Food and drink festivals are ideal for that very reason: you can have little tastes of everything from all the best restaurants, breweries and liquor brands, all in one place. And lucky for us, NYC hosts tons of them every single year.
From whiskey to wine, from BBQ’s to global cuisines, here are all the top food and drink festivals that will be in NYC!
1. Smorgasburg
The country’s largest open open-air food market takes over 3 NYC locations on weekends during the summer! From spaghetti donuts to soufflé pancakes, Smorgasburg invites food lovers from all over the cities to try artisanal bites and creative street food from local vendors. Check out the locations and dates below:
- 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
2. Japan Fes
Celebrating Japanese cuisine every year since 2016, Japan Fes brings dozens of Japanese vendors like Menya Jiro, Tonkatsu Me to NYC for affordable bites! From authentic food stalls offering sushi, ramen, and matcha treats to captivating performances of taiko drumming, traditional dance, and cosplay showcases, Japan Fes offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages! See locations below and learn more here.
- 6/29/24 – Garment District
- 6/30/24 – Astoria
- 7/7/24 – Midtown East
- 7/13/24 – Chelsea
- 7/21/24 – Midtown West
- 7/28/24 – East Village
- 8/10/24 – Upper East Side
- 8/18/24 – Upper West Side
- 8/24/24 – East Village
- 8/25/24 – Park Slope
- 9/7/24 – Upper East Side
- 9/14/24 – Japan Fes x Konamon Contest at Chelsea
- 9/15/24 – Japan Fes x Konamon Contest at Upper West Side
- 9/28/24 – Upper West Side
- 10/5/24 – Japan Fes x Rament Contest at Park Slope
- 10/6/24 – Japan Fes x Rament Contest at Chelsea
- 10/13/24 – Upper West Side
- 10/27/24 – Upper West Side
- 11/9/24 – East Village
3. Dragon Fest
NYC’s first and largest outdoor Chinese food and culture festival is a smashing success, and we highly recommend checking it out. Featuring over 100 varieties of Chinese cuisine, you can find anything from soup dumplings to candied hawthorn sticks. Vendors include Pecking House, MáLà Project, Kopitiam, and so many more!
- 7/13/24 – 6th Avenue, 22nd-23rd Street
- 7/21/24 – 7th Avenue, 56th-57th Street
- 8/10/24 – Washington Square Park North, 5th-MacDougal
- 8/24/24 – Broadway, 12th-14th Street
- 8/25/24 – 4th Avenue, 12th-13th Street
- 8/31/24 – Queens
- 9/8/24 – Astor Place
- 9/28/24 – Broadway, 114th-115th Street
- 10/5/24 – 4th Avenue, 12th-13th Street
- 10/6/24 – 6th Avenue, 29th-31st Street
4. Philippines Fest
Get a taste of Filipino greatness when this food festival returns to Times Square this July! Vendors from all over will be serving up classic dishes from the Philippines, including ube flan, shomai, and more!
- 7/21/24 – Times Square (7th Ave 47th – 49th St)
5. Thai Fest
After the success of its inaugural event, Thai Fest is hosting a summer run with multiple dates across NYC. There will be tons to choose from, as the authentic flavors and vibrant culture of Thailand return to the streets of New York City once again. See the full set of dates below:
- 7/13/24 – 6th Avenue, 21st-23rd Street
- 7/21/24 – 7th Avenue, 55th-57th Street
- 8/18/24 – Broadway, 91st-93rd Street
- 8/24/24 – Broadway, 12th-14th Street
- 9/14/24 – 8th Avenue, 20th-22nd Street
- 9/22/24 – Astor Place
- 10/5/24 – 4th Avenue, 12th-14th Street
- 10/13/24 – Broadway, 80th-82nd Street
6. Famous Food Festival, Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Although located slightly outside NYC on Long Island, Famous Food Festival, a traveling food festival, is touching down for their summer rendition. Showcasing over 100 food, art and beverage vendors, the three day festival will consist of all types of food for purchase…while supporting locally. Learn more here.
When: July 12 – 14
Where: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
7. Queens Night Market
This vibrant and diverse outdoor event is one of NYC’s most iconic night markets, and it features a wide array of international cuisine. You can expect up to 100 vendors selling food and merchandise, as well as small-scale cultural performances celebrating the cultural diversity of NYC and Queens. We’re talking everything from Colombian arepas to Salvadoran pupusas. Learn more about Queens Night Market here.
When: Saturdays 4 pm – 12 am
Where: New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
8. Uptown Night Market
The 3rd annual Uptown Night Market in Harlem is any foodie’s fantasy, and their 70+ diverse vendors represent over 20 countries of food and drink. Ranging from African to European to Caribbean, you’ll find just about everything…including vendors like Perros Locos, Brooklyn Dim Sum Co, Harlem Hoopz, The Eggroll Queen LLC, and so many more! Learn more here.
When: Second Thursday each month, 4pm – 10pm, through the fall
Where: Harlem Arches – 12th Ave & 133rd Street
9. Bronx Night Market
This open-air food and drink festival celebrates the best cuisine and culture in the Bronx! Their 60+ vendors serve unique creations like mac & cheese fried burritos, enormous slices of carrot cake, fried chicken cones, and watermelon pizza! There’s also an Instagram Wall-O-Fame, kid zone, and food education booths. Learn more here.
When: First Saturday each month, 4 pm – 10 pm, through October
Where: 1 Fordham Plaza
10. Grand Bazaar NYC
Grand Bazaar is a flea market and food festival that takes the Upper West Side by storm every Sunday! While you shop for thrifted gems, hit their food court which serves all kinds of local gems to power you through your shopping spree. Learn more here.
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 is the Brooklyn Night Market, which features 40+ local vendors. Mainstays like Brooklyn Dim Sum Co and Rosie’s Empanadas will be there, including so many more. Learn more about the festival here.
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
Vegan Night Market takes over Central’s Park Wollman Rink every Tuesday night, all summer long. It features 25+ micro-businesses offering mouthwatering food and drink options, like Secret Vegan Kitchen, Mao’s Bao, Pinche Vegana NYC, and so many more! It’s a vegan’s food heaven!
When: Tuesday nights (4 pm – 9 pm), until October 10
Where: Wollman Rink in Central Park
13. New York City Wine and Food Festival
Every year The Food Network hosts NYC’s iconic Wine and Food Festival. All the top chefs are there, as well are loads of personalities from Food Network’s cooking shows, plus tons of amazing tasting events, special dinners, seminars and classes. It’s a four-day celebration of food and drink like nothing else!
When: October 17 – 20, 2024
Where: Multiple Venues
14. Momo Crawl
The 11th annual Momo Crawl will take place in September once again! This massive Himalayan food and cultural festival will give visitors a taste of some of Jackson Heights’ best Tibetan, Nepalese, and South Asian restaurants. Follow their Instagram for more info.
When: September 15
Where: Diversity Plaza, 73-19 37th Rd, Flushing
15. The Feast of San Gennaro
The feast of San Gennaro takes over Little Italy each year for 11 days, and this year will mark the 95th anniversary of this special festival. Beginning on Thursday, September 12th, you’ll have plenty of time to chow down on all the cannolis and zeppole Little Italy has to offer.
When: September 12 – 22
Where: Little Italy, NYC
16. NYC Hot Sauce Expo
Who loves food that completely burns the inside of their mouth? If so, this festival is for you! Enjoy as many hot sauce tastings as you can muster, plus craft beer and barbecue food. There are also scheduled events on the “Stage of Doom,” including intense spicy eating challenges.
When: September 21 – 22
Where: Industry City, 51 34th St, Brooklyn
17. NYC Restaurant Week
NYC’s Restaurant Week comes twice a year (summer and year) and is not your traditional food festival. Instead, it’s an opportunity for New Yorkers to dine at the city’s most vibrant places at a discounted price. Participating restaurants usually create prix-fixe menus for the occasion, ensuring diners get high-quality cuisine at more accessible prices. Check out the best Restaurant Week deals here.
When: Summer & Winter
Where: Participating Restaurants