Summary
The love of chocolate dates back to 2,000 B.C., where it was first cultivated in Central America. Cacao plants found in the tropical rainforests were first brewed into an invigorating drink. Over the years, chocolate evolved into a wide range of treats and has become a booming multi-billion dollar industry. Therefore, what better way to explore and satisfy your tastes than to attend a chocolate festival? Here is a guide to some great events in the Washington, D.C. area. Notably, the largest and longest-running festival is the Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, Virginia.
McLean Chocolate Festival
The annual festival features a taste of the specialties of local chocolatiers, coupled with live entertainment by Adagio School of Dance, The Sunshine Gang, and flutist Sharyn Byer. The McLean Chocolate Festival is sponsored by the Rotary Club of McLean, and the proceeds benefit many local organizations.
Date: January 27, 2019, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA.
Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival
This annual two-day event is a community favorite and features The Chocolate Challenge, showcasing breathtaking art made completely of chocolate. Consequently, the festival serves as a fantastic Valentine’s Day event with chocolate vendors offering samples and products at the Taste of Chocolate. Other activities include the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast featuring chocolate chip pancakes, historical reenactments, children’s games, a craft show, and more. The Chocolate Lovers Festival was initially developed in 1992 as a collaborative effort among various local organizations, including the City of Fairfax and George Mason University.
Date: February 1-3, 2018
Location: Downtown Historic Fairfax, 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA.
Hours: Friday, Liquid Chocolate only from 6-8 p.m.; Saturday – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday noon – 4 p.m.
Chocolate Lovers Affair
This Valentine’s Day event in Calvert County, Maryland, satisfies your chocolate cravings with live entertainment, live and silent auctions, and more. Proceeds from this event benefit the local Chamber of Commerce.
Date: To be announced
Location: Prince Frederick, MD.
Bel Air Chocolate, Brew, and Wine Tour
Sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, adults 21 and older can participate in this exciting “pub crawl” event designed for beer and chocolate enthusiasts. The ticket price of $45 includes a drink at each pub and a discounted food menu with a chance to win a raffle. Participating restaurants have included such popular spots as Looney’s Pub, MaGerk’s Pub, Sean Bolan’s Irish Pub, and more. Notably, delicious chocolate will be provided by La Cakerie, Flavor Cupcakery, Sunny Day Cafe, and Coffee Coffee.
Date: March 2, 2019, 1-7 p.m.
DC Chocolate Festival
This exciting festival is sponsored by the Chocolate House (located at 1904 18th St NW Washington, D.C., 202-903-0346), a boutique specializing in artisan chocolate sourced from around the world. The event features tastings of various chocolate products, classes led by chocolate experts, and a silent auction to benefit D.C. Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training Program. Attendees will have the opportunity to eat, learn about chocolate, and connect with chocolate vendors. (Date and Location to be announced).
