Single day admission
Good for one day, in and out privileges, kids 12 and under free with an adult.
Second weekend in September
Ninety kitchens on the riverfront, three days
Tasting portions are $4 to $9 so you can eat your way across the whole festival. Kids under 12 get in free.
90food vendors
38,000attendees in 2025
11 yrson the riverfront
3 stagesof live music
Tickets and passes
Entry is cheap, the food is the point
Every pass includes music, demos and the kids zone. Food is paid per item at each booth.
Three day weekend pass
All three days plus early Saturday entry at 10am before the lines build.
Taste of Riverbend tasting card
Ten tasting tickets redeemable at any participating booth, plus a festival tote.
Chef demo tent seat
Reserved front row seating and a tasting portion at one of nine demo sessions.
Vendor booth
Ten by ten space with power drop, water access and listing in the printed map.
Kids zone wristband
Pizza dough tossing, a butter churn station and a fruit and veg scavenger hunt.
About the festival
Started by nine restaurants and a permit
Fork Fest began in 2014 when nine downtown restaurants pooled money for a city permit and a stretch of sidewalk. It is now a nonprofit event that returns its surplus to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, $61,000 last year. Two thirds of vendor spots are reserved for businesses inside Hamilton County.
•Nonprofit, with surplus going to the area food bank
•Two thirds of vendors are Hamilton County businesses
•Free shuttle from three downtown garages all weekend
Reviews
What attendees tell us
“The tasting card is the way to do it. We tried fourteen places between us and never waited more than ten minutes.”
Brandon L., Saturday attendee
“As a first year vendor I made back the booth fee by 2pm Saturday. The organizers actually answer their phone.”
Nia W., Vendor, Caribbean food truck
“We bring the kids every year for the dough tossing. It is genuinely free and genuinely fun.”
Erin S., Family attendee
FAQ
Before you come
Is the festival cash only?
No. Every booth takes cards and tap to pay, and there are two ATMs near the main gate. Tasting cards are digital and scan from your phone, so you do not need to carry paper tickets.
What happens if it rains?
The festival runs rain or shine and the demo tents and music stages are covered. We only stop for lightning within eight miles, which pauses the event until it clears. Tickets are not refunded for rain but a same weekend rain check is issued for a full day cancellation.
Where do we park?
Skip the riverfront lots, they fill by noon Saturday. Use the Aquarium, Fifth Street or Broad Street garages and take the free shuttle, which runs every ten minutes from 10am to 11pm all three days.
How do vendors apply and when?
Applications open in February and close March 31. Jury results go out in April. You will need a Hamilton County temporary food permit, proof of $1M general liability and a menu with at least one item priced under $6.
Contact
Questions about tickets or booths
The festival office answers weekdays through the spring and daily during festival week. Vendor questions go to the vendor line for a faster reply.
Phone(423) 555-0142
AddressRoss's Landing, 201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, Chattanooga, Tennessee
HoursFri 4pm to 10pm, Sat 11am to 10pm, Sun 11am to 6pm
AreaChattanooga riverfront and Ross's Landing