Food festivals are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culinary scene of a city, offering the chance to sample a wide array of dishes from top restaurants, breweries, and distilleries all in one place. New York City, a global culinary capital, is brimming with food and drink festivals throughout the year, catering to every taste and preference. Whether you’re a local foodie or a visitor, get ready to explore the most exciting Food Festival Nyc has in store for you!
From wine and whiskey extravaganzas to BBQ cook-offs and celebrations of global cuisines, here’s your guide to the top food and drink festivals in NYC that you simply can’t miss!
1. New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF)
Image alt text: Attendees enjoying food and drinks at the vibrant Uptown Night Market, a popular food festival in NYC.
Presented by Invesco QQQ, the 17th annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) is set to tantalize taste buds from October 17th to 20th. This four-day culinary celebration boasts over 80 events and features more than 500 renowned chefs, promising an unparalleled gastronomic journey. Expanding its reach this year, NYCWFF will venture into Brooklyn, introducing a NYCWFF Ferry powered by Invesco QQQ, truly highlighting the city’s five boroughs as global culinary destinations.
Attendees can look forward to mingling with celebrity chefs, sampling signature dishes from beloved local eateries, and enjoying a diverse lineup of entertainment. The festival’s schedule is packed with exciting events, including Rachael Ray’s return to host the iconic Blue Moon Burger Bash and Blake Lively hosting The Betty BOOze Harvest Happy Hour at The Seaport’s scenic Lawn.
The expansion into Brooklyn brings a headlining event, Brooklyn Eats & Beats, showcasing celebrated chefs from the borough and featuring a special appearance by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, who will be serving their premium Gin & Juice ready-to-drink cocktails. Adding to the festival’s appeal is its philanthropic mission, as NYCWFF proudly supports God’s Love We Deliver, NYC’s only provider of life-sustaining meals and nutrition counseling.
When: October 17th to 20th, 2024
Where: Multiple Venues across NYC
2. Smorgasburg
Image alt text: A bustling scene at Smorgasburg, the largest outdoor food market in NYC, featuring diverse food stalls and crowds of people.
Known as the country’s largest open-air food market, Smorgasburg takes over three prime NYC locations every weekend during the summer and extends into the fall! This foodie haven is a must-visit for anyone seeking artisanal bites and innovative street food from local vendors. From the viral spaghetti donuts to fluffy soufflé pancakes, Smorgasburg is a culinary adventure waiting to happen. Check out the locations and dates:
- Smorgasburg WTC
- When: Fridays
- Where: The Oculus, Fulton & Church
- Hours: 11 am – 6 pm
- Williamsburg
- When: Saturdays
- Where: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn
- Hours: 11 am – 6 pm
- Prospect Park
- When: Sundays
- Where: Breeze Hill, Brooklyn
- Hours: 11 am – 6pm
3. Japan Fes
Image alt text: A vendor skillfully preparing traditional Japanese steamed buns at Dragon Fest, a popular Chinese food festival in NYC.
Celebrating the rich tapestry of Japanese cuisine since 2016, Japan Fes brings together a plethora of Japanese vendors, including favorites like Menya Jiro and Tonkatsu Me, offering authentic and affordable bites throughout NYC. More than just a food market, Japan Fes provides an immersive cultural experience with authentic food stalls serving sushi, ramen, and matcha delights, alongside captivating performances of taiko drumming, traditional dance, and cosplay showcases. It’s a fantastic food festival NYC for all ages! Check out the upcoming locations:
- 10/5/24 – Japan Fes x Ramen Contest at Park Slope
- 10/6/24 – Japan Fes x Ramen Contest at Chelsea
- 10/13/24 – Upper West Side
- 10/27/24 – Upper West Side
- 11/9/24 – East Village
4. Dragon Fest
Image alt text: A young chef expertly prepares Chinese steamed buns at a food stall during Dragon Fest, a vibrant Chinese food festival in NYC’s Chinatown.
NYC’s premier and largest outdoor Chinese food and culture festival, Dragon Fest, has quickly become a beloved annual event. Showcasing over 100 varieties of Chinese cuisine, this food festival NYC is a treasure trove of flavors, offering everything from delectable soup dumplings to traditional candied hawthorn sticks. Featuring renowned vendors such as Pecking House, MáLà Project, and Kopitiam, Dragon Fest is a culinary journey through China without leaving New York. Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates:
- 10/5/24 – 4th Avenue, 12th-13th Street
- 10/6/24 – 6th Avenue, 29th-31st Street
- 10/13/24 – Broadway, 80th-82nd Street
5. Thai Fest
After a successful debut, Thai Fest is finalizing its summer/fall schedule with multiple dates across NYC, bringing the authentic flavors and vibrant culture of Thailand back to the streets of New York City. This food festival NYC promises a wide array of choices, allowing you to experience the best of Thai street food and culinary traditions right in the heart of the city. Stay tuned for the full set of dates to immerse yourself in the tastes of Thailand.
- 10/5/24 – 4th Avenue, 12th-14th Street
- 10/13/24 – Broadway, 80th-82nd Street
6. Famous Food Festival, Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Image alt text: An aerial shot of the expansive Famous Food Festival at Tanger Outlets Deer Park, a large food and beverage event near NYC.
While slightly outside of NYC on Long Island, the Famous Food Festival, a popular traveling food event, is worth the short trip for its fall edition. This three-day food festival near NYC showcases over 100 food, art, and beverage vendors, offering a diverse selection of culinary delights while supporting local businesses. Explore a vast range of food options and enjoy a weekend of gastronomic discovery.
When: October 11 – 14
Where: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
7. Queens Night Market
Image alt text: Crowds enjoying the lively atmosphere and diverse food offerings at Queens Night Market, a popular night food festival in NYC.
This vibrant and diverse outdoor event is one of NYC’s most iconic night markets, celebrated for its wide array of international cuisine. The Queens Night Market features up to 100 vendors selling food and merchandise, along with captivating small-scale cultural performances, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity of NYC and Queens. Indulge in flavors from around the globe, from Colombian arepas to Salvadoran pupusas at this quintessential food festival NYC.
When: Saturdays 4 pm – 12 am
Where: New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
8. Uptown Night Market
Image alt text: A lively evening at Uptown Night Market, a beloved Harlem food festival in NYC, with people eating and browsing vendor stalls.
The 3rd annual Uptown Night Market in Harlem is a true foodie’s fantasy, boasting over 70 diverse vendors representing more than 20 countries through food and drink. This food festival NYC offers a global culinary tour, from African to European to Caribbean cuisines, featuring popular vendors like Perros Locos, Brooklyn Dim Sum Co, Harlem Hoopz, and The Eggroll Queen LLC.
When: Second Thursday each month, 4pm – 10pm, through the fall
Where: Harlem Arches – 12th Ave & 133rd Street
9. Bronx Night Market
Image alt text: A wide shot of the bustling Bronx Night Market, a vibrant outdoor food and drink festival in NYC, with many people enjoying the evening.
This open-air food and drink festival celebrates the best of Bronx cuisine and culture! The Bronx Night Market features over 60 vendors serving unique and inventive creations, including mac & cheese fried burritos, enormous slices of carrot cake, fried chicken cones, and even watermelon pizza! Beyond the food, enjoy an Instagram Wall-O-Fame, a dedicated kid zone, and food education booths, making it a family-friendly food festival NYC.
When: First Saturday each month, 4 pm – 10 pm, through October
Where: 1 Fordham Plaza
10. Grand Bazaar NYC
Image alt text: A sunny day at Grand Bazaar NYC, an Upper West Side food festival and flea market, showcasing numerous vendor stalls and shoppers.
Grand Bazaar NYC transforms the Upper West Side into a vibrant flea market and food festival every Sunday! While browsing for unique thrifted finds, take a break in their bustling food court, offering all kinds of local culinary gems to fuel your shopping spree. This weekly food festival NYC is a perfect weekend destination.
When: Sundays (10 am – 5 pm)
Where: 100 West 77th St (at Columbus Avenue)
11. Brooklyn Night Market
Open on the last Monday of every month in Industry City, the Brooklyn Night Market features over 40 local vendors. Expect to find mainstays like Brooklyn Dim Sum Co and Rosie’s Empanadas, among many others. This monthly food festival NYC is a great way to explore the diverse food scene of Brooklyn after work.
When: Last Monday each month, 4 pm – 10 pm, through October
Where: Industry City, 36th St btwn 2nd & 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
12. Vegan Night Market
Image alt text: A vibrant scene at Vegan Night Market in Central Park, a dedicated vegan food festival in NYC, with people exploring food stalls.
Vegan Night Market takes over Central Park’s Wollman Rink every Tuesday night throughout the summer. This food festival NYC for vegan enthusiasts features over 25 micro-businesses offering mouthwatering plant-based food and drink options, including Secret Vegan Kitchen, Mao’s Bao, and Pinche Vegana NYC. It’s truly a vegan food paradise!
When: Tuesday nights (4 pm – 9 pm), until October 10
Where: Wollman Rink in Central Park
13. Manhattan West Food Fest
The Manhattan West Plaza hosts a two-day food festival, featuring vendors from Citizens Market Hall, Zou Zou’s, Midnight By Navarro’s, Daily Provisions, Katsuya, Casa Dani, and Black Fox Coffee! This food festival NYC is free to attend, with food available for purchase. Enjoy live DJ performances on both nights and bring your furry friends as it’s dog-friendly!
When: October 16 – 17, 4 – 8 pm
Where: Manhattan West Plaza, 385 9th Ave
14. EEEEEATSCON 2024
Image alt text: People enjoying food and music at EEEEEATSCON, a popular food experience festival in NYC curated by The Infatuation.
This two-day food experience, curated by the popular restaurant discovery platform The Infatuation, EEEEEATSCON, is a must-attend food festival NYC. It features local restaurants and exciting food imports from across the country, exclusive to this event. In addition to incredible food, enjoy live music performances and engaging food panels. This year’s lineup includes special collaborations like Cloudy Donut Co. x Sugar Hill Creamery, Community Goods x Apollo Bagels, plus NYC staples Gotham Burger Social Club and Sappe.
When: October 12 – 13
Where: Forest Hills Stadium
Explore More: The Best Festivals In NYC Happening This Summer
