Kennett Square’s biggest weekend of the year is almost here! The 41st Annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival returns to downtown Kennett Square on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026, bringing two days of mushroom-inspired food, live music, family activities, vendors, and more. 🍄✨
We love seeing festivalgoers embrace the spirit of the weekend with whimsical, mushroom-inspired looks.
“We are excited to be able to host this event, which has become a destination event for families here in Chester County and beyond,” said Jennifer Basciani, Vice President of the Mushroom Festival.
Mushroom Festival 2026 at a Glance
- 📅 Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13
- ⏰ Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM | Sunday: 9 AM–4 PM
- 📍 Downtown Kennett Square, PA
- 🎟️ Admission: $5 per person for the entire weekend (cash or Venmo)
- 🚐 Shuttle parking available
- 🍄 Food, fresh mushrooms, live music, cooking demonstrations, vendors, kids’ activities & more
But the fun doesn’t start on Saturday! There’s plenty happening around town before the Festival officially begins, so Kennett Collaborative has put together the 2026 Complete Guide to Mushroom Festival Weekend with everything you need to plan your visit—from Festival highlights and parking information to local events, food, shopping, and more.
Keep reading for the full weekend itinerary, parking information, what to eat, where to stay, and everything happening around Kennett Square.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Raise a Glass to Kennett Square | Victory Brewing Company | 4:00 PM
There’s a new beer in the Borough—and this one is all about community!
Victory Brewing Company invited friends from Braeloch Brewing, Giordano’s, El Ranchero, Two Stones Pub, Letty’s Tavern, La Verona, The Creamery, and Kennett Golf & Country Club to spend the day brewing a beer in the spirit of hospitality and collaboration.
The result is the Borough Brew, a smooth and malty dry-hopped lager with notes of berry, melon, and pear.
The Borough Brew will be released at 4:00 PM on Thursday, September 10, and is available exclusively on draft at Victory Brewing Kennett Square. Even better, $1 from every draft will be donated to Kennett Collaborative. Cheers to Kennett!
Get a First Look at Opus | 4:00 PM
Square Roots invites the community to step inside and explore Opus before the restaurant officially opens. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:00 PM, guests can tour the new restaurant.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Mushroom Market | 3:00–6:00 PM
600 S. Broad Street
Kennett Collaborative’s weekly Farmers Market is getting into the Mushroom Festival spirit! Sweet Amelia’s will be serving up some spore-tacular samples featuring local mushrooms, Hangry Bear is scooping Mushroom Coffee ice cream, and you can grab a pic with Kennett Collaborative’s cap-tivating community-made mushroom!
Stop by the Mushroom Market from 3:00–6:00 PM to get a taste of the fun(gi) while shopping all of your favorite local farmers, bakers, and makers.
Meet the Artist Preview Party at Lieu Antiques & Interiors | 6:00–8:00 PM
State Street will be closed for festival setup, but make a plan to stop by Lieu Antiques Jewelry pop-up Meet the Artist Preview Party from 6:00–8:00 PM.
Discover handcrafted jewelry made in Nashville and inspired by the past. Shop exclusive pieces and one-of-a-kind customizations available.
🍄✨The 41st Annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival 🍄✨
Welcome to the Mushroom Capital of the World! 🍄✨
Street Scene of Mushroom Festival
For more than 40 years, the Mushroom Festival has celebrated the mushroom industry and the community surrounding it. Kennett Square’s mushroom farms account for nearly two-thirds of all commercial mushroom production in the United States, and this weekend is your chance to learn more about the fungi behind it all.
Expect mushroom food, fresh mushrooms straight from local growing houses, cooking demonstrations, contests, vendors, kids’ activities, live music, and, of course, the always-popular Mushroom Growing Tent.
And don’t forget the rest of downtown! Mushroom Festival weekend is one of the best times to explore Kennett Square’s independently owned shops, restaurants, galleries, cafes, and businesses.
Mushroom Festival Lodging Recommendations:
- The Bookhouse Hotel – A charming, book-themed boutique stay located in the heart of uptown Kennett Square.
- Artelo – Modern, art-forward lodging just a short walk from the center of town.
- The Francis – newly opened and all about the details with history and stories of Kennett tied to each individual room.
Tip: Book early! Rooms will fill up quickly for festival weekend.
Mushroom Festival Parking:
The following locations are officially supported by The Mushroom Festival:
- Kennett High School – 100 E South St, Kennett Square, PA 19348
- Chatham Financial – 235 White Horse Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Note: Shuttles Running
Additional Parking (Not Operated by The Mushroom Festival)
Additional parking may also be available at the following independently operated locations:
- Kennett Square Parking Garage
- YMCA Parking Lot
Note: No Shuttles
Please Note:
Parking fees associated with independently operated locations are managed separately and do not support The Mushroom Festival.
2026 Mushroom Festival Admission
Entry to the Mushroom Festival is $5.00 per person and includes access for both festival days. Festival-goers will receive a wristband that must be worn for admission. Cash & Venmo only.
What To Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash and cards (some vendors may be cash-only)
- Sunscreen
- Friends & family
Mushroom Festival Must-Try Food
If you’re eating your way through Mushroom Festival weekend (as you should!), these are a few of my can’t-miss favorites:
- Mushroom Mac & Cheese from Talula’s Table – there’s a line for a reason!
- Cream of Mushroom or Pumpkin Mushroom ice cream from Woodside Farm Creamery
- Fried mushrooms – you have to try them!
Fried mushrooms
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Festival Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Crowded Street Scene of Mushroom Festival
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Festival Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Round two! The Mushroom Festival returns Sunday morning with another full day of food, entertainment, activities, and all things fungi.
Sunday Morning at the Mushroom Festival
9:00 AM – Festival Grounds Open
Food vendors, craft vendors, and promotional booths welcome guests for the final day of the Mushroom Festival. Kids Zone is ready to welcome!
9:00 AM – Mushroom Growers Exhibit
Explore the fascinating process of mushroom cultivation, from lab to harvest, with interactive displays and educational exhibits.
10:00 AM – The excitement begins with the FINALE Mushroom “Chopped” Contest, where the weekend’s top culinary competitors battle for the championship title.
10:00 AM – Children’s Entertainment: The Amazing Spaghetti (American Legion Building)
Enjoy a hilarious comedy magic and puppet show by Dan Freed, perfect for children and families.
11:00 AM – Children’s Entertainment: The Amazing Spaghetti (American Legion Building)
Don’t miss a second performance of Dan Freed’s interactive comedy magic and puppet show.
12:00 PM – Mushroom Eating Contest
One of the festival’s most anticipated traditions! Watch contestants compete to see who can eat mushrooms the fastest in this crowd-favorite event.
Sunday Afternoon at the Mushroom Festival
12:00 PM – Live Music: Kid Davis & the Bullets (Music Stage)
Kick off Sunday’s entertainment with Kid Davis & the Bullets performing live on the Music Stage.
12:00 PM – Children’s Entertainment: Juggle Joy (American Legion Building)
Join Jackson Levine for an interactive juggling performance featuring balls, clubs, rings, plate spinning, and plenty of audience participation.
1:30 PM – Live Music: Riko and Whaler Collective (Music Stage)
Enjoy an afternoon performance by Riko and Whaler Collective.
1:30 PM – Kids Zone Activities & Entertainment Peak Hours
Meanwhile, family-friendly programming, interactive games, and activities are in full swing.
2:00 PM – Chef Demonstration: Chef Barry Ciarrocchi (Black Lab Breads)
Later in the afternoon, watch Chef Barry Ciarrocchi showcase creative mushroom-inspired recipes and culinary techniques during this live cooking demonstration.
2:00 PM – Children’s Entertainment: Juggle Joy (American Legion Building)
Catch the final performance by Jackson Levine, featuring exciting juggling tricks and interactive fun for children and families.
3:00 PM – Live Music: The Holy Smokers Band (Music Stage)
Close out the festival’s live entertainment with a performance by The Holy Smokers Band.
3:00 PM – Chef Demonstration: Chef Barry Sullivan (Giorgio Foods)
Don’t miss the festival’s final chef presentation as Chef Barry Sullivan shares delicious mushroom recipes, professional cooking tips, and inspiration to take home.
3:30 PM – Final Vendor Shopping Hour
Take one last stroll through the festival to shop for fresh mushrooms, artisan goods, local products, and your favorite festival treats before the event concludes.
4:00 PM – Festival Grounds Close
Mushroom Growing Tent
Don’t Miss the Mushroom Growing Tent
If you’ve ever wondered how Kennett Square grows so many mushrooms, this is the place to find out.
Mushrooms can double in size every 24 hours and don’t need sunlight to grow. They go from tiny spores to something you might find on your dinner plate surprisingly quickly. The Mushroom Growing Tent offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process and the industry that earned Kennett Square its title as the Mushroom Capital of the World.
The tent is open throughout Festival hours: Saturday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Bring Home a Taste of Kennett Square
Don’t leave the festival empty-handed! Grab a pint (or two!) of fresh, locally grown mushrooms to take home and get creative in your own kitchen. Sauté them, toss them into pasta, add them to pizza, or try recreating your favorite Mushroom Festival dish at home.
Fresh mushroom sales at the festival
Make a Weekend of Mushroom Festival 2026
The Kennett Square Mushroom Festival is one of the biggest weekends of the year in the Mushroom Capital of the World. Come for the mushrooms, but leave time to explore downtown Kennett Square’s restaurants, shops, galleries, breweries, and small businesses throughout the weekend. We’ll see you in Kennett! 🍄✨
Photos courtesy of The Mushroom Festival.
White button mushrooms
