Northampton, MA – Clear your calendar and bring your appetite: the Taste of Northampton returns September 13–14, 2025, reclaiming its original home in the Armory Street Lot and serving up two days of food, music, and community celebration.
Taste of Northampton is a 90’s baby
The original Taste of Northampton launched in the 1990s and ran through the early 2000s as a four-day feast in the Armory Street Lot. It became a cultural touchstone, a place where the city’s food scene, music, and sense of community all converged.
A revival was first floated in 2019, when a group of restaurateurs approached the city with plans for 2020. Then the pandemic hit, and everything went quiet.
A 2022 comeback
The comeback finally arrived in 2022, when Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra’s Economic Development team secured state grant funding to partner with the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA).
The outcome was a new one-day Taste of Northampton (2022-2024) that drew more than 10,000 people each year and reminded everyone why the event mattered.
Now in 2025, the Taste is leveling up again. Under new DNA leadership and in collaboration with the Parlor Room Collective, the group behind the Iron Horse, and the Back Porch Festival, the festival returns to its roots in the Armory Lot and expands to a full two days, backed by continued support from the city.
What’s cooking
Dozens of restaurants and specialty vendors will be serving up signature dishes, festival specials, and creative samples. Expect a global spread of flavors and Valley comfort food classics, including:
- Pork and vegetable dumplings, Thai shumai, organic peanut noodles
- LA Kalbi street tacos, pulled pork sliders, and gourmet burgers
- Loaded fries, mac & cheese bites, and sesame chicken
- Beef bourguignon stew, mini pizza bagels, and fresh pizza slices
- Raw oysters, clam chowder, gumbo, crab cakes, and shrimp cocktail
- Fried Oreos, medovik cake cups, peach cheesecake parfaits, and Herrell’s ice cream
- Local craft beers, wines, specialty coffee, and non-alcoholic options
With most dishes priced between $5 and $8, the Taste is designed to be accessible for families and adventurous foodies alike.
Sounds to match the flavors
This year’s music lineup is just as eclectic as the menu. It includes:
- Los Consentidos (NYC) – Salsa rhythms to keep the crowd moving.
- The Classicals – Rock driven by Western MA’s Elliot Hartmann Russell.
- Daisy Skelton (London) – Indie-pop with heart and honesty.
- Mtali Banda – Saxophonist and composer blending jazz, soul, and Afrobeats.
- The Hendersons Blues Band – Blues veterans Bo and Janny Henderson joined by Nighttime Will and Joey on a century-old drum kit.
- Bongohead (Pablo E. Yglesias) – Cuban-American DJ spinning global sounds.
A reminder of Northampton’s rizzy nature
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra said it best: “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.”
Beyond the plates and performances, the Taste is about momentum. Each September, it re-energizes downtown, drawing thousands of people into Northampton’s restaurants, shops, and cultural spaces. It’s a boost to the local economy and a vibe-check for those who may have lost faith in Northampton’s everlasting rizz.
Taste of Northampton details
- Dates: Saturday, Sept. 13 (11 a.m.–8 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 14 (11 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Location: Armory Street Parking Lot, downtown Northampton (behind Thornes Market, next to the E.J. Gare Garage).
Follow @northamptondna and @taste_of_northampton on Instagram for updates.
The Taste of Northampton is no longer just a memory of the ’90s. It’s a living tradition called to feed Northampton’s soul as much as its stomach.
