We've rounded up a dozen food and drink festivals happening between this weekend and mid-July. But don't worry, gourmands and picky eaters: It's not all funnel cakes and turkey legs. There will be barbecue, craft beer, pad Thai, ice cream and margaritas.
A new fest will serve tacos with a side of Mexican wrestling. And local chefs will leave their kitchens to get in on the fun. It's almost enough to make you forget there are still four more months until the State Fair of Texas opens.
Fork & Cork
This festival, which replaced Taste Addison last year, is more caviar than corn dog. There will be food and drink from local restaurants, plus activities, including a fire pit-cooking demonstration by Smoke chef Tim Byres and a cocktail-making lesson from Parliament mixologist Eddie "Lucky" Campbell. Chefs, including Knife's John Tesar and Cat Cora of Food Network's Iron Chef, will give cooking demonstrations.
May 15 from 6 to 11 p.m. ($65 per person, must be 21 or older to attend) and May 16 from noon to 11 p.m. ($15 per person, $100 for VIP) at Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle, Addison. addisonforkandcork.com.
Main Street Fest
Texas and regional craft beers are the focus of this Grapevine festival that's subtitled "A Craft Brew Experience." Learn how to taste beers or put your existing skills to use at tasting events, keg tappings and more. The festival, which was previously called Main Street Days, will also have live music, a midway and carnival area, and of course wine, which Grapevine is known for.
May 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., May 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along North Main Street in downtown Grapevine. $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 6-12, free for children 5 and younger. All ages get in free May 15 before 5 p.m. grapevinetexasusa.com.
Brew Riot
More than 50 teams will compete in this annual home-brew competition in Oak Cliff. Tasting the competing beers requires membership in the Texas Homebrew Society. It's $25 in advance online and includes event admission. Local breweries, including Community Beer Co. and Four Corners Brewing Co., will also be there. Go early for the 1.1 Beer Run, in which racers will down drafts at stops along the route. Registration for participants is available in advance only for $40, which includes Texas Homebrew Society membership.
May 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Bishop Arts District, along North Bishop Avenue between West Seventh and West Eighth streets, Dallas. brewriot.com.
Thai Culture and Food Festival
Dishes representing Thailand's four regional cuisines will be offered, including common ones, such as sticky rice and chicken satay, and some rarities. The festival, presented by the Thai Community Center of North Texas, will also include temple tours, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) demonstrations and traditional arts and performances.
May 23 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., May 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Dallas, 8484 Stults Road, Dallas. Free admission. Food prices vary. thaifestdallas.com.
Margarita Meltdown (SOLD OUT)
Taste more than 20 margaritas competing to be named the best in town. The People's Last Stand, El Ranchito and Boulevardier are among the restaurants and bars participating in this fifth annual competition, which is presented by Milagro Tequila. The bartender who creates the winning drink will be awarded $1,000.
May 24 from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Bishop Arts District, in the area around North Bishop Avenue and West Eighth Street, Dallas. $30per person in advance online, $35 cash at the door, $55 for VIP, $10 for designated drivers. Must be 21 or older to attend. dallasmargaritameltdown.com.
Taste of Dallas at Fair Park
Food booths from more than 70 restaurants will be set up outdoors along the Esplanade, selling samples for $1 to $4 each. There'll also be a barbecue contest, food trucks, eating competitions, a marketplace and a dessert destination called the Sweet Factory. Taste the Difference, a VIP event presented by Culture Map and benefiting the American Heart Association, will have food and drink samples, plus demonstrations by chefs, including Dean Fearing and Omar Flores.
June 12 from 5 to 11 p.m., June 13 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., June 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Fair Park, Dallas. General admission is $12 per person, free for children 10 and younger. Taste the Difference sessions are $125 each. Parking is $12 per car. tasteofdallas.org.
Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-Off
Taste freshly made ice creams created by home cooks competing for the People's Choice Award at Chestnut Square Historic Village's annual festival. Despite the quaint setting, this competition is anything but vanilla. Previous winners include habañero mango and bacon and waffle.
June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney. Admission is free. Tasting tickets are $1 each. chestnutsquare.org.
Little Elm Craft Brew and Que Festival
This free family-friendly fest located on the shores of Lewisville Lake will feature more than 50 brewers. Get 12 2-ounce samples for $25. There'll also be vendors selling barbecue and performances by local bands, including the O's and Quaker City Night Hawks.
June 13 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm. Admission is free. littleelm.org.
Best Little Brewfest in Texas
This festival in Old Town Lewisville features Texas beers, including ones from local breweries, plus food trucks, vendors and live music. There'll also be a car show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and After Party in the Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For $35, get 12 2-ounce samples from more than 80 brewers, plus winemakers and distillers. Additional tasting cards are $5.
June 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Church and Mill streets, Lewisville. $35 per person, $65 for an early entry VIP pass, $10 for designated drivers ages 18 and older. blbfit.com.
Taco Libre
This new festival in Main Street Garden will feature more than a dozen local taquerias selling tacos starting at $2 each. There'll also beer, tequila, lucha libre wrestling and music by Ozomatli, Team, Dustin Cavazos and Party Static.
June 27 from 2 to 10 p.m. at 1902 Main St., Dallas. Admission is $12 before 5 p.m., $22 after. tacolibredallas.com.
Parker County Peach Festival
Try peach-flavored ice cream, cobbler, pie, jam, salsa and more at this annual celebration of local produce held around the Parker County Courthouse.
July 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the square in Weatherford, in the area around Main and Palo Pinto streets. $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and younger. peachfestivaltx.com.
Bastille on Bishop
This annual festival in Oak Cliff celebrating the French holiday Bastille Day will have French food and drink, including crêpe stands, wine tastings and a French food-cooking competition featuring local chefs.
July 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Bishop Arts District, in the area around North Bishop Avenue and West Eighth Street, Dallas. Free admission. bastilleonbishop.com.
