This Summer, Eat Well in Portland at These Festivals
The Best of Summer Food Festivals in Portland
In a city that’s well-known for its foodie culture, something would be remiss if the city didn’t offer a host of summer food festivals. Fortunately, Portland doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to offering a slew of food festivals each summer season. Whether you crave experimental hot sauces, or you prefer to indulge in farm-to-table delicacies, there’s a summer food festival for you here in Portland.
Ready to start filling your summer calendar? Here are a few food festivals happening around Portland this summer that you won’t want to miss:
Cowabunga!
Presented by Portland Monthly, this summer food festival encapsulates everything we love about Portland’s foodie culture. This festival is an all-you-can-eat extravaganza that features local celebrity chefs and brewers.
For Cowabunga, think hands-on demos from star chefs, five-course meals cooked over an open flame, whiskey tastings, and a country brunch. This year, the festival will be hosted at Rossi Farms in NE Portland, from July 13th to 15th. Eager festival goers can purchase all inclusive tickets starting at $45 a person. But be warned, some festival events are already sold out, so make sure to buy your advance festival tickets soon!
Portland Hot Sauce Expo
Ready to celebrate spice this summer? For the third year running, OMSI is hosting Portland’s Annual Hot Sauce Expo. For two days, OMSI invites you to delight in free hot sauce tastings from some of the world’s most renowned hot sauce companies. Let your endorphins soar as you visit the festivals “Stage of Doom” and the “Guinness Book of Records Reaper Eating Contest.”
This summer food festival is not for the faint of hard, but if you’re ready to take your foodie experience to the next level (spice-wise of course), don’t miss the Portland Hot Sauce Expo from August 4th-5th.
Festa Italiana
If you have a more refined palette that prefers the finer things in life, make sure you mark the Festa Italiana Portland on your calendar. For three days, you can celebrate Italian American Culture at the bustling Festa Italiana. The festival has been operating for 27 years in Portland, making it one of the city’s longest-running food festivals.
Entry to the festival is free, but bring cash to enjoy all of the food and wine and beer gardens. Participating Italian American restaurants include: Gelato Maestro, Mita’s Italian Ice, Napoli That’s Amore, al Forno Ferruzza, and others.
Veg Out!
If you’re a vegan, don’t fret, there’s a summer food festival for you, too. Portland’s vegan food and beer festival, Veg Out!, is returning to Portland’s Irvington neighborhood this July. From July 21st-22nd, visit Holladay Park to sample 100-plus vegan bites from local vendors and artisan food makers.
Aside from the food, the event offers cooking demos, live music performances, and free exercise classes — we’re feeling healthier already just thinking about this festival! The cost of attendance starts at $19 a person, unless you’re under 12, then it’s free.
India Festival
Last but certainly not least, if you’re ready to push the boundaries on what foods you eat regularly, consider attending Portland’s India Festival. Held in Pioneer Courthouse Square, the India Festival is a great way to sample a taste of Indian culture and its delicious bites.
Entry to the festival is free, just bring cash to purchase delicious food from some of Portland’s finest Indian restaurants. Enjoy your food as you watch musical performances and dances, this festival is not to be missed!