Food, Festivals, and Flavor in Albany, Oregon

Food lovers will find plenty to celebrate in Albany and the surrounding region, where culinary traditions and community spirit come together all year long. These food- and drink-focused events invite you to sip, sample, and connect with the people and flavors that make our area unique.

First Taste Oregon has long brought together some of the best of the state’s food and drink under one roof. For years, the annual festival was held at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center in Salem. In 2026, the organizers unveiled a new chapter — moving the event south to the Linn County Expo Center in Albany.

With its new location, First Taste Oregon promises a fresh experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike. The Linn County Expo Center offers updated facilities and greater convenience for both attendees and vendors. The change of venue reflects the festival’s growth and ambition to offer more than just tastings — but a full weekend celebration of Oregon’s culinary culture.

Visitors can still expect the core highlights that have defined First Taste Oregon: award-winning wines, small-batch spirits, craft beers, gourmet foods, and handmade artisan goods. In addition, organizers say there will be expanded perks: VIP passes, an exclusive Swank Lounge, live music on the First Taste Stage, convenient on-site RV camping, and shuttle service to nearby hotels.

For vendors, the move to Albany means a refreshed showcase environment. The updated facility offers improved amenities, simplified logistics, and a venue better suited to accommodate a growing number of exhibitors from across Oregon’s food, drink, and artisan communities.

As First Taste Oregon prepares for its next edition in Albany — set for February 6 and 7, 2026 — locals and visitors have a new opportunity to explore the best of Oregon’s culinary scene, all within easy reach of the heart of the Willamette Valley.

Crab Fest with Greater Albany Rotary Club
Every February, the aroma of fresh Dungeness crab fills the air during this beloved all-you-can-eat fundraiser. Feast on tender Oregon Coast crab while supporting local nonprofits at this fun, flavor-packed event.

Mixology Madness
Experience Albany’s original cocktail competition and tasting event. Held downtown in March, this fundraiser for the Albany Downtown Association features creative cocktails by local bartenders, tasty bites, and a silent auction — plus awards for the best original and classic drinks.

Albany Taps and Caps with Furniture Share
Support a good cause while sampling the best of Albany’s beer scene at this spring event, usually held in early April, benefiting Furniture Share. Local breweries and taprooms come together for an afternoon of community and craft beverages.

Albany Wine Walk
Sip your way through historic downtown during this annual May celebration of wine and architecture. Northwest winemakers pour samples inside local businesses, offering the perfect pairing of fine wine and Albany’s beautifully preserved buildings.

Library Uncorked
This wine and beer tasting event in early May blends local flavor with community impact. Enjoy music, food, a wine wall, and silent auction while raising funds for children’s literacy programs at the Albany Public Library.

Lebanon Strawberry Festival
Celebrate more than a century of Oregon berry tradition at this sweet June festival in nearby Lebanon. Highlights include family-friendly fun, parades, and a chance to taste a slice of the World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake.

Albany Beer “Run” with the Corvallis Lions Club
This tongue-in-cheek 0.3K “race” celebrates craft beer, community spirit, and carb-loading fun. Held each September, the Albany Beer “Run” starts at Calapooia Brewing and finishes at Deluxe Brewing — with a donut station in between. Participants enjoy two pints of local beer, a race medal, and plenty of laughs, all while raising funds for Prevent A Litter (PAL), a local animal welfare nonprofit.

Craft Brew Smackdown
Raise a glass to local brewing talent each September at this popular downtown event. Presented by the Greater Albany Rotary Club and the Albany Downtown Association, the Craft Brew Smackdown brings breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries into downtown storefronts for an afternoon of tastings, meet-the-maker moments, and community cheer.

Federweisser Festival
Held the weekend after Thanksgiving, this one-of-a-kind German-style harvest celebration features Federweisser — a young, fermenting Riesling — served with savory bratwurst and Zwiebelkuchen, a traditional onion tart. Enjoy live oom-pah music by day and a lively barn dance by night.