Attending festivals is a fantastic way to experience the culture of an area, and the many Cape Cod food, wine, and beer festivals are no different. The amazing food and drink that you’ll find at these events will satisfy every craving and may even stir cravings that you’ve never had before.
If you’re looking for more activities after attending food and drink festivals, download our Cape Cod Vacation Guide for free. It includes a range of things to do on the Cape, including restaurants where you can enjoy more Cape food and drinks.
Spring Food & Wine Festivals on Cape Cod
Cape Cod Awesome Chili Challenge
April
To start spring right, sample as much chili as you can at the Cape Cod Awesome Chili Challenge in Mashpee. The event is held in a heated tent on the beachfront of the Popponesset Inn and allows you to vote for your favorite chili.
In addition, you can enjoy a beer or margarita with your chili samples. This off-season festival features raffles and prizes for the chili winners too.
Don’t wait too long to get your tickets when they go on sale because the Awesome Chili Challenge sells out every year!
Nantucket Wine & Food Festival
May
If you’re in the mood for a Nantucket day trip in May, plan it during the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. Event founder Denis Toner collaborated with restaurants, retailers, and others on the island to create a magical tradition that now attracts more than 3,000 people.
The NWF Festival marks the opening of island activities, galleries, restaurants, and tours for the coming summer season. During the five days, you’ll enjoy cooking demonstrations, dinners, tastings, and more while mingling with award-winning chefs and winemakers from across the globe.
Wellfleet Restaurant Week
May/June
You get a full week of tasting delicious cuisines and freshly caught seafood during Wellfleet Restaurant Week. More than 20 restaurants showcase dining specials and prix-fixe menus — from casual cafes to beach bars to fine dining rooms.
This town is known for its culinary talent, so bring your appetite for this event the week following Memorial Day. And while you’re here, it’s the perfect time to peruse the town’s shops.
Cape Cod Food, Wine, & Beer Festivals During Summer
Taste of the Vineyard
June
If you want to take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard in June, there’s no better time than during the Taste of Vineyard event. This two-night event is held in Edgartown, mixing wine and food tastings with dancing on the first night and a gala with cocktails and a live auction on the second.
The Taste of Vineyard is an awesome kickoff for the Cape Cod summer season.
Greek Fest
July
To get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine, head to Centerville’s Saint George Greek Orthodox Church for Greek Fest. Baklava, dolmades, and spanakopita are just a few of the items on the vast menu. As you eat, you get to listen and dance to Greek music, as well as experience other cultural traditions.
International Food Festival
July/August
In Hyannis, you can taste various cuisines from around the world at the International Food Festival. Aside from food, this free event embraces the art and music of numerous cultures. The International Food Festival is sponsored by the Independence House and strives to promote all of Cape Cod’s communities.
Before you plan to attend this event, double-check the event website for any date or venue changes.
Cape Cod Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
August
The Cape Cod Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is one of the biggest events of the year. Held in East Falmouth at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, the festival features more than 30 food trucks from across New England.
You can try everything from traditional barbecue to wood-fired pizza to spicy Korean dishes during this weekend event. And of course, there’s a beer tent with domestic and local craft brews to pair with your tasty eats, as well as a craft market to explore and live music and lawn games for entertainment.
We recommend bringing blankets and lawn chairs so that you can relax and really take in all the fun during this festival.
La Tavola
August
For a night of noshing on Italian food, head to the Mashpee Commons for La Travola. A section of Steeple Street is turned into Little Italy for this one-evening celebration of Italian culture. This event welcomes about 400 people for a five-course feast with wine and music.
Proceeds from this event benefit #ShopMashpee campaigns and the Mashpee Chamber Scholarship Fund.
Fall Culinary Festivals on Cape Cod
Bass River Multi-Cultural Food Festival
September
To experience a collision of culture and food, check out the Bass River Multi-Cultural Food Festival in South Yarmouth. It will feature multicultural foods from Cape Cod’s array of bakeries, food trucks, and restaurants.
This festival is organized by the Cultural Center of Cape Cod and the Family Table Collaborative, and the proceeds benefit these organizations. During the event, both of these locations — which you can walk between — have various artisans and food vendors, cooking demos, and performances.
Cape Cod Brew Festival
September
Celebrating everything about American craft beer, the Cape Cod Brew Festival in East Falmouth is a popular annual event for beer lovers. The event typically features over 50 breweries that offer more than 150 beer styles to sample.
But, there’s more than just beer at this Cape Cod Fairgrounds festival. You can also enjoy food from various vendors, live music, and more. And when you leave, you get to walk away with a customized, branded pint glass.
On-site parking is available at the fairgrounds, but you can call a taxi or arrange a ride-share service in advance if you don’t have a designated driver.
SandwichFest
October
If you love sandwiches, you have to attend SandwichFest on Water Street and at Hoxie House in Sandwich. You’ll get to sample from dozens of food vendors and peruse the products of juried local artists, craftsmen, and retailers. Plus, lawn games and face painting are available.
Mashpee Oktoberfest
October
Celebrating German culture, Mashpee Oktoberfest is held in the Village Green at the Mashpee Commons. The festival is popular for its German food vendors and authentic bier garten, but it also features carnival-style games, stein races, pumpkin decorating, and entertainment. You can peruse dozens of arts and crafts vendors as well.
Chatham Oktoberfest
October
The Chatham Oktoberfest is another celebration of German culture and is held at Chatham Town Hall and Kate Gould Park. While observing the Pumpkin People in the Park displays, you can sip on local beer from the Devil’s Purse Beer Garden and dine on bratwurst. Craft booths, kids’ games, and live music round out the fun.
Wellfleet OysterFest
October
On Maine Street in Wellfleet, the Wellfleet OysterFest is a celebration of the town’s deep roots in the shellfishing industry. This celebration has been held since 2001, featuring oyster dishes to eat, cooking demonstrations, and an oyster-shucking contest. You can pair your food with locally made beer and wine too.
On top of that, the Wellfleet OysterFest has oyster farm tours, a Shuck n’ Run 5K Race, local artwork to peruse, live entertainment, and a family fun area. Big crowds flock to this two-day event, and all the proceeds support local shellfishing industries, college scholarships, and community grants.
Provincetown Food & Wine Festival
November
Serving delicious food and wine pairings, the Provincetown Food & Wine Festival celebrates local hospitality, restaurants, and more. The event has a different theme each year but always features fun activities, such as trivia, clamming, a pie competition, a tea dance, a grand tasting, and an after-tasting.
Taste of Turnip Day
November
To experience a unique, out-of-the-box event, attend the Taste of Turnip Day in Eastham. This festival celebrates the world-famous turnips in all their glory. You’ll be surprised by some of the turnip dishes available to taste — turnip ice cream (what?).
Along with eating everything from appetizers to dessert, you can attend a Blessing of the Turnips. The entire event features a live concert and other turnip-themed entertainment as well, including face painting and tattoos, an Enormous Turnip Contest, turnip games and crafts, and more.
Cape Cod Food Festival During Winter
The majority of winter festivals on Cape Cod are more about the holiday season — celebrating Christmas and New Year’s — and arts and culture. However, there’s at least one festival that celebrates food.
Osterville Chocolate Fest
February
With Valentine’s Day at the forefront, February is the perfect time of year to indulge in decadent desserts, and the Osterville Chocolate Fest is the perfect place to do it.
Chocolatiers enter their masterpieces into a contest for chances to win prizes, and you get to sample each one after the panel of judges. In the past, the event has included book signings, chocolate-themed promotions, and scavenger hunts.
Elegant Lodging While Attending Cape Cod Food, Wine, & Beer Festivals
Whether you’re visiting Cape Cod specifically for a festival or just to explore this beautiful region, Candleberry Inn is perfect for your “base camp.” Our bed and breakfast has been rated No. 1 in the country by Tripadvisor, and we’re in a central location in Brewster, so you’re never far away from a good time.
When you stay with us, you have access to a range of luxury amenities, add-ons to enhance your stay, and a gourmet breakfast every morning. So, check our available rooms and suites when you start planning your Cape Cod vacation.
