classic festival featuring cuisine from the area's best restaurants. Enjoy free admission as you stroll around the grounds, complete with three stages for live entertainment and performances, and enjoy interactive tours around Uptown Charlotte!

Where to Stay: 20 minutes from the festival, Camping World Racing Center is at the ready with over 400 paved RV sites and a full-on racetrack, so you can catch a race after your days at the festival!

Ready to start planning your culinary tour of America’s best food festivals? Check out our easy-to-use, interactive booking platform to find the perfect RV parks and campgrounds along the way. View all of the options near your destination, and only see spots that are available for your selected dates!