Chocolate becomes an art form when the Oregon Chocolate Festival returns to Ashland from March 5–7, 2027. Celebrating its 23rd year, the three-day festival brings together chocolatiers, winemakers and flavour creators for a weekend devoted to tasting, discovery and creativity.

The theme for 2027 is The Art of Chocolate, putting the focus on the imagination and craftsmanship behind every creation. Visitors can expect opportunities to discover new flavours, meet makers, explore unexpected pairings and vote for festival favourites.

Where Chocolate, Creativity and Oregon Flavours Meet

The Oregon Chocolate Festival has grown into an annual celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s artisan food culture. Rather than focusing only on finished chocolate, the festival creates experiences around the people, ingredients and ideas behind it.

The 2027 weekend will once again combine its central chocolate marketplace with culinary events and activities throughout Ashland. The festival currently lists a Chocolate Dinner, Chocolate Happy Hour, Chocolate Brunch, Cocoa & Cocktails, family activities and Culinary Stage among its 2027 experiences.

Meet the Chocolate Makers

The festival marketplace gives visitors the opportunity to meet chocolatiers, confectioners and other artisan producers while sampling their creations.

Chocolate may be the star, but the festival also celebrates complementary flavours. Its broader mix has traditionally included wine, desserts and specialty foods, creating opportunities to explore chocolate through different pairings and preparations.

For 2027, the complete participating vendor roster is still developing, so individual makers can be added once the organiser finalises the list.

The Art of Chocolate

This year’s theme provides a natural opportunity to look more closely at chocolate as a creative medium.

A beautifully finished bonbon, carefully blended chocolate bar or unexpected flavour combination can involve considerable experimentation. The festival invites visitors to appreciate those details while discovering the makers responsible for them.

Visitors will also have opportunities to vote for their favourites, adding an interactive element to the weekend.

Chocolate Beyond the Marketplace

Some of the festival’s most interesting experiences happen away from the main marketplace. The 2027 programme already identifies several complementary events, including a Chocolate Dinner, Chocolate Happy Hour and Chocolate Brunch. An evening Cocoa & Cocktails experience is also returning.

Specific menus, times and ticket details for these experiences are still being released. They can be added to this guide once confirmed rather than relying on information from previous editions.

Learn More at the Culinary Stage

Chocolate enthusiasts interested in the craft behind what they taste can watch for the festival’s 2027 Culinary Stage. The organiser has confirmed that Culinary Stage access will be included with 2027 festival admission. The detailed schedule of demonstrations, guided tastings, talks and participating experts is still to come.

That programme should eventually give the article another strong update opportunity once the 2027 presenters are announced.

Chocolate Fun for the Family

The Oregon Chocolate Festival isn’t designed only for serious food enthusiasts. Family activities form part of the weekend, giving younger visitors ways to participate in the celebration.

One confirmed activity for 2027 is the playful Wonka Chocolate Costume Contest. Children and adults can dress in chocolate- or candy-inspired costumes, take a festival photo and enter through social media.

Make a Weekend of Ashland

The three-day format makes the Oregon Chocolate Festival particularly suited to a weekend getaway. Ashland provides restaurants, shops, galleries and other attractions to explore between chocolate experiences.

The festival itself reinforces that destination approach by offering overnight packages alongside its regular event programming.

For travelling chocolate lovers, that combination turns the festival into more than an afternoon of sampling. It offers an opportunity to experience chocolate while discovering one of southern Oregon’s best-known cultural destinations.

Planning a Visit in 2027

Oregon Chocolate Festival takes place March 5–7, 2027, in Ashland, Oregon. Tickets for the 2027 festival are already on sale, while the complete vendor list, Culinary Stage programme and schedules for individual experiences will continue to be announced.

With its The Art of Chocolate theme, 23 years of festival history and combination of chocolate, food and destination experiences, the 2027 edition offers plenty for visitors who want to explore chocolate beyond the traditional box of truffles.

Oregon Chocolate Festival official website