18 Best Food Festivals in NYC in 2024
No matter the time of year, food festivals in NYC offer locals and visitors a chance to revel in enthralling entertainment while indulging in unbeatable foods. The electrifying city, also known as the Big Apple, is a wonderland filled with endless possibilities. People from all over the world travel to New York City to immerse themselves in its vibrant and buzzing atmosphere that simply cannot be found elsewhere.
NYC is filled with countless opportunities to taste food from all over, indulge in exquisite creations and devour classical favorites made by the top local culinary experts. Many world-renowned chefs make this stunning city their home and are ready to blow your mind with amazing flavor. Food festivals in NYC offer the ideal opportunity to do all of this and more. Use this article as your guide to find the best ones worth visiting.
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The 18 Best NYC Food Festivals
1. Japan Fes
This annual food festival in NYC merges over 1,000 Japanese vendors in one space! Savor creations like sushi, ramen, udon, gyozas and tempura at Japan Fes, and witness breathtaking hibachi cookouts right before your eyes. This elaborate NYC summer food festival culminates in immersive cultural performances for all ages, such as taiko drumming, dance and cosplay.
Festival Location: Multiple Locations
Month of Festival: March to November
2. Smorgasburg
The largest weekly outdoor food market in the USA arrives in town with Smorgasurg — a culmination of creative street foods and artisanal delights. This weekend food festival in NYC is the biggest of its kind and celebrates every creation you can imagine, from spaghetti doughnuts and soufflé pancakes to raindrop cakes and the famous Instagram ramen burger! Referred to as the "Woodstock of Eating," this is one food festival in NYC you don't want to miss.
Festival Location: Multiple locations
Month of Festival: April to October
3. Dragon Fest
A seamless fusion of taste and experience is successfully showcased at Dragon Fest, the city’s largest Chinese culture and food festival in NYC. It features over 100 varieties of Chinese cuisine. You can try everything from scrumptious dumplings, candied hawthorn sticks and refreshing spring rolls to Peking duck and fiery kung pow chicken at this NYC summer food festival.
Before purchasing food, vendors will often allow you to sample their creations at this food festival in NYC. Putting the excitement of food aside for a second, a host of exhilarating entertainment also features at this premier food festival in NYC. Enjoy experiential exhibits and market fairs highlighting local artists and cultural traditions — there's no better way to spend your weekends, especially during summer in NYC.
Festival Location: Multiple locations
Month of Festival: April to October
4. Queens Night Market
This outdoor festival is one of the top things to do with family in NYC, featuring a huge selection of global cuisine, NYC foods, beer and wine. Expect over 100 vendors showcasing all kinds of food and merchandise at Queens Night Market, with small-scale performances that celebrate the diverse and vibrant culture that graces NYC and Queens.
Choose from popular food trucks in NYC while admiring unique art and performances at this food festival in NYC. Some of the cuisines available at this food festival in NYC hail from countries like Afghanistan, Colombia, Ukraine and Trinidad and Tobago. There’s a price cap of about $5 on most food choices, adding a level of affordability to this food festival in NYC.
Festival Location: 47-01 111th St., Corona, NY
Month of Festival: April to October
5. Uptown Night Market
Every foodie’s fantasy comes true at Uptown Night Market. With over 70 vendors representing over 20 countries’ mouthwatering cuisine, there's something to meet everyone's wishes.
This food festival in NYC is meant to magnify the vibrance of Harlem’s community, culture and cuisine while supporting local small businesses. After enjoying a delectable bite to eat, you can sit down and enjoy amazing live performances and exciting interactive activities.
Festival Location: 12th Ave. & 135th St., Harlem, NY
Month of Festival: April to November
6. Vegan Night Market
All summer, tourists and locals can taste delicious vegan offerings from proud vendors at this specialized food festival in NYC. Every Tuesday night, about 25 micro-businesses bring mouthwatering creations to plant-based enthusiasts at the Vegan Night Market.
Expect delicious vegan takes on classics like tacos, smoothie bowls and even melt-in-your-mouth mac and cheese. There's no shortage of delectable culinary creations at this food festival in NYC for those curious about the vegan lifestyle.
Festival Location: 830 5th Ave., New York, NY
Month of Festival: June to October
7. Thai Fest
This food festival in NYC kicks off for the first time in 2024. Get ready to taste the vibrant flavors of Thailand and explore its rich heritage and culture. Explore street food from top Thai vendors in the region, including foods like crab fried rice, fried meatballs, khao pad and pad thai. As a sister event to Dragon Fest, Thai Fest promises to be just as much of a spectacle, boasting an exciting event filled with color, wonder and bold flavor.
Festival Location: Multiple locations
Month of Festival: June to October
8. Bronx Night Market
This riveting event celebrates the glorious cuisine and culture that blesses the Bronx. With over 60 vendors sharing unique creations for your taste buds to explore, you’ll surely appreciate all that the Bronx has to offer. Crafty dishes like mac and cheese burritos, fried chicken cones and even watermelon pizza will be on the menu at the Bronx Night Market. While you’re there, check out the Instagram Wall-O-Fame, Kids Zone and food education booths.
Festival Location: 1 Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY
Month of Festival: June to October
9. Korea Fest
One of the first-ever festivals created for the sole focus on Korean culture, the goal of Korea Fest is to transport people and immerse them in all Korea has to offer. This food festival in NYC graces the people of New York with not only food and music, but also culture, skincare, technology and more.
Having debuted in 2024, this distinctive food festival in NYC features Korean eats like kimchi, Korean barbeque, gimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls) and delicious fried chicken. As well as vendors proudly sharing their tasty creations, a DJ spins K-pop beats throughout for an additional level of entertainment at this food festival in NYC.
Festival Location: 5-25 46th Ave., Long Island City, NY
Month of Festival: September
10. Taste of Times Square
Celebrate the neighborhood’s most beloved restaurants at this much-anticipated food festival in NYC. The city’s most vibrant and frequented destination spot hosts Taste of Times Square, a one-day family-friendly event held outdoors. 25 Restaurants featuring a variety of foods, including Mexican, Caribbean, Italian, Indian and American, set the stage for promotions and tastings you won't want to miss out on.
Festival Location: Between 45th and 48th St., New York, NY
Month of Festival: September
11. Taste of the Seaport
This beloved food festival in NYC is the only one that takes place in Seaport. Supporting charity for Seaport schools, Taste of the Seaport brings amazing food, live music and community connection to the people of Lower Manhattan.
If you’re on the lookout for fun things to do in NYC, whether or not you live in the area, mark this on your calendar! Designed for families, locals and tourists, this inspirational food event in NYC brings incredible talent and legendary chefs to the forefront for five hours of good old fundraising fun.
Festival Location: Piers 16 and 17, 12 Fulton St., New York, NY
Month of Festival: September
12. ChainFEST NYC
This sensational food fair in NYC has gone viral for rocking the country and blowing the taste buds of foodies out of the water. A creative spin on classic menu items can be found at ChainFEST, transforming iconic brands into gourmet creations. This food festival in NYC has quickly climbed to the top of the list of culinary events and attracts over 5,000 foodies, influencers and even celebrities.
Experience a gourmet fusion of new and exclusive menu items from your favorite food chains at this one-day-only food festival in NYC. While sinking your teeth into a variety of flavorful foods, enjoy games, rides and cocktails designed by top mixologists. This is just a taste of the unique entertainment you can look forward to at this fun-filled food festival in NYC.
Festival Location: 20 Randalls Island Park, New York, NY
Month of Festival: September
13. New York Latin Food Festival
A two-day immersive experience embellishes the city with this vibrant food festival in NYC. Highlighting incredible Latin and Caribbean food, the New York Latin Food Festival is a highly anticipated event attracting thousands of people every year.
Enjoy bold and complex flavors with live performances and music like salsa, reggae, rumba, jazz, Latin pop and hip hop. Attendees get to explore a variety of family-friendly activities and art exhibits while tantalizing their tastebuds with the excellence of Latin cuisine.
Festival Location: Pier 76, 353 West St., New York, NY
Month of Festival: September
14. Eeeeeatscon NYC
Picture the liveliness, spirit and excitement you get from many music (and food) festivals, but with highly-curated and beloved local restaurants as the headline acts — that's exactly what you'll get at Eeeeeatscon NYC. For those looking to take their taste buds on a journey elsewhere, this food festival in NYC also features delicious fare from the rest of the country.
Live music performances add to the bustle of this popular food event in NYC, while panels hosted by culinary pioneers can also be appreciated. Take the whole family along to this one-of-a-kind food festival in NYC that will have you tasting, dancing, learning and so much more.
Festival Location: 1 Tennis Pl., Forest Hills, NY
Month of Festival: October
15. New York City Wine & Food Festival
Hosted by The Food Network, this iconic food festival in NYC brings thousands of people together to experience incredible tasting events, samples, dinners, seminars and classes. World-renowned personalities from the Food Network’s cooking shows gather at the New York City Wine & Food Festival to craft a memorable four-day celebration around showstopping food and wine.
Festival Location: 140 58th St., Brooklyn, NY
Month of Festival: October
16. Famous Food Festival
Taste the world with food inspired from around the globe at the Famous Food Festival. This culinary adventure is for food lovers everywhere, where guests can delight in over 100 vendors bringing food, art and beverages to the people of NYC. All ages are welcome at this food festival in NYC, with children under six getting in for free. Take the whole gang along for a day of tasty treats, thrilling entertainment and even a giveaway or two to look out for.
Festival Location: 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park, NY
Month of Festival: October
17. Taste of Sunnyside
For a full day out of lively leisure, reaching into the hours when the sun parts ways with the day, there are few food festivals in NYC better to attend than Taste of Sunnyside. This event gears up to welcome over 50 local restaurants for a block party of epic proportions!
Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, local artists exhibits, fun activities and, of course, delectable bites from Sunnyside’s top restaurants. Discover new local favorites and explore the diversity of the culinary landscape in Sunnyside at this NYC food festival.
Festival Location: Multiple locations
Month of Festival: October
18. Philippines Fest
The first Filipino food fair in NYC brings Filipino-American small business owners together to share their heritage and support the community. Artisans, performers and businesses exhibit their talents and products for attendees to celebrate and admire. Guests can expect to try all kinds of beloved dishes at the Philippines Fest, like adobo (a marinated meat mixture), halo-halo, chop suey and much more.
Festival Location: Multiple locations
Month of Festival: Year-round
Find the Best Food in NYC
There are many ways to explore the diverse culinary tapestry that engulfs the energetic streets of New York City. Along with all of the exciting food festivals in NYC, you can take your exploration even further with food tours in NYC. These immersive experiences led by expert guides will take you deeper into the local food scene, covering everything from the top eateries to the hidden gems, not forgetting any local favorites.
NYC is a vibrant city that attracts millions of tourists from all around the world every year. Along with its electrifying nightlife and dynamic restaurant scene, there are plenty of exciting food festivals in NYC to fill your calendar with and explore. Make your next trip one to remember with incredible flavor and endless fun for the whole family. If you're a local, then this list of food festivals in NYC should be saved and ready to open every weekend.
For even more ways to explore NYC and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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