New England Dozen Food Festivals

Ben & Jerry’s Winter Festival (February)

Ben & Jerry’s Factory – Waterbury, Vermont

Put on an extra layer and come celebrate the winter season by eating ice cream! Yes, it sounds a strange idea when the state is likely to be covered with snow, but you’ll be in good company! And there��s plenty to warm you up with music, food stalls, snow sculptures, last year’s new flavour samples and free factory tours. In fact the whole event is free and if you’re travelling with children, they will love it.

4B Festival (March)

The Old Swimsuit Factory, New Haven, Connecticut

One of Connecticut's largest indoor festivals descends on New Haven each March, celebrating the 4 Bs – Beer, Bourbon, BBQ and Bacon! Purveyors of these four American staples will be offering samples to tantalize your taste buds and there’s also live music, art displays, live competitions and a bacon eating contest for those with cast iron stomachs and elasticated waistbands.

Annual Vermont Maple Festival (April)

St Alban’s, Vermont

From late February through to early April, New England farmers are out in the woods with their buckets, miles of plastic tubing and special drills to “tap” maple trees for their sap, producing over a million and a half gallons annually. In Vermont where maple syrup is one of the state’s signature products, the harvest is celebrated with a festival of maple exhibits, cooking demonstrations, sugarhouse tours and a maple buffet. Enjoy Main Street entertainment, pancake breakfasts, and a Grand Parade.

Nantucket Wine Festival (May)

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Held every spring, the Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the nation's most celebrated wine and food traditions. Leading winemakers and renowned chefs join with food and wine enthusiasts who flock to the island for a series of prestigious events that include the Opening Reception, Harbour Gala and La Fete. The festival also offers wine dinners, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, wine and food seminars and more.

New England Brewfest (June)

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Come to Lincoln, New Hampshire for a three day festival dedicated to New England craft brewers. In addition to tasting regional beers, visitors will have the chance to learn about the process of craft brewing and enjoy stalls, shopping, food stalls and live entertainment. The main event is ON TAP on Saturday night and every ticket includes admission and all beer samples.

Maine Lobster Festival (July)

Rockland, Maine

For four days every summer, the people of Rockland in Maine get together to celebrate all things lobster with entertainment, arts and crafts, an annual parade and plenty more! Watch brave souls hop across the harbour in the Crate Race, witness the crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess and be sure to allow plenty of time for some tasty lobster in the Main Eating Tent.

Annual Yarmouth Clam Festival (July)

Yarmouth, Maine

Another of Maine’s most famous foods, clams, is celebrated every July. But clams (steamed, fried, strips and in chowder) are not the only food on the menu. There’s also the ubiquitous and delicious lobster, fried shrimp and other local favourites as well as music, art exhibitions, parades and competitions. The three day festival is free and open to the public.

Riverfest Food Truck Festival (July)

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut

This three-day event rolls into Hartford, Connecticut every summer, bringing with it some of the best mobile culinary cuisine in the region accompanied by live entertainment, family fun and spectacular fireworks! On the Saturday, it’s time for Riverfest, the largest one-day fireworks celebration in the state, which attracts around a quarter of a million visitors annually.

Vermont Blueberry Festival (July/August)

Mount Snow Valley, Vermont

Berries, vintage cars, music and food: If it’s blue, it’s happening in the Mount Snow area towns of Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover during late July and early August. The theme extends to a Big Blue Parade, a blue street fair, live blue music, blue beer, blueberry bake sales, a blue car show and blueberry themed specials at local restaurants. There’s also the chance to pick your own blueberries.

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Dozens of the Seacoast's top restaurants will serve New England lobster, fried clams, shrimp, BBQ and desserts at the annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. The festival also will feature music throughout the day, face-painting and other activities for kids, fireworks on Saturday evening, contests and cooking demonstrations by area chefs.

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival (September)

Newport, Rhode Island

Rosecliff and Marble House, two of Newport’s famous Gilded Age mansions, play host to more than 100 of the world’s finest vintners during this three day festival which also features celebrity chef appearances, seminars with leading wine experts, a Sunday jazz brunch and live auctions.

Cranberry Harvest Celebration

Wareham, Massachusetts

The two-day Cranberry Harvest Celebration takes place each October, treating visitors to cookery demonstrations, food stalls, live music, animal shows, paddleboat rides on lovely Tihonet Pond and much more besides. The highlight of the event is the opportunity to see a working cranberry bog and watch demonstrations of the wet cranberry harvest.

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