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Chomp and Stomp Festival

Cabbagetown’s signature fall fundraiser pairs a chili cook-off, bluegrass and roots music, an artist market, and a neighborhood 5K in support of local parks and green spaces.

Chomp Chili Festival Atlanta 041 Scaled
SAVE THE DATE! Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off and Bluegrass Festival is November 7th, 2026.
By CL Events Staff Friday November 6, 2026 07:00 PM EST

Chomp & Stomp Festival

Chomp & Stomp Festival is Cabbagetown’s signature fall fundraiser, bringing thousands of Atlantans to the historic neighborhood for a day of chili tasting, bluegrass and roots music, local vendors, and community celebration. Since launching in 2003, the volunteer-run event has grown into one of Atlanta’s best-known neighborhood festivals while keeping its focus on supporting the public spaces that serve Cabbagetown.

Current Year Update

The 2026 Chomp & Stomp Festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Cabbagetown. The official site lists festival hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and promotes the event as a free outdoor music festival with the chili cook-off, Romp 5K, artist market, and live performances on multiple stages. The festival FAQ notes that chili service begins at 12:30 p.m. sharp.

What to Expect

Chomp & Stomp centers on a large chili cook-off with more than 100 entries ranging from amateur teams to local restaurants. The festival also features a bluegrass-forward music lineup, a walkable artist market, the Romp 5K through historic Cabbagetown, and food and drink vendors that turn the neighborhood into a full-day fall gathering.

Location

The festival takes place in and around Cabbagetown Park in Atlanta’s Cabbagetown neighborhood, with activity spread through the surrounding district. The official site identifies Cabbagetown as the festival’s home base and highlights the event’s roots in the neighborhood’s historic character and close-knit volunteer culture.

Hours or Schedule Highlights

For 2026, the official site lists the festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Chili service begins at 12:30 p.m., and live music takes place throughout the day on multiple stages. The Romp 5K and artist market round out the day’s programming.

Admission and Policies

Festival admission is free. If you want to taste chili, you must purchase an official spoon either in advance at designated neighborhood locations or at the festival. The FAQ notes that all ages are welcome, but alcohol sales are limited to guests 21 and older with valid ID. Organizers discourage driving because parking is limited and state that pets are not allowed due to city ordinance.

Why It Matters

Chomp & Stomp is more than a popular neighborhood festival: it is a major fundraiser for Cabbagetown’s parks and public spaces. The official site says proceeds support the Cabbagetown Initiative Community Development Corporation, helping maintain and improve neighborhood green spaces and related community needs.

Visit the official Chomp & Stomp website for updates.





Related

Cabbagetown Initiative Community Development Corporation (CICDC)

Website: The Cabbagetown Initiative Community Development Corporation (CICDC) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation. The CICDC (also known as “CI”) was established by the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association in 1999 to oversee the creation of a park in the heart of Cabbagetown. The Cabbagetown community has created an inviting, shared green space that promises to enhance the quality of life in the Cabbagetown community. Currently the CICDC, in cooperation with the City of Atlanta, maintains the Cabbagetown Community Center, the Cabbagetown Park, and the Cabbagetown Community Garden. In 2008, the CICDC helped the neighborhood’s tornado victims by raising and redistributing relief funds to neighborhood applicants. The CICDC regularly organizes neighborhood public safety, clean-up, and beautification projects, which help combat vandalism and crime. The CICDC manages Chomp and Stomp, Cabbagetown’s neighborhood bluegrass and chili festival, as well as Forward Warrior, Cabbagetown’s public art installation on Wylie Street, curated by Peter Ferrari.
—Read Article

Cabbagetown Park

The site of the former Grant School, now Cabbagetown Park, marked the last option for developing a substantial swath of greenspace within the Cabbagetown neighborhood. After years of wrangling over details, price, and land use with the Atlanta Public School system throughout the late 1990s, the neighborhood association that would become the Cabbagetown Initiative Community Development Corporation eventually succeeded in converting the space into a city park. Today, the 3.5 acres are known for hosting the annual Chomp and Stomp festival among other events throughout the year.
—Read Article

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