Jacksonville is getting its first Chocolate and Coffee Festival this month, with organizers promising two days of tastings, local vendors and a live chocolate sculpting demonstration inside Hall B of the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center on Nov. 21 and 22.
The event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday for general admission, was developed by co-founders Grace Berestecky and Lindsay Hill, according to Action News Jax. Berestecky said the festival was created as a unique event for the surrounding Jacksonville community of all ages to experience together, per the same report. VIP ticket holders get an early shopping window from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday and can attend both days, according to the festival FAQ page, which also notes all tickets must be purchased in advance since there will be no box office on site. Children under 12 can get in free with a ticket-holding adult.
Hill, who serves as co-founder and organizer, told the outlet she wants the festival to be memorable, engaging and community-driven, and hopes it becomes an annual Jacksonville tradition built around specialty vendors, family-friendly activities and small businesses from across the Southeast. Vendor totals vary depending on the source: Action News Jax reported the festival will host more than 75 vendors, while Visit Jacksonville's event listing puts the number at over 100.
What's Actually on the Tables
The festival brings together local and regional chocolate makers, specialty coffee roasters, gourmet food providers and artisans, the station's report notes. Festival organizers say shoppers can expect chocolate, coffee, cookies, cakes, sauces, jams, honey, art and crafts, according to the event's services page. Specific pairings on the schedule include Riversea Chocolates teaming with True Honey Teas for a chocolate-and-tea pairing, and Panthera Collective joining Revel Coffee for a chocolate-and-coffee pairing. Milanna Cafe and Brew and Bloom are also set to serve coffee throughout the weekend.
One of the festival's centerpiece attractions is George Washington's Chocolate Table, which will feature live chocolate sculpting by chef Paul Joachim alongside a colonial chocolate tasting experience inspired by George Washington, drinking chocolate and the founding era, per the festival's own site. Families can also expect coffee-filter crafts for kids — including snowflakes, butterflies and flowers — plus coloring pages and free photo opportunities with festival mascots Chunk the Chocolate Bar and Bean the Coffee Cup.
A Food Drive Tied to the Festivities
Alongside the shopping and tastings, the festival has partnered with Three Grains of Rice for a community food drive running both days of the event. The organizer says The JoyFM will hand out complimentary tote bags to the first 1,000 donors while supplies last, and donors will also be entered into a giveaway for festival items.
Three Grains of Rice is described on the festival's website as a Jacksonville-based nonprofit helping individuals and families facing food insecurity, homelessness and other hardships. The organization's broader reach has grown this year: News4JAX reported in September that the mission served about 80,000 meals in 2025, including 22,000 for children, and was on track to serve between 100,000 and 110,000 meals this year. The same report said the mission had helped 28 single mothers find housing.
Getting There and Parking
Complimentary parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lot adjacent to Hall B at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, located at 1000 Water St. Attendees are encouraged to plan around the advance-ticket-only policy, since the festival FAQ confirms no tickets will be sold at the door.
