Food Festivals Archives - Culinary Travels

Where Culture Meets Cuisine: Antigua & Barbuda’s Culinary Month Returns

14 April 2026

A month-long celebration of Caribbean identity, talent, and taste takes over the islands this May.

Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the 2026 edition of its Culinary Month this May, with an expanded lineup of events, visiting chefs and destination-wide programming aimed at further positioning the twin-island nation as a culinary tourism player.

Running throughout the month, the initiative builds on a program first introduced in 2023, with a continued focus on showcasing local cuisine alongside chefs of Caribbean heritage from key international markets.

The schedule includes the return of Restaurant Week from May 3 to 17, with more than 50 restaurants offering prix-fixe menus at accessible price points, as well as the FAB Fest (Food, Art & Beverage Festival), which combines food vendors, chef demonstrations and live entertainment.

A series of ticketed events will take place throughout the month, including collaborative dinners featuring visiting and local chefs, a beachside BBQ event, and a closing cookout. A fundraising dinner highlighting Caribbean women chefs is also planned, aligning with broader efforts to spotlight regional talent.

Among the participating chefs are returning names such as Andi Oliver and Kareem Roberts, alongside newcomers including Nina Compton and Tristen Epps-Long, reflecting a mix of established and emerging culinary voices with Caribbean roots.

In addition to consumer-facing events, the Caribbean Food Forum will take place on May 21, bringing together industry stakeholders for discussions on hospitality and food systems. The hybrid format is expected to attract both regional and international participation.

The “Eat Like A Local” program will also return, directing visitors to casual dining spots and traditional cookshops across the islands, with an emphasis on everyday Antiguan and Barbudan dishes.

The initiative follows Antigua and Barbuda’s recognition as the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination in 2025, and forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the destination’s tourism offering beyond its established beach appeal.

Grenada’s Chocolate Festival Returns for 2026

30 March 2026

From tree-to-bar experiences to cocoa-infused wellness, the festival is back with plenty to savour.

If your idea of the perfect getaway includes sunshine, culture, and a little indulgence, Grenada has just the thing. The Grenada Chocolate Festival is officially returning from May 22–27, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be its most immersive (and delicious) edition yet.

Held at the vibrant True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, the event invites visitors to experience chocolate in a way you simply can’t at home. Here, it’s about connecting with the story behind every bar.

Grenada, known as the “Spice Isle,” has built a global reputation for its high-quality, ethically produced cocoa. During the festival, that reputation comes to life through hands-on experiences that take you from lush cocoa farms to the final, decadent product.

You might find yourself walking through a plantation with local farmers, learning how cocoa is grown and harvested, before rolling up your sleeves for a tree-to-bar workshop. Or maybe you’ll want to sample your way through expertly guided tastings, where you can taste all the flavour nuances of the region’s rich single-origin chocolates.

Food lovers, take note: cocoa isn’t just for dessert here. Across the festival, chefs and mixologists showcase how chocolate can transform everything from savoury dishes to cocktails. It’s a creative, flavour-forward approach that reflects the island’s evolving culinary scene.

And the experience goes well beyond the plate. Expect live music, cultural performances, and artistic showcases that celebrate Grenada’s vibrant spirit, along with family-friendly activities and even cocoa-infused wellness experiences designed to leave you feeling as good as you taste.

What makes this festival truly special, though, is its deeper purpose. It’s a celebration of Grenada’s heritage and the farmers, artisans, and creators who are shaping the future of Caribbean cocoa. The 2026 theme, focused on reimagining cocoa from its roots to its renaissance, reflects a growing movement to honour tradition while embracing innovation.

For travellers seeking more than just a beach escape, this is where Grenada shines. Between events, visitors can explore the island’s waterfalls, beaches, and colourful towns, or just soak in the laid-back Caribbean rhythm.

So whether you’re a dedicated chocolate lover or just ooking for a trip that’s rich in culture and unforgettable moments, Grenada in May offers a sweet escape that goes far beyond expectations. Just be sure to come hungry.

Vilnius Is Throwing a Whimsical Pink Soup Festival

17 March 2026

This three-day celebration of Lithuania’s iconic cold beet soup is turning Vilnius into one of Europe’s most unexpected summer hotspots.

From May 29 to 31, Lithuania’s capital will once again turn shades of fuchsia for its annual Pink Soup Fest, a high-energy, slightly surreal celebration dedicated to šaltibarščiai, the country’s beloved cold beet soup. Equal parts food festival and citywide party, the event has quietly become one of the Baltic region’s most compelling reasons to visit — especially as travellers look beyond the usual Mediterranean circuit.

And yes, everything is pink.

What started as a quirky local celebration has quickly scaled into a major draw. The festival is expanding to three days this year after rapid growth, with attendance jumping from 42,000 visitors in 2024 to 93,000 last year.

That momentum speaks to something bigger than a single dish. Pink Soup Fest now unofficially marks the start of summer in Lithuania, transforming Vilnius into an open-air playground of parades, performances, and playful chaos.

Think foam slides. Think costumed runs. Think marching bands and dancers weaving through streets filled with people carrying bowls of neon-pink soup.

At the centre of it all is the Pink Soup Parade, a procession that leans fully into the absurd, with participants dressed in elaborate pink outfits competing for best costume. Visitors are encouraged to join in, not just watch.

The dish behind the spectacle

For all its theatrics, the festival is rooted in something deeply traditional. Šaltibarščiai — typically made with beetroot, kefir, cucumber, dill, and eggs — dates back centuries and remains a staple of Lithuanian cuisine.

Served cold and vividly pink, it’s both refreshing and visually striking, which helps explain its recent rise beyond Lithuania. The soup has been gaining traction globally, even ranking among the world’s top cold soups, thanks in part to its probiotic-rich kefir base and antioxidant-heavy ingredients.

During the festival, you’ll find it everywhere — from traditional versions to modern reinterpretations — served across restaurants, pop-ups, and street stalls throughout the city.

Sometimes, the best trips are the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously.