Indiana Best Food and Drink Festivals

Frankfort Hot Dog Festival: July

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A celebration of America's favorite handheld meal draws thousands to downtown Frankfort, Indiana. The Frankfort Hot Dog Festival, hosted at Courthouse Square, welcomes over 15,000 attendees during the summer gathering. Nearly 30 food vendors, including local favorites like Larry's Hot Dog Cart and Miller's Beer Garden, serve up creative variations of hot dogs alongside traditional festival snacks and cold beverages. Live music fills the square with performances by regional bands The Frankfurters and Cold Dog Night, while local DJs keep the energy high between sets.

 

Children enjoy the dedicated "Pup Park" play area featuring inflatable bounce houses, face painting stations, and a hot dog mascot meet-and-greet. The festival's signature events include a hot dog eating contest where the record stands at 16 dogs in 10 minutes, and the quirky "dress your dog" costume parade where participants dress both their hot dogs and their actual canine companions.

 

Carroll County Indiana Bacon Festival: August

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The quaint town of Delphi, Indiana transforms into a pork lover's paradise each year during this sizzling summer food festival. The Carroll County Bacon Festival, hosted at Canal Park, draws over 9,000 attendees to celebrate all things bacon with more than 40 food vendors including local favorites like The Angry Donkey and Bacon Brothers BBQ. Festival-goers can indulge in unique bacon-inspired dishes such as bacon-wrapped corn on the cob, bacon maple donuts, chocolate-covered bacon, and bacon-infused craft beers from Indiana breweries.

 

Local musicians take the main stage throughout the day, featuring performances by the Lafayette Blues Band and country artist Jake Huffman. The family-friendly event includes a bacon-eating contest, a "Best Bacon Dish" competition judged by local chefs, and a dedicated kids' zone with pig-themed games and activities. The festival's signature event is the "Bacon Parade," where local organizations create floats decorated entirely with bacon themes, making it a truly unique Hoosier celebration.

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Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues: August

 

Along the banks of the Ohio River at Bicentennial Park in Madison, Indiana, thousands gather annually for a weekend celebration of savory barbecue and soulful blues music. The festival features 35 professional BBQ teams competing for top honors, while local favorites like The Pig Pit and Smokin' Jim's serve up mouth-watering pulled pork, brisket, and smoked chicken to eager visitors. Over 2 days nearly 8,000 attendees enjoy craft beer selections from Mad Paddle Brewery and regional wineries, alongside traditional festival fare including kettle corn, funnel cakes, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

 

Blues headliners Albert Cummings and Samantha Fish have graced the main stage, with regional acts performing throughout the weekend on the riverfront. The festival's unique "Pig Out" VIP experience lets guests sample competition BBQ entries while judges deliberate. A signature riverboat race between the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati adds a distinctive historic charm to this Ohio River Valley tradition.

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Indiana Brewers' Cup: August

 

The largest craft beer competition in Indiana draws brew masters and enthusiasts from across the Midwest to celebrate exceptional ales, lagers, and specialty beverages. The Indiana Brewers' Cup, hosted at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, features over 45 regional breweries including Sun King, 3 Floyds, and Upland Brewing Company showcasing more than 300 unique craft beers. Festival attendees, typically numbering around 3,000, can sample everything from traditional German pilsners to innovative maple bacon stouts while enjoying local food trucks serving artisanal burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and gourmet tacos.

 

Live music pulses through the venue with performances by local bands The White Lightning Boys and The Weekenders on the main stage. The competition portion includes professional and amateur brewing categories, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in over 120 different beer style classifications. Special features include brewing demonstrations, a homebrewing workshop area, guided tasting sessions with certified beer judges, and a commemorative sampling glass for all guests.

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Brewed in the Fort Beer Festival: September

 

Local craft beer enthusiasts are gearing up for one of downtown Fort Wayne's most anticipated summer events. Headwaters Park will host more than 50 regional breweries including Chapman's Brewing, Mad Anthony Brewing Company, Hop River Brewing, and 2Toms Brewing Co. Festival goers can sample over 200 different craft beers while enjoying food from local vendors serving everything from gourmet pretzels to wood-fired pizza. This year's festival expects to welcome over 3,000 attendees who can enjoy live music from Fort Wayne favorites The Paper Heart Band and The Dead Bandits.

 

A special VIP experience offers early admission, exclusive tastings, and a commemorative glass for dedicated beer enthusiasts. The festival features unique offerings like a "Meet the Brewers" tent where attendees can discuss brewing techniques with local craftsmen, plus a dedicated area for home brewing demonstrations.

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​Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a beer connoisseur, or simply love hot dogs, Indiana's food and beverage festivals provide a delightful journey into the state's culinary treasures.