Music festival food has come a long way since the first few, like 1967’s Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain where the only thing anyone ate was the LSD dropped on the crowd by the Grateful Dead’s “chemist,” Owsley Stanley, as he flew over Golden Gate Park.
These days, while talent bookers clamor to secure the summer’s top music acts, a similar mad dash is happening to devise equally impressive food and drink lineups for hot and hungry festival-goers from coast to coast.
From rare Bourbon in Louisville to cooking demos in New Orleans and tacos! tacos! tacos! in Austin, these massive festivals deliver culinary snapshots of their respective regions at gourmet levels not seen before. Their sophistication of work might go unnoticed by the average fan but I spoke to the hard-working food and drink coordinators at some of the nation’s best to find out what to expect, what to look for, and what not to miss.
Funnel Cake from Walter’s Hot Dogs at Gov Ball
GOVERNORS BALL, New York City
There is likely no music festival on earth with more pressure to deliver a perfect 10 than New York’s 9-year-old Governors Ball, which plops down on Randalls Island for three days in early June bringing rock, pop, and hip-hop superstars like Nas, Lil’ Wayne, and Florence & The Machine. Luckily for organizer Tom Russell, a lot of the city’s best eateries are excited to be part of the festival like pizza icon Roberta’s Pizza, and NYC BBQ staple Mighty Quinn’s.
This year they’ve announced three new food programs including a Gov Ball Brunch from 12-3 PM. On Saturday, June 1 the Bud Light Dive Bar will be celebrating World Pride with drag performances and rainbow bagels. And of course, it wouldn’t be NYC without a bodega so this year Gov Ball is bringing the bodega experience (sans the cats, we hope) to Randalls Island for all your festival essential needs.
Must Eats:
- Ice Cream from Taiyaki NYC
- Pizza from Michelin-rated Roberta’s Pizza
- Lobster Roll from Luke’s Lobster
- Ramen Burger from Ramen Burger
- Cookie Dough Balls from DŌ!
- Aperol Spritz Italian Social Club
Don’t Miss:
Gov Ball Brunch and fierce Drag Performances and LGBTQ artists at the Bud Light Dive Bar to celebrate World Pride on Saturday, June 1!
Insider Tip:
Russell says “Ramen Burger and DŌ! have the longest lines every year, so think about getting there early or during a lull in your day with some time to spare.”
Related Reading: The Best Low Carb Beers for Summer
Rarities Bar inside Forecastle’s Bourbon Lodge, Forecastle Festival
FORECASTLE FESTIVAL, Louisville, Ky.
Forecastle has been going strong since 2002. The homegrown music festival celebrating “music, arts, and activism” has evolved from a small gathering of friends and artists to one of the premier events on the summer music calendar. It draws tens of thousands every July to Louisville’s 85-acre Waterfront Park, blending cutting-edge local, regional, and national talent across multiple genres.
Jeff Cuellar, Forecastle’s VP of strategic partnerships, describes the scene as a “variety of cuisines from all over the world, with a southern flare and heavy ‘Bourbonism.’” Look out for local favorites like Firebird BBQ, Hi-Five Doughnuts, Black Rock Grille, La Chandeleur, Heine Brothers Coffee, and Steel City Pops.
Craig Calefate
Must Eat/Drink:
- Whole Hog at Firepit BBQ
- Sierra Nevada’s Chantey Session IPA (made exclusively for Forecastle)
- Tacos from Holy Molé
- Kentucky Sunrise Slushies (adults only)
Don’t Miss:
The Bourbon! Forecastle’s Bourbon Lodge is where it’s at. Fans of the brown stuff can purchase a membership online or on-site allowing access to an immersive (and air-conditioned) Bourbon Lodge experience with selection from Kentucky’s best distilleries, served neat or in cocktails. Flight Bar & Rarities (located inside the lodge) features rare and hard-to-find booze like Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Four Roses special editions, and more—many only available at Forecastle and in limited quantities.
Insider Tip:
Bourbon Lodge members receive updates via the mobile app about Bourbon Rarities available in the Lodge. “If you are looking to go further down the Bourbon rabbit hole,” says Cuellar, “Gonzo Bar, inspired by writer, Bourbon freak, and general mad man, Hunter S. Thompson, offers additional selections and exclusive ‘Bourbon experiences.’”
Special Mention:
The Yacht Club—a new nautical experience, featuring access to Louisville’s Mary M. Miller Steamboat with exclusive libations, culinary treats, music, and the best place to watch the sunset over the Ohio River.
David Watsky
Cotton Bandanas (pack of 10), $9.99 on Amazon
Don't be caught dead without this festival essential!
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, Austin
In many ways, Austin City Limits, or “ACL”, is the grand finale of festival season. And like any good finale, it pops over two full weekends in October, boasting legendary headliners like Paul McCartney and Childish Gambino.
Kevin Noonan, ACL’s manager of vendor operations, tells me his number one priority is elevating the local establishments inside the grounds of Austin’s Zilker Park. Noonan and his team strive for representation from “restaurants that locals would recommend to out-of-towners.” Expect lots of barbecue, queso dip, and tacos…lots and lots of tacos.
Must Eats/Drinks:
- Mighty Cone from Mighty Cone
- Elk and Foie Tacos from Lonesome Dove
- Green Chile Pork Tacos from Torchy’s Tacos
- Brisket Sandwich from Micklethwait Craft Meats
- Local beers and Bourbons
Don’t Miss:
Healthy things?! Don’t count ‘em out. With Austin’s rampant and ever-growing infestation of health nuts, ACL proudly delivers a smattering of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options that don’t sacrifice on taste.
Insider Tip:
Noonan says, “If you’re looking to avoid the dinner rush, know that the most popular time to visit the food court is right before the headliners go on. Divide, conquer, and then share with your friends to try the most food in the least amount of time!”
The Wine Lands at Outside Lands Festival, Cal Binghamton
OUTSIDE LANDS, San Francisco
Like New York, San Francisco has a seriously badass reputation to uphold when it comes to anything food-related. Now in it’s 11th year, Outside Lands reigns sonic domination over SF’s historic Golden Gate Park for one weekend in August, alongside a brag-worthy 83-vendor lineup of culinary heavyweights curated by celebrated SF restaurateur Anna Weinberg (Big Nights Restaurant Group).
Related Reading: Attention! Ina Garten Just Dropped a Summer Beach Party Playlist
In her second year with the festival, Weinberg laughs that it’s always “freezing at night,” so hot and spicy foods are popular and her team delivers an epic selection. The expansive offerings are broken into categories including “Taste of the Bay” featuring both longtime institutions and newcomers like Michelin-rated Hawker Fare (Lao/Thai), Trestle (New American), The Monk’s Kettle (Belgian), and Little Chihuahua (Mexican).
Similar to Jazz Festival, Outside Lands also houses a culinary stage called “Gastro Magic,” where star chefs from the area dazzle onlookers on hiatus from the main stage where crowds sway and shimmy to icons like Janet Jackson and Florence and the Machine.
Must Eats:
- Baked Goods from (the legendary) Tartine
- Malaysian Lamb Curry Sandwiches from Azalina’s
- Spicy Fried Chicken Biscuit from The Bird
- Hawaiian Ahi Poke from Pacific Catch
- Porcini Doughnuts from Rich Table
Don’t Miss:
Tented areas dubbed “Wine Lands” and “Beer Lands” feature 41 Northern California wineries and 30 West Coast breweries respectively. That’s a whole lot of good drink. Not to be outdone, Cypress Grove curates “Cheese Lands” where you can try their famous Humboldt Fog, among others.
Insider Tip:
“Carve out some time to hang in the Wine Lands Courtyard. It is a total blast and marching bands come through unexpectedly, bringing raucous and unexpected entertainment.”
Outside Lands Music Festival, Tom Tomkinson
FIREFLY MUSIC FESTIVAL, Dover, Del.
Dover might seem like an unsuspecting city in the second smallest U.S. state but it’s home to one of the coolest new additions to the festival circuit. In only its seventh year, Firefly has already bagged major acts like The Killers and Red Hot Chili Peppers to grace its stage in mid-June and the food, much like the festival itself, is eclectic yet manageable.
Favorites here include Hebros Kitchen, Tica’s Tacos, Humpty’s Dumplings, Grotto Pizza, and Roaming Raven (cheesesteaks) underscore a diverse local lineup with something for everyone. Delaware brewery Dogfish Head has the beer market cornered. Lucky for us, they brew some of the best on the coast and always offer a signature Firefly Ale for the festival only.
Must Eats/Drinks:
- Smoothies from Hippie Dips
- Wok-fried Noodles from Island Noodles
- Buffalo Chicken Dumplings from Humpty Dumplings
- Firefly Ale from Dogfish Head
Don’t Miss:
The Woodlands Coffee House. The Coffee House replicates a, well, coffee house and features intimate performances from fifteen acts and a large coffee shop including coffee cocktails (yay!). A great spot to relax and recaffeinate between higher-energy sets in an intimate setting. You might even hear “Smelly Cat.”
Insider Tip:
Island Noodles is easily one of the most popular vendors and usually sells out fairly quickly. Get in line early and often!
Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy at Jazz Fest, Joshua Brasted
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL, New Orleans
Unsurprisingly, the best festival food happens in and around the country’s best food cities and both New Orleans and its prized “Jazz Fest” are in a league of their own. Each year, spanning two weekends in late April and early May, folks descend on the Fair Grounds Race Course (just outside the French Quarter) to celebrate the birthplace of jazz and whole lot of incredible food.
From muffuletta sandwiches and alligator gumbo to cochon (pork) sandwiches and TONS of seafood, Jazz Fest packs as big a punch as any with an incredibly defined food personality that reflects the city itself. Director Michelle Nugent secures over 60 vendors each year, all with distinct and local culinary traditions including Cajun, Creole, soul food, street food, “Nouvelle ” Louisiana, Vietnamese, Cuban, African, Native American, Mediterranean, and classical French.
As the scent of hot fry bread and oyster po’ boys waft through the thick Louisiana air alongside tunes from headliners like Bruce Springsteen and Buddy Guy, you realize this is the mother of all festival food experiences and worth every calorie.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Craig Calefate
Must Eats:
- Crawfish Beignets from Patton’s Caterers
- Fried Chicken and Jambalaya from Catering Unlimited
- Cochon de Lait Po-Boy from Love at First Bite
- Alligator Gumbo from Fireman Mike’s Kitchen
- Beignets from Cafe du Monde
Don’t Miss:
Take a break from your Zydeco two-stop and catch full-on cooking demonstrations at the indoor Food Heritage Stage where mic’d up master chefs like Red Fish Grills’ Austin Kirzner give step-by-step instructions on how to make menu staples like Redfish Etouffee (with enough for everyone to sample, of course).
Insider Tip:
Download the Jazz Fest app, a helpful resource for locating your favorites in a sea of offerings and find a complete schedule for cooking demos at the Food Heritage Stage. As an added bonus, the music ends before sunset, so make your way to one of the city’s many celebrated restaurants like Cochon Butcher or Arnaud’s French 75 for dinner, but make reservations early!
Austin Kirzner at the Food Heritage Stage, Craig Calefate
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