FoodieLand returns to the State Fairgrounds this weekend. What to know

The popular national food festival made its Arizona debut last spring. Now it's back for a second feast.

March 19, 2025

FoodieLand was inspired by Asian night markets and many of the vendors incorporated Asian fusion into their offerings. Last year, we enjoyed a Firecracker Ahi Tuna taco stuffed with sweet rice and spicy mayo-drenched tuna. Tirion Boan

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

The national food festival FoodieLand pops up in cities around the country. Last March, the large event made its Arizona debut with two weekends filled with food taking place across the Valley.

During the first weekend, excited attendees lined up and cars snaked through the parking lot at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Vendors from around Arizona, California and beyond set up their tents and tables and served everything from typical fried fair food to the viral tanghulu, skewers of fresh fruit coated in a clear sugar shell.

Now, the festival is headed back to the fairgrounds for another spring event. Unlike last year, the second weekend is spread out and will take place at Phoenix Raceway in October.

click to enlarge

FoodieLand will have over 250 vendors this year selling unique food and drinks. Last year, this sugarcane juice was a welcome refresher among the bites.

Tirion Boan

Starting on Friday afternoon, food and drink vendors will set up in the parking lots surrounding the fairgrounds. The festival runs from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Re-entry is not allowed.

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased online; kids under 5 get in for free. Parking is $12 and cars should enter through the gates at Monte Vista Road and 19th Avenue. The event is not pet friendly and backpacks are not allowed. Strollers and purses are allowed, but there are security checkpoints at the entrance.

Food and drinks can be purchased at individual vendors. Along with the wide selection of food tents and trucks selling treats from around the world, there will also be artisan vendors and live performances on a main stage.

click to enlarge

One of the local options that never fails to please at Valley food festivals is Hot Bamboo. Their character bao are (almost) too cute to eat.

Tirion Boan

FoodieLand was inspired by Asian night markets and attendees are encouraged to walk through the festival sampling small bites from lots of different tents. The festival started in Berkeley, California in 2019 and has since expanded to include events throughout California, Texas, Nevada and Washington.

Last year's Phoenix events featured around 185 vendors each, serving birria, pasta from a melted cheese wheel, sushi tacos, Cajun frogs legs, barbecue, mochi, crepes and more. This year, the festival will include over 250 different vendors. So secure those tickets, leave any pets at home and make sure you're hungry for this food-filled event.

FoodieLand

March 21-23
Arizona State Fairgrounds
1826 W. McDowell Road

Tirion Boan is the Food Editor of Phoenix New Times where she’s worked since May 2022. Tirion keeps a close eye on restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on metro Phoenix food news and trends. She also publishes major annual lists like Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the Best of Phoenix project. Tirion previously worked for publications including The Arizona Republic and The Tucson Weekly. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from the University of Arizona.

A message from Tirion Boan: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's evolving dining scene and the chefs and restaurants that serve our community.

Support Today