August 16–29, 2026 | Weeks Eight & Nine
Chautauqua Food Festival
Come for the Food. Stay for Everything Else.
A two-week celebration of flavor, ideas, performance and gathering at Chautauqua — where celebrity chefs, special tastings and communal meals meet one of America’s most distinctive summer destinations.
Not just a food festival. A Chautauqua experience built around food and community.
Spend the morning at a lecture, the afternoon tasting regional flavors, and the evening at a concert or communal meal. This is a food festival you can actually vacation at.
Unlike a one-day event or crowded fairground, Chautauqua offers a full destination experience — walkable grounds, lake views, live performance, meaningful conversation and the chance to stay for days instead of hours.
Come hungry and discover something new each day.
- Celebrity chefs and special culinary events
- Two distinctive weeks of programming
- Food paired with concerts, lectures and culture
- Lodging and packages available
- A beautiful lakeside setting
The Food Festival unfolds across two thought-provoking Chautauqua theme weeks, pairing culinary experiences with big ideas, conversation and culture.
Week Eight Lecture Theme: The Future of Food
Climate, technology and the next agricultural revolution
Explore how food is grown, shared and reimagined.
Week Nine Lecture Theme: The Importance of Gathering
In collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Explore the importance of gathering and why coming together matters more than ever.
From What We Eat → To How We Gather
Festival Moments
Taste Caravan
Bestor Plaza transforms into a rotating showcase of the area’s most exciting restaurants and food trucks.
Battle of the Bites
Battle of the Bites brings competitive cooking to Bestor Plaza as local chefs go head-to-head in a fast-paced culinary showdown.
Taste of Chautauqua
A joyful celebration of local restaurants, craft beverages, food manufacturers, live music, and regional artists.
Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Event
Explore wines and artisanal spirits alongside curated bites while connecting with producers, sellers, and experts.
Live Culinary Demos & Discussions
Enjoy live culinary demos and talks with chefs, artisans, and community partners — spotlighting techniques, culture, sustainability, and the stories behind the food.
Weekly Feast with Friends
Where food builds community. Kick off each festival week with a warm, communal dinner in Bestor Plaza featuring standout regional caterers. Designed to bring people together, this shared meal celebrates connection, conversation, and the simple joy of eating together.
Feast on Film
End your Sunday with food, film, and connection. Feast on Film pairs a free movie screening with food-centered storytelling at the CHQ Cinema—offering a relaxed, thoughtful way to continue the evening and celebrate the shared human experience of gathering around the table.
Plan Your Experience
Food Festival Experience Package at the Athenaeum Hotel
A curated way to experience the festival’s most sought-after events
- Lodging at the historic Athenaeum Hotel located on Chautauqua Lake
- Gate pass with access to lectures and concerts
- Access to Food Festival events: 2 Masters Series Classes, Premium Chef Dinner, Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Event, Battle of the Bites, Taste of Chautauqua, Weekly Feast with Friends, Feast On Film and Taste Caravan (5 taste tickets per day, per adult)
- Breakfast
- Parking
Weekly rates starting at $3,931 per couple
Nightly rates starting at $461 per couple
Chautauqua on a Budget
(Weeks Eight Only)
A simple, affordable way to experience a full week at Chautauqua at the newly renovated Greene Family Commons.
- Weeklong stay in dormitory-style accommodations
- Gate pass with access to lectures and concerts
- Breakfast and dinner
- Parking
Starting at $1,295 per person
Perfect for guests looking to experience a full Chautauqua week at a more accessible price point.
Thank you to our festival sponsors!
