Best Summer Food Festivals Around NY
By Carly Petrone
The summer is heating up, and that means it's food festival time in NYC. From Caribbean Jerk to hearty BBQ, there's something for everyone to nosh on this summer. Here are six of our favorites.
Broadway Bites
Greeley Square
New York, NY
urbanspacenyc.com
Urbanspace's Broadway Bites is back at Greeley Square! Now through July 14, foodies can nibble on everything from Hold My Knots's garlic knot chicken parm sandwiches to Chick'nCone's sweet and spicy fried chicken and waffles. Vendors from across the city are lined up in the heart of midtown from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., so it's easy to grab lunch or dinner on your way to work or when you're heading home. Standout dishes include Stout Burger's Angry Burger (topped with Frank's Hot Sauce, bleu cheese, and crispy onions); Doughnut Project's popular Cold Brew Coffee Doughnut (with Oreo crumbles and creme filling); and Hai Street Kitchen's Shrimp Sushi Burrito – don't forget to grab a side of chips and wasabi guacamole. Cheeselovers can stop by La Raclette Chalet for some piping hot Wisconsin cheese, while those looking for something to sip on can look no further than Top Hops Beer Shop located right next door. Learn more about Urbanspace's pop up food markets here.
Eat (RED) Food & Film Fest
Bryant Park
42nd St. and Avenue of the Americas
red.org
Be a part of the Fourth Annual Eat (RED) Food & Film Festival! On June 20, stop by Bryant Park to help raise money for the Global Fund for the fight to end AIDS. Chef Mario Batali will be creating savory picnic dinners designed by himself as well as Jean-Goerges Vongerichten, Danny Bowien, and Agnie Mar. Ticketed guests can enjoy summer cocktails, Birra Moretti beer, or a glass of wine by Josh Cellars while watching a screening of Sleepless in Seattle. Tickets are $100 and 100 percent of the ticket price will go to (RED). Make sure to check out (RED)'s website to learn more about upcoming collaborations with HELLOFRESH and BONNAROO.
See More: NYC's Best Lunch Spots In Midtown
Bourbon + Biergarten Party
The Wellmont Theater
5 Seymour St.
Montclair, NJ
montclairfoodandwinefestival.org
If you're in Jersey on July 15, make sure to grab your tickets to the Bourbon + Biergarten Party from the Montclair Food & Wine Festival. This indoor/outdoor urban BBQ will feature an array of tastings from the region's best restaurants, including Kimchi Smoke, Damn Good Chicken, Ani Ramen, South + Pine, and more. The libations will be flowing thanks to local spirit vendors Silk City Distillery, Jersey Spirits, David Bowler Wines, Sazerac Company, Fedway, and more. There will also be live music by Street Beat Brass as well as a Barbecue Competition with a $500 Grand Prize. Tickets start at $95 and go all the way up to $1850 (includes 6 p.m. entry, your own indoor picnic table for eight, table service, VIP cocktails, access to all vendor tastings, etc). Festival runs from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
See More: Best Cooking Classes In NYC, New Jersey
Famous Foo Festival "Taste the World"
Grand Bazaar NYC
100 West 77th St.
New York, NY 10024
www.famousfoodfestival.com
Bring the whole family over to the Grand Bazzar NYC on June 25, because the Famous Food Festival "Taste The World" event is back. This free event (simply RSVP here) features 40 food vendors and more than 100 non-food vendors to create an experience to remember. Just a few participating vendors include Twisted Potato, Hana's Meatballs, Spice Trail Snacks, Acai Ya later, and Sam's Fried Ice Cream, so you know you won't be going home hungry. Stroll through the market and check out the local independent artists, designers and artisans that call Grand Bazaar home. The event goes from 10 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. Learn more here.
See more: The 7 Best iPhone And Mobile Apps For Foodies
Jamaican Jerk Festival
Roy Wilkins Park
Merrick Blvd & Baisley Blvd.
Queens, NY
(718) 425-1177
jerkfestivalny.com
In the mood for something with a kick? The 7th Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is happening at Roy Wilkin's Park in Queens on Sunday, July 23. New York's biggest Caribbean food festival is bringing out all the stops with a Jerk Cook-Off, culinary demonstrations, a Kidz Zone, arts & crafts, and plenty of live musical performances by Morgan Heritage, Barrington Levy, Konshens, Alison Hinds, Blakka Ellis, and the Braata Folk Singers. Pre-order your ticket for $35 or grab a 4-Pack (w/ free CD's) for $140. Kids 10 and under are free.
See More: 5 Great Caribbean Specialities And Where To Eat Them In NYC
Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanada Festival
Museum at Eldridge St.
12 Eldridge St.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 219-0302
www.eldridgestreet.org
Head downtown for the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanada Festival on June 18! Celebrate the diverse ethnic communities of the Museum at Eldridge Street's Lower East Side/Chinatown neighborhood with live performances of Chinese opera, folk, klezmer, cantorial, and Puerto Rican bomba music. You can learn how to braid challahs and make dumplings and empanadas at one of their food demonstrations or test out your crafting skills by taking part in lace and yarmulke making. Show off your mah jongg skills or just come to taste all of the Kosher egg rolls, egg creams, and empanadas that will be for sale. The event goes from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is free.
See More: The 6 Best Cheap Eats In The Lower East Side
Pinknic New York
Governor's Island
New York, NY
nightout.com
See More: From Frose To Rose Popsicles, The 5 Best Rose-Inspired Cocktails In NYC
Get your wine glasses ready because Pinknic New York is back at Governor's Island June 24th and 25th. There's still tickets available for Sunday's festivities which includes plenty of picnicking, music, and you guessed it, tons of rose. Dress up in your best pink and whites and grab a seat on your very own designer-made picnic blankets. Take in the Manhattan skyline while noshing on fare from Chef Chris Santos' own popular restaurant bites (Vandal, Beauty & Essex, Stanton Social). There will also be refreshing snacks available like ice cream, crepes, and popcorn. Sip on wine from Chateau D'Esclans in Provence, rose Champagne from Pommery, and don't forget to try frose cocktails! Make sure you stay hydrated as the weather is looking mighty warm. Learn more about ferry service and ticket prices here. Event goes from noon – 9 p.m.
See More: The 6 Best Beer Gardens In New York City
Good Beer
28 Liberty
28 Liberty St.
New York, NY 10005
www.eventbrite.com
Edible Manhattan is back with their Good Beer festival happening on July 20 from 6 p.m. – 9 pm. This year, they're going outside the plaza for a fun-filled evening of cold brews and hearty bites. Just a few vendors on the lineup include Allagash Brewing Company, The Doughnut Project, KelSo Beer Company, Beecher's Cheese Company, Guinness, The Growler, and more. Don't forget to share your experience online using the hashtag #EdibleGoodBeer. Happy drinking! Tickets start at $65 and can be bought here.
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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.