If you’ve never been to the Taste of Syracuse and you live anywhere in our four area codes, this is the year to fix that.
CNY’s largest food and music festival returns to Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse on Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. Admission is completely free.
Here’s what you’re walking into:
Over 30 bands and more than 100 local musicians perform throughout the weekend on three stages, with nationally acclaimed rock band Fuel, known for hits like “Shimmer” and “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” headlining the main stage on Saturday night. More than 100 food vendors will be on site, including at least 10 new additions alongside longtime festival staples. New vendors this year include Calle Tropical, Crooked Cattle, Easy Cheesy Flavor, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, Raj Saffron House, and Ruby’s Colombian Cuisine.
The $2 sample format is back… small plates that turn a walk through downtown into a choose-your-own tasting tour. It’s one of the most family-friendly food festival formats you’ll find anywhere: kids can try things without committing to a full portion, adults can work through half a dozen cuisines in an afternoon, and nobody goes home feeling like they left something on the table.
The festival’s popular youth talent showcase returns Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – worth catching early in the day before the crowds build. Art in the Park returns to Perseverance Park, featuring local artists, makers, and creators.
This year’s Taste also carries a meaningful mission. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Taste of Syracuse has chosen Honor Flight Syracuse and Feed Our Vets as its charitable beneficiaries — organizations that recognize the sacrifice of veterans and their families and provide critical support to those who have served.
From Corning, it’s about 90 minutes. From Elmira, about 75. From Ithaca, just over an hour. Pack the family in, bring some cash for samples, and make a day of it in downtown Syracuse.
Clinton Square in early June with 100 food vendors and three stages of live music is pretty great taste of summer in Central New York. 🍴🎸
Full vendor list and entertainment schedule at tasteofsyracuse.com.