Food and fun go hand-in-hand in Berks County. The area is home to some of the largest food festivals and events around, celebrating everything from hamburgers and fries to pretzels and fastnachts. Here is a look at some of the annual events in Berks County that keep folks coming back for more good eats.
Opportunity House Souper Bowl
Wyomissing | February
One of the largest food-based fundraisers of the year, the Souper Bowl is an annual soup-tasting event to benefit the Opportunity House. Dozens of local restaurants and caterers come together to offer samples of their best soups in the unique fundraiser.
Take the Chill Off
Around Berks County | February
Redner’s Markets and Chef Tim Twiford team up each year for Take the Chill Off, a chili sale to benefit Blankets of Hope. Chili is available for sale at Redner’s locations and other businesses around Berks on the Saturday of Super Bowl weekend.
Fastnacht Day
Around Berks County | February/March
A Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, Fastnacht Day is celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Fastnachts are a potato donut, and every Berks County bakery, farmers market, and restaurant seems to have their own recipe.
Wilson Iron Chef
Sinking Spring | March/April
One of my personal favorite events every year, the Wilson Iron Chef features a cooking contest, food tasting, People’s Choice competition, cooking demonstrations and more. The event is held at Wilson High School each spring.
Craft Pretzel and Beer Fest
West Reading | April
The annual Craft Pretzel and Beer Fest takes over the streets in West Reading each April. The event features a ticketed beer tasting and non-ticketed vendors serving pretzel-inspired food along Penn Avenue.
Berks County Taco Fest
Reading | May
Quinta Las Cabanas Grove between Reading and Leesport hosts one of the largest celebrations of Mexican food and culture with the annual Berks County Taco Fest. The event features food trucks and restaurants serving their best tacos and Mexican street foods.
Downtown Reading Taco Fest
Reading | May
Starting in 2024, Downtown Reading began hosting a taco festival to coincide with Cinco de Mayo. The event brings hungry visitors and residents to Penn Street for a day of food and celebrations.
Taste of Kutztown
Kutztown | June
The Kutztown Rotary hosts the annual Taste of Kutztown each June in Kutztown Park. The event features beer, wine and spirits tastings along with great food from more than a dozen local restaurants and eateries.
Spring Fiesta
Muhlenberg Township | June
The Spring Fiesta comes to Jim Dietrich Park every June. It’s a celebration of the cultures of Latin America and beyond and features amazing food trucks, restaurants, and vendors serving favorites from Mexico and Central and South America.
Saint Marco Italian Food Festival
Temple | August
The Saint Marco Society hosts the largest Italian festival in Berks County on the first weekend in August, bringing thousands to their clubhouse in Temple to enjoy homemade lasagna, pasta, pizza and sandwiches. The event also includes a bocce tournament and live music.
West Reading French Fry Festival
West Reading | August
It’s all about delicious fried foods at the West Reading French Fry Festival. Held each August, the event encourages local restaurants and food trucks to bring their most creative french fry offerings – savory and sweet – for an afternoon of fun along Penn Avenue.
Riverfest
Muhlenberg Township | August
The Riverfest Food & Music Festival packs in food trucks and restaurants between two stages at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township. The event runs for three days each August and serves as the unofficial end-of-summer food festival.
Taste of Hamburg-er Festival
Hamburg | August/September
The largest food event in the county, the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival brings thousands to downtown Hamburg each year. The event, always held on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, stretches for blocks with more than 40 stands serving 150 different types of burgers.
Chile Pepper Festival
Bowers | September
The hottest festival in Berks County, the Chile Pepper Festival takes over Bowers for two days each September. Hot sauces and spicy foods take center stage over the two-day event which also includes a jalapeno eating contest and live music.
Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest
Reading | September/October
Consistently voted among the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the country, the Reading Liederkranz opens its beer garden to the public for five days of festivities each year at the end of September. The event features authentic German foods and a beer, along with polka bands, traditional German dancers, and an outdoor market.
Hay Creek Apple Festival
Morgantown | October
Historic Joanna Furnace is the backdrop for this apple-themed fall festival. The Hay Creek Apple Festival includes wagon rides, scarecrow making, and live music, along with fresh-pressed cider, apple dumplings, and an assortment of baked goods.
Greek Food Festival
Reading | October
Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Reading brings Greek culture to the forefront for their three-day Greek Food Festival each October. The event features traditional Mediterranean dishes like pastitsio, spanakopita, gyros, and their delicious desserts.
More Food Events in Berks County
Jewish Food & Cultural Festival
- 11/2/2025
