Chocolate Festivals

Chocolate Festivals are what we call a "win-win" event. Chocolatiers are able to display and sell their handcrafted chocolates and confections, rub shoulders with like-minded professionals in the trade, and take part in a variety of learning opportunities such as demonstrations, group talks, and hear from industry professionals. And chocolate enthusiasts are able to find more chocolate under one roof than any other venue while also learning more about chocolate.

Chocolate festivals can be found throughout the U.S.  Some festivals are founded to promote philanthropic causes and others are founded for the purpose of promoting artisan chocolate and those Chocolatiers who learn the craft of making chocolate from the bean or producing confections from fine chocolate. 

Likely one of the longest running chocolate festivals in the country and in operation since 2008, is The Northwest Chocolate Festival. This popular chocolate event is held in the state of Washington, originally in Seattle and more recently in Belleuve, WA. Hosting ~10,000 people throughout the weekend, this chocolate festival focuses on craft chocolate and chocolate education for a fun and vibrant chocolate experience for all. 

The Dallas Chocolate Festival  was founded in 2009 for the purpose of promoting local artisan Chocolatiers from the area. This chocolate event continues to grow, drawing Chocolate Makers and Chocolatiers from abroad as well as local. Participants can enjoy an exclusive VIP night to personally interact with chocolate and confectionery producers or can opt for the main event that includes interactive chocolate experiences and a wide variety of chocolate educational opportunities.

The Chocolate Lover's Festival, founded in 1993, is held annually in the first full weekend in February in Fairfax. VA. Proceeds from this family-friendly event go toward charities selected by the committee.

In Alabama, find the Mobile Alabama Chocolate Festival, hosted in March in support of the Penelope House. Also in March, the Wine and Chocolate Festival in Charlotte, NC.

In early April, find the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon highlighting artisan, premium and gourmet chocolate.

In Albuquerque, find the Southwest Chocolate Festival hosted in early May, the largest exhibition event for chocolate, coffee and gourmet foods. Over Mother's Day weekend, find the Colorado Chocolate Festival in Denver with over 100 chocolate and confectionery manufacturers represented. Other Colorado towns also host chocolate festivals throughout the year. Find the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Festival in Loveland, the Winter Park Chocolate Festival hosted in June, and the Colorado Springs Christmas Chocolate Festival. 

The Kansas Chocolate Festival was founded in 2016 and is hosted in Topeka, KS in September. Also in September is the Chocolate and Art Show in Atlanta, GA; a 2-day "21 and Over" event that welcomes over 3000 people, plus in San Francisco, find the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, in its 18th year as of 2023 and held over a 2-day period as well.

The Wine and Chocolate Festival hosted by Galaxy Events out of New York is expanding up and down the East coast to bring locals a relaxing event to connect with their community and try something new. Events are currently located in New York: Buffalo, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse and Utica, and in North Carolina: Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh.  

Google chocolate festival or chocolate festivals in your state to find events local to you. Or saddle up and travel to one of these well-known festivals. We do not think you will be disappointed.

Besides chocolate and chocolate related foods, larger chocolate festivals may include equipment exhibitors like TCF Sales based in the Austin area. Chocolatiers and chocolate and candy makers can view small to medium sized tools of the trade and discuss current production capacity and options for growth. Chocolate festival attendees can also view tools and equipment like chocolate melters, tempering machines, ganache and caramel cutters, and polycarbonate chocolate moulds, which may even go home with them to foster their continued interest in fine chocolate.