It’s impressive how the Hudson Valley finds a way to dedicate a festival to every kind of food. It could be juicy strawberries, sour pickles, or beer—lots of beer—and there’s sure to be a whole afternoon devoted to it. Summer and fall remain food festivals’ peak seasons in the area, where people flock across counties to try a bite of different treats. Foodies, artists, and musicians all unite together at these festivals to create an experience well worth the drive, heat, and bloated bellies. There’s nothing more unifying than everyone saying, “I ate too much” and “I spent too much” at the end of a fun afternoon.
Twin Star Orchards Fermentation Festival, New Paltz
June 14, 11am-6pm
Twin Star Orchards is here to spotlight fermented foods, from pickles to cheeses to wines. Brad Leone from the Bon Appetit YouTube series “It’s Alive” will present as the keynote speaker on all things fermentation. Several workshops will be held, including a kimchi workshop hosted by third-generation kimchi maker Jiyeon Kim and a sourdough-making workshop hosted by Nyack’s Rising Above Bakery. Be sure to explore the tasting market, too, and try a wide array of fermented foods. Tickets per two-hour session are $9.55 for kids and $22.18 for adults.
Hudson Valley Taco Fest 8, Newburgh
June 14, 1-5:30pm
It’s hard to pass up on a festival with rows upon rows of some of the best Mexican food in the area. Restaurants, taco trucks, and caterers all come together in People’s Park in Newburgh to serve up delicacies at the Taco Fest. Wash it down with Mexican beer, margaritas, sangria, or Jarritos from some of the many drink stands in the festival. VIP guests have access to a buffet as well. Live Latin music, freestyle rapper Anthony Mangini, and KISS tribute band Psycho Circus will be performing.
Food Truck Festival, Poughquag
June 21, 11am-5pm
Jamaican food, Thai, rotisserie chicken—the Food Truck Festival has just about any food one can think of, with more vendors yet to be announced. Beyond food, they sell handma de crafts. Hopping from truck to truck and indulging in every craving is the quintessential food festival experience, and this festival . Tickets are currently $18.77, or $20 on the day of. Try some spicy jerky or perfectly-seasoned skewers till there’s no room left for another bite.
Old Fashioned Strawberry Festival at Klyne Esopus Museum, Ulster Park
June 21, 12-5pm
This free festival gives it up for the best berry-that’s-not-actually-a-berry. The festival has been a tradition for over 50 years. It does not have traditional vendors, and instead relies on donations of food, goods, and funds from local businesses. Taylor Bruck, the acting Ulster County Clerk and Kingston historian, will be at the festival to give lectures on the museum’s history. Max Rainwater and his band will be performing. In addition to many strawberry-flavored treats, the festival will also host a raffle of goods donated from local businesses.
Tap New York Craft Brew Festival, East Durham
June 28-29 12-1pm (VIP), 1-5pm (VIP + GA)
One of the oldest and longest-running beer festivals in the country, this event is sure to meet any brew-fanatic’s wishes. In addition to continuous beer sipping (or gulping), a variety of handheld foods and desserts will be offered. More than 65 craft brewers will be there to show off their skills, offering over 150 different brews to guests. The event will be held rain or shine. Performances from Guilty Pleasure on Saturday and Jared Haines and Probable Cause on Sunday will be featured as well.
Blueberry Festival, Ellenville
August 9, 9am-4pm
The Blueberry Festival is an ode to the history of blueberry picking across the Shawangunk Ridge. In days of yore, pickers would gather at the end of a long day to tell stories, dance, and drink. To celebrate that, the blueberry festival was born. This year, a blueberry muffin contest will be held, with cash prizes for first, second, and third-place winners. Fresh blueberries and blueberry-flavored treats like danishes, pies, and jams will be sold at the festival in addition to jewelry and crafts from local artists.
Lobster Fest at Old Klaverack Brewery in Hudson
August 9, 1pm-8pm
For $50, this festival will provide guests with a fresh-caught Maine lobster, a baked potato, corn, and a choice of a pint of beer. Local band The Dealbreakers will be performing as well. The brewery has some gorgeous sights to see, surrounded by big green fields and right by the water. For those who don’t eat lobster, the brewery’s wood-fired pizza oven will be put to good use.
Seafood and Wine Festival at Robibero Family Vineyards, New Paltz
August 9-10
Oysters, grilled shrimp, award-winning lobster rolls, and aged wine—it’s the definition of decadence. Two ticket options are available at this festival: general and VIP. General audience members are welcome to purchase from food and wine vendors and participate in a free cornhole tournament, get free face paint and balloons, and other fun perks. VIP guests are given exclusive seafood and wine pairings, like a fish and chips with Robibero’s 2022 New Yorkie rosé, whose acidic flavor cuts through the richness of the fried fish. Each pairing is designed to enhance the flavor of the seafood.
Bagel Festival, Monticello
August 10, 9am-4pm
Monticello has been called the bagel capital of New York ever since the town’s own Louis Wichinsky invented the first bagel-making machine. The Bagel Festival highlights this history. This year’s festival has more vendors than ever before, from food vendors to local organizations to artists. It even boasts a car show in its lineup this year. Some of the vendors in its lineup this year include Monticello Motor Club, 518 Farms, and Lilly Bear Treats.
Putnam County Food and Wine Festival, Putnam County Veterans’ Memorial Park, Carmel
August 16 11am-6pm-August 17 11am-5pm
The Putnam County Food and Wine Festival is celebrating its fourteenth year this year. For only $20, guests can sample a wide variety of wines, ciders, and spirits. The tastings are accompanied by live music, amazing food, and fun activities for kids like face painting or corn hole. A portion of the proceeds from the event will also go to charity.
Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival, Rhinebeck
September 6, 11am-6pm-September 7, 11am-5pm
Taking place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, hundreds of vendors will be present to showcase a sprawling variety of foods and wines. The festival has been held for over 20 years. Local artists and live musicians will also get the spotlight at the festival. Tickets are split into wine and beer tasting tickets or “designated driver” tickets, who do not have access to alcohol. Tasting tickets are $35.42 for regular or $80.43 for VIP, whereas the designated driver ticket is $11.59.
Hudson Valley Garlic Fest, Cantine Memorial Complex, Saugerties
September 27, 10am-6pm-September 28, 10am-5pm
This festival celebrates one of the most-used ingredients in cooking. The Garlic Fest offers delicacies as simple as fresh garlic, or as out-there as garlic ice cream. Run by the Kiwanis club of Saugerties, the proceeds from the Garlic Fest are used to fund community causes like Saugerties High School scholarships or the American Cancer Society. The Kiwanis club is all about giving back, and the Garlic Fest is their vehicle for that mission. Advance tickets for adults are $10, and for seniors are $8. At the gates, tickets are $15.
Oktoberfest, Hunter
9/27-28, 10/4-5, and 10/11-12
Get a taste of German culture at this autumn celebration on Hunter Mountain. Grab a beer, some German food, and listen to some of the many musicians that are slated to play, like Probable Cause and Roadhouse 60s. The festival also offers trips on the Kaatskill Flyer chairlifts, where the mountains can be seen from above the clouds. It’s a classic German celebration, Hudson Valley-style.
Heart of the Hudson Valley Bounty Festival, Cluett Schantz Memorial Park, Milton
October 4, 10am-4pm (rain date: October 5)
This annual festival spotlights the farmers, bakers, and artists of the Hudson Valley. The festival features many performances from dance troupes and singers, like Angela Bruno and Grupo Folclorico De Poughkeepsie. The mission of the festival is to showcase the “bounty” of the Hudson Valley, so restaurants are encouraged to showcase dishes made with local produce. It’s a celebration of the region in its purest and tastiest form.
28th Annual Rosendale International Pickle Festival, Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz
October 19, 10am-5pm
Another festival with strange yet tasty flavors, the Pickle Festival offers delicious pickled foods for all fans of the pungent and gnarly. Whether searching for classic pickles, pickled garlic, or kimchi, this festival has it in its tastiest form. Tickets are only $5 and kids under 12 get in free. The annual Pickle Triathlon is a highlight of the event, where participants compete in a pickle eating, pickle juice drinking, and pickle tossing competition. Businesses are also welcome to participate in a pickling contest with categories like best dill pickles, sweet pickles, and pickled fruit.
