New York State comes alive with vibrant food and drink festivals celebrating everything from iconic pizza to craft beers and fine wine & spirits. Let's take a look at a few examples.
New York Food Festivals
One of the best ways to experience New York's culinary diversity is by attending the numerous food festivals that take place throughout the year. From artisanal street eats to international delicacies, New York's food festivals offer something for every palate.
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New York City Wine and Food Festival: October
The largest food and wine gathering in New York City brings together world-renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and wine experts at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint. Over 4 days and 80 events 500 vendors, including local favorites like Roberta's Pizza, Momofuku, and Peter Luger Steakhouse, offer tastings of their signature dishes and specialty cocktails to more than 50,000 attendees throughout the weekend. Guests can experience hands-on cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Marcus Samuelsson, while enjoying live music performances by local Brooklyn bands including The Brighton Beat and Red Baraat.
The festival features unique experiences such as intimate chef-hosted dinners, late-night parties, and a grand tasting pavilion where visitors can sample dishes from more than 100 restaurants in a single session. Multiple wine seminars led by master sommeliers offer educational tastings of rare vintages and emerging wine regions, while mixologists craft innovative cocktails using premium spirits. A highlight of the festival is the rooftop garden party featuring panoramic views of Manhattan, where guests enjoy farm-to-table dishes prepared by rising star chefs while master gardeners showcase urban farming techniques.
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This outdoor food celebration on Long Island attracts over 15,000 attendees at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, New York. The Famous Food Festival features more than 75 local and regional food vendors, serving everything from traditional festival fare to innovative culinary creations. Notable vendors include Mac Truck NYC with their gourmet mac and cheese variations, Empanada Papa's authentic Latin treats, and Long Island's own Cousin's Maine Lobster food truck. Live entertainment keeps the energy high with performances by local bands such as The 90's Band and Big Shot, a Billy Joel tribute group.
Festival highlights include cooking demonstrations by regional chefs, a craft beer garden featuring local breweries, and a dedicated dessert pavilion showcasing artisanal ice cream makers and bakeries. A special kids' zone offers face painting, balloon artists, and interactive cooking classes designed specifically for young food enthusiasts.
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National Buffalo Wing Festival: August
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A massive celebration of chicken wings draws huge crowds to Buffalo, New York, every year at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. Hosted at Sahlen Field, the event features over 100 vendors serving up wings, including big names like Anchor Bar, Duff’s Famous Wings, and La Nova Pizzeria. These vendors offer more than 100 different wing flavors, ranging from classic spicy buffalo to unique twists like honey garlic or barbecue. Beyond wings, attendees enjoy sides like celery and blue cheese, plus drinks such as local craft beers and sodas.
The festival attracts over 50,000 wing lovers annually, making it one of the largest food events in the region. Live music keeps the energy high, with past lineups featuring bands like Nine Days and local acts, though specific performers vary year to year. Special features include the Wing Eating Championship, where pros compete to devour the most wings, and a “Sauce-Off” contest for amateur cooks. Cooking demos by chefs and a wing-themed merchandise area round out the experience.
New York Wine Festivals
From the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley, these annual celebrations of wine, food, and culture are a delightful journey through the state's flourishing vineyards and wineries.
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Wine enthusiasts from across the five boroughs converged on Chelsea Industrial for one of New York's premier tasting events presented by Urban Uncorked Productions. The transformed warehouse space hosted over 75 wineries including notable participants Mondavi Vineyards, Brooklyn Oenology, and several boutique producers from the Finger Lakes region. Nearly 3,000 attendees sampled more than 300 varieties of wine ranging from bold California cabernets to delicate New York rieslings while enjoying cheese and charcuterie pairings from Murray's Cheese and Dickson's Farmstand Meats. The Chelsea Industrial venue's exposed brick walls and soaring ceilings provided an atmospheric backdrop for live performances by jazz quartet The Manhattan Blend and acoustic folk duo Harbour Lights.
Expert-led seminars throughout the day included blind tastings, food pairing workshops, and a special masterclass on sustainable viticulture practices by renowned sommelier Alicia Hartman. Interactive features included a "Blend Your Own Wine" station where guests created custom bottles to take home and a virtual reality experience transporting visitors to vineyards around the world. The event celebrated not only established wineries but also highlighted emerging New York producers, underscoring the city's growing importance in the national wine culture.
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NYC Autumn Crush Wine & Food Fest: November
This festival features over 75 wineries including notable participants such as Wolffer Estate from Long Island, Millbrook Vineyards from the Hudson Valley, and international selections from regions like Burgundy and Tuscany. Approximately 2,000 attendees sample hundreds of wines alongside carefully paired cuisines from 25 of New York's most innovative restaurants including Blue Hill, Gramercy Tavern, and Momofuku. Live performances from jazz quartet The Autumn Notes and folk-rock group Hudson Valley Drifters provide an atmospheric backdrop for the sophisticated yet relaxed gathering. Master sommeliers conduct guided tasting seminars throughout the day, offering insights into wine appreciation and autumn harvest traditions.
The festival's signature attraction, "Crush Hour," allows visitors to participate in a traditional grape stomping experience while artisanal cheese makers and specialty food producers offer samples of harvest-inspired delicacies. A portion of proceeds supports Sustainable Restaurant Initiative, a non-profit focused on reducing food waste and promoting environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry.
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Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest: September
The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival, hosted annually at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, gathers over 100 wineries, distilleries, and breweries, creating a paradise for food and drink lovers. Popular vendors include Brotherhood Winery, the oldest winery in America, and Harvest Spirits, offering tastings of their locally crafted applejack and vodka. Guests enjoy diverse food options from artisan cheeses and gourmet chocolates to wood-fired pizzas and savory barbecue.
The event draws thousands of attendees, providing a lively atmosphere filled with wine connoisseurs and casual foodies alike. Live music performances add to the ambiance, with local bands and artists playing throughout the weekend. Special features include educational wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, and the New York State Craft Beer Pavilion, where visitors can sample a range of local brews.
New York Beer Festivals
The Empire State has become a haven for beer enthusiasts, with an array of exceptional breweries and an ever-growing list of beer festivals that draw thousands of visitors each year.
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Central New York Brewfest: January
Beer enthusiasts from across the region converged at the Horticulture Building in the New York State Fairgrounds to sample over from 150 craft beers from over 40 breweries. Notable participants included Empire Brewing Company, Middle Ages Brewing, and Ithaca Beer Co., offering everything from traditional IPAs to experimental sours and barrel-aged stouts. Nearly 2,500 attendees navigated the spacious venue, which was transformed with brewery booths arranged in a horseshoe configuration to maximize sampling efficiency. Food vendors including Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Limp Lizard, and Glazed & Confused provided hearty fare to complement the diverse beer selection.
Local musicians The Mere Mortals and Sophistafunk delivered energetic performances on the main stage, keeping the atmosphere lively throughout the event. A special homebrewing demonstration area allowed visitors to learn about the brewing process directly from members of the Salt City Brewers Club. The festival featured a "New York State Only" section highlighting the growing craft beverage industry within the Empire State, complete with a people's choice award for best brewery.
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TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival: November
The largest craft beer festival in New York State draws thousands of beer enthusiasts to Blackthorne Resort in East Durham each spring. More than 120 breweries, including standouts like Barrier Brewing, Industrial Arts, and Fifth Frame, serve over 400 different craft beers ranging from traditional lagers to experimental sours and barrel-aged stouts. Local food vendors dish out artisanal fare including wood-fired pizzas from Mama's Boy, smoked barbecue from Lost & Found BBQ, and gourmet pretzels from The Pretzel Factory. Live music keeps the atmosphere lively with performances by regional bands like The Lustre Kings and The Refrigerators on the main stage.
The two-day gathering typically hosts around 8,000 attendees who can participate in beer education seminars, meet-and-greets with brewers, and guided tastings in the VIP tent. A highlight of the festival is the prestigious TAP New York Cup competition, where brewers compete for medals in various beer categories, judged by certified beer experts.
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Rochester Real Beer Expo: June
Rochester's Innovative Field hosts an afternoon celebration of craft brew excellence. Nearly 50 breweries including local favorites Three Heads Brewing, Other Half, and K2 Brothers participated alongside national names like Dogfish Head and Bell's Brewery, offering unlimited samples of over 150 distinctive beers. The event caters to around 3,000 attendees who enjoyed specialized food pairings from Rochester culinary staples including Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, The Blossom Road Pub, and Neno's Gourmet Mexican Street Food designed to complement the diverse beer selection. Live music performances by Rochester-based funk collective The English Project and indie folk band The Honey Smugglers provided a festive backdrop throughout the day.
VIP ticket holders receive early entry and exclusive access to limited edition releases and barrel-aged specialties not available to general admission guests. Educational sessions led by certified cicerones offered insights into brewing processes, beer styles, and proper tasting techniques at the dedicated learning pavilion along the third baseline. The festival emphasized sustainability with compostable sampling cups and a partnership with Flower City Pickers to ensure food recovery from the event benefited local food pantries.​​
New York Spirits Festivals
New York is not only the city that never sleeps but also a state that never stops celebrating its love for spirits. With an ever-growing community of craft distilleries and a deep-rooted appreciation for artisanal beverages, New York has become a hub for spirits enthusiasts.
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The New York Whiskey Festival: April
The annual celebration of fine spirits has become a cornerstone event for whiskey enthusiasts in Manhattan. The New York Whiskey Festival, hosted at Metropolitan Pavilion, welcomes over 2,000 attendees to sample premium pours from 70+ distinguished distilleries including Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, and Glenfiddich. Guests can indulge in gourmet food pairings from local vendors, featuring artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolate truffles specially curated to complement the whiskey selections.
A live jazz quartet, led by renowned saxophonist James Carter, provides sophisticated ambiance throughout the evening. The festival features exclusive masterclasses taught by master distillers, where participants learn the intricacies of whiskey production and proper tasting techniques. VIP ticket holders gain early access to rare whiskeys and a specially designated lounge area offering vintage selections not available to general admission guests.
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The Long Island Spirits Craft Beverage Festival: July
The summer festival in Long Island offers attendees the opportunity to sample over 100 different beers, wines, and spirits from local, national, and international brands. Held at Tanger Outlets Deer Park, the event features a diverse lineup of vendors, including Roundtable Brewing, Profanity Wine & Spirits, Root Out Whisky, and Supreme Clientele Vodka. Visitors can enjoy live music while indulging in food offerings such as authentic empanadas from Chava's Empanadas, pretzels from Knot of this World, and cheesy arepas by MozzArepas.
Festival-goers receive a souvenir tasting glass to use as they explore the various drink options and interact with the creators behind these beverages. As a special feature, the event includes interactive games for attendees to enjoy between sips and bites, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere for all.
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Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival: August
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Whiskey aficionados and music lovers converge at Rochester's Highland Park for a celebration of craft spirits and live performances. The festival features over 40 distilleries including local favorites Black Button Distilling and Iron Smoke Whiskey alongside national brands like Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace offering tastings of their premium spirits. Attendees can sample from more than 120 different whiskeys while enjoying food from 15 local restaurants including Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, The Revelry, and Bitter Honey serving festival-friendly fare designed to complement the spirits. The musical lineup showcases regional talent with performances by Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's brass ensemble, Americana band The Lonely Ones, and headlining blues artist Danielle Ponder on the main stage.
Nearly 5,000 participants fill the park grounds each year, moving between tasting tents, food pavilions, and music stages set against the backdrop of Highland Park's historic landscape. Educational seminars led by master distillers teach attendees about whiskey production techniques, barrel aging, and the art of proper tasting methods throughout the weekend. A handcrafted marketplace featuring items from 25 local artisans offers everything from whiskey-inspired woodwork to custom glassware, allowing visitors to take home mementos of their experience.
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Whether you're a seasoned spirits enthusiast or just curious to learn more about the art of distillation, these festivals provide an excellent platform to taste, learn, and appreciate the craft behind your favorite spirits.