11 Best Coffee Festivals from Around the World
Welcome to the ultimate guide on coffee festivals around the world! Get ready to brew up some excitement as we take you on a caffeinated journey to the most thrilling events in the coffee world.
From the United States to Europe, Asia, and beyond, coffee festivals take the world by storm.
With a vibrant atmosphere, exceptional coffee, delicious food, and a wide range of activities and entertainment, coffee festivals have something for everyone.
Whether you’re in a coffee business, a passionate barista, or simply a lover of all things coffee, these coffee festivals are the perfect way to celebrate the culture and community surrounding this beloved beverage.
In this guide, I will take you on a tour of the world’s most popular coffee festivals, from the biggest to the boldest, and everything in between.
1- African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition
The African Fine Coffees Conference & Exhibition is the largest coffee trade platform in Africa, gathering over 2000 coffee roasters, traders, producers, professionals, and connoisseurs from around the world for three days of events.
Attendees can enjoy regional and international speakers, trainers, cupping pavilions, and recreational activities.
The exhibition area is a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products and services and connect with coffee experts from around the globe.
Website: https://afca.coffee/conference/
Event date and Venues
Since its establishment in 1999, AFCA has achieved remarkable success by organizing the annual African Fine Coffee Conference, which takes place in a different member country every year.
The 2023 event was held in Kigali, Rwanda, spanning from February 13th to February 16th.
The 20th African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition is set to take place in Ethiopia from February 16 to 18, 2024. Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee, and the country’s coffee culture dates back centuries. Ethiopian coffee is considered the best in the World known for its unique flavor profile, with a variety of distinct flavors and aromas.
2- European Coffee Symposium
The Europe Coffee Symposium is the foremost event for senior executives in the coffee industry.
With a changing location each year, the symposium offers key players a platform to network, learn about the latest market trends, and drive business performance.
The multi-day event includes a Supply & Innovation Day, the Europe Coffee Awards, and a top-notch conference program.
Website: https://www.europeancoffeesymposium.com/
Event date and Venues
The Europe Coffee Symposium was founded in 2008 and was held in different European cities since then.
Now in its thirteenth year, this event is scheduled in Barcelona from 27 – 29 November 2023. This Vibrant City has become a hub for specialty coffee in recent years, with a growing number of top-notch coffee shops and roasters popping up across the city.
3- World of Coffee
World of Coffee is an annual event organized by the Speciality coffee association that brings together coffee industry professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.
This event provides a platform for attendees to connect, share knowledge, and learn about the latest developments and trends in the coffee industry and includes many engaging activities like:
Roaster Villages: You can Experience the taste of coffee from World’s top coffee roasters.
New Product Competition: The display and award ceremony for outstanding products in the specialty coffee and tea industry based on quality and value.
Specialty coffee workshops: World of Coffee offers a diverse selection of SCA Workshops tailored to different skill levels, prices, and durations.
Brew Bar and Espresso bar: You can taste a variety of coffee beverages prepared by volunteer Baristas.
Website: https://www.worldofcoffee.org/
Event date and Venues
The 2022 World of Coffee event was held in Milan Italy and was full of coffee-filled entertainment and fun.
The coffee world is gearing up for the upcoming event in Athens, Greece from June 22-24, 2023. This historical city has a rich coffee culture, and it is home to some of the oldest coffee houses in Europe.
4- World Barista Championship
World Coffee Events (WCE) hosts the highly regarded World Barista Championship (WBC) every year. The event aims to elevate the art of coffee-making, advance the profession of the barista, and entertain a global audience with a grand finale that brings together local and regional competitions from around the world.
With over 50 skilled competitors participating, the championship is a spectacle to behold. Each participant prepares four espressos, four milk drinks, and four signature drinks.
Experienced WCE judges from all over the world evaluate each barista’s performance based on the taste of their beverages, hygiene, inventiveness, technical expertise, and overall presentation.
The signature drink segment, which is always popular, allows competitors to showcase their imagination and apply their knowledge of coffee to produce a personalized expression of their individual tastes and experiences.
Website: https://worldbaristachampionship.org/
5- National Coffee Association Annual Convention
The National Coffee Association, founded in 1911, represents thousands of coffee professionals in the United States. They provide market research, review coffee and health research, organize webinars, and foster national coffee communities
The NCA Convention offers a unique platform for coffee professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the US coffee industry.
Website: https://www.ncausa.org/Industry-Resources/NCA-Annual-Convention
Event Dates and Venues
The Annual Convention of the National Coffee Association is held each year in different cities of the USA. In 2023, it was held in Tampa with a focus on resilience and reinvention.
The 2024 NCA Convention is all about coffee fueling the future and is scheduled in Nashville from March 7-9.
6- Speciality Coffee Expo USA
The Specialty Coffee Expo caters to every aspect of the coffee industry. Exhibitors including roasters and retailers can showcase their products on the show floor, network with industry decision-makers, and advance their professional careers through the SCA’s lectures and hands-on learning opportunities.
Food and beverage professionals can discover the industry’s latest and most innovative coffee products, learn about integrating specialty coffee into their business plan, and make purchasing decisions on the spot during face-to-face interactions on the show floor.
Coffee enthusiasts from all professional backgrounds can attend coffee competitions, network with like-minded attendees at receptions and lunches, or participate in educational programs to learn more about the art of cupping, brewing, and roasting.
Website: https://www.coffeeexpo.org/
Event Dates and Venues
In 2023, the specialty Coffee Expo was held in Portland in the month of April and was attended by coffee lovers all over the US.
The next edition of the event is set to take place in Chicago in 2024.
7- Coffee Fest USA
Coffee Fest began in 1992 as a gathering of coffee professionals in Seattle. After hosting several successful events, they shifted their focus to the specialty coffee, gourmet tea, and alternative beverage industry, and introduced their first retail “trade show” in 1998.
Today, they organize four annual in-person trade shows that bring the specialty beverage community together in the U.S.
Attendees can find the education, resources, and access to companies they need to start their cafe or restaurant smoothly.
For more seasoned coffee professionals, Coffee Fest is a place for networking, deepening existing supplier relations, finding new products and services, and education to build on what they already know.
At Coffee Fest, attendees can gain insights on hot topics, learn new skills, and witness live coffee competitions.
With more than 350,000 attendees to date, Coffee Fest is viewed as one of the leading tradeshows for specialty coffee and tea and continues to evolve and stay at the forefront of emerging trends.
Website: https://www.coffeefest.com/welcome
Event Dates and Venues
The Coffee Fest USA is organized four times a year. This year, it will take place on:
- 2 and 3 June, Louisville
- 6-8 August, Anaheim
- 10 and 11 November, Orlando
- 3-5 March, Ney York
8- Melbourne International Coffee Expo
Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) was established in 2012 to foster connections between buyers and sellers within the coffee industry and to provide a dedicated space for industry members to come together.
As Australia’s first and only coffee-dedicated trade show, MICE serves as a central point for the coffee community to connect annually, generating opportunities for businesses to form partnerships and for international guests to connect with new and existing Australian customers.
Over time, MICE has grown to become an integral part of the Australian and global coffee community and is now recognized as the largest dedicated coffee show in the Southern Hemisphere.
With its vibrant atmosphere and diverse coffee-related activities, MICE has become an exciting annual event for coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and businesses. As MICE continues to evolve and expand its offerings, it remains committed to promoting innovation and growth within the coffee industry.
Website: https://internationalcoffeeexpo.com/
Event Dates and Venues
In 2019, MICE took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the first time.
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2023, with a scheduled date from August 17th to 19th.
9- World of Coffee Dubai
World of Coffee Dubai is the ultimate destination for coffee enthusiasts from the Middle East and beyond, providing a unique platform for exhibitors and visitors to connect and learn about the latest trends and innovations in the coffee industry.
The event is designed to cater to the needs of Middle Eastern coffee businesses, as well as those interested in breaking into the emerging coffee market in the region.
Attendees can look forward to exciting features such as the Roaster Village, Cupping Room, Brew Bar, and the SCA Community Lounge, along with insightful lectures and the UAE National Championship.
In addition, the trade show floor offers an opportunity for buyers and sellers to network, showcase their products, and forge new business relationships.
Website: https://dubai.worldofcoffee.org/
Event Dates and Venues
The latest edition of World of Coffee Dubai, held in January 2023, witnessed the impressive participation of over 233 exhibitors from different corners of the world. This grand event drew in over 10,000 visitors who explored the diverse array of coffee-related workshops, lectures, and competitions offered by the show.
10- London Coffee Festival
The London Coffee Festival was founded eleven years ago when London was emerging as a hub of the specialty coffee industry.
The festival quickly became a hit, attracting over 7,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors in its inaugural year. It’s been growing ever since and is now expected to draw 30,000 attendees, including industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts.
The festival offers an exciting array of activities and experiences. Visitors can indulge in coffee tastings, observe demonstrations from top baristas, and participate in interactive workshops.
This event also features live music, DJs, art exhibitions, and unique coffee-based cocktails. The London Coffee Festival has something for everyone, making it a can’t-miss event for coffee lovers and creative urbanites alike.
Website: https://www.londoncoffeefestival.com/
11- New York Coffee Festival
The New York Coffee Festival is an annual flagship coffee event in the bustling city of New York, celebrating the specialty coffee scene that is rapidly emerging there. It is a dynamic and exciting event for all coffee enthusiasts, featuring exceptional coffee, food, cocktails, live music, and art.
The festival curates an immersive program for all levels of coffee enthusiasts, from beginners to aficionados, self-confessed coffee geeks, and key industry stakeholders.
Visitors can taste their way through the vibrant New York coffee scene, with hundreds of exciting coffees to sample. They can boost their coffee knowledge through workshops, interactive demos, and by meeting the top US artisans and baristas one-to-one. To top it all off, attendees can enjoy delicious street food, coffee cocktails, live music, and coffee-inspired art.
Website: https://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com/
Final Thoughts
Well, my fellow coffee lovers, there you have it – the top 11 coffee festivals around the world! From sipping on espresso in Italy to jamming out to live music in New York, there’s a festival out there for everyone.
So get out there, try some new brews, meet some fellow coffee enthusiasts, and have a latte fun! Who knows, you might even discover your new favorite bean or brew method.
Remember, coffee is more than just a beverage, it’s a community. And these festivals are the perfect place to connect with that community and celebrate the beloved bean.
