08/11/2025
Always a great time!
Taste of Northampton Returns Sept. 13-14, 2025
Culinary Celebration Expands Back Home in the Armory Lot Location
NORTHAMPTON, MA – The highly anticipated Taste of Northampton is back for two full days of culinary delights on Sept. 13-14, 2025. This beloved annual event returns to its original site, the Armory Lot, transforming it into a vibrant food festival, celebrating the diverse and thriving local restaurant scene that makes the Pioneer Valley a premier dining destination.
The two-day festival will feature dozens of participating restaurants and specialty vendors offering signature dishes, creative samples, and exclusive festival specials. From farm-to-table cuisine and international flavors to artisanal desserts and craft beverages, Taste of Northampton provides food enthusiasts with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the city's culinary landscape in one exciting weekend.
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra shared, “I’m so proud that our public-private partnership has fully restored this beloved event. We’ve shown that great food and beverages, quality entertainment, and our welcoming community can sustain an event that supports downtown vibrancy and strengthens Northampton’s sense of connection.”
The DNA in partnership with the city's Economic Development Department and the Arts & Culture Department will be curating this year's musical lineup, ensuring the perfect soundtrack for this culinary celebration.
The Music Line-Up Includes:
● NYC Salsa Band Los Consentidos – Infectious Latin rhythms that will keep you moving all night.
● The Classicals – Guitar-driven rock from Western MA’s Elliot Hartmann Russell and Requested Records.
● Daisy Skelton – London-based indie-pop artist with tender, honest songwriting about life’s quiet chaos.
● The Hendersons Blues Band – Bo and Janny Henderson, bringing over 40 years of blues, joined by Nighttime Will on harmonica and Joey on a century-old drum kit.
● Bongohead (Pablo E. Yglesias) – A Cuban-American DJ and artist spinning an eclectic set blending global sounds.
Event Highlights Include:
● Restaurant Showcases – Sample signature dishes from acclaimed local establishments.
● International Cuisine – Asian dumplings, Thai shumai, Mexican street tacos, Polish pierogi, and Russian shashlik kebabs.
● Comfort Food Favorites – Gourmet burgers, pulled pork sliders, loaded fries, mac & cheese bites, and hot dogs.
● Seafood Specialties – Fresh raw oysters, gumbo, crab cakes, clam chowder, and shrimp cocktail.
● Sweet Treats – Fried Oreos, medovik cake cups, peach cheesecake parfaits, and Herrell’s ice cream.
● Craft Beverages – Seasonal beers, local wines, specialty coffee, and refreshing non-alcoholic options.
● Family-Friendly Fun – Entertainment and activities for all ages.
● Artisan Vendors – Local makers showcasing specialty foods and unique products.
Featured Food Offerings Include: From Little Wall Restaurant’s creative dishes to La Veracruzana’s authentic Mexican cuisine, festival-goers can enjoy pork and vegetable dumplings, sesame chicken, veggie lo mein, gourmet burgers, specialty fries and loaded tater tots, fresh pizza slices, LA Kalbi street tacos, beef bourguignon stew, organic peanut noodles, mini pizza bagels, and much more. Most food items are priced between $5-$8, making the
festival accessible for families and food adventurers alike.
The original Taste of Northampton was held in the Armory Street lot over four days throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A group of restaurateurs approached the city in 2019 about a revival for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined that effort. In 2022, Mayor Sciarra's Economic Development team secured state grant funding to partner with the DNA and successfully brought the event back. Since then, more than 10,000 people have attended each year.
This year, under new DNA leadership and in collaboration with the Parlor Room Collective (Iron Horse, Parlor Room, Back Porch Festival), the Taste returns to its original home in the Armory Lot and expands to two days with continued support from the city.
Event Details: September 13-14, 2025
Where: Armory Street Parking Lot* in Downtown Northampton, MA
Time: Saturday, September 13, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Sunday September 14, from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
*The Armory Street Parking Lot is located behind Thornes Market, next to the E.J. Gare Parking Garage.
For more information leading up to the event, follow the DNA on social media, and on Instagram. For sponsorship opportunities, contact info@nohodna.org.
The Downtown Northampton Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the business and cultural vitality of Northampton, Massachusetts. Through collaborative partnerships, strategic initiatives, and community-focused programming, the organization works to support a thriving downtown, foster creative and economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses.
https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31927
