**October 2025: Saturday Night Visit** My friend and I were in Belmont and saw a big sign that said "Chocolate Festival on October 18th" - I thought to myself "that's TODAY!!!" Thankfully we did not have evening commitments so we decided to purchase tickets to attend. General Admission was $33.85 on Eventbite, but you can also purchase tickets at the event itself to save on the technology/convenience fees. We selected the 5pm-8pm slot and arrived around 6pm. I think because we came a little later we were able to find a parking spot right in front of the church. The festival is located in two rooms and I'd say there were 15 vendors in one room and 5 in the other. Each booth had a sample of their chocolates and many of the had full size versions of them for sale. The starting price was $12 for many of the bars. There was also a raffle going on throughout the evening for various prizes as well as live music and a patio area for conversations. I really enjoyed talking to the chocolatiers and also sampling so many different artisan creations, but I went back to the chocolate ice cream booth multiple times lol. There was also a silent auction in the room with the 5 vendors. My friend and I spent maybe an hour or so at the event. I think for the $30 to benefit the San Mateo County Health Foundation and 100+ year old church are worthy causes so I didn't mind the donation. If you're a chocolate lover this is a fun way to try a bunch of bay area artists all under one roof! read more

Was great. Lots of vendors to choose from with amazing free samples. I never knew we had so many local chocolatiers. I will come back next year for sure read more

I'm a veteran of chocolate festivals, starting in the late 1970s, so I've been to a lot of great ones. I hadn't been to one in quite a few years, though, so when I saw this advertised, I thought, "Why not?" Advance tickets are reduced slightly, so I got mine (as a senior) for $18, though my son had to pay $28. This admits you to one two-hour session, which I worried wouldn't be enough, but it turned out to be more than enough time. We arrived at our assigned time and immediately discovered that there weren't enough parking spaces. Luckily someone was pulling out, so we got a space, but many people probably didn't and likely had to search for spaces in the surrounding area. The vendors (and vendors they are, in many cases aggressively hawking and selling their wares) took up two very-crowded rooms, an unpleasant situation even in non-COVID times. Most samples were tiny--several were simply a scrape of, say, chocolate mousse or ganache on a tiny wooden tasting "spoon" that probably held no more than 1/4 teaspoon's worth of product. Even ones that weren't scrapes were, with very few exceptions, small--e.g., a tiny broken-off bit of candy. The exceptions included decent-sized samples of ice-cream cones, a warm chocolate-coated marshmallow or cereal treat, a couple of very small candies. What made matters worse was the extent to which most vendors were trying to hawk their wares, sometimes focusing exclusively on people who were actually buying their products. Had I realized this was going to be primarily a promotion/sales event for vendors, I wouldn't have gone, but I made the best of it. After going through all the tables once (except in the case of the ice cream, where they were offering repeat tastings), I'd had enough chocolate. So I guess you could argue that it was "worth it"--except it wasn't. It was tiny, tiny tastes, in a very crowded venue, where the main goal seemed to be sales. Luckily I won one of the randomly drawn door prizes, which was a $20 gift certificate to a restaurant; I gave it to my son, since he'd had to fork out $28 for his ticket and the prize offset that quite a bit. If you like chocolate and don't mind crowds, tiny samples, and dealing with vendors, you might like this, but if not, I'd skip it. I also think they should sell fewer tickets to each 2-hour slot so there's enough parking for everyone--people weren't happy about that, and the person behind me was aggressively honking his horn while I waited to be able to pull into the spot that someone was vacating. The last thing visitors want after driving somewhere for a time-limited event is to be confronted with a problematic parking situation. Just sell fewer tickets. read more

I've been going to the Chocolate Festival for 6 years now and have yet to miss one. They are a ton of fun and you get to sample some great chocolate products. Everything from candy, brownies, cookies, cake and ice cream are available to sample - it's also all-you-can-eat, so it's a great way to get your fix of chocolate for one price. Besides all those treats, you get to enjoy your time meeting other people while sipping champagne and listening to a jazz band play - it's all done very well. The staff is very friendly and really welcome all those attending the event. All proceeds from the Chocolate Festival also benefit the maintenance of the historic church building as well as Bay Area outreach programs...you get to eat chocolate and help those in need - what more could you ask for? read more

We decided to go to Chocolate Fest on a whim and were super glad we did. Gelato, brownies, cannoli, and chocolate confections of every kind. My favorite was Neo Cocoa with a chocolate orange-anise that was amazing! read more

Chocolate Fest - three women standing next to a sign - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belmont, California

Great annual event! My favorites are the classical It's It ice cream sandwiches and the A-Lot-A pumpkin gelato. Friendly volunteer staff. Nice jazz combo. read more

Chocolate Fest - It's-It Classic Ice Cream Sandwich - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belmont, California

I finally attended the Chocolate Fest today, in its 26th year. I've lived in Belmont for many years and was intrigued when I saw signs for the Chocolate Fest every year in October. I never thought I'd get outmatched by chocolate, my favorite food group. I finally met my match and was defeated, but in a sweet and indulgent festival that I'd happily face again next year. It was all you can eat, but I really couldn't try everything I wanted to sample. It was a bit overwhelming, even for a chocolate-lover like me. I paid $20 to get in and taste various chocolates from different bakeries, chocolatiers, etc., including but not limited to the following: A-Lot-A Gelato Beneficio Coffee Bud's Ice Cream Chocolate Visions Draeger's Markets D'Sweets Edible Arrangements Fortune Nut Cookies Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Guittard Chocolate Company Jeanne's Fudge Kathy's Kreative Kakes La Tempesta Preston's Candies Romolo's Cannoli & Spumoni Factory Scharffen Berger Chocolate Schurra's Candy Factory Victoria's Toffee Whole Foods Market Sugar overload and the sheer amount of goodies prevented me from being able to taste everything. Some things were so fabulous, I had more than one piece (Jeanne's Fudge, Edible Arrangements chocolate dipped fruit, and Chocolate Visions Pasolivo Tangerine Olive Oil in Dark Chocolate). My friend and I took a couple of breaks on the balcony and enjoyed the music of the Michael Medwid Trio, some water, and fresh air. Sparkling wine and coffee were also available. Chocolate Fest did not disappoint. YUM! read more

this was the first Chocolate related festival I had ever been to, so when I first started going I thought it was pretty great. But after going to the Chocolate Salon at Fort Mason last year my feelings for this fest have changed. Both festivals are around $20 to get in the difference are the following. 1. When I go to the Belmont festival I feel like I'm not really getting my moneys worth. The vendors seem to be very strict and you are limited to the amount of samples you can take. Last time I went some of them weren't very friendly. 2. Also, the last time I went the booths were all set up in one small room and I doubt there were more then 15 booths. on the other hand........... 3. the Chocolate salon has over 80 booths and was over 50,000 square feet of Chocolate, Wine and Confections. 4. The Salon is the same price (around $20) and you can go to each booth as many times as you want. 5. the salon is open from 10-6 and you have in/out privileges. While I think the Belmont chocolate is a nice local festival and it does support a great cause I would much rather give them a nice donation and then go to the chocolate salon. read more

Best best best event in Belmont all year!!! Delicious chocolate, all you can drink coffee and champagne and great music! The best part is that the church uses the majority of ticket sales to do good in the community. read more

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I'd been meaning to go to the chocolate fest for a long time and finally made it there this year. It's not a big event, not too many vendors, but the chocolate was delicious and money goes to the charity - that's all I really needed to make this event worthwhile for me. read more

Yummy - great treats, good times! Can't get more chocolate for the price anywhere else. I enjoyed the music too. read more

I've been attending Chocolate Fest at the Congregational Church of Belmont for over 25 years only missing a few. Everyone always seems to be having such a good time! It's an elegant and fun party with more chocolate yummies than I can eat. They've always had live music- sometimes a string quartet, sometimes a jazz group, once a pianist. I've often won a door prize, and I usually find something fun to take home from the boutique. I really like that this is a fund raiser for an Open and Affirming congregation where everyone is welcome. A few years they even handed out little rainbow ribbons. Being the parent of a gay child it's a group I like to support. And to get an evening's worth of chocolate for the donation makes it perfect. read more

I was very excited about coming here but was extremely disappointed. Several of the vendors didn't even have free samples and over half of them had horrible tasting chocolate. The photos on yelp I looked at before going made it appear much bigger and better than it was. Also I was ripped off on the price. It was $30 at the door and $25 if you paid before; however, I paid several days in advance online and was still charged $30. read more

Surprised there's not more reviews for this event :-) the venues beautiful/the church is the old country club in Belmont. The quality of the chocolates high and there's tons of different samples You can go to the website and check out who donates every year In which chocolates will be featured: chocolate, cakes, andcandy, ice cream, gelato and more. Well organized and everyone is very kind oh and the best part is the money goes to great charities on the peninsula. read more

I guess something about my unassuming politeness really irks people, because almost everyone here treated me horribly for no reason. The lady pouring the champagne acted put out when I asked for two (one for me and one for my friend), after graciously giving two to the person in front of me in the same situation. Some of the vendors acted like they didn't want you to sample their products. I'm sorry, I thought this was a chocolate festival where you get to eat some... I don't know... chocolate? It is unbelievably crowded. There is NO place to sit down (the few tables + chairs were taken). The raffle prizes get crappier every year. The admissions price goes up every year. The chocolate selection gets thinner and more arrogant every year. Well, I finally stopped going. I couldn't believe how horribly I was treated, how little I was allowed to eat (really, maybe five bites of food all together--one vendor had chocolate dust you could walk by I mean "taste"), very limited parking, and how unbelievably STUFFY it was in that TINY room they insist on using. Now, some of the staff was kind, and a few of the vendors were not stingy, but over all it was An Affair to Forget. The organizers really need to get their act together. If they are going to charge upwards of $30, make sure the customers at least get a healthy dose of chocolate! read more

I have been going to the Chocolate Fest in Belmont off and on for 20 years. I always have a delightful time. I eat all the chocolate I want, in a wide variety of forms (ice cream, cake, cookies, fudge, truffles, candy, dipped fruits, etc.) from about 20 different chocolatiers, while live music plays gently in the background, all in a beautiful and festive setting. I've given tickets as gifts to special friends, and to employees, and now many of them are repeat attendees as well. I highly recommend this event. read more

Taste of Chocolate was fun. Was kind of scared to go after reading the reviews that were mixed :-) but bottom line the church is progressive/open-minded which is cool and the nonprofits that the money benefits are very worthwhile. Some of the vendors were very generous with their offerings.. Cathy's cakes had many kinds of different cakes which I think was generous on her part, however for my taste a little too sweet. the venue is pretty historical building and overall I think everyone should go and kind and decide for themselves but I thought it was worthwhile and would recommend. Everyone at the event was kind, welcoming and appreciative. read more

I attended last year's event. This year its on Oct. 5-6. I believe Friday night, Sat. afternoon, and Saturday evening. Basically you pay $20 and you get all the chocolate you can eat, from the region's best chocolatiers. Champagne and other treats are also served. Its the 30th anniversary of this festival. read more

This was our first year going to Chocolate Fest, and we're already planning next year's trip! We had a wonderful time. The event is a lot of fun, it raises money for charity, and all the people from the host church are lovely. read more

I've attended the Chocolate Festival for the past several years both in the afternoon and evening. I especially like the sitting out on the decks in early October listening to outstanding jazz music, indulging in chocolate, and drinking champagne -- pure relaxation! If you need a relaxing evening with friends and don't want to drive too far, try the festival. read more