Appalachia is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional cuisine, farm-to-table experiences, and festivals celebrating local flavors. In 2025, the region will be brimming with events that food lovers won’t want to miss. Here's a month-by-month guide to some of the best upcoming food events and festivals in Appalachia:
January – Portsmouth Restaurant Week
Portsmouth, Virginia
Kick off the new year at Portsmouth Restaurant Week in Virginia. The week is a celebration of the city’s diverse gourmet offerings. Local chefs will prepare special menus featuring two-course lunches and three-course dinners that are sure to leave you wanting more.
February – Carolina Chocolate Festival
Morehead City, North Carolina
February means chocolate in North Carolina, where the Carolina Chocolate Festival transforms the town into a chocolate lover’s dream. Vendors offer a wide array of chocolate treats, from truffles to hot cocoa. There’s even a chocolate baking contest and a cocoa-themed 5k run, all in support of local charities.
March – Highland County Maple Festival
Highland County, Virginia
In the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the Highland County Maple Festival celebrates the tradition of maple syrup making. Visitors can watch syrup production in action and indulge in all things maple—maple donuts, maple sugar, maple butter, and pancakes drenched in fresh maple syrup.
April – Mountain Mushroom Festival
Irvine, Kentucky
April in much of Appalachia means it’s mushroom season, and the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine offers a full slate of fungi-filled fun. From a mushroom market and cooking demos to arts and crafts, this festival pays tribute to the coveted morel mushroom. You might even score some for yourself if you’re lucky!
May – Ramp It Up Festival
Oak Hill, West Virginia
Ramps, the garlicky wild onion that grows in the Appalachian Mountains, take center stage in May at the Ramp It Up Festival in West Virginia. Known as the "ramp capital of the world," the festival features traditional Appalachian dishes like ramps, potatoes, brown beans, cornbread, and ham, and local music fills the air.
June – Poke Sallet Festival
Harlan County, Kentucky
The Poke Sallet Festival in Harlan, Kentucky, is an Appalachian celebration of the Southern dish made from the cooked leaves of the poisonous pokeweed plant. Over several days, the festival features craft vendors, games, a car show, and a delicious poke sallet served with other Southern favorites.
July – Picklesburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In July, Pittsburgh transforms its downtown bridge into a pickle paradise for Picklesburgh. This festival celebrates everything pickled from pickle ice cream and pickle beer to a pickle juice drinking contest. Voted USA Today’s #1 Specialty Food Festival, it’s a unique experience for those who love a tangy treat.
August – Appalachian Festival
Beckley, West Virginia
In Beckley, West Virginia, the Appalachian Festival is a weeklong celebration of Appalachian heritage, including arts, crafts and food. The festival includes a restaurant week highlighting regional food and restaurants that helped define the area.
September – Ohio PawPaw Festival
Albany, Ohio
Celebrate one of Appalachia’s hidden gems—the pawpaw—at the Ohio PawPaw Festival in Albany. With its creamy texture and tropical flavor reminiscent of banana and mango, the pawpaw takes the spotlight in September. Guests can enjoy pawpaw-themed treats, cooking demos, and workshops dedicated to the unique fruit.
October – Apple Butter Festival
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
October in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, means one thing: the smell of apples simmering into butter. At the Apple Butter Festival, attendees can watch huge copper kettles churn apple butter in the center of town, enjoy baked goods contests, and participate in a parade. It’s the perfect fall celebration in America’s first spa town.
November – Alabama Pecan Festival
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile hosts the Alabama Pecan Festival in November, celebrating the state’s official nut. This family-friendly festival offers fresh pecans, pecan pies, and a variety of pecan-infused dishes, along with carnival rides, entertainment, and the crowning of the Alabama Pecan Festival Queen.
December – Gingerbread Festival
Fayetteville, West Virginia
Tucked away in the scenic mountains of West Virginia, Fayetteville hosts its charming Gingerbread Festival. The town comes alive with festive, small-town charm, making it the perfect retreat from the holiday rush. Take a peaceful family getaway, explore local shops, and wander through the historic downtown, transforming into a whimsical gingerbread wonderland with festive decorations lining the streets.
These festivals and events provide a delicious way to explore the diverse flavors of Appalachia. Whether you're drawn to heritage foods, farm-to-table dining, or unique local treats, there's something for every food lover throughout the year in this storied region.