FX.co ★ Ten most famous food festivals on planet

La Tomatina (Spain)

La Tomatina is one of the most famous and vibrant food festivals in the world, held annually at the end of August in the Spanish town of Buñol, near Valencia. The main feature of the festival is a massive tomato fight, in which thousands of people participate. Although the actual battle lasts about an hour, the festival encompasses the entire town, with parades, concerts, and street parties. On this day, everywhere you can find paella, tapas, jamon, gazpacho, and other classic Mediterranean dishes.

Oktoberfest (Germany)

Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer and traditional Bavarian food festival, held every year in Munich from the end of September and lasting about two weeks. The event attracts millions of guests from all over the world and takes place at the specially designated Theresienwiese grounds. The main highlight is the signature beer, brewed strictly for this celebration. In the tents, visitors are served sausages, pork knuckle, pretzels, sauerkraut, and roast chicken.

Pizzafest (Italy)

Pizzafest is an annual pizza festival held every September in Naples, on the Caracciolo seafront. This is the main event for lovers of genuine Neapolitan pizza, which is recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage. For several days, the best pizzaiolos of Italy and other countries prepare both classic and original versions in wood-fired ovens under the open sky. Guests are offered margherita, marinara, pizza with buffalo mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, anchovies, and aromatic herbs. In addition to tastings, there are master classes and various competitions.

Salon du Chocolat (France)

Salon du Chocolat is the largest chocolate festival in the world, held annually in autumn in Paris. It brings together leading chocolatiers, confectioners, and cocoa producers from all over the globe. The highlight of the festival is a massive exhibition featuring products from dozens of countries, as well as a show that includes a runway with dresses made of chocolate. Visitors can taste handmade chocolates, truffles, pralines, hot chocolate, cocoa-based desserts, and rare bean varieties. Beyond tastings, there are workshops, new flavor presentations, and lectures from renowned experts.

Oyster Festival (Ireland)

The International Oyster Festival is one of the oldest gastronomic celebrations in Europe, held annually at the end of September in the Irish city of Galway. It marks the opening of the oyster season and attracts gourmets and professionals from around the world. The key event is the World Oyster Opening Championship, in which participants from different countries compete. Guests can enjoy fresh oysters as well as dishes featuring salmon, mussels, crab, and other seafood prepared according to traditional Irish recipes.

Ramen Festival (Japan)

The Ramen Festival is one of the largest gastronomic festivals in Japan, held annually in Tokyo at the end of October and early November. The best ramen shops from across the country gather to present regional varieties of this iconic dish. At the festival, you can try all kinds of ramen: on meat or fish broth, with soy or miso sauce, thin or thick noodles, and with unique local ingredients.

Wildfoods Festival (New Zealand)

The Wildfoods Festival is a unique gastronomic event held every March in the New Zealand city of Hokitika on the South Island. Its main feature is exotic dishes made from natural ingredients sourced from the region’s wilderness. Participants can try grasshoppers, grubs, sea urchins, eels, possum tails, venison dishes, as well as local delicacies of berries, honey, and herbs. In addition to culinary discoveries, guests enjoy cooking contests, musical performances, and costumed parades.

Bibimbap Festival (South Korea)

The Bibimbap Festival is an annual celebration of Korean cuisine, held in October in Jeonju, recognized as the birthplace of this national dish. Bibimbap is rice with vegetables, meat, egg, and spicy gochujang, thoroughly mixed before serving. The festival emphasizes traditional recipes, regional ingredients, and the skills of local chefs. Guests can try classic bibimbap as well as modern variations with seafood, tofu, or wild herbs.

Ubud Food Festival (Indonesia)

The Ubud Food Festival is the largest gastronomic event in Indonesia, held every April in Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud. Its aim is to showcase the richness of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine through the lens of tradition and contemporary culinary art. The festival features the country’s top chefs. Visitors can sample sate, babi guling (roast suckling pig), rice on banana leaves, curries, dishes with tempeh and tropical spices. The program also includes culinary demonstrations, discussions, and master classes.

Poutine Week (Canada)

Poutine Week in Canada is an annual gastronomic festival dedicated to this traditional Canadian dish. Poutine is a hearty meal of fries, cheese curds (cheddar), and hot meat gravy, which appeared in Quebec in the mid-20th century. The festival takes place in early February throughout the country: from Montreal and Quebec City to Toronto and Vancouver. Hundreds of restaurants offer both the classic version and creative interpretations with duck, seafood, vegan ingredients, and unusual sauces. Guests vote for the best recipes, turning participation into a gastronomic marathon.