For chocolate lovers around the world, there is nothing quite like a festival that is entirely devoted to this beloved treat. From historic European towns to modern urban centers, these cities become chocolate wonderlands once every year as they offer everything from artisanal tastings to hands-on workshops in their annual festivities.
From the casual chocolate fan to the committed connoisseur, festivals offer singular opportunities for a journey of discovery into the world of chocolate amidst colorful local culture and traditions.
Perugia, Italy
Every year, the historic city of Perugia hosts the ‘Eurochocolate’ festival, Europe’s biggest chocolate party. More than a million people come to see what local craftsmen and big international brands have in store every October-from classic Baci chocolates to the latest flavor combinations.
There’s something special about finding all this in the medieval center of Perugia, with the ancient cobblestone streets filled with the impossible-to-resist smell of chocolate.
Bruges, Belgium
During the annual ‘Choco-Story’ festival, Bruges turns into a chocolate fairytale where the master chocolatiers reveal the ancient secrets of Belgian chocolate-making. The Market Square of the city is graced by dozens of chocolate sculptures.
Workshops will teach you how to make pralines. Medieval guild houses form the backdrop against which you get to sample some of the world’s finest Belgian chocolates.
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Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca’s ‘Festival del Chocolate y Mole’ celebrates all things chocolate with traditional methods of preparing Mexican chocolate. Local women show the age-old art of grinding cacao beans by hand while telling stories of how chocolate played its part in Mesoamerican culture.
Sample different types of mole sauce, hot chocolate made with local cinnamon, and chocolate-based dishes that have been part of Oaxacan cuisine for centuries.
Tain l’Hermitage, France
This quainter-than-quaint French town is the home of renowned Valrhona chocolate, which stages ‘Journées du Chocolat’ – an event that explores artisanal chocolate making in depth. Masterclasses abound on everything from chocolate and techniques from professional pastry chefs, with local wineries providing the perfect pairing opportunities.
Its location along the river in the Rhone Valley wine region gives another level of class to tasting chocolate.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Nicknamed ‘The Sweetest Place on Earth,’ Hershey pulls out all the stops during its month-long ‘Chocolate-Covered February’ celebration. The entire town gets in on the action, from chocolate spa treatments to chocolate-making classes at The Hershey Story Museum.
Evening events include chocolate and wine pairings, while the famous Hershey’s Chocolate World offers behind-the-scenes tours of chocolate production.
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Óbidos, Portugal
This medieval town hosts the ‘International Chocolate Festival,’ where the historic castle walls contain displays of chocolate art and culinary innovations. Portuguese pastry chefs show off their prowess with traditional sweets, using local ingredients such as Port wine in their creations.
The festival’s cooking competitions, which draw participants from across Europe, create spectacular chocolate showpieces that marry artistry with culinary skill.
Villajoyosa, Spain
This coastal town on the Mediterranean honors its history of chocolate making during the ‘Xocolata Festival’ with traditional Spanish hot chocolate and local specialties. Special tours take visitors through the town’s historic chocolate factories while the scent of churros and chocolate wafts through the streets.
The evening is filled with chocolate-themed flamenco and tastings on the beach.
Basel, Switzerland
Basel’s ‘Chocolate Festival’ mixes Swiss precision with creative innovation as the best chocolatiers in the country give demonstrations. The Rhine riverside provides a pretty backdrop to chocolate sculpture competitions and tastings.
Local chocolate makers offer their take on traditional Swiss chocolate infused with distinctive Alpine herbs and flowers.
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St. Stephen, New Brunswick
This Canadian town hosts the ‘Chocolate Fest,’ celebrating its connection to Ganong, Canada’s oldest candy company. The week-long festival features chocolate-making demonstrations, factory tours, and opportunities to create your own chocolate bars.
Evening events include chocolate-themed dinners featuring local seafood paired with chocolate-based sauces.
Asheville, North Carolina
This artistic mountain town hosts an annual ‘Chocolate Festival’ where artisanal chocolate makers infuse their products with local ingredients such as mountain herbs and berries. Craft breweries also participate with chocolate-infused beers and suggestions for pairing.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this festival combines outdoor activities with the indulgence of chocolate.
Melbourne, Australia
The ‘Chocolate Festival’ in Melbourne celebrates the city’s diverse culinary scene with chocolate creations from around the world. Local chocolatiers experiment with native Australian ingredients like wattleseed and finger lime in their creations.
The festival location in the Royal Exhibition Building adds Victorian grandeur to the chocolate-tasting experience.
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Turin, Italy
The ‘CioccolaTÒ’ festival in Turin celebrates the city as Italy’s chocolate capital, which introduced gianduja to the world. Traditional bicerin-a drink of chocolate, coffee, and cream in layers-are served in historic cafes, while master chocolatiers give demonstrations of their craft.
The festival’s elegant Baroque squares provide a sophisticated setting for chocolate appreciation.
Cologne, Germany
Cologne’s ‘Chocolate Festival’ pairs classic German chocolate-making with innovative flair as leading European chocolatiers give demonstrations. Chocolate-themed events take place throughout the historic Altstadt, while the Chocolate Museum hosts special exhibitions.
Even the evening river cruises down the Rhine feature chocolate and wine pairings.
San Mateo, California
The ‘International Chocolate Festival’ showcases the Bay Area’s innovative culinary scene with chocolate makers experimenting with unique flavor combinations. Silicon Valley’s influence appears in high-tech chocolate-making demonstrations and virtual reality chocolate experiences.
Local wineries and craft breweries participate with creative chocolate pairings.
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York, England
The historic city of York celebrates its chocolate-making heritage during the annual ‘Chocolate Festival,’ featuring demonstrations from traditional British chocolate makers. The medieval Shambles becomes lined with chocolate stalls while former chocolate factory workers share stories about the city’s sweet history.
Evening events include chocolate-themed ghost tours combining the city’s spooky past with its chocolate heritage.
Sweet Endings and New Beginnings
These chocolate festivals are only a few of the many festivals held around the world throughout the year. Each brings its unique slant to the appreciation of chocolate, as influenced by local culture, history, and food traditions.
Whether it be a serious chocolate tour or just wanting to add some sweetness to your next vacation, these festivals bring delicious opportunities to explore the world through the lens of chocolate appreciation.
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