Explore the South’s Best Culinary and Cultural Events
The festivals, fundraisers, and Southern happenings on our radar.
In the Field
The Chef Assembly
By: The Local PalateThe Chef Assembly will host its first-ever event in the South, bringing together some of the country’s most influential and beloved chefs and restaurateurs, and renowned journalists.
In the Field
Out to Sea NC Fest 2026
By: The Local PalateWhat began in 2025 as the “NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration” has grown into an annual event hosted during wild oyster season.
In the Field
JXN Food & Wine Festival 2027
By: The Local PalateJXN Food & Wine Festival, the culinary festival celebrating the food scene in Jackson, returns with a save the date for the 2027 year.
event calendar 
9th Annual Beignet Fest
New Orleans, Louisiana
Dive into the food culture of New Orleans at Beignet Fest, where big flavor and a big impact come together for families touched by autism.
Daytona Food Fest & Craft Fair
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona's biggest and most diverse food festival is back for its third year for one day of food, drinks, and live entertainment.
Out to Sea NC Fest 2026
1 S. Front St. Wilmington, NC 28401
What began in 2025 as the “NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration” has grown into an annual event hosted during wild oyster season.
James Beard Foundation Taste America: Houston
Thompson Houston, 1717 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX., 77019
Taste America celebrates the chefs and local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities and culture.
Holy Smokes BBQ Festival
Charleston, South Carolina
Holy Smokes brings together more than 50 of the country’s best pitmasters and chefs at the beautiful Riverfront Park in North Charleston.
James Beard Foundation Taste America: Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Taste America celebrates the chefs and local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities and culture.
Sandhills Garden of Lights
Pinehurst, North Carolina
This holiday season, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens will shine in an entirely new way with the inaugural Sandhills Garden of Lights.
Mardi Gras in Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana
In Lafayette, Mardi Gras has a rhythm all its own. It's a celebration where music, food, and culture come together in the heart of Cajun & Creole Country.
21st Annual Beaufort International Film Festival
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort continues to shine the spotlight on movies and movie making with the Beaufort International Film Festival.
Hilton Head Seafood Festival 2027
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
For the perfect place to celebrate Southern heritage and hospitality, look no further than the Hilton Head Seafood Festival.
Joye! in Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
Joye! in Aiken is named for a Gilded Age mansion that once hosted private performances for the nation’s wealthiest.
Charleston Wine + Food 2027
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston Wine + Food returns March 3–7, 2027 with five days of unforgettable wine, food, and experiences.
