The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and Hudson Valley food festival season is in full swing. After a long winter of sweaters and so much soup, we’re exchanging hats for sunglasses and comfort food for…oh wait, we’ll keep that. After all, spring marks the return of burgers, ice cream, and all the warm-weather treats you know and love.
So what are you waiting for? Make the calls to your foodie squad and get ready to savor the best of springtime food fests in the Hudson Valley.
Hudson Valley Mac & Cheese Fest
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville
April 13, 1-5 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
More cheddar is better when it comes to the Valley’s mac and cheese festival. Brotherhood Winery hosts the afternoon of cheese pulls and sauce-slathered noodles, so expect quite a bit of wine to go with that elbow macaroni. Taste test more than 12 mac and cheeses from the best places in the area, plus bites from other food trucks and caterers. It doesn’t get much better than wine and cheese, after all.
Capital Wine Festival
Albany Capital Center, Albany
April 27, 1-9 p.m.
Have a good time and celebrate local wine at the Capital Wine Festival. Attendees will have the occasion to taste vino and craft spirits from regional mainstays and purchase their favorite bottles to take home. Tickets run for $30 for session one (1-4 p.m.), $35 for session two (6-9 p.m.), $40 for VIP (5-9 p.m.), and $10 for designated drivers. What’s more, there will be a paint-and-sip attraction, a DJ with a free photo booth, and free wine glasses for you to take home after sampling.
Catskill Cuisine
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
May 10-12
View this post on Instagram
Bigger than ever for its second year, Catskill Cuisine is a weekend-long food festival featuring some of the biggest names in the local and national culinary scene. Get ready for exclusive meals and meet and greets with celebrity chefs like Andrew Zimmern, Michael Symon, and Geoffrey Zakarian. The weekend tees off with a celebrity chef golf invitational at historic Monster Golf Course at Resorts World Catskills, followed by a food festival extravaganza at Bethel Woods on Saturday, and brunch with celebrity chefs on Sunday.
Hudson Berkshire Wine & Food Festival
Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham
May 25-26
View this post on Instagram
Take a trip to Columbia County for the region’s annual wine and food fest over Memorial Day weekend. The occasion features vendors from the Hudson Berkshire beverage trail along with a number of other regional cideries, distilleries, and wineries. To pair with your sips, take time to snack on the variety of gourmet cheese, baked goods, and jams available. In addition to the drinks and snacks, the festival will also have artisans, crafters, and exhibitors.
Eat Drink Beacon Food Crawl
Main Street, Beacon
June 1, 3-7 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
Featuring a variety of local restaurants, this food crawl will leave you feeling full and satisfied. The event will feature 20 or more restaurants, eateries, businesses, and shops offering a sampling of Beacon‘s food and drinks. Some of the restaurants and bars that will be at the festival include Witch Hazel, Beacon Bath and Bubble, Denning’s Point Distillery, and much more. Ticket sales are opening soon, so keep an eye out on their Instagram.
PLUS Polish Festival
89 Western Hwy, Tappan
June 1-2
PLUS Polish Festival shines a light on the vibrant Polish culture in the Hudson Valley. Throughout the first weekend of June, Polish performers and entertainers take the stage in Tappan, while family rides and competitions keep the fun going all day long. As for eats, Polish classics like kielbasa, stuffed cabbage rolls, and bigos tempt visitors to try something new. For anyone who’s really hungry, the pierogi-eating contest is just the thing to cure your cravings…and then some. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for children under 12.
Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival
Various locations
June 4-8
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking for the ultimate foodie event, Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival is a no-brainer. The annual festival honors the leading chefs, sommeliers, and tastemakers who shape Westchester’s cuisine. This year, the festival will once again hold events like the Burger & Beer Blast and the Grand Tasting Village. The weeklong celebration will feature some of the county’s top restaurants and food vendors and take place at exciting venues, including Crabtree’s Kittle House, Playland Park, and Kensico Dam Plaza.
Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival
Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon
June 9, 12-5 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
At this festival, get ready to have your spring taste buds satisfied. This riverfront festival offers picturesque views of the Hudson River as well as delicious strawberry dishes and sweets. At the center of the festival is the Strawberry Tent, where fresh-made strawberry shortcakes, strawberry smoothies, and chocolate-covered strawberries are available. In addition to the strawberry-centric fare, the festival will also feature craft vendors selling handmade goods and food vendors offering a variety of lunch options.
Related: Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Announced Its Spring Dates
