A spicy harvest festival celebrating spice, culture, and food
PRESS RELEASE / October 12, 2025 (Boston, MA) – SpicetoberFest, Boston’s first-ever fall spicy harvest festival, will
launch on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 4 PM – 10 PM at Boston City Hall Plaza on the NorthTerrace. SpicetoberFest is a free festival and Boston’s ultimate celebration of spice, flavor, andculture — featuring local craft drinks, small businesses, spicy Chef Demos, fiery food, Comedy on Fire, live music, and more. The festival is the brainchild of Nicola Williams, Producer of the award-winning Boston JerkFest, Boston Hot Sauce Festival- Rhythm N’ Spice, and co-founder of the Boston Local Food Festival.
The event celebrates bold flavors, spicy food, and the city’s vibrant cultural mix, bringing together chefs, hot sauce makers, urban farmers, craft beverage artisans, and entertainers. SpicetoberFest spotlights Boston’s rising chefs, urban farmers, craft beverage artisans, local musicians and a fiery comedy. Festivalgoers can expect an immersive mix of food, culture, and community—plus a Comedy on Fire Hot Sauce Competition in collaboration with The Comedy Studio to keep the heat (and the laughs) going. Supported in part by the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, SpicetoberFest invites everyone to gather, taste, and celebrate Boston’s love of spice. Community partners include WBUR, WERS, Sustainable Business Network of MA, Boston Public Market, HaleyHouse, KAS Consulting, and Sustainable Food and Culture.
Chili heads fans who would like to try their hand at making their own hot sauce featuring local peppers can purchase our SpicetoberFest DIY Hot Sauce Kits or upgrade for a VIP Spicy Box. SpicetoberFest DIY Hot Sauce Kits are $20, and the Spicy VIP Box is valued at $90, and cost $45 in advance.
WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
WHERE: Boston City Hall Plaza
ADMISSION: Free Admission; Spicy VIP Box – $45 in advance
TICKETS: RSVP for SpicetoberFest (https://2025spicetoberFest.eventbrite.com)
WEB: www.spicetoberfest.com
Festival Highlights:
Local vendors, farmers, and artists
Spice Lane featuring local hot peppers and hot sauce makers
Chef Demo Stage with featured Chefs:
o Chef Sisi Jean- Baptist
o Chef Claire Cheney
o Chef Chris Faison
o Chef Oli Oliver Prudent
o Chef Audley Mills
Are You Brave Enough: Comedy on Fire Challenge Hot Sauce Competition Finals featuring the
following comedians:
o Brandon Pires – Round 1 Winner
o Ann Marie Keen – Round 2 Winner
o Daniel Bomba– Round 3 Winner
Live Music featuring:
o Tempo International Steel Orchestra (Caribbean Steel Band)
o Marcus Santos and Grooversity (Brazilian Drumming)
o Samba Lola (African Drumming and Dance)
Food and Farm Zone with educational presentations and exhibits
Bar with Cocktail & Mocktail Demos
