Introducing new foods to kids and celebrating yummy flavors can be so much fun for the whole family! Check out these family-friendly food festivals happening in or around Austin.
Hot Luck Live Food & Music Fest
Thursday-Sunday, May 26-29, 2022 / 2023 Dates to Be Announced
Created by James Beard award-winning Aaron Franklin of world-famous Franklin’s BBQ, Mohawk-owner James Moody, and Mike Thelin, co-founder of Feast Portland, Hot Luck takes place at various locations around Austin, and also pops up in various other US cities.
A unique festival in which big chefs serve up their own delicious dishes and their own live music selections. The festival is partnered with and benefits the Southern Smoke Foundation.
Available online, tickets for this event range from $15 to $550 but sell out fast, so don’t delay. Sign up for the mailing list now!
More info: www.hotluckfest.com
Austin Oyster Festival
February 2023 / Specific Dates to Be Announced
2023 will mark this yummy festival’s 10th year and will be held at the beautiful, historic French Legation Museum in East Austin overlooking downtown.
Enjoy oysters in numerous ways from raw, grilled, roasted, fried in combination with spectacular seafood sides, cocktail pairings while listening to live music.
This festival generously benefits the Central Texas Food Bank.
More info: www.austinoysterfestival.com
Texas VegFest
Saturday, April 8, 2023 @ 11am-6pm
Created by Texas Veg Foundation “to bring the benefits of vegan food to Texas from all walks of life,” the festival features a wide array of vegan food selections, vendors, cooking demonstrations, educational lectures and live music. The youth area with games and activities will keep kids entertained. Go meatless!
This is a free event held at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin. Registration may be required so check their website for details.
More info: www.texasvegfest.com
Soul Food Truck Fest
June 18, 2022 @ 1pm / 2023 Dates to Be Announced
Brought to you by Favor, this flavorsome festival happens on Juneteenth and features Texas Black-owned food trucks on the campus of Huston-Tillotson in the center of East Austin. Explore a bunch of food trucks, Black-owned vendors, live music, games and other festival activities.
Prices start at $15 online and will be more at the gate. Kids up to 12 years old are free.
More info: www.soulfoodtruckfest.com
ATX Food Truck Festival – Buda
September 25, 2022 @ 1-5pm
Held at Buck’s Backyard in Buda, just south of Austin, this festival promises to give attendees a taste of the world and will feature food straight from the trucks, of course, live music, bounce houses, games, a pop-up petting zoo that kids will love and more!
Tickets range from $5-12 and are available online through Eventbrite.
More info: www.atxfoodtruckfest.com
Austin Ice Cream Festival
Saturday, June 23, 2022 / 2023 Dates to Be Announced
An Austin tradition held in the middle of summer, this festival celebrates the refreshing world of ice cream and frozen treats at just the perfect time. Come to Fiesta Gardens for delicious food, games, contests and live music. You could even get buried in popsicle sticks!
H-E-B-sponsored features two parts, the first for the whole family and the second at night for adults only features booze-infused concoctions.
Tickets available online.
More info: www.austinicecreamfestival.com
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Sunday, September 11, 2022 @ 3-9pm
In its 32nd year, this spicy event returns to Austin and will be held at the Far Out Lounge and Stage on South Congress. The blind-tasting competition for hot sauce creators including restaurants, commercial bottlers and individuals will be enjoyed by chefs, food writers and other popular food personalities. Categories include red, green, pepper and special variety. You will even find fruit, dried-pepper and purple salsas. The public can vote on the “People’s Choice” award. A feast for your tongue!
Tickets are available for $10 online and $15 at the door with $5 of each ticket sale going directly to Central Texas Food Bank.
More info: www.austinchronicle.com/hot-sauce/
Festival Beach Food Forest
Various dates. See website for details.
A truly unique kind of food fest, this event explores an edible forest garden along the shores of Festival Beach at Austin’s Lady Bird Lake. Learn more about permaculture, openly forage and enjoy fresh food like fruits, nuts, vegetables and medicinal herbs. By working with nature, we can work less.
More info: www.festivalbeach.org
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Near Cinco de Mayo / 2023 Dates to Be Announced
This 40-year-old festival pays homage to Hispanic history, culture and tradition and is held in Fiesta Gardens in the heart of East Austin. Typically held on or near the Cinco de Mayo holiday, you can expect many new and traditional Mexican dishes, dancing, live music and mariachis! Kids will have fun with arts and crafts, games, and getting their faces painted.
Advance tickets are available online. Expect to pay more at the gate. Free entry for everyone until 12pm and children age 12 and under get in free all day.
More info: www.fiestaaustin.org
CelebrASIA Austin – Asian Pacific American Food & Heritage Festival
Saturday, May 2, 2022 @ 11am-3pm / 2023 Dates to Be Announced
At Asian American Resource Center, attendees will enjoy voting for a winner in the Battle of the Asian Food Trucks. Celebrate with cultural performances, a ukulele choir, hula and drumming. Kids will love crafts, games, moon bounces and balloons.
Admission is free but buy tickets if you want to vote.
More info: www.austintexas.gov/department/asian-american-resource-center
The Austin Powwow & American Indian Heritage Festival
November 12, 2022 @ 9am-9pm
This fest offers a valuable opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of Native American people including a traditional dance competition, a native market and of course, a food court. Be sure to taste and ask about the history of fry bread. This year’s event will be held at the Travis County Expo Center.
As a family-focused event, there will be no drugs or alcohol allowed.
Tickets are $7 online and $10 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. Parking is also free.
More info: www.austinpowwow.net
Sazon Latin Food Festival
Saturday, September 17, 2022 @ 11am-6pm
Taking place at Ani’s Day & Night, this outdoor, Latin food festival will feature curated food vendor with tempting dishes from all over Latin America including Puerto Rico, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and even Jamaica. Dance to the beats of a live DJ spinning music from and inspired by Latin America.
This event is free with RSVP.
More info: www.anisdayandnight.com
Austin Quesoff
Saturday, October 8, 2022 @ 12-3pm
An annual queso event held at Mohawk in downtown Austin, offers attendees the chance to try a wide variety of queso cheese dips in four categories: Meaty, Spicy, Veggie and Wild Card. The “Best in Show” will be crowned and the event benefits the Central Texas Food Bank.
Tickets available soon.
More info: facebook.com/quesoff
Austin Food + Wine Festival
Friday-Sunday, November 4-6, 2022
Unfortunately, not for families, all attendees must be 21 years of age or older. However, this might be a good time for parents who can get a babysitter or ask the grandparents to step in for the weekend.
Three-day organized celebration of all kinds of food and beverage. Relish an all-star lineup of chefs, food and wine tastings, live music, hands-on grilling demonstrations, book signings.
Though the ticket price isn’t cheap, it’s worth every penny as this festival delivers a top-notch experience for true food and wine lovers.
More info: www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com
Your thoughts?
Have you been to any of these festivals? What did you think? Tellus about your experience and if you think they were good for families.
Do you know of any other fun, family-friendly food festivals in the Austin area? Please, tell us about it!
