If you’re a coffee lover looking to dive deeper into specialty coffee culture this year, 2026 brings an incredible lineup of festivals, tastings, and professional events across the United States.
From massive industry showcases to intimate community gatherings, these top coffee events offer something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned barista, a home brewing enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates a perfectly crafted cup.
Let’s check out some of the top five coffee events you should attend in this new year.
- World of Coffee, San Diego
Leading the pack as the flagship coffee event of 2026, World of Coffee, San Diego takes center stage from April 10-12 at the San Diego Convention Center. This massive gathering, formerly known as the Specialty Coffee Expo, has been rebranded to reflect its truly global appeal and brings together over 15,000 coffee enthusiasts and professionals from around the world.
Top Reasons To Attend
- World Coffee Championships: You’ll find more than 650 exhibitors from over 50 countries showcasing everything from rare coffee origins to the latest brewing equipment. The event hosts the prestigious World Coffee Championships, where you can watch the world’s best baristas, brewers, and cuppers compete for top honors.
Also, you can attend award functions such as the Coffee Design Awards and Best New Product Awards to keep up with the latest trends in the coffee industry.
- Expert-Led Lectures: The educational component is equally impressive, with over 60 lectures covering topics like sustainable farming practices, advanced roasting science, and innovative business strategies.
- Hands-on workshops let you practice new skills, while cupping sessions allow you to taste coffees from producers you might never otherwise encounter. Trade matchmaking events facilitate meaningful connections between roasters, importers, and cafe owners, while after-parties provide relaxed networking in San Diego’s vibrant coastal setting.
- San Antonio Coffee Festival
Kicking off the festival season on February 7, the San Antonio Coffee Festival transforms Civic Park at Hemisfair into a vibrant outdoor celebration of coffee. This one-day extravaganza perfectly captures Texas hospitality while showcasing the best of regional and national coffee roasters.
Top Reasons To Attend
- Unique Blends To Explore: With over 30 roasters pouring more than 80 unique coffees, you’ll have the chance to explore everything from single-origin Ethiopian naturals to complex blends. Live roasting demonstrations let you watch the transformation of green beans right before your eyes, while latte art competitions showcase the artistry that goes into every perfectly poured cappuccino.
- Engaging Workshops: The festival caters to all skill levels with workshops ranging from beginner pour-over techniques to advanced espresso dialing. Sensory pairing sessions combine local Texas foods with complementary coffees, creating unexpected flavor discoveries.
- A Holistic Coffee Experience: Beyond coffee, the festival embraces community with live music performances, food trucks offering diverse cuisines, artisan markets selling handcrafted mugs and brewing equipment, and even a kids’ zone for families.
- Coffee Fest, New York
Running from March 8 through 10, Coffee Fest, New York at the iconic Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan serves as a major hub for both industry professionals and serious coffee enthusiasts.
This three-day event draws over 8,000 attendees eager to explore the latest innovations in coffee equipment, packaging, and green coffee sourcing.
Top Reasons To Attend
- Witness The Latte Art World Championship Open: This is a fun, bracket-style, sudden-death competition where baristas go head-to-head in amatch.
Each competitor makes one free-pour drink for the judges — no etching or tools, no powders, nothing fancy — just milk and espresso. The judges score both drinks, and whoever gets the higher total from the three judges moves on to the next round. The other competitor is out. Pretty intense, right?
- Refine Your Palate At The Cupping Corner: The Cupping Corner is a can’t-miss spot at Coffee Fest, where you can join guided tastings led by coffee pros and explore a curated selection of coffees with expert insights.
Whether you’re already familiar with cupping or trying it for the first time, this hands-on experience helps you sharpen your sensory skills by identifying flavor notes, acidity, body, and balance, while also giving you the chance to sample exclusive coffees from roasters and importers.
It’s also a great place to connect and network with other coffee professionals in a relaxed, interactive setting.
- A Business-to-Business Event: What sets this event apart is its strong business focus. More than 200 vendors fill the exhibition floor, offering everything from commercial espresso machines to sustainable packaging solutions.
Dedicated tracks cover profitability strategies, menu development, and operational efficiency for cafe owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Cupping labs teach you to identify flavor notes and quality markers, skills that translate whether you’re buying beans wholesale or simply selecting your next bag at a local roaster.
Consumer hours welcome coffee lovers who might not work in the industry but want to deepen their appreciation through free tastings and demonstrations of emerging technologies like automated tamping systems.
The New York location also makes this event highly accessible for anyone in the Northeast corridor, requiring just a two-hour drive or train ride from many major cities.
Also Read: Does Indian Filter Coffee Contain Chicory? Taste, Tradition & Benefits Explained
- Dallas Coffee Festival
The Dallas Coffee Festival spans two full days on April 18 and 19 at the Dallas Market Center, offering an immersive weekend that celebrates both traditional coffee heritage and contemporary innovations.
With approximately 30 specialty roasters representing national and international origins, the festival creates a truly diverse tasting experience.
Top Reasons To Attend
Think of the Dallas Coffee Festival as your excuse to turn a regular day into a full-on coffee hangout. You’ll meet a hand-selected mix of exhibitors—DFW’s favorite roasters included—pouring everything from standout brews to teas and seriously good eats.
Add live music, a lively crowd, and the legendary Gilley’s backdrop, and you’ve got the kind of place where you can keep sampling coffee and soaking up the vibe for hours.
- Northeast Coffee Festival, Concord
Closing out our top five, the Northeast Coffee Festival takes place on May 15 and 16 in Concord, New Hampshire, offering a more intimate alternative to the massive urban festivals.
This two-day regional showcase brings together coffee roasters for a celebration focused on local coffee culture and sustainable sourcing.
Top Reasons To Attend
Farm-direct cuppings provide transparency about coffee origins and allow direct conversations with producers about their growing practices.
Brewer showdowns pit different methods against each other, helping you understand how equipment affects flavor. Home brewing workshops cater specifically to enthusiasts looking to improve their daily coffee ritual without commercial equipment.
Producer question-and-answer sessions dive into topics like climate-resilient coffee varietals and organic farming certifications, reflecting the region’s strong environmental values. Acoustic musical performances and local food pairings create a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere.
Also Read: How to Use a Brass Filter to Make Authentic South Indian Filter Coffee
Conclusion
Each of these top coffee events in 2026 offers distinct experiences suited to different interests and travel preferences.
Consider your budget, travel distance, and coffee interests when choosing which events to attend. Many enthusiasts plan mini-vacations around these festivals, exploring the host city’s craft beer scene, restaurants, and attractions.
Whatever you choose, these coffee events promise to deepen your appreciation for specialty coffee while connecting you with a community of passionate coffee lovers from across the country.


