Festivals with a chocolate theme are celebrated in communities all over the world, sponsored both by local governments and by nonprofit organizations. Here is a short list of just 16 communities where festivals are held. Listed in random order, these were collected from online research (April 2017):

Burlington, Wisconsin. The first Hot ChocolateFest was held in February 2017, and included a hot chocolate contest among other activities. The city also has a chocolate museum, and Nestle®USA is located in Burlington 

Fairfax, Virginia. Chocolate Lovers Festival. The first festival was held in February 1993 and continues an annual tradition with "love of chocolate" as a unifying theme (http://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/chocolate-lovers-festival).

Rainbow City, Alabama. Alabama Chocolate Festival. Daylong event celebrated its 12th year in April 2017 (http://alabama.travel/upcoming-events/alabama-chocolate-festival-2).

Paradise, California. Chocolate Fest. Held each May since 2006. Benefits nonprofit organizations providing educational, enrichment, recreational, and leadership opportunities to city youth (chocolatefest.us).

Traverse City, Michigan. Chocolate Festival. A fundraiser for the Northwest Food Coalition, this 8th annual event was celebrated in April 2017 (https://www.facebook.com/tcchocolatefestival).

Suisun City, California. Art, Wine, & Chocolate Festival. The festival is presented by business members of the Suisun City Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (http://www.visitsuisuncity.com/event/art-wine-chocolate-festival).

Morehead City, North Carolina. Carolina Chocolate Festival. Conducted for 12 years, proceeds from the event are donated to local charities and used for school scholarships (http://carolinachocolatefestival.com).

Oakdale, California. Chocolate Festival. Has been held in May since 1993. (http://www.eventcrazy.com/Oakdale-CA/events/details/9136-Oakdale-Chocolate-Festival).

Montrose, Pennsylvania. Annual Chocolate and Wine Festival. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event (http://www.chocolatewinefestival.com).

Yukon, Oklahoma. Chocolate Festival — Affair Extraordinaire. Proceeds from this sixth annual event held in February 2017 benefit local park renovations and the public library (https://www.facebook.com/events/1726978334205483).

Le Mars and Sioux City, Iowa. Wine and Chocolate Festival. Event has been held since 1994. Proceeds from this year's two-day event support programs and services provided by the Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org/greateriowa/in_my_community_63690.asp).

Mobile, Alabama. Mobile Chocolate Festival. 9th annual festival was held in March and proceeds from the event benefited victims of domestic violence (http://www.mobilechocolatefestival.com).

Glendale, Arizona. Glendale Chocolate Affaire. The three-day annual event, held for its 22nd year in 2017, took place in February (http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/a/GlendaleChocAff.htm; https://www.glendaleaz.com/events/chocolateaffaire.cfm).

Grenada. Fourth Annual Grenada Chocolate Fest. In May 2017, this island country located in the Caribbean Sea celebrated the island's organic and ethically produced cocoa and chocolate (http://www.grenadachocolatefest.com).

Dallas, Texas. Dallas Chocolate Festival. The 2017 event in September will be held downtown, at the Dallas' Arts District (http://dallaschocolate.org; https://www.facebook.com/DallasChocolate).

Washington, D.C.  D.C. Chocolate Festival. Tickets to this one-day event provide access to chocolate makers and includes classes and lectures 

 

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