Attention, foodies! What’s better than being outside in the Florida sunshine with your friends, family, or significant other and trying new foods to your heart's content? If you’re a real foodie, then you know that nothing is better than that!
Don’t miss out on a foodie festival because you don’t hear about it until after the event! We’ve curated a list of the coolest foodie festivals to look forward to in Pinellas County all all year long!
French Fry Festival (2020 Dates Coming Soon)
The French Fry Festival returns to North Straub Park in St. Petersburg every February for a friend food event almost as large as the state fair! Browse piles of spuds that are cooked, baked, or fried in a variety of ways! With more than 30 of Tampa Bay’s best food trucks in attendance, there’s something for everybody.
Related content: Art Festivals in Tampa Bay to Look Forward to in 2019
Taco & Tequila Crawl
Salt your hand, lick it off, down the shot, then suck a lime slice. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR! There’s nothing I love more than tacos and tequila. Oh, you too? Surprise, surprise!
We all love a mouth-watering shrimp taco (even Kylie Jenner), and the perfect pairing for any kind of taco is a TSL shot! So join in on the festivities and stroll through Downtown St. Petersburg as you enjoy taco, margarita and tequila specials at some of the area's most bustling bars!
Clearwater Beach Restaurant Week (September 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
Pinellas County foodies know that Clearwater Beach Restaurant Week is one they look forward to every year! For its 10th year this September, the 10-day long food festival offers foodies an opportunity to experience top-notch dining and casual cuisine at all of your favorite hot spots.
During Restaurant Week, each participating restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu priced from $15 to $35. The menus from participating restaurants will be listed just before the event's September start date.
Vote for the restaurant you think deserves to win by writing a glowing review for them on Facebook! Each time you leave a review, you'll be entered into a drawing for local gift cards, hotel stays, round trip airfare, and more!
Oldsmar Oktoberfest (October 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
Strap on your lederhosen, roll through the barrels, and stroll through the doors of Oktoberfest Village at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar! This three-day party will have German food, drinks, music, and dancing, plus competitions for stein holding, log sawing, keg tossing, and barrel rolling. Come with friends or bring the whole family to enjoy the festivities and click your steins in celebration of Oktoberfest!
John’s Pass Seafood Festival
Back for its 39th year, the John’s Pass Seafood Festival brings the community together to put on the second-largest seafood festival on the east coast of Florida. This food festival will provide attendees with an endless amount of fried, boiled and charred seafood for their taste buds to enjoy.
It is and always has been festival dedicated to giving back to the community as a portion of the proceeds is donated to the City of Madeira Beach and the Pinellas County school system. Make a day of it and make sure to show up with full wallets and empty stomachs because there’s going to be a lot you'll want to try!
Dunedin Seafood Festival
The Dunedin Seafood and Music Festival returns to Edgewater Park this March 23 and 24 for a day filled with seafood, marina views, live music, and eclectic vibes. This two-day event brings the public picturesque views of the sunset, a nice spring sea breeze, and the backdrop filled with sailboats, powerboats and commercial vessels all while filling your empty stomach with some of the west coast’s best seafood.
The purpose of this festival is to bring the community together to enjoy the city’s beautiful green, waterfront park while meeting local artisans, arts and craft merchants, and budding new entrepreneurs all while sampling local restaurant’s cuisines focusing on… seafood!
Dunedin Stone Crab Festival (October 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
Each year when the fall brings in cooler days and beautiful sea breezes, it gives us locals the excuse to put on sweaters and jeans that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to wear. But it also encourages us to get out in the community!
There’s no better place to do that than the Dunedin Stone Crab Festival in Edgewater Park each October. Enjoy local favorites including shrimp, grouper, hot dogs, pizza, and, of course, crabs! They'll also be serving up a great selection of craft beer & wine.
Clearwater Beach Uncorked (November 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
Does dinner on the beach with sand between your toes and a glass of fine wine in your hand sounds like the perfect night out? I think so, too! Head to Clearwater Beach Uncorked for 180-degree Gulf of Mexico views and local chef rock stars creating dishes with national brand partners offering tastes and sips to please every palate. The hippest and hottest beachfront gastronomic event is your ticket to unwinding at the end of a long work week while enjoying the finest fare and wines on this side of fabulous.
Sponge Docks Seafood Festival (November 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
For its 32nd year in a row, the Sponge Docks Seafood Festival returns to Dodecanese Blvd. this November. The event will provide tasty choices to please everyone’s palate including non-seafood items for landlubbers and Irishmen.
Live music is once again offered all weekend long featuring well-known local and regional musicians. For the second year in a row, specifically-selected artisans, craftsmen, and other vendors will show and sell nautical and food-related art, crafts, fishing apparel, kitchen, and cooking items, food samples, and much more.
Feast on the Beach (November/December 2019 Dates Coming Soon)
Three local entrepreneurs are back for more! Feast on the Beach was created by Chicago Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, Bay Area restaurateur, Frank Chivas, and the former mayor of Clearwater, Brian Aungst, for locals to enjoy the decadent taste of local seafood and wine!
Celebrity chefs, local masters, and wine connoisseurs will be showcasing their talents right from the beachfront with wine tastings, VIP Packages, and live entertainment. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
Find more events in Pinellas County by registering on 727area, your free local guide to the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area.
Cover photo courtesy of 727area
