ChiliFest 2026

Bethlehem is celebrating 30 years of its annual chili competition this fall with the return of ChiliFest on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 12 to 5 p.m.

Begun in 1996, the original chili cook-off was part of SouthSide Bethlehem’s bygone “Spring on 3rd, What’s on 4th?” celebration. Over the years, the cook-off evolved into ChiliFest, now held each October in the SouthSide Arts District. Local eateries and businesses throughout the district compete for special awards, with winners determined by festivalgoers and a panel of local celebrity judges.

To take part, guests can purchase a ChiliFest passport which includes a sample of every competing chili along the event trail, plus a commemorative spoon celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary. Last year, 24 locations competed for ChiliFest honors. Passports are $35 and available for purchase through the SouthSide Arts District website.

The celebration will culminate with the announcement of the 2026 Chili Champions at 5:30 p.m. on the ChiliFest main stage, located on the South Bethlehem Greenway between New and Adams streets.

Attendees can bring a nonperishable donation for the Bethlehem Parking Authority’s food drive benefiting the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off at the SouthSide Arts District Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and donors will receive two hours of free parking in Bethlehem’s New Street Garage.

The afternoon will feature live music from Dear Anna, Melody Cruz, The Billy Bauer Duo and Seth Witcher.

This event is made possible through the generous support of Lehigh University, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, ArtsQuest and Wind Creek Bethlehem.

The SouthSide Arts District is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program of the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO), established in 2015. SSAD’s mission is to build upon the community’s entrepreneurial, cultural, and artistic heritage to support economic development for South Bethlehem’s businesses.