A Big Year for Food Festivals

After years of disruption, the global food festival calendar has fully rebounded — and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet for culinary event-goers. From major metropolitan food weeks to small-town harvest celebrations that have been running for centuries, there's something on every continent worth putting on your radar.

Here's a look at some of the most anticipated food-focused events worth planning around this year.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival — Australia (March)

One of the Southern Hemisphere's premier culinary events, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival spans several weeks and features everything from intimate chef's table dinners to large-scale tastings and masterclasses. The World's Longest Lunch — held along the Yarra River — remains one of the event's most beloved traditions. Melbourne's status as a world-class food city makes this a must for serious food lovers visiting Australia.

Salon du Chocolat — Paris, France (October/November)

The world's largest chocolate event returns to Paris for another edition celebrating the craft of chocolate-making in all its forms. Featuring chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and cocoa producers from across the globe, Salon du Chocolat is as educational as it is indulgent. The fashion show — where models wear elaborate chocolate-themed garments — has become a cultural event in its own right.

Singapore Food Festival — Singapore (July/August)

Singapore's annual celebration of its extraordinary culinary heritage typically runs through July and into August. With a food culture built at the intersection of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan traditions, Singapore is one of the world's most compelling destinations for food tourism. The festival features hawker heritage tours, chef collaborations, and pop-up experiences across the city-state.

La Tomatina — Buñol, Spain (August)

Strictly speaking, La Tomatina is less about eating tomatoes and more about throwing them, but it remains one of the world's most recognisable food-related festivals. Held on the last Wednesday of August in the small town of Buñol near Valencia, the event draws visitors from around the world for the famous tomato-throwing battle. Tickets are required and sell out well in advance.

World Street Food Congress — Rotating Asian Host City

The World Street Food Congress brings together renowned hawkers, street food vendors, and culinary figures from across Asia and beyond for a multi-day celebration of street food culture. The event champions the preservation of hawker heritage while spotlighting innovation in outdoor cooking. Watch for the 2025 host city announcement and secure tickets early — this event reliably sells out.

Oktoberfest — Munich, Germany (September/October)

Germany's most famous festival is, at its heart, a food and drink celebration. Beyond the rivers of beer, Oktoberfest features an enormous spread of Bavarian culinary tradition: roasted chicken (Hendl), pretzels, bratwurst, Käsespätzle, and the famous ox roast. The main event runs from mid-September through the first weekend of October and attracts millions of visitors to the Theresienwiese festival grounds.

How to Plan Your Festival Travel

  • Book accommodation early. Major food festivals cause hotel prices to spike and availability to evaporate months in advance.
  • Check official event websites for ticket release dates — many sell out in the first hours.
  • Build in buffer days. Arriving a day early lets you explore the destination's everyday food scene before the festival crowds arrive.
  • Follow the festival on social media for last-minute lineup announcements and schedule changes.

Keep Watching This Space

We'll be publishing detailed guides and previews for each of these events as 2025 progresses. Bookmark this site and check back regularly for updated information, tips, and on-the-ground coverage from the world's best food festivals.