Throughout the month of March, you can enjoy premium vino and gourmet goodies at food and wine festivals in the Eastern US.
But not everyone is familiar with these events. Could they really be as great as they seem?
Today, we’re diving into these celebrations to see what all the fuss is about.
Let’s hit it!
What Are Food and Wine Festivals?
Wine festivals are a time-honored tradition around the world. The oldest parties date to ancient Greece, where disciples celebrated Dionysus, the god of the fruity elixir.
Today, these events are much more secular. However, they’re still a way for folks to come together and enjoy a bit of revelry. More importantly, they provide an opportunity to learn more about viticulture, winemaking, and the unique products of different regions.
Many modern-day festivals include not only winemakers but also tons of great food, music, and fun activities. Depending on the event, you might experience glorious springtime weather, exciting shopping opportunities, or learn industry secrets in a beverage workshop.
If that sounds like something you might be interested in, just wait. Here are three of the best options along the Eastern seaboard.
#1 Charleston Wine and Food Festival
Every year, during the first full weekend in March, world-renowned chefs, vintners, musicians, and Lowcountry locals come together for the Charleston Wine and Food Festival.
Culinary Village is the event’s central hub. Organizers divide Riverfront Park into neighborhoods with themes like Shucktown or Grillin’ and Chillin’. Snack Shacks provide sample-sized portions, so you can try a bit of everything. Food trucks and kitchens offer more substantial dishes to fill your belly.
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You’ll also find several on-site gardens devoted to wine, beer, cocktails, and nonalcoholic beverages. Additionally, this is the place to listen to live music, party down at a silent disco, and shop for handmade wares at the artisan market.
General admission tickets for Culinary Village give you four hours of free rein over the park. If you purchase a CV Day Pass, you’ll have access whenever you need to soak up all that booze in your stomach. Whichever ticket you buy will get you treats from every vendor inside.
However, the Charleston Wine and Food Festival isn’t limited to Riverfront Park. In fact, Culinary Village is only a small portion of a greater occasion. Local restaurants and bars host all-inclusive events over the five-day extravaganza.
You’ll need to purchase separate tickets for each occasion you want to join, but it’ll be worth it. You might start your day with a pastry brunch at Baguette Magic, explore the art of fermentation at the Mills House courtyard, or learn how Indigenous Americans influenced modern Lowcountry cuisine on the Rooted Excursion.
Of course, all these festivities offer a little something different. Some are multi-course meals lasting hours, while others are more informative and less indulgent. Either way, expect to leave fully satisfied.
This affair runs from March 6th through 10th. Be aware that all events are 21 and up.
Pro Tip: Check out the Charleston Wine and Food Festival’s website for a full list of events.
#2 Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival
Further south, a different kind of park is opening its gates for another unforgettable occasion. The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival spans a whopping 11 weeks. Every Saturday and Sunday from March 9th to May 19th, you can sample delicacies from around the world. The party starts at noon and lasts until the venue closes.
Flavors from Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond will be on display. And you can expect plenty of beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails on the side.
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Most of the vendors are located at the Festival Walkway and the Bird Gardens. Here, different cabins feature unique culinary creations. For example, you can visit the Greek Isles Cabin for lamb lollipops with a mint demiglace or try authentic curry at the Trek Through Africa Cabin.
Naturally, munchies and libations are a big part of the event. But the music alone is worth heading to Tampa. This year’s headliners include major names like the Goo Goo Dolls, Sister Hazel, Taking Back Sunday, and Better Than Ezra. Altogether, 22 bands will take the stage.
Entry is included with a regular Busch Gardens Day Pass, Annual Pass, and Fun Pass. However, you’ll pay separately for food and drinks. You can upgrade your experience by purchasing a Sampler Lanyard, VIP tickets, or even a guided tour. Heads up, your tour guide can skip the lines to get your plates!
Unlike the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, this event is kid-friendly. After all, it takes place at an amusement park. Bring the whole family and introduce your little ones to exotic flavors they might not get to try anywhere else.
Know Before You Go: See the full musical lineup on the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival website.
#3 Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival
Back in South Carolina, you can try hundreds of adult beverages and fill up on gourmet nibbles at the Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival from March 24th to 30th.
In contrast to the other events we’ve highlighted, this one is geared toward true wine snobs. Sure, you’ll be able to snack on fire-roasted oysters, spicy shrimp, and other small plates. But when it comes down to it, this affair is all about the vino.
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The Country Club of Hilton Head hosts the Grand Tasting. But if you want a more laid-back atmosphere, check out the Public Tasting on the main festival grounds at Celebration Park. Both feature silent auctions where you can bid on your favorite bottles. Even better, those proceeds go to scholarship funds for nearby colleges and technical schools.
Much like the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, this one includes multiple events over several days. Kick off the week by bringing your favorite bottle to Uncorked at the Shipyard Beach Club. Here, you can share wine with friends over hors d’oeuvres.
Head to The Shops at Sea Pines Center for the annual Sip and Stroll. Peruse the pop-up market and listen to groovy tunes with a glass in hand.
Other experiences include wine dinners, craft beer tastings, and live music.
This is one of the East Coast’s largest outdoor tented wine festivals, and locals have enjoyed the fun for nearly 40 years. If you want to get in on the best flavors in the Lowcountry and beyond, you won’t want to miss it.
Travel Note: Check out the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival website for onsite special events.
Are These Events Worth It?
Spring is the perfect time to get outside and sip a selection of wines to satisfy any palate. All along the Eastern seaboard, you’ll find events catered to sommeliers and average Joes alike.
Whether you’re a Lowcountry local, theme-park junkie, or just traveling through, be sure to hit up one of March’s many wine and food festivals to get a taste of the good life.
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