Top Food & Beverage Festivals in the South
Each year, the South offers a wide variety of festivals that showcase the region's culinary excellence and hospitality. Mark your calendars for these fabulous events! Image: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
The South is a haven for food and beverage enthusiasts, offering vibrant festivals showcasing the region’s culinary excellence and hospitality. With backdrops like the Gulf Coast’s pristine beaches to charming Southern town squares, event highlights include chic garden parties, winemaker dinners, arts-and-crafts vendors, and celebrity guest lists. These top food and wine festivals invite you to indulge in the South’s finest flavors and experiences!
Editor’s Note: We’ll continue adding to this list, so be sure to keep checking back in the coming weeks.
JANUARY – MARCH
March 5 – 9, 2025: Charleston Wine + Food — Charleston, SC
Celebrate Charleston’s vibrant culinary scene at the 20th Annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival! This five-day event showcases top chefs, winemakers, and artisans. Enjoy a diverse range of experiences, including the lively Culinary Village offering chef demos, delicious bites, beverage pairings, entertainment, and immersive experiences. Don’t miss the Sunday Funday bash featuring a DJ and gourmet bites inspired by music. Cap off the festival with an epic send-off featuring bites and sips from the South’s most sought-after dining destinations.
March 15, 2025: JXN Food and Wine Festival — Jackson, MS
Savor Jackson’s vibrant culinary scene at the JXN Food and Wine Festival, held at the Mississippi Museum of Art, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy tastings from over 30 local and regional chefs, plus wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. General admission includes chef demos and live music by DJ Java. VIP tickets offer early access, exclusive areas, celebrity chef meet-and-greets, and a complimentary bar. Support the Mississippi Restaurant Association Education Foundation at Jackson’s premier gastronomic event!
March 28 & 29, 2025: UNwineD — Panama City Beach, FL
UNwineD invites you to savor Southern cuisine from renowned local restaurants and chefs, sample superb craft beers, spirits, and wines, and enjoy live music, wine seminars, and cooking demonstrations. The two-day garden party kicks off with a VIP soirée, followed by the Grand Afternoon Tasting on Saturday. Plus, don’t miss the new Cigar and Bourbon Lounge! Finish with a stroll through Art and Vendor Row before stopping by the Visit PCB Real Fun Beach Store.
APRIL – JUNE
April 10 – 13, 2025: 38th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival — Miramar Beach, FL
The 38th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, is a must-see event on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Featuring winemaker dinners, Grand Tastings, and a Sunday brunch, the festival offers hundreds of wines, culinary tents, yoga, live music, and interactive experiences for an unforgettable, relaxing weekend. Tickets range from $90 to $285, and proceeds support nonprofits, including the Sandestin Foundation for Kids, making it a celebration with genuine heart.
April 19, 2025: Sip Chattanooga Wine Festival — Chattanooga, TN
Taste Tennessee’s best wines, meads, and ciders at the Sip Chattanooga Wine Festival. Taking place at the Chattanooga Market, you can enjoy local vendors, artisan crafts, and delicious food pairings — all while experiencing Chattanooga’s vibrant atmosphere. It’s the perfect blend of Southern hospitality and regional flavor. General admission tickets are $40.
SB Tip: Check out other festivals from Tennessee Wines HERE.
April 24 – 27, 2025: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival — Sandestin, FL
The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival (SoWalWine) offers a world-class experience blending 600+ wines, culinary delights, and live music from Nashville singer/songwriters. Enjoy grand tastings, a craft cocktail competition, and funky activations. Each year, SoWalWine draws a celebrity guest list for educational seminars and invites top chefs for exceptional food pairings. VIP packages offer an all-inclusive experience with express entry, VIP wine pourings, Riedel tasting glasses, and upgraded swag!
April 24 – 27, 2025: Music City Food and Wine Festival — Nashville, TN
Nashville’s booming culinary scene takes center stage at the Music City Food & Wine Festival. This delicious weekend brings together the city’s top chefs and restaurants for a feast of flavors. Enjoy chef competitions, explore a vendor market showcasing local artisans, and sip on fine wines and spirits. Rounding out the event’s lineup are delicious, one-of-a-kind pairing dinners and brunches.
April 26, 2025: Chautauqua Winery’s Spring Fling — DeFuniak Springs, FL
Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery, a certified Florida Farm Winery, hosts a family-friendly festival with live music, food trucks, and over 50 local arts and crafts vendors. Enjoy complimentary wine tastings — with juice for your little ones! Other refreshments are available in the drink tent, including wine by the glass, mimosas, wine slushies, and craft beer on tap. The Spring Fling is a free, all-day event, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
April 26 & 27, 2025: National Cornbread Festival — South Pittsburg, TN
Just minutes from Chattanooga, TN, South Pittsburg hosts the National Cornbread Festival every spring. The celebration features a mouthwatering array of classic and creative recipes at Cornbread Alley. Then, be sure to catch the exciting Lodge® Cast Iron National Cornbread Cook-Off and enjoy live music throughout the festival. With arts, crafts, and plenty of family-friendly activities, it’s a delicious and fun experience for everyone.
May 3, 2025: Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival — Manassus, VA
The Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival boasts 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, and tons of mouthwatering barbecue. Think whole hogs, ribs, brisket — all the fixin’s. Your ticket gets you all-you-can-taste beer and bourbon samples. Live rock and blues music keeps the party going while you explore carnival games and browse vendor exhibits.
JULY – SEPTEMBER
August 10, 2025: Carytown Watermelon Festival — Richmond, VA
The annual Carytown Watermelon Festival celebrates summer’s sweetest treat. Enjoy watermelon by the slice, watermelon-themed contests, and live music. Then, browse local artisan crafts and savor delicious festival food. It’s a family-friendly celebration of community and all things watermelon — right in the heart of Carytown. The free celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September 2 – 6, 2025: Tennessee Soybean Festival — Martin, TN
The soybean has many diverse qualities and uses, which is reflected in the Tennessee Soybean Festival in Martin, TN. While all food vendors use soy in some way, there are few specific events that truly shine. For example, on September 5, BBQ enthusiasts don’t want to miss the Chicken Crazy, Hog-Wild BBQ Cook-Off. There is also a free community meal that offers thousands of BBQ chicken plates — which can be enjoyed during a free bluegrass concert. Visit the Tennessee Soybean Festival website for the latest schedule and vendor information.
September 18 – 21, 2025: Euphoria — Greenville, SC
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Euphoria showcases the best of Southern cuisine. Renowned chefs, winemakers, and mixologists gather for a weekend of tasting events, cooking demos, and multi-course dinners. Indulge in award-winning wines and craft cocktails while enjoying live music and a vibrant atmosphere. Offering over 70 different events, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your tastebuds!
OCTOBER – DECEMBER
November 13 – 16, 2025: Highlands Food & Wine — Highlands, NC
Highlands Food & Wine distinguishes itself with intimate gatherings showcasing renowned chefs and beverage experts in a stunning natural setting. Enjoy curated tasting events, exclusive dining experiences, and exceptional live music performances across multiple unique venues.
Cheers to Southern flavors!
Kate Feinberg
Kate Feinberg is a professional writer based in Nashville. She has more than 14 years of freelance writing experience covering travel, wellness, and lifestyle. A certified meditation teacher, RYT-200 yoga instructor, and integrative nutrition health coach, she brings a strong wellness perspective to her work. Kate is also a marathon runner and the creator of a plant-based food blog, Chef Kate F, where she shares nourishing recipes and mindful living tips. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her on the golf course, exploring new destinations, or combining both with golf-focused travel. She enjoys lake life on Percy Priest Lake.