These are the Best Chocolate Festivals Around the World and You Must Visit At Least One

Chocolate lovers unite the world over for different chocolate festivals, tasting and buying and sharing their love for chocolate. Are you going?

Deep, dark and decadent, chocolate is everyone’s favorite. It's a classic and a mainstay in the world of desserts…and the world in general. The cocoa bean has ancient roots and a long history in many cultures. So it shouldn't be surprising that there are entire festivals dedicated to it in different parts of the world. Here are some of the best chocolate festivals all over the world, to add to your very chocolatery bucket list.

Eurochocolate, Perugia, Italy

In central Italy lies Perugia, the capital of Umbria, where an annual chocolate festival has been happening since 1993. Millions of tourists and natives visit the festival each year, coming together to celebrate chocolate. It’s a 10-day event and Europe’s largest chocolate festival. Here, you can sample the finest chocolate while walking through a beautiful medieval Italian town. There are also chocolate sculptures on display, live music to set the mood and cooking classes for amateurs and professionals.

Chocolate Week, London, UK

Chocolate Week is, as you may have guessed, a week-long celebration of chocolate in London. From chocolate jewelry to chocolate art and elaborate creations made by chocolatiers and pastry makers, find intricate and detailed chocolate-made goods here. There are also, of course, tastings, a fancy afternoon tea, and other dishes infused with chocolate in inventive ways. In the past there have been workshops about tempering chocolate and making cocktails with chocolate as an ingredient. There’s also a Chocolate Theatre where celebrity chefs are cooking up a storm.

The Big Chocolate Show, New York City, USA

New York City comes alive every November with the Big Chocolate Show, a full blown celebration of chocolate. There are over 50 brands on display, offering samples and selling their delicacies. There are live cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, detailed chocolate creations on display and interactive activities for visitors. You can learn how to make your own chocolate bars or make elaborate chocolate desserts and learn how to pair chocolate with wines. There’s also awards like the Legends of Chocolate awards.

Le Salon du Chocolat, Paris, France

For over 25 years, the Salon du Chocolat or the Paris Chocolate Show has enthralled audiences. Thousands of visitors flock to the festival and around 300 exhibitor stalls are on display. Among the other delights, there’s a chocolate fashion show, where couture has collaboratively been designed by chocolatiers and fashion designers. Some are inspired by chocolate, while others actually include chocolate. There’s also the usual suspects like tastings and cooking demos, and additions like music and dance performances to up the atmosphere.

The Indian Cacao & Craft Chocolate Festival, Bengaluru, India

Renowned Indian craft chocolate makers and brands, cocoa farmers, chocolatiers and artisans, industry professionals and chocolate enthusiasts all converge for a hearty celebration of chocolate. There’s chocolate tastings, the opportunity to buy brilliantly crafted chocolate, and workshops and conferences related to chocolate.

Chocoa Festival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Chocoa, pronounced cho-ko-wa, is a marketplace for cocoa and chocolate. Here, they are traded, new connections are built over them, new research is shared and bonds are forged over new innovations and ideas. The goal is to further sustainability and to build consumer awareness about sustainable cocoa and chocolate. There will be conferences, forums and other programs where knowledge is exchanged. You will understand where your chocolate comes from and the supply chain challenges. There’s also chocolate to taste, and wine and food flow in full form.

chocolART, Tübingen, Germany

chocolART or the Internationales Tübinger Schockoladenfestival is Germany’s largest chocolate festival, happening in December of every year. From chocolate artwork to fine chocolates on sale, and from chocolate tastings to vegan chocolate offerings, there’s much to excite everyone. Chocolateiers adn manufactures from the world over come here and proudly display their creations. There’s also workshops about chocolate and related confections.

Chocolate Heritage Festival, St. Lucia, Caribbean

Since the 1700s, St. Lucia has been exporting cocoa beans to Europe, where delectable delights are made from it. But in St. Lucia, chocolate is part of their culture and heritage. Its history, and the cocoa tree’s history is inextricably intertwined. During the festival, cocoa farms come together to offer special packages, deals, tours and chocolate related experiences. Expect chocolate heritage tours, chocolate spa treatments, sweet and savory food made with chocolate, and a celebration of the local Chocolate Heritage Month.