The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 is bringing community feel to the world of craft chocolate.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes one chocolate bar taste like ripe berries and another like toasted caramel, or if you’ve dreamed of meeting the people behind your favorite bean-to-bar bars, this is your weekend.

The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 is back this fall – This one’s for the flavor-curious, the craft devotees, and the community that believes good chocolate starts with good cacao.

What Makes the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 Amazing?

This isn’t your average sweets expo – it’s a celebration of small-batch chocolate craftsmanship from across the U.S. and beyond. The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival is where makers, farmers, and chocolate lovers come together to share stories, taste new creations, and explore what’s next in craft chocolate.

Expect an intimate, hands-on experience:

• 30+ exhibitors from across North America and select international origins
• Tasting tables featuring single-origin darks, vegan mylks, inclusion bars, and confections
• A full schedule of passionate professionals to guide you through the journey of cacao from bean to bar and beyond. These demos and talks are included with your pass.
• Plus additional add on talks to give you an added insight into the world of chocolate and flavor.

This is where you’ll talk directly to the people behind the bars, learn about the journey from cacao pod to finished chocolate, and get inspired by the creative ways Midwest makers are shaping the future of chocolate

Plan Your Weekend to The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025

When and Where (so you don’t miss a thing)

• What: The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025
• Location: Love Community Center, 1850 N Main St, Rushville, IN 46173, United States
• Dates: November 21 – 22, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM on Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday
• Website: midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/

Come spend a weekend immersed in the world of cacao—tasting, learning, and connecting with the makers redefining what chocolate can be.

Ticket Info – Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025

Whether you’re there to taste, learn, or leave with an armful of bars, there’s a pass that fits:

1. • Friday Night VIP ($55) – Get started early and start the celebrations with Wine, Bourbon & Chocolate + Sat Entry Early Entry
2. • General Admission ($8/day) – Access the full floor and all workshops from 9:00 AM.
3. • Youth Tickets ($5/day) – Discounted for attendees aged 7–12; kids under 6 enter free

*USD — ticket fees and taxes apply. See official ticket site for current pricing.

What To Expect

The Festival Floor

• • Regional & national makers: Expect top-tier bean-to-bar producers from across the Midwest and beyond—each bringing something truly unique.
• • Sampling & sales: Try everything from 100% dark to creamy oat mylks, botanical infusions, and small-batch truffles.
• • Educational sessions: Learn how fermentation shapes flavor, how to taste like a pro, and what “direct trade” really means
• • Stock up on rare bars, cacao nibs, and gifts you won’t find anywhere else

And there’s A LOT more on this to come – I’ve been doing a lot of digging…

Photo courtesy of Barb Genuario.

Tips to Make the Most of it.

We’ve been doing a little digging, and here are some confirmed trends from the current exhibitor lineup:

Before You Go:

• • Plan ahead: Check out the makers travelling to this festival and start your tasting wishlist
• • Get ready to take notes: After 10 samples, they blur. Use your phone or grab a tasting journal.
• • Hydrate + cleanse + energise: Bring water, plain crackers, nuts and maybe a little cheese to reset your palate and give you energy to get through the day.
• • Leave room in your luggage: You will want to bring bars home—trust me.
• • Wear comfy shoes: You’ll be walking, standing, and tasting all day

While You’re There:

• • Arrive early: Getting there early is worth it if you want something specific or you’re after limited bars.
• • Workshops cover a range of topics: The organisers have pulled together a variety of subjects and ways to explore chocolate and cacao. Browse their speaker list and check out the immersive activities set up throughout the center. Highly, highly recommend.
• • Talk to makers: This festival is designed to give you the space to meet the makers, really get to know their craft and learn more about them. Say hello – you never know what you’ll find. If you’re after a starting point, ask about origin stories, fermentation, and flavor development.
• • Stay connected: Makers are always experimenting and if you love what they do it’s worth keeping an eye out (plus we can obsess together!)

Photo courtesy of Barb Genuario.

Why You Should Go

If you care about where your chocolate comes from—or you just love discovering new flavors—this festival is your playground.

The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 brings together the heart and soul of craft chocolate in one place.

You’ll leave with new knowledge, new connections, and maybe a new favorite maker you hadn’t even heard of before.

Because great chocolate isn’t just about sweetness—it’s about story, craft, and community.

So grab your tickets, bring your curiosity, and come taste what the Midwest is making next.

So what are you waiting for – grab your tickets here! Hope to see you there.

Photos courtesy of Barb Genuario.

Did you go to Midwest 2024? Are you already thinking about Midwest 2025? Let us know – I would love to hear your stories.

Where to next?

Well if you’re new, we recommend:

And if you’re curious, we recommend:

And if you’re still not so sure, check out what events or makers are in your area:

Got any questions? Feedback? Want to hi say? Reach out below – we’re always happy to chat!

• Instagram
• Mail