Frequently Asked Questions

A Taste Of The DMV: Food, Music & Cultural Festival  started in 2021 as a small event with just a few food trucks and vendors. It has since grown into a major festival with dozens of food vendors and thousands of attendees.

A Taste Of The DMV: Food, Music & Cultural Festival  offers a wide variety of street food options, including tacos, burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, pizza, and more. We also have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

In addition to the food vendors, A Taste Of The DMV: Food, Music & Cultural Festival  also features live music, games, and activities for all ages.

Taste DMV Year 6 will take place at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Exact entrance, parking, rideshare, and gate information will be provided before the festival.

Taste DMV is more than a food festival. It’s a multicultural Festival of Festivals featuring food, live music, cultural experiences, shopping, fashion, competitions, family activities, specialty expos, and entertainment throughout the fairgrounds.

General Admission is $10 for adults. Children 11 and under are FREE. Tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the gate, subject to availability.

Admission gives you access to the festival grounds and the majority of Taste DMV experiences, including cultural districts, live entertainment, performances, shopping areas, exhibits, parades, family attractions, and more. Food, beverages, merchandise, and certain premium or specialty experiences are purchased separately.

Outside food and beverages are NOT PERMITTED. 

Yes. Taste DMV plans to feature designated 21+ areas, including the Beer Garden and other approved beverage experiences. Guests purchasing or consuming alcohol must present valid government-issued identification.

Absolutely. Saturday and Sunday will feature extensive family programming, including Kids World, entertainment, activities, interactive experiences, youth entrepreneurship, and cultural programming. Friday’s Taste After Dark programming is planned as a 21+ experience.

Yes—that’s one of the biggest parts of Taste DMV. Guests will be able to explore food and cultural experiences inspired by the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Louisiana, the DMV and beyond.

Yes. Food and beverages are purchased directly from participating vendors unless specifically included with a premium experience.

A LOT. Taste DMV is being designed as an all-day experience with multiple stages, cultural performances, shopping, fashion, competitions, Artist Alley, Kids World, specialty expos, demonstrations, parades, interactive attractions, and more.

Official parking areas, entrances, rideshare locations, and transportation instructions will be published before the festival. We strongly recommend checking the website before traveling to the event for the latest transportation information.

Taste DMV is committed to creating an experience that can be enjoyed by guests of varying abilities. Detailed accessibility information, including accessible parking and accommodations, will be published as event logistics are finalized.

Guests must follow Taste DMV and Montgomery County Fairgrounds safety policies. Prohibited items include outside alcohol, controlled substances, weapons or objects that could be used as weapons, drones, and other items prohibited by venue or festival security. The Fairgrounds also prohibits disorderly conduct and unauthorized soliciting.

Service animals only. They will be accommodated in accordance with applicable requirements. 

Yes, tickets are planned to be available online and at the gate, subject to capacity and availability. Purchasing in advance is recommended.

Taste DMV welcomes restaurants, food trucks, makers, retailers, artists, entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, nonprofits, and other qualifying businesses. Vendor applications will be available through the festival website.

Taste DMV offers sponsorship opportunities ranging from traditional brand visibility to major branded districts and immersive activations. Companies interested in participating can contact the Taste DMV team through the sponsorship section of the website.

Can cultural organizations, embassies, or community groups participate?

The Taste DMV Passport turns the festival into an adventure. Guests can travel through participating cultural districts, collect stamps, discover new foods and experiences, and potentially unlock festival rewards and prizes.

Come comfortable and ready to explore. Taste DMV covers a large fairgrounds campus, so comfortable shoes are strongly recommended. And yes—festival fits are encouraged. 😎