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Portland Craft Chocolate Festival Returns This Weekend

The highly anticipated Portland Craft Chocolate Festival (PDXCCF) is back for its second edition, taking place from October 2 to 4, 2026, at the historic Olympic Mills Building. This year, the festival promises an even more immersive experience, featuring over 45 local chocolate makers and a delightful array of chocolate chip cookies.

One of the standout features this year is the C4 Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition, which has already built considerable excitement by receiving hundreds of entries in various categories, including Youth, Home Baker, and Professional. The competition culminates in a live judging event held on Saturday, featuring Portland’s own Mayor Keith Wilson as a judge. Festival founder George Domurot expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response, noting, "People took this seriously, but they also had a lot of fun with it. That's exactly what we hoped would happen. 

A Community-Centric Celebration

The PDXCCF aims to foster a neighborhood-like atmosphere rather than merely functioning as a food event or trade show. This year, the fun extends beyond the festival itself as local businesses, including the Steven Smith Teamaker and Stumptown Coffee Roasters, engage with visitors by hosting activities on-site.

For example, Saturday features the launch of a new collection of collaborative bonbons created by Ranger Chocolate Co. and Steven Smith Teamaker, showcasing the artistry of two iconic Portland brands.

This year's festival encourages attendees to slow down and savor the experiences. On Sunday, festival-goers can attend free mini bean-to-bar tastings led by Domurot, where they can witness the chocolate-making process firsthand. This unique opportunity is designed to educate attendees on how flavors are developed from the cacao bean all the way to the final product.

Support from the Community

The festival has received substantial support from organizations such as Prosper Portland and New Seasons Market, as well as local businesses eager to participate in the celebrations. Notable restaurants and cultural institutions, including the Oregon Zoo and OMSI, have come forward to contribute, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines Portland's vibrant food community.

Domurot noted, "This started as a celebration of chocolate and the people who make it, but it has become something much bigger." The festival creates a space for everyone to enjoy, whether they are chocolate enthusiasts, curious newcomers, or families looking for a weekend outing.

Invitation to Celebrate Together

The Portland Craft Chocolate Festival not only highlights the local chocolate scene but also builds a platform for community interaction. This invitation to gather and celebrate diversity in culinary artistry remains at the core of the event. Whether navigating the bustling festival floor or sampling mouth-watering creations, attendees of all ages can expect a weekend filled with joy, connection, and discovery.

Attendees can look forward to a weekend packed with activities, including the cookie competition on Saturday and the educational mini tastings on Sunday. The festival runs from October 2 to 4, 2026, taking place at Olympic Mills, 107 SE Washington St., Portland, Oregon, with tickets available at pdxccf.com.

Come join this festive gathering and celebrate the richness of Portland’s food community through the love of craft chocolate and cookies!