Best Food Festivals in Atlanta: Your Local Guide to Eating Well All Year

Atlanta takes food seriously. Whether you live here or are planning a visit, food festivals in Atlanta are one of the best ways to taste the city’s diversity in a single day—BBQ, wings, international flavors, vegan eats, cocktails, and everything in between.

This guide walks you through the major Atlanta food festivals, what to expect, where they’re usually held, and how to plan your visit, all with a local, Atlanta-focused angle.

Why Atlanta Is a Great City for Food Festivals

Atlanta’s food festivals reflect what the city really is:

• A mix of Southern tradition and global flavors
• Neighborhood-focused, with events from Midtown to Grant Park to Old Fourth Ward
• Outdoor-friendly, especially in spring and fall
• Accessible for families, foodies, and casual visitors

Most festivals here combine food, music, and art and are easy to reach by MARTA, rideshare, or car. You’ll find events centered on one type of food (tacos, wings, BBQ) and others that highlight a neighborhood or culture through its food.

Quick Overview: Popular Atlanta Food Festivals

*Always check the current year’s dates; events sometimes change season, venue, or format.

Major Atlanta Food Festivals to Know

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Best for: Foodies, visitors wanting a curated “taste of the South,” date nights, group outings.

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival focuses on Southern cuisine and regional chefs, including Atlanta’s own restaurants plus talent from around the Southeast. Expect:

• Tasting tents with small bites from a wide range of chefs
• Wine, beer, and cocktail samples
• Cooking demos and classes (often ticketed separately or as premium options)
• A mix of indoor and outdoor venues, regularly centered around Midtown

Tickets typically range from basic tasting access to VIP experiences. This is a good pick if you want to try many higher-end restaurants in one place instead of booking multiple dinner reservations.

Local tip:
🍷 Plan transportation ahead—sampling alcohol is a core part of this festival, so MARTA and rideshare are popular choices. Midtown stops like Arts Center Station and Midtown Station usually put you within a short walk or quick rideshare to festival venues.

Taste of Atlanta

Best for: Families, new Atlantans, and visitors who want a broad intro to the city’s food.

Taste of Atlanta is one of the city’s most recognized food events. It’s centered on giving people a “try a little of everything” experience with:

• Dozens of Atlanta-area restaurants offering sample-sized dishes
• Ticket or wristband + tasting points (you purchase points, then spend them at booths)
• Live cooking stages, demos, and local chef appearances
• A family-friendly environment with plenty of daytime hours

The festival has rotated locations over the years but usually stays central, often in or near Midtown or close-in neighborhoods where parking, MARTA, and rideshare are all reasonable options.

Local tip:
🍽 Arrive earlier in the day for shorter lines, especially on Saturdays. Popular restaurants often sell out of their headline items before the festival ends.

Neighborhood & Culture-Focused Food Festivals

Many food festivals in Atlanta are tied to specific neighborhoods or cultural communities and can be some of the most rewarding to attend.

Little Five Points, Grant Park, and Old Fourth Ward Events

These neighborhoods frequently host festivals where food plays a major role:

• Grant Park and Old Fourth Ward often have multi-day community festivals with local food vendors, food trucks, and beer tents.
• Little Five Points events combine food with music, art, and neighborhood character.

They’re not always branded as “food festivals,” but the food selection can rival dedicated events, especially if you like local vendors and food trucks.

International & Cultural Food Festivals

Atlanta is home to many cultural and religious communities that host annual or seasonal festivals featuring traditional food, often on church or community grounds, such as:

• Greek festivals (often at Greek Orthodox churches in metro Atlanta)
• Indian, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Latin American festivals
• Caribbean and West African food and music events

These are usually public, ticketed or donation-based, and combine:

• Traditional dishes and desserts
• Cultural performances and music
• Family and community activities

Local tip:
🌎 For international food festivals, many Atlantans look to the Dekalb and Gwinnett County areas (short drives from the city) for some of the largest cultural events, but plenty take place within the Atlanta city limits as well.

BBQ, Wings, and “One-Food” Festivals

Atlanta loves specialty food festivals that celebrate one category and do it well.

Wing Festivals

Wing-centered events and pop-ups appear throughout the year, often in:

• Breweries (especially in West Midtown and along the BeltLine)
• Parks and fairgrounds
• Event spaces in central Atlanta

They typically feature:

• All-you-can-sample or pay-per-sample wings
• A variety of sauces, from classic hot to creative international flavors
• Beer or cocktail pairings
• Crowd-voted or judged wing competitions

BBQ Events

BBQ festivals in the Atlanta area range from competition-style cook-offs to casual tasting events. Expect:

• Smoked meats (brisket, ribs, pulled pork), sides, and desserts
• Live bands (often country, rock, or blues)
• Outdoor seating and shaded tents
• Family-friendly zones

Local tip:
🔥 At popular BBQ and wing events, bring cash or a card and an appetite—but pace yourself. If tastings are included, start by sampling smaller portions from more vendors instead of filling up at the first booth.

Vegan and Plant-Based Festivals

Atlanta’s plant-based scene has grown quickly, and you’ll find several vegan or plant-based food festivals each year, often held in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or city parks.

Common features:

• Vegan food trucks and pop-ups
• Plant-based versions of Southern comfort food (mac and cheese, wings, BBQ)
• Juice bars, mocktails, and dessert vendors
• Wellness, lifestyle, and cruelty-free product booths

These festivals are popular with both vegans and omnivores who want to try new options.

Local tip:
🌱 These events can draw strong crowds—if you’re driving, consider parking in decks near the BeltLine or using MARTA and walking, especially around the Midtown and Old Fourth Ward areas.

Where Atlanta Food Festivals Usually Happen

Food festivals rotate venues, but there are a few repeat favorite areas:

1. Midtown & Arts District

• Close to MARTA’s Arts Center and Midtown Stations
• Walkable streets, nearby hotels, and restaurants
• Common home base for Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and large tasting events

2. Old Fourth Ward / Eastside BeltLine

• Near the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Often uses Old Fourth Ward Park or nearby event spaces
• Surrounded by bars, restaurants, and food halls

3. Grant Park & Surrounding Neighborhoods

• Tree-lined streets and a relaxed, family feel
• Events often connect to neighborhood festivals or community days
• Good if you like a less corporate, more local energy

4. Downtown & Civic Spaces

• Occasional large-scale events near Centennial Olympic Park or downtown venues
• Convenient for visitors staying in downtown hotels

How to Find Current Food Festival Dates in Atlanta

Event names and venues can change, and some festivals skip years. To check what’s actually happening this season in Atlanta, many residents use:

• City event calendars maintained by Atlanta tourism offices or visitor centers
• Neighborhood association pages for Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and others
• Social media pages of specific festivals and popular local food trucks or breweries
• Major Atlanta venue calendars, such as large parks and event halls

If you’re already in the city, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau staff can often point you toward current or upcoming events:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 521-6600

You can also stop by visitor information points in central areas (for example, near Centennial Olympic Park or major downtown hotels) to ask about food-focused events during your stay.

Practical Tips for Attending Atlanta Food Festivals

Tickets, Costs, and Reservations

• Ticket types vary: Some festivals are free entry with pay-as-you-go food; others use all-inclusive tasting tickets or a points system.
• Buy in advance when possible: Popular events in Midtown and central parks often sell out of early entry or VIP passes.
• Check what’s included: Look closely at whether your ticket covers food tastings, drinks, or just admission.

Transportation & Parking

• MARTA is often the easiest way to reach Midtown and Downtown festivals, especially on weekends.
• Rideshare is widely used for evening events or those with alcohol tastings.
• When driving:
  • Use parking decks instead of hunting for close street parking.
  • Allow extra time for heavy traffic around popular venues and park entrances.

Weather & What to Bring

Atlanta weather can shift quickly, especially in spring and summer.

Helpful items:

• Lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes (you’ll walk and stand a lot)
• A hat, sunscreen, and refillable water bottle for daytime events
• A light jacket or poncho if rain is in the forecast
• A small bag or crossbody for tickets, ID, payment, and hand wipes

Dietary Needs

Many Atlanta festivals now include:

• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-conscious options
• Clearly labeled booths for common allergens at larger, professionally managed events

If you have serious allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s reasonable to:

• Scan festival information in advance for notes on allergens
• Ask vendors directly how items are prepared

Bringing Kids, Groups, or Out-of-Town Guests

Families with Children

Family-friendly festivals in Atlanta usually offer:

• Daytime hours with calmer crowds
• Grassy areas or shaded spots to sit and take breaks
• Non-spicy or kid-favorite foods like mac and cheese, sliders, and desserts

Check if strollers are allowed or if there are suggested entrance times for families.

Groups and Visitors

Food festivals work well if you’re:

• Hosting friends or relatives and want to show them Atlanta’s food scene quickly
• Planning a group outing where everyone can choose their own dishes

For out-of-town guests, choosing Midtown or Downtown festivals can simplify logistics because hotels, MARTA, and dining options are clustered together.

How Locals Use Atlanta Food Festivals

If you’re new to Atlanta—or thinking about moving here—food festivals can be a shortcut to understanding the city’s neighborhoods and tastes:

• Locals use them to discover new restaurants before committing to a full meal.
• Neighborhood events help you get a feel for the area’s personality and community.
• Specialty festivals (vegan, BBQ, wings, beer+food pairings) let you find your people—the crowds that like what you like.

Over time, many Atlantans build a personal calendar of “must-attend” festivals each year, often tied to the seasons:

• Spring: BBQ and outdoor tastings as the weather warms
• Summer: Evening events, international and cultural festivals
• Fall: Some of the biggest food festivals, with cooler weather and long weekend schedules

Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for a few days, Atlanta’s food festivals offer one of the quickest ways to experience the city’s flavors, neighborhoods, and culture. With thoughtful planning around tickets, transportation, and timing, you can eat well, avoid the worst lines, and come away with a real taste of Atlanta.