11-04-2025
2025 International Taste Festival at the Fairgrounds: What you need to know
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The nationally recognized International Taste Festival returns Saturday for its fourth year.
Here's what to know about the event that was recently voted the 9th best cultural festival in America by USA Today.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the New York State Fairgrounds Center of Progress Building. Admission at the door is $10. Children under age 10 are free of charge. Parking is free. Advance sale tickets are available here for $5.
While you walk around the fairgrounds, be prepared to be transcended into a cultural melting pot of flavors. There will be no shortage of types of cuisine you could get. This year, there will be some new items on the menu, including sushi, curries, crepes, and coffees. Additionally, there will be eight new vendors joining the other 24 returning ones.
If you're having an insatiable thirst for something, well, a bit stronger, Syracuse Suds Factory has you covered as they will be selling adult beverages.
All food vendors will offer at least one sample product for $2. Nearly all food vendors accept credit cards. Prefer to pay cash? No worries, an ATM will be available at the event.
It's not just the food that's from all around the globe, but the music and dance will also dive into many cultures. Whether you want to relax to the soothing sound of a Caribbean-style steel drum band, test your moves to the Latin dance and teaching crew, or jam out to the Celtic rock group, there will be something for everyone.
New this year will be a free silent disco, offering the opportunity to dance like nobody's watching from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
An area of the festival is also set aside for free, fun activities for children. Activities include gaming trucks for boys and girls, a caricature artist, glitter tattoos, and visits from local sports mascots Scooch, from the Syracuse Mets, and Otto the Orange from Syracuse University. Activities will happen throughout the event, from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.
More than 50 artisans and crafters will ring the building, offering sweets, sauces, treats, handmade specialties, jewelry, and services as well as information from many area companies and agencies.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a 5K and 10K to benefit David's Refuge, the East Syracuse-based non-profit which provides rest and support to caregivers of children with special will be presented on the stage at noon. The race is presented by Willow Running USA in partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods.
Full details on all aspects of the festival can be found on its website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
