What is your favorite soul food dish to eat—or the one that you are famous for preparing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I love Southern Soul Food, and I don't know about ya’ll, but I’m always on the hunt for the next best place to find perfectly prepared fried chicken and fish, as well as cornbread, Mac ’n’ cheese, collard greens, and cobblers. And in that order. Local food festivals are the best place to taste what restaurants and chefs in your area have to offer. There are a few food festivals whose sole purpose is to showcase soul food restaurants, chefs, food trucks, and caterers in the area. What a great way to satisfy your cravings and find your next favorite obsession.
Here are the Soul Food Festivals we are excited to highlight. Hopefully, there’s one near you.
Atlanta “Dukes and Boots” Southern Soul Music and R&B Food Festival
Atlanta, Georgia
Don your Daisy Dukes and pull on your boots for this soul music and Southern food festival. Check out the best Southern food vendors, live performances, DJs, line dancing, mechanical bull and horseback riding and unique merch vendors.
Date: July 12, 2025
Website: dukesandbootsfestival.com
IG: @dukesandbootsfestival
Taste of Soul Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
A free family festival featuring Soul and Southern food, live music, art, children's events and urban winemakers. Bring a chair and check out the new artists stage or buy tickets to check out the festival’s headliners on the main stage for the Soul in the City Festival Concert.
Dates: August 30 & 31, 2025
Website: tasteofsoulatlanta.com
IG: @tasteofsoulatl
24th Annual Soul Food & Music Festival
Green Cove Springs, Florida
A family festival with live music, live performances, and top soul food vendors from the area. Experience the festival parade, horseshoe toss, spades contest, dance contest, R&B Ribs cook-off, and children’s fun zone.
Date: October 4, 2025
Website: gcssoulfood.net
IG: @gcstoday
Oakland Park Soul Fest
Oakland Park, Florida
Honoring Black History Month and the rich contributions and achievements of the African and Caribbean American community, Soul Fest is a family-friendly event, featuring children's activities, live music, and an array of food trucks serving Southern soul, traditional, and spicy Caribbean dishes.
Date: February 2026 (exact date TBA)
Website: oaklandparkfl.gov
IG: @cityoaklandpark
Black Food Truck Festival
Charlotte, North Carolina
Top black-owned food trucks converge upon Charleston hailing from the SC area and around the country. With cuisine including traditional soul food and vendors specializing in Caribbean and African dishes. Enjoy live music performances and vendors selling art, handmade crafts and various goods.
Dates: April 2026 TBA
Website: blackfoodtruckfestival.com
IG: @blackfoodtruckfestival
Dallas Soul Food Festival
Dallas, Texas (Also Kileen, Texas, June 8)
More than 30 of the best soul food chefs and caterers in the area assemble twice yearly (April 2026 date TBA) bringing traditional, fusion, keto and vegan soul choices along with performances and activities for the whole family
Date: October 26, 2025
Website: facebook.com/DallasSoulFoodFestival
IG @dallasoulfoodfestival
R&B Food Truck Festival
Houston, Texas
Good vibes and a fusion of soulful music and delicious food from the best soul food chefs in the area., and good vibeSaturday, August 30th Also Live R&B DJs and bands, line dancing, cocktails and more
Date: August 30, 2025
Website: eventbrite.com/e/rb-food-truck-festival-tickets-680233846747?aff=erelexpmlt
IG: @rnbfoodtruckfestival
Soul Feast Week
Lexington, Kentucky
A ten-day celebration of Black culinary culture supporting and highlighting Black restaurants, farmers, and chefs in Central Kentucky with educational exhibits, experiences, and great food.
Date: June 19 - 29, 2025
Website: soulfeastweek.com
16th Annual Soul Food Festival
Stockton, California
The African American Arts and Culture Center of Stockton will once again curate the best soul food chefs, live musicians, and vendors of goods, arts, and crafts for its 16th annual Soul Food Festival.
Date: August 2026 (exact date TBA)
Website: facebook.com/events/weber-point-event-center/stockton-soul-food-festival/805932047942969/
A Taste of the Burgh, Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A celebration of the city's Black culinary, butchery, and food businesses. Honoring the city’s rich history. Feast on soul food dishes from more than 100 vendors, chefs, and food service proprietors. Enjoy live entertainment, a BBQ contest, and other fun activities for the family.
Date: Labor Day weekend 2025
Website: facebook.com/ASoulfulTasteOfTheBurgh/
IG: @asoufultastoftheburgh
Taste of Black Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
This is a celebration of Black food, culture, and community featuring Black vendors, restauranteurs, chefs, and caterers serving soul food, African delicacies, Caribbean delights, and vegan delights. There will also be live music, cooking demos, a Black business marketplace, a farmers market, and a kids zone.
Date: August 2025 (exact date TBA)
Website: tasteblackchicago.com
IG: @blackchicagoeats
Soul Food: The “All R&B Vibez” Festival Tour
Various Cities
Soul food and soul music come together with R&B classic tunes, live performances, and food trucks featuring chefs who came to “throw down” on Southern soul food classics and not-so-classics. The tour will hit 22 US cities. Also enjoy unique art and craft vendors, handmade artisanal cocktails, and more.
Dates: Various. Check the website and IG for dates and cities near you
Website: soulfoodpicnic.com, wearemainevent.com
IG: @maineventthemovement
What is your favorite soul food dish to eat—or the one that you are famous for preparing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
