Whether you’re new to Kennett or you’ve been attending for nearly 40 years, we’ve got you covered with the essential details you need to have a great festival experience this year.

Looking for the official Visitor’s Guide? Read the Chester County Press Guide or visit mushroomfestival.org.

39th Annual Mushroom Festival

Saturday, September 7, 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, September 8, 10 am to 4 pm

This year’s theme, “Spawning Future Growth,” encapsulates the festival’s dedication to nurturing not just the delicious mushrooms that we grow but also supporting the future of our community.

Road closures in Kennett Square begin Friday at 4:30 PM. Visit the Kennett Square Police Department for more information on road closures and parking restrictions.

Pro Tip: Download the App

Download the Mushroom Festival in the App Store or on Google Play or visit mushroomfestival.org for up to date Schedule and Announcements.

Pro Tip: Bring Cash

Entry to the Mushroom Festival is $5.00 per person, and it’s cash only at the gate. Admission includes both days of the festival.

Did you know? The Mushroom Festival is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a volunteer board. Proceeds from the festival stay right here in the community benefiting nearly 50 other Kennett-area nonprofits annually through grants—including Kennett Collaborative in support of the Memorial Day Parade! Talk about Spawning Future Growth!

Pro Tip: Park & Ride the Shuttle

Parking is easy when you park at one of the designated lots and take the shuttle into the festival area! Here’s where we suggest parking:

  • Chatham Financial Lot: 235 White Horse Lane, $5 donation.
    Handicap bus available
    (perfect if you’re coming in from Philadelphia)
  • Kennett High School: 100 E South Street, $5 donation
    (perfect if you’re coming in from Wilmington or Baltimore)

The parking garage at 100 E. Linden Street will be open for parking on Saturday and Sunday for a $20 fee.

Handicapped parking spacings are available on E. State Street from Willow Street to Church Alley.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss the big events

There’s a lot to do on both days of the festival, including 6 blocks of street fair full of vendors, artisans, and incredible food (with and without mushrooms!). Check out the schedule on the app for the full list of activities, but here are some of the things we can’t wait for!

  • Mushroom ‘Chopped’ Contest
    Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm & Sunday at 10 am
    If you love the show Chopped on the Food Network, you’ll love watching five contestants square off live for a timed competition to create the best dish incorporating mushrooms and a mystery ingredient.
  • Carla Hall Cooking Demonstrations
    Saturday at 12 & 4 pm
    You may know popular chef Carla Hall from the Food Network, Bravo’s Top Chef or ABC’s Emmy award winning series The Chew. Carla was recently honored by Les Dames d’Escoffier as Grande Dame, a lifetime achievement award and honorary title given to members in recognition of extraordinary contributions within the fields of food, beverage and hospitality.
  • Fried Mushroom Eating Contest
    Sunday at 1 pm
    Sponsored by Buona Foods, the Original Breaded Mushroom, and hosted by WXTU’s Jeff Kurkjian and Frank Pastella, the mushroom eating contest is a fan favorite. NEW this year! Before the main competition, 10 brave contestants will eat fried mushrooms drenched in hot sauce for the first “Mushroom En Fuego” contest.

Pro Tip: Enjoy the live music

There will be incredible live music throughout the festival on the main stage located next to the Market at Liberty Place. It’s a perfect spot to get your groove on—or rest a bit between activities!

Saturday

Sunday

  • SICCO, 12 pm
  • HEADLINER: Ellis Paul (Folk), 2:30
    Prolific songwriter combining humor, improv, and poignant story songs

Pro Tip: Find Kennett Collaborative to buy a handmade Mushroom Mug or Brewfest Gear!

We’re setting up our tent again, so be sure to stop by and say “hi!” Our board members and staff would love to see you, and talk about our vital work in helping Kennett thrive through placemaking programs and events. Find us at Booth D16, right in front of our office on W State between Lily and Grain.

We’ll be selling our handmade ceramic mushroom mugs and Kennett Brewfest tickets and merch, all benefiting the community programming you love, such as the KSQ Farmers Market, Third Thursdays, Holiday Light Parade, and more!

Pro Tip: Say “hi” to the volunteers

The Mushroom Festival is an independent nonprofit organization that is run entirely by volunteers. It’s a labor of love—an enormous labor with a lot of love. So please be kind to the volunteers at the festival, follow their instructions, and pay attention to any announcements.

Shhhh! For Locals Only


Here are some unofficial tips just for Kennett folks!

If you’re looking for a more local crowd, you might want to try Sunday afternoon. Saturday will be the busiest day for guests coming in from out of town.

After the crowds disperse on Saturday, stay for a drink and a bonus music show at the Market at Liberty Place! Antje Duvekot takes the main stage at the conclusion of the festival, and she’ll come back to the market to play a second, more intimate acoustic show after the festival has ended.

Looking for something in town further out from the festival? Other popular hangout spots include The Creamery of Kennett Square and Braeloch Brewing on Birch Street or Victory Brewing and Mezzaluna Pizza at S Mill and Cypress Rd.

Get your Mushrooms year round. One of the best things about being a local is that you don’t have to wait for the Mushroom Festival to enjoy Kennett’s famous mushroom dishes. People from far and wide will be waiting in line at Talula’s Table for their renowned mushroom risotto, but you can go uptown to pick up a pint to-go today!

Get the cheesecake on a stick. Trust me.