A global gastronomic calendar for foodies everywhere
Some travellers chase landmarks. Others know that to truly understand a destination, you need to taste it.
As delicious as it is, local food is also a deep dive into a nation’s history and culture. Sampling it is a sensory experience shaped by migration, tradition, and identity. It’s how cultures communicate without words. And more than ever, travellers are prioritising culinary experiences when planning their journeys.
Did you know?
- The food festival segment is the single biggest contributor to the global culinary tourism market, with a forecasted growth rate of 17.4% between now and 2031.
- 80% of global travellers research food and drink options before even booking their flights.
The rise of food-driven travel makes sense: What better way to connect with a place than through its most cherished flavours? And great news: the world’s best food and cultural festivals offer an enticing menu of tradition, storytelling, and celebration – both on and off your plate.
Here are a few lip-smacking festivals to add to your 2025 bucket list, courtesy of Flight Centre South Africa’s Travel Experts.
1. Anuga Select Brazil | São Paulo | 8 – 10 April 2025
What it’s known for: The largest food and beverage fair in the Americas, this event directly influences the future of food, bringing together global chefs, suppliers, and culinary pioneers. Visitors can explore thousands of international and Brazilian specialities, from traditional feijoada and churrasco-style meats to cutting-edge food sustainability innovations.
What to expect:
- A massive expo showcasing global food trends, sustainability efforts, and the most exciting developments in gastronomy.
- Street food meets fine dining – Brazil’s finest culinary exports alongside international pop-ups.
- Seminars and workshops from renowned chefs, bringing bold, regional flavours to life.
If you only eat one thing, let it be: Churrasco. Brazilian barbecue is world-famous for a reason – skewered, fire-grilled meats, seasoned to perfection and carved tableside. Add pão de queijo (cheese bread) and a caipirinha cocktail, and you’ve got a meal that’s pure Brazil.
Top travel tips:
- Visa requirements: South African passport holders don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days – just ensure you have at least two empty pages and at least six months’ validity remaining.
- Weather: April in São Paulo is mild and pleasant, hovering around 25°C – perfect for exploring the city’s thriving food scene outside the festival.
“Brazil was one of Flight Centre South Africa’s fastest-growing destinations in 2024, with bookings up 51% thanks to SAA’s direct flights to São Paulo,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa. “For South Africans, this is an incredible opportunity to explore Brazil’s diverse landscape – whether it’s combining São Paulo with the beaches of Rio or venturing into the Amazon.”
2. Taste of London | Regent’s Park | 18 – 22 June 2025
What it’s known for: London is one of the world’s culinary capitals – Taste of London condenses the best of the city’s gastronomic scene into five spectacular days, where chefs, food lovers, and trendsetters unite to celebrate the art of great eating.
What to expect:
- Dishes from London’s top restaurants, including Michelin-starred heavyweights and cult foodie favourites.
- Live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs and upcoming culinary stars.
- Interactive tasting experiences – think whisky masterclasses, artisanal chocolate pairings, and pasta-making workshops.
- A dedicated champagne garden, excellent for unwinding between bites.
If you only eat one thing, let it be: Beef wellington (with a modern twist). This is a classic dish that represents London’s historic love of hearty meats, expert pastry, and elegant presentation.
Top travel tips:
- Summer in the city: June is peak summer, meaning long daylight hours, buzzing street life, and fully booked restaurants. If you want to explore the city’s food scene beyond the festival, make your reservations early (and if you haven’t already secured your flights, NOW is the time).
- Multi-day tickets are worth it: This festival is huge – don’t try to cram it all into one afternoon. Multi-day passes allow for a slower, more immersive approach.
- London Pass for foodies: If you’re extending your stay, grab a London Pass for access to markets like Borough Market, food tours, and iconic landmarks.
3. Copenhagen Cooking Festival | Copenhagen | 15 – 24 August 2025
What it’s known for: A 20-year institution in New Nordic gastronomy, Copenhagen Cooking takes food festivals to another level. Expect boundary-pushing flavour experiments, hyper-seasonal ingredients, and a culinary meeting of cultures. Each year, the festival spotlights a star ingredient, and in 2025, the onion takes centre stage – celebrating its ability to add depth, richness, and complexity to nearly every dish.
Adding an exciting twist, this year’s festival will also feature a special collaboration with chefs from Provence, showcasing the contrast between sun-drenched southern flavours and the crisp, sharp Nordic palate.
What to expect:
- Exclusive chef-led dinners blending Scandinavian and Provençal techniques.
- ‘Tomorrow’s Food Talents’, where up-and-coming chefs and food entrepreneurs become restaurateurs for a day.
- Ingredient-driven food pop-ups, with the humble onion stealing the show in countless creative ways.
- Foraging and fermentation workshops, perfect for those who love experimental gastronomy.
- City-wide tastings and food walks, taking visitors through Copenhagen’s best bakeries, markets, and sustainable eateries.
If you only eat one thing, let it be: Smørrebrød with pickled onions. Denmark’s beloved open-faced sandwich gets a festival-worthy upgrade with high-quality rye bread, cured fish, creamy toppings, and the deep-sweet tang of Nordic pickled onions.
Top travel tips:
- Best way to get there: There are no direct flights from South Africa to Copenhagen, but the most seamless route is via Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Consider a multi-city itinerary that lets you experience another top food capital en-route.
- Score big on fine dining: Copenhagen is home to some of the world’s best restaurants. During the festival, visitors can enjoy Michelin-level dishes at much lower prices, making it a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s food scene without breaking the bank.
- Get around like a local: The best (and fastest) way to explore Copenhagen’s markets, neighbourhood bistros, and festival pop-ups is by bicycle – the city is built for it.
4. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 11 – 14 September 2025
What it’s known for: A deep dive into the soulful and diverse food traditions of the American South, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is where barbecue pitmasters, Creole chefs, and bourbon connoisseurs come together to showcase flavours passed down through generations.
What to expect:
- Tasting tents featuring Southern culinary icons like Texan smoked brisket, Louisiana gumbo, Nashville hot chicken, and buttery biscuits from Charleston’s best bakers.
- Interactive cooking classes and demos, guided by Southern chefs and food historians.
- Unique wine and whiskey pairings, spotlighting the South’s growing vineyard scene alongside its world-famous bourbon culture.
If you only eat one thing, let it be: Slow-smoked brisket with homemade cornbread. Atlanta’s pitmasters are known for their perfected smoking techniques. Pair with a tangy peach barbecue sauce for an extra Georgia-inspired kick.
Top travel tips:
- Visa planning: South Africans need a US visa, which requires an interview appointment – these can take several months to secure, so apply early!
- Extend your trip: Consider pairing Atlanta with foodie hotspots like New Orleans or Charleston for a full Southern culinary tour.
“Atlanta was another rising star for Flight Centre in 2024, with a 14% increase in bookings,” says Turner. “As an international Delta hub, it provides seamless access to the US, and we’re seeing a growing appetite for deeper cultural immersion – travellers want to experience food, music, and history in an authentic way.”
5. Nine Emperor Gods Festival | Thailand | October 2025 (dates TBC)
What it’s known for: More than just a celebration of plant-based eating, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a deep-rooted Taoist tradition focused on self-purification, discipline, and devotion. While it’s celebrated throughout Thailand, Phuket’s version offers an immersive blend of spiritual rituals and vibrant food markets, all set against the backdrop of one of Thailand’s most beautiful cities.
What to expect:
- Market stalls filled with Thai and Chinese plant-based dishes, sold in brightly decorated spaces with yellow and red “เจ” (vegetarian) flags.
- A vast selection of tofu-based and mushroom-infused dishes that mirror the textures of traditional Thai meats.
- Firewalking ceremonies, spiritual chants, and meditation sessions for those participating in the festival’s purification rituals.
- A restriction on meat, alcohol, and strong-smelling ingredients like garlic and chili, believed to disrupt spiritual energy.
If you only eat one thing, let it be: Pink noodle soup (Yentafo). Typically made with pork blood broth, this vegetarian spin features mushrooms, crispy wontons, and a naturally pink fermented tofu base.
Top travel tips:
- Ideal off-season visit: October marks the start of Thailand’s cooler season, making it one of the best times to visit without the humidity of summer.
- Look for “เจ” signs: These indicate that food is strictly vegetarian according to religious guidelines – free from not only meat but also eggs, dairy, and pungent alliums like garlic and onions.
- Pair it with Bangkok: Many travellers opt to experience the festival in both cities, as Bangkok’s Chinatown hosts a massive version of the event.
According to Turner, Asia is experiencing a massive travel boom in 2025, with Thailand leading the charge:
“We’re seeing a sharp rise in land- and cruise-based itineraries here. Thailand’s tourism numbers already show a 10.3% increase in arrivals year-on-year for 2025.”
It’s obvious that food is a portal into culture, history, and identity – and with so many deliciously immersive foodie festivals on the menu this year, there’s only one question left to answer: where will your next big food adventure take you? Let your taste buds lead the way…
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$3.15 billion and a current share price of AU$14.18 as of 18 March 2025. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.