For the Love of Chocolate Festival Returns for a Day of Refined Indulgence

The For the Love of Chocolate Festival is back, and it’s the kind of elevated tasting experience that gives you an excuse to eat chocolate all day while calling it culture.

Taking place in downtown Escondido, this self-paced event takes you through a curated selection of participating restaurants, shops, galleries, and spa tasting locations, each offering thoughtfully crafted chocolate pairings created exclusively for the festival.

Stroll, Taste, Discover

The beauty of this festival is the format – no rushing between stations or fighting crowds at a tent. You move at your own pace, exploring locations that interest you and lingering where the pairings hit just right.

Each stop delivers something different, whether it’s a restaurant pairing chocolate with savory dishes, a gallery combining art with taste, or a spa offering wellness-focused chocolate experiences.

New This Year

Behind the Bottle Wine Maker Talks join the lineup, providing an intimate look into the craft and stories behind the wines paired with chocolate throughout the day. It’s the kind of detail that transforms casual tasting into actual learning, and wine makers who are willing to talk shop tend to make the experience memorable.

Every guest receives a keepsake tasting glass, and the Golden Ticket Hunt adds an element of excitement as you move between locations. It’s a small touch, but it keeps the day feeling interactive rather than passive.

Closing Reception and DIY Touches

The festival concludes with a closing reception featuring music and dancing – the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring and tasting. A DIY flower bar lets you create a beautiful bouquet to take home, adding a personal touch that extends the experience beyond just chocolate consumption.

More Than Just Chocolate

Whether you’re a serious chocolate enthusiast or simply looking for an elegant way to spend a day, the For the Love of Chocolate Festival delivers a refined, immersive experience designed to delight the senses without taking itself too seriously.

The combination of self-paced exploration, exclusive pairings, wine education, and creative touches like the flower bar creates something more substantial than your typical food festival.

See you there!

Indulge in chocolate, wine, and creativity at this refined celebration of flavor.

📆 Saturday, February 7, 2026, 11 AM – 5 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!