How would you like to be surrounded by chocolate for a day? Tasting, smelling and setting your eyes on copious amounts of chocolate in different forms, shapes and sizes. I’m suggesting you attend a chocolate show and indulge!
Every year there are numerous chocolate shows and there may be one right in your area. Wouldn’t it be great to include one in your holidays this year? Or it could be an inexpensive weekend getaway in a city or state a few hours away.
Each show offers something different but some of the things you can do are watch and learn from chocolatiers, attend chocolate fashion shows, view chocolate art exhibits, enter contests, purchase unique chocolate gifts and most importantly, indulge in the chocolate tastings.
To find a chocolate event in your area or near your next vacation spot, try googling on the Google website, “chocolate show” or “chocolate festival” along with your city or state or another close by. It’s better if you keep quotes around those keyword phrases as I’ve done so the phrase stays together and can give you more relevant search results.
I’ve put together a list of some that I’ve discovered. Many of the shows are in November so you could be at one every weekend. Hmmm, my birthday in November is looking better already! New York in November…
I’ve only included the month of the event as some shows have not confirmed the exact dates for 2009 yet. Watch their website for updates.
March
Oregon Chocolate Festival – Ashland, OR
April
Kona Chocolate Festival – Kona, HI
May
Colorado Chocolate Festival – Denver, CO
July
Cadbury Chocolate Carnival – Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND
August
Chocolate Fest – St. Stephen, NB
September
Vancouver International Chocolate Salon – Vancouver, BC
October
Salon du chocolat – Paris, FRANCE
Chocolate Fest – Toronto, ON
November
Twin Cities Chocolate Extravaganza – Minneapolis, MN
Vermont Chocolate Show (Festival of Sweets) – Burlington, VT
Utah Chocolate Show – Sandy, UT
The Chocolate Show – New York, NY
December
Salon du chocolate – Moscow, RUSSIA
For a great list of chocolate festivals, visit Bernard Callebaut’s website and start your own plans to indulge.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
May I also suggest:
San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, March 21, http://www.SFChocolateSalon.com
Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon, October, http://www.LAChocolateSalon.com
Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon, July 12, http://www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com
Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon, September, http://www.ChicagoChocolateSalon.com
Great additions to the list. Thanks Kevin!
A reader has told me of another chocolate festival just outside Vancouver. While it didn’t run last year, they do plan to hold the West Coast Chocolate Festival later this year. When it was held in 2007, it was in October so I imagine it will be the same this year.
You can watch for news on their site at http://www.chocolatefestival.ca/home.htm