NEW ORLEANS / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 12, 2026 / Beignet Fest has been named one of the Top 10 Best Specialty Food Festivals in the United States, earning the No. 8 spot in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The national recognition places Beignet Fest among the country’s premier food festivals, as voted on by readers following nominations from a panel of culinary and travel experts and editors with USA TODAY’s USA TODAY 10Best.

The official results were announced Wednesday, March 11.

“This honor means a lot because it comes directly from the public,” said Sherwood Collins, founder and executive director of the Beignet Fest Foundation and executive producer of Beignet Fest. “Beignet Fest started as a way to celebrate a beloved New Orleans treat while raising awareness and funding for children on the autism spectrum. To now be recognized nationally among the country’s best food festivals is incredibly meaningful for our team and our community.”

Founded in 2016, Beignet Fest has grown into a signature New Orleans event that brings together local chefs, restaurants and food trucks to create inventive takes on the classic beignet. Each year, thousands attendees gather in City Park to sample dozens of unique beignet dishes while enjoying live music, a curated local art market, beer garden, kids village and other activations.

The 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Specialty Food Festival ranked as follows:

1. Delta Hot Tamale Festival
2. Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
3. Picklesburgh
4. Cheese Curd Festival
5. National Buffalo Wing Festival
6. National Shrimp Festival
7. Oregon Chocolate Festival
8. Beignet Fest
9. Kauai Poke Fest
10. Drinks With Benefits

“These nominations were compiled by food and travel experts before being put to a nationwide public vote,” Collins said. “We are proud to represent New Orleans and Louisiana on this list.”

The full list of winners can be viewed at: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-specialty-food-festival/.