A Sweet Celebration of Craft and Innovation

Mark your calendars for October 3 – 4, 2026, as the Northwest Chocolate Festival returns to Seattle, Washington! Renowned as one of the world’s premier chocolate events, the festival offers a delectable experience for chocolate enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious newcomers alike. Held at the Seattle Center Expo Hall, the 2026 edition promises a weekend of indulgence, education, and innovation in all things chocolate.

A Chocolate Lover’s Paradise

The Northwest Chocolate Festival is a dream come true for anyone passionate about chocolate. With exhibitors from around the globe, the event showcases a wide variety of offerings, including bean-to-bar chocolates, confections, truffles, drinking chocolates, and more. Guests can sample an array of chocolates while meeting artisans, farmers, and chocolatiers behind the creations.

This year’s festival features an expanded marketplace, offering a variety of unique chocolate products and gifts perfect for the holiday season. Whether you’re a fan of dark, milk, or white chocolate—or seeking vegan, gluten-free, or sugar-free options—the festival offers something for every palate.

The 2026 exhibitor lineup brings together more than 100 chocolate and cacao businesses from around the world. Canada is represented by several makers, including Qantu of Montréal, Allo Simonne of Quebec and Black Jaguar Chocolate of British Columbia, giving Canadian visitors a familiar connection within the international showcase.

Educational Workshops and Tastings

One of the highlights of the Northwest Chocolate Festival is its robust educational program. With workshops and seminars scheduled throughout the weekend, attendees can dive deep into the world of chocolate. Topics range from cacao sourcing and sustainability to chocolate tempering and pairing techniques.

The festival’s education programme gives visitors opportunities to learn directly from chocolate makers, chefs and cacao professionals. The Chocolate Experience Center hosts workshops, tastings and hands-on learning, while demonstrations bring chocolate techniques and craftsmanship to the stage.

For those looking to refine their tasting skills, guided chocolate tastings will teach participants how to identify subtle flavour notes and appreciate the nuances of craft chocolate.

An Industry Gathering Before the Festival

Ahead of the public festival, the Chocolate Makers UnConference takes place on October 2, bringing together professionals from across the cacao and chocolate supply chain. The participant-driven programme focuses on dialogue, collaboration and the future of artisan chocolate.

Celebrating Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing

At its core, the Northwest Chocolate Festival is dedicated to promoting sustainability and ethical practices in the chocolate industry. The event brings together cacao farmers, chocolate makers, and industry experts to discuss ways to create a more equitable supply chain.

Visitors can engage directly with cacao producers from countries like Ecuador, Ghana, and Madagascar, learning about the challenges they face and the innovations they’re pursuing to improve quality and livelihoods.

A Family-Friendly Event

The Northwest Chocolate Festival is an inclusive event, offering fun for visitors of all ages. Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities like chocolate-making demonstrations and hands-on workshops. The interactive nature of the festival ensures that children can have a sweet time while learning about the journey from cacao beans to chocolate bars.

Few North American chocolate events bring together this breadth of makers, cacao professionals and chocolate enthusiasts in one place. With more than 100 exhibitors expected in Seattle — including Canadian makers — the Northwest Chocolate Festival offers Canadian chocolate lovers an opportunity to discover both familiar names and international producers under one roof.