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Food Festivals in Europe 2025

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A Culinary Journey Through Europe's Most Anticipated Gastronomy Celebrations

In my hometown, almost every festival slowly turns into a food festival, which is so good, but the way. Talking about the culture of “food festivals,” there is something general about them all. They are full of fun, and, apparently, food.

Whether you visit a food fest in a small European village or New York, they are all full of people enjoying food. Yes, different flavors and aromas do magic: they can erase anxiety and worries, add bright colors to the day, and make us a little bit happier. And with a list of food festivals for the coming year in Europe, nothing can stop you from being happier for the rest of the year.

Ready for a tasty journey?

January


Madrid Fusión

Madrid Fusion 2025
Image from madrifusion.net

What to Expect: Spanish passion is everywhere, and, what I like most, is Spanish cuisine. To see the colors of Spanish culture we are heading to Madrid Fusion. This high-profile gastronomic congress attracts top chefs, culinary pioneers, and food enthusiasts from around the globe. This central event is dedicated to a movement that lit a new fire in world cuisine.

Expect avant-garde presentations, live cooking demos, and innovative food-tech showcases. The three-day festival will include wine days such as THE WINE EDITION, Fusion Drinks, an exhibition area, Fusion Dreams, and more.

  • Stats and Facts: For 22 years, the festival attracted over 195,000 participants and 2171 exhibitors and held 184 presentations.
  • Why Visit: To be in the center of the world’s most influential gastronomy congress and culinary innovation and network with leading industry professionals.

Slovak Winter Food Festival

Zimný festival jedla 2025
Zimný festival jedla 2025. Image: https://www.zimnyfestivaljedla.sk/

What to Expect: Zimný festival jedla Bratislava is a celebration of Slovak comfort food, featuring hearty stews, traditional pastries, and local beverages. Over 40 selected top restaurants around Slovakia including Bratislava take part in the festival offering a real gourmet tour across the country. This year the festival will have three categories: Chef’s choice, Traditional meal, and the Taste of the Region with seasonal ingredients. For participation, guests can purchase a tasting coupon for the restaurant that includes a four-course menu including alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

  • Stats and Facts: Welcomes approximately 8,000 visitors annually.
  • Why Visit: For over a month you will taste authentic Slovak flavors and a friendly, intimate atmosphere.

February


St. Moritz Gourmet Festival

St Moritz Gourmet Festival
St Moritz Gourmet Festival. Screenshot: stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch

What to Expect: Set against the stunning Alps, at 1865 meters above sea level, Saint Moritz is a premier destination in Switzerland. Seems, nothing could make this place even better, but here we have this fantastic Saint Moritz gourmet festival featuring Michelin-starred chefs presenting dazzling gourmet experiences. Picture elegant gala dinners and creative workshops in a snowy wonderland.

  • Stats and Facts: Celebrating over 25 years of culinary excellence, the festival attracts 5,000 participants annually.
  • Why Visit: Experience fine dining like never before on a frozen lake, watching master chefs’ cooking arts and the charm of a winter paradise.

March


Escudella Festival

Image: festacatalunya.cat

What to Expect: The origin of this festival is still debated. According to one theory, the town shared hot meals with visitors of the Carnival festivals. The other theory says it was a special charity day to feed poor people. Whatever the tradition, Escudella is now a favorite fest in Castellterçol that celebrates Andorra’s traditional winter stew, Escudella. The fest starts early in the morning when villagers start cooking meals in 25 sixty-liter pots on a long row of iron pipes. When the broth is ready and blessed by the parish it is then shared among the visitors.

  • Stats and Facts: Hosts over 10,000 visitors each year.
  • Why Visit: This one-day festival is a great opportunity to be part of a tradition and get warm with hot broth. 

Culinary Festival EAT & MEET

Eat and Meet Food Festival

What to Expect: Food is not only about taste but the aesthetics of presentation, at least that’s how participants of Culinary Festival EAT & MEET in Salzburg present their dishes. This urban festival blends food, art, and storytelling with intimate gatherings in Salzburg’s historic venues. For about a month, the city will host interactive workshops, food talks, and tastings in over 50 local restaurants and the Kavernen 1595 gourmet market with regional delicacies.

  • Stats and Facts: Approximately 6,000 attendees annually.
  • Why Visit: While most festivals are about local food and traditions Culinary Festival EAT & MEET praises world cuisines and presents them in the best way so missing the event while visiting Salzburg is not the best choice, isn’t it? 

European Street Food Festival 2025

European Street Food Festival 2025
European Street Food Festival 2025

What to Expect: We can read the name and love this fest by default, but let’s learn details about this fest. This year’s edition will be special because the European Street Food Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary with new locations, hundreds of new trucks, and new tastes. By the end of this crazy fest, visitors will choose the street food champion, the Best of The Best.

  • Stats and Facts: Attracts over 3.5 million visitors across multiple locations.
  • Why Visit: Fantastic across-Europe experience with global street food flavors and vibrant urban atmospheres.

April


Wachau Gourmet Festival

Vachau Gourmet Festival 205
Vachau Gourmet Festival 205. Source: vinaria.at

What to Expect: Europe knows everything about culinary aesthetics, and the Wachau Gourmet Festival is yet another proof of this statement. A scenic festival celebrates wine and fine dining in Austria’s picturesque Wachau Valley and even competes with the famous Saint Moritz festival with the level of “gourmet-ness” or aesthetics. This event unites top chefs and winemakers who gather to make their masterpieces.

  • Stats and Facts: Draws over 4,000 wine and food lovers.
  • Why Visit: The WEIN & GENUSS Krems festival event offers to taste the wine of 70 renowned local wine-makers (by the way, Wachau is one of the best white wine regions).

May


Taste of Antwerp

The Taste of Antwerp 2025
The Taste of Antwerp 2025. Src: proeft.be

What to Expect: The popular Belgian culinary event is not an ordinary festival. It is a gathering of top Michelin-starred chefs who cook and lead culinary master classes for guests at ATAG Live Stage. A riverside celebration of Belgian gastronomy will also feature food trucks with all your favorite Belgian treats and craft beer. Live music adds to the vibrant mood.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 40 top restaurants, 90 dishes, workshops, and 20,000 participants annually.
  • Why Visit: Want to level up your cooking skills? This event is A chance for you.

Feria del Queso

  • Location and Date: Trujillo, Spain – May 1-4, 2025

What to Expect: The Extremadura region of Spain is known for cheese production and Feria del Queso is the event that showcases to the world its artisanal cheeses. The Plaza Mayor in Trujillo transforms into a cheesy hub hosting a celebration of cheese from across Spain, paired with local wines and craft products.

Stats and Facts: Over 30,000 attendees annually.

Why Visit: To sample an incredible variety of cheeses while soaking in the charm of a historic Spanish town.

Fish Festival of Saint Fortunato (Sagra del Pesce)

What to Expect: Liguria is flawless even without festivals, but we have this Fish Festival of Saint Fortunato, all flavored with the best traditions and spices of Liguria. San Fortunato is the patron of fishermen, and the festival has been celebrated since the 17th century. The festival begins at Piazza Colombo with an enormous 8-meter frying pan. The scent of fried fish fills the coastal air as locals and visitors gather for this lively event.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 30,000 dishes with 3 tons of fresh fish.
  • Why Visit: This unique celebration is all about Mediterranean tastes and traditions with an authentic spirit of Italy. 

The Aplec Festival

src: aplec.org

What to Expect: If you are not a snail lover, just skip this description. If not, you are welcome to participate in the largest celebration of snails in Campos Elíseos Park. The festival features traditional Catalan dishes, made with snails, music, and dancing. By the way, snails are imported specially for this festival from the rest of the country, North and South Africa.

  • Stats and Facts: 200,000 participants and 12 tonnes of snails.
  • Why Visit: This is an unusual gastronomic experience spiced up with the Catalan culture.

Gent Smaakt

  • Location and Date: Ghent, Belgium – May 28 to June 1, 2025
  • Website: Gent Smaakt
Gent Smaakt 2025
Src: gentsmaakt.be

What to Expect: If you have ever visited Ghent, at this time you will discover its taste and culinary heritage. Four festival locations, Korenmarkt, Stadshal, Poeljemarkt, and Goudenleeuwplein, will showcase Belgian gastronomy, featuring local chefs, craft brewers, and artisan producers. You will love Korenmarkt for local street food and Stadshal for signature dishes.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 10,000 attendees in previous years and children as special guests.
  • Why Visit: More than 60 local chefs will be cooking for You. Will you resist? 

June


Napoli Pizza Village Festival

Pizza Village Napoli 2025
Pizza Village Napoli 2025

What to Expect: Pizza is always a delight, while Pizza Fest is a double delight with double cheese. The birthplace of pizza, Naples, becomes hot in June not because of summer, but because of the tastiest Pizza fest with the best pizzaiolos (pizza makers) showing this art. From classic Neapolitan Margherita to my favorite Pepperoni, there is everything here. The festival’s highlight is the World Pizza Maker Championship cooking for the audience.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 50,000 attendees annually.
  • Why Visit: Officially known as the best food festival in the world, this fest should be on top of your “fest list” (if you have any). 

July


Fête de la Crêpe

What to Expect: The iconic French pancake takes center stage in the village of Gourin with sweet and savory variations, paired with local cider and music. The central event of the festival is the pancake-makers’ competition: who will make the biggest crêpe?

Stats and Facts: 15,000 attendees annually, over 50 participants making both sweet and savory crepes.

Why Visit: Choose the festival to experience Brittany’s rich food culture and savor classic crêpes.

August


Copenhagen Cooking

What to Expect: Denmark’s premier food festival is back in Copenhagen after a tremendous 20th anniversary last year. Every year the festival chooses one vegetable as the main ingredient of festive dishes. For 2025 the onion will be the headliner. The dishes will focus more on new experiences and fresh formats than classical and traditional ones. Plus, Nordic masculinity will be softened by French notes from Provence chefs.

  • Stats and Facts: Welcomes over 100,000 participants.
  • Why Visit: If you are looking for sustainability and eco-friendly food trends that are also tasty, the Copenhagen Cooking Festival is your choice. 

September


Aarhus Food Festival

Aarhus Food Festival

What to Expect: The first week of September lights up in different flavors in Aarhus Bay. A territory of 50,000m2 transforms into a food fest venue for 250 food producers from Denmark. As a visitor, you will have an enormous selection of dishes to taste, a chance to learn from the best chefs, catch fish, and have enough time to enjoy beer in Nordic style at the Nordic Sips area. Music, dances, workshops, and conquests will accompany the three festive events.

  • Stats and Facts: Draws over 30,000 participants and 1000 delegates annually.
  • Why Visit: This is a blend of sustainable eating and Danish culinary workshops from bread baking to schnapps making.

Oktoberfest

  • Location and Date: Munich, Germany – September 20-October 5, 2025
  • Website: Oktoberfest Munich

Oktoberfest 2025

What to Expect: Hardly anyone here hasn’t heard about Octoberfest. Or not? The world’s largest beer festival, featuring Bavarian food, music, and traditional costumes will celebrate its 190th event in Munich on the Theresienwiese. Octoberfest will be bigger and better this year but some things will never change, like the best beer and the first “O’Zapft Is!” At the opening.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 6 million attendees annually from all over the world and 7 million liters of beer are drunk during the festival.
  • Why Visit: This iconic celebration of Bavarian culture should be visited at least once.

Cannstatter Volksfest

Source: cannstatter-volksfest.de

What to Expect: Often called the “little brother of Oktoberfest,” this festival combines beer, Swabian cuisine, and carnival rides. Some say it is even better than Octoberfest: less overcrowded and more authentic. Besides, you can find something else besides beer (in case you want some change).

  • Stats and Facts: Draws over 4 million attendees annually.
  • Why Visit: You will have a whole selection of beer you won’t find anywhere else. And food! Pretzels, pork, brats, chickens, sausages – all these in huge portions. 

Dürkheim Sausages Fair

Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt 2025
Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt 2025. Screenshot: bad-duerkheim.de

What to Expect: German sausages are legendary, and no wonder why there is a special day (days!) celebrating sausages. Sausage Fair or Wurstmarkt is a massive sausage and wine celebration, with traditional German cuisine, fairground rides, and folk music.

  • Stats and Facts: Over 600,000 visitors annually, 150 types of wines, and the world’s largest wine barrel, 1,7 million liter capacity, now transformed into a restaurant.
  • Why Visit: This is the biggest party in the Rhineland-Pfalz region that goes well without traditional beer.  

Tartelet Festival in Odense

Source: tarteletfest.dk

What to Expect: A relatively new but already beloved festival will be held this year for the 15th time in Odense, celebrating Denmark’s beloved pastry, the tartelette. Expect creative fillings, cooking contests, and warm hospitality.

  • Stats and Facts: Attracts over 5,000 pastry enthusiasts annually, serving 13.000 tartlets.
  • Why Visit: To enjoy a uniquely Danish comfort food experience and participate in the Tartelette eating championship.

October


O Grove Seafood Festival

Fiesta Del Marisco 2025
Src: ogrove.net

What to Expect: The O Grove Seafood Festival is my kind of paradise, and anyone ready to eat seafood from dust to dawn. For ten days, the guest will enjoy endless oysters, steamed mussels, razor clams, velvet crabs, lobster, and Galician wines (all on sale at special prices) gently spiced up with folk music and dances.

  • Stats and Facts: Attracts over 200,000 visitors.
  • Why Visit: To savor the freshest seafood in a scenic coastal setting.

Salon du Chocolat

  • Location and Date: Paris, France – October 30 to November 3, 2025
  • Website: Salon du Chocolat
Salon du Chocolat 2025
Salon du Chocolat 2025. Source: salon-du-chocolat.com

What to Expect: A paradise for chocolate lovers, featuring workshops, tastings, and a cocoa fashion show, will be held for the 29th time in Parc Der Expos de la Porte de Versailles, and it’s going to be terrific. With a parade of chocolate-dressed models, endless chocolate pastries,  workshops, and tastings, this event is not to be missed.

  • Stats and Facts: Welcomes over 50,000 chocolate enthusiasts, and 500 participants from 60 countries.
  • Why Visit: Chocolate and Paris is the biggest love story to enjoy.

More to Check


Barbecue Festival, Armenia

Armenian barbecue
Armenian barbecue. Src: desuden.com

What to Expect: Celebrating the art of grilling, this festival has the best flavor I ever felt (of course, if you like the smell of BBQ). The festival is all about Armenian Khororvats (barbecue): 40 types of BBQ with different meats (or veggie barbecue), spices, and traditional music. You will also find stalls where you can try homemade wine and vodka.

  • Stats and Facts: Approximately 15,000 visitors each year.
  • Why Visit: To taste the flavors of authentic Armenian barbecue in a cultural setting and try authentic Armenian dishes.

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Anush Bichakhchyan
the authorAnush Bichakhchyan
Content writer
Anush is a freelance content writer and columnist. Writing on tourism and recreation, technology, high-tech and design industries.