2026 Saratoga Chowderfest: What You Need to Know
Editor’s Note: The following guide reflects details from the 2026 Saratoga Chowderfest. Check back next year for info regarding Chowderfest 2027!
Saratoga Chowderfest returns on Saturday, February 7, 2026, celebrating local restaurants and their best chowder creations across Saratoga Springs and beyond. Sample a wide range of chowders, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in one of the area’s most popular winter traditions.
Saratoga Chowderfest 2026: Date, Time & Location
Here’s what to know before you head out to Chowderfest:
- Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Event Time: 11am–4pm
- Main Festival Area: Broadway, downtown Saratoga Springs
To ensure safety and improve the event experience, Broadway will be closed to vehicular traffic from Lake Avenue to Washington Avenue between 10:00am and 4:30pm. This extended closure allows time for event setup and breakdown while giving attendees plenty of room to move comfortably throughout the day.
While Broadway is home to the main outdoor festival, select restaurants outside of downtown Saratoga Springs also participate, giving visitors additional opportunities to enjoy chowder beyond the street festival.
How Saratoga Chowderfest Works
Saratoga Chowderfest is designed to be easy, affordable, and fun for everyone.
Participating restaurants serve 4 oz. chowder samples for $2 each, making it simple to try a variety of styles and flavors. From traditional clam chowder to creative seafood blends and specialty recipes, there’s no shortage of options to explore.
Helpful tips for the day:
- Arrive early to sample more chowders with shorter lines
- Share samples with friends to stretch your budget
- Take breaks indoors if you need to warm up
The festival will also feature live entertainment and family-friendly activities all day long at participating venues and restaurants.
How to Vote for Your Favorite Chowder
Once you’ve sampled your favorites, don’t forget to vote! For Chowderfest 2026, voting has gone mobile to make it easier than ever to support your favorite local spots.
By casting your ballot through the Discover Saratoga mobile app, you’ll not only help crown the winners for fan favorites and specialty awards but also be entered for a chance to win $1,000 worth of gift cards to Saratoga area businesses and restaurants.
How to Vote:
- Download the App: The Discover Saratoga mobile app is free to download on the App Store and Google Play.
- Create an Account: You must register with a valid email address to participate in the voting and the giveaway.
- Find the Event: Open the app and click on the Chowderfest section, then select Chowderfest 2026.
- Submit Your Choice: Select your favorite participating location and hit the vote button!
Important Details:
- Deadline: Be sure to submit your vote before the polls close at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, to ensure it counts.
- Limit: Voting is limited to one vote per person.
Get Your Saratoga Chowderfest Gear
Take home a souvenir—or gear up for the cold—with official Chowderfest merchandise.
Items for Sale:
- Long sleeve commemorative shirts: $20 (XXL is $22)
- Knit beanies: $15
- Official reusable spoons: $5
Where to Buy:
- Saratoga Hilton Lower Lobby: Available Saturday, 2/7, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Heritage Area Visitor Center: Available Saturday, 2/7, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Fest Sales: If you want to grab your gear early, shirts will be sold at the Visitor Center from Tuesday, 2/3, through Friday, 2/6, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Please note: Credit card transactions are subject to additional fees.
Last Year's Stats
Chowderfest continues to grow, drawing large crowds and strong restaurant participation each year.
2025 Event Highlights:
- 89 participating vendors, including 13 first-time participants
- Over 109,000 bowls of chowder served
- Attendance exceeded 35,000 people
These numbers reflect the event’s popularity and its importance to Saratoga Springs’ winter events calendar.
Mark your calendar and get ready for Saratoga Chowderfest!
See Chowderfest parking info >>
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