FeastivALL

Charleston’s Premier Winter Culinary Celebration Returns February 7, 2026

On a cold February evening when most of West Virginia turns inward, Charleston’s food community does the opposite. FeastivALL brings James Beard-nominated chefs, local culinary talent, and hundreds of food enthusiasts together for a five-course dinner that reframes Appalachian cooking through the lens of haute cuisine. This isn’t a casual tasting event with small bites and crowds. You’ll sit down to a plated, multi-course meal where every dish tells a story about Mountain State ingredients, family recipes, and the chefs who’ve dedicated their careers to honoring both.

The February 7, 2026 event takes place at the University of Charleston ballroom, a venue that sits directly on the banks of the Kanawha River at 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE. The 13th annual FeastivALL serves as the sole fundraiser for FestivALL Charleston, the arts nonprofit that provides free programming year-round. Your ticket directly supports theater, music, visual arts, and education programs across the capital city.

What Makes This Evening Different

The Chef Lineup You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Mike Costello and Amy Dawson of Lost Creek Farm anchor this year’s menu. The husband-and-wife team earned James Beard semifinalist recognition in 2022 for their exclusive on-farm dinner series in Harrison County, where tickets routinely sell out months ahead. For FeastivALL, they’re opening and closing the evening with dishes that carry genuine personal history. Costello’s amuse bouche features communion wafers made from his grandmother’s recipe, still used at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Charleston’s West Side. The dessert showcases Flossie Hannah’s old-fashioned mock lemon vinegar pie, an Appalachian staple that earned national attention when Anthony Bourdain featured it on his “Parts Unknown” episode about West Virginia in 2018.

The supporting cast brings equal credibility. Chef Madi Risk from Coco’s creates a trout cake with ramp remoulade that highlights two ingredients deeply tied to West Virginia waters and forests. Chef Mandy Gum leads students from Carver Culinary Arts in preparing buttermilk cornbread soup topped with crispy white beans, smoky bacon, and raw onion. Chef Seth Samples from the University of Charleston handles the entrée, a stuffed quail with Benton’s country ham risotto and heirloom carrots. Between courses, Ellen’s Ice Cream offers raspberry-orange sorbet as an intermezzo.

VIP ticket holders receive an exclusive gift: handcrafted Appalachian candies from Chef KD Jones, formerly of the Governor’s Mansion and currently at Coco’s. Jones completed a candy-making apprenticeship through the West Virginia Humanities Council, studying traditional techniques under his aunt’s guidance. His work blends old-mountain methods with contemporary twists.

How the Evening Unfolds

VIP reception begins at 5:30 PM with craft cocktails, early silent auction access, and music from local musicians. At 6:00 PM, the general admission cocktail hour opens with complimentary wine and beer selections curated by Mountain State Beverage. Dinner service starts around 7:00 PM and continues through 9:30 PM. Beyond the meal, you’ll find live music performed by Bob Thompson, pottery demonstrations by Meghann Ferguson, painting by Made By Meish, and both silent and live auction opportunities featuring artwork, travel packages, and tickets to regional events.

Each course pairs with both beer and wine. Here’s what keeps guests engaged beyond the food: at the end of each course, you vote on whether the beer or wine pairing worked better. This friendly competition runs throughout the evening and adds a layer of participation that transforms a static dinner into an interactive tasting experience.

Quick Tips

• Purchase tickets at feastivall.com as soon as they’re released. General admission ($130) and VIP ($175) both sell out weeks ahead.
• Arrive at your designated entry time. VIP holders start at 5:30 PM; general admission begins at 6:00 PM.
• Dress in smart casual attire. The ballroom is climate-controlled, but you’ll be standing during the cocktail hour and moving between stations for auction browsing.
• Skip dinner beforehand. Five courses plus an intermezzo is substantial, and the portions are restaurant-quality, not sample-sized.

Who Should Make Reservations

Couples seeking elevated date-night experiences will find FeastivALL delivers professional quality without pretension. The atmosphere feels celebratory rather than stuffy, with enough structure to feel special but enough warmth to stay comfortable. Food enthusiasts interested in West Virginia’s growing culinary identity come here to connect with chefs, learn about ingredient sourcing, and understand how traditional Appalachian cooking translates into contemporary fine dining.

If you’re traveling to West Virginia specifically for food culture, this event offers concentrated access to multiple kitchen talents in one evening. You’ll taste dishes you’d otherwise need to book separate reservations at five different restaurants to experience. The fundraiser format also means you’re supporting Charleston’s broader arts ecosystem while enjoying a memorable meal.

Groups of four to six work well for this setting. You’ll have assigned seating for dinner, and the shared voting process naturally creates conversation around each course’s pairing. Bring friends who appreciate good food but don’t need to dissect every technique. The evening balances culinary sophistication with genuine hospitality.

Critical Logistics to Reduce Stress

Tickets and Entry

• General Admission ($130): Includes five-course meal, beer and wine pairings with the entrée, cocktail hour with complimentary drinks, silent auction access, and live entertainment.
• VIP ($175): Everything in general admission plus one-hour early reception (5:30 to 6:30 PM), reserved seating, exclusive candy gift from Chef KD Jones, early silent auction browsing, and automatic art raffle entry.
• Tickets available only at feastivall.com.
• Sales open in early January; expect sellout by late January.
• No tickets available at the door.
• Refund policy varies by ticket type; check purchase terms carefully.

Parking and Arrival

The University of Charleston campus parking presents challenges during special events. Multiple reviewers note that parking fills quickly, and spaces near the ballroom are limited. Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your entry time to account for parking and walking distance.

Getting There:

• From I-64 East: Take Oakwood Road Exit 58A, turn left at light, right at next light onto MacCorkle Avenue, proceed 1.5 miles.
• From I-77 South or I-79 South: Follow signs to I-64 West, take Oakwood Road Exit 58A, follow MacCorkle Avenue 1.5 miles.
• From West Virginia Turnpike: Take Exit 95 to WV-61 North/MacCorkle Avenue SE, continue through Kanawha City, campus on right.
• GPS address: 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304.

Consider rideshare services if parking proves difficult. The venue sits approximately three miles from downtown Charleston hotels, making taxi or Uber/Lyft viable options.

Weather Preparation

February in Charleston brings cold, unpredictable conditions. Average high temperatures hover around 43 to 45°F, with lows dropping to 27 to 29°F. You face a 40% chance of rain or snow on any given day, and the month typically sees 10+ snowfall days accumulating around 4.6 inches total. Wind speeds average 12 mph with occasional gusts reaching 15 mph or higher.

What to Pack:

• Warm coat suitable for 30 to 45°F temperatures.
• Layers you can remove indoors (venue is heated).
• Closed-toe dress shoes with good traction for potentially icy parking lots.
• Umbrella (keep compact for coat check).
• Gloves and scarf for outdoor walking between parking and entrance.

The ballroom’s climate control keeps interior temperatures comfortable, but you’ll spend 15 to 20 minutes outdoors between your car and the venue entrance. Dress for the weather, not just the event.

Plan B: If Weather Turns Severe

Winter storms can make travel treacherous. If forecast shows significant snow or ice, consider booking accommodations within walking distance or close enough for a short taxi ride. Downtown Charleston hotels sit three miles away; closer options include properties near South Hills or along MacCorkle Avenue.

The event runs rain, snow, or shine. Organizers have never cancelled FeastivALL for weather in 13 years. However, if you’re traveling from outside the Charleston metro area, build flexibility into your plans. Arrive the afternoon before rather than evening-of, especially if driving mountain roads.

Extending Your Weekend on the Water

The University of Charleston’s riverfront location puts you steps from the Kanawha River, even in February. While winter kayaking requires appropriate gear and experience, Charleston’s river trails and waterfront parks remain accessible year-round for those willing to bundle up.

The Charleston Riverwalk offers 1.5 miles of paved path following the Kanawha River. This wheelchair-accessible trail provides striking views of the water and surrounding landscape, with minimal crowds on February mornings. Start your Saturday with a riverside walk before the afternoon warms slightly. The downtown section near Haddad Riverfront Park connects to Capitol Street shops and the State Capitol building.

For more adventurous water enthusiasts, the Elk River meets the Kanawha in Charleston, creating a city of bridges and riverscapes. A kayak launch behind the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center provides free public access daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, accommodating both single and tandem kayaks plus some canoes. February paddling demands drysuits and cold-water safety knowledge, but experienced paddlers find the calm winter conditions appealing. The Elk River Rail Trail runs approximately 37 miles with several river access points for those planning longer weekend explorations.

Drive 90 minutes southeast to reach Summersville Lake, West Virginia’s largest lake, where crystal-clear waters and surrounding cliffs create dramatic winter scenery. While summer draws boaters and swimmers, February visitors find peaceful hiking along the Summersville Lake Trail or panoramic views from Craigs Creek Overlook. The drive itself follows scenic mountain roads through small Appalachian communities.

For a shorter excursion, Kanawha Falls sits about 30 miles east on U.S. Route 60, where the Kanawha River drops 15 feet in a wide cascade. A public fishing access and pull-off provides postcard-perfect views. Experienced winter kayakers paddle here to experience the froth and mist of the falls. Nearby Cathedral Falls, one of West Virginia’s highest waterfalls at 60-plus feet, makes a worthy side trip just three miles east.

If You’re Going with Kids

FeastivALL works best for older children (teens and up) who appreciate fine dining and can sit through a 2.5 to 3 hour meal. The event welcomes all ages, but the format, duration, and culinary focus suit mature palates. If traveling with younger children, plan daytime river activities. The Coal River Group Science & Education Center at Meadowood Park offers canoe and kayak rentals plus environmental education programs. Pettigrew Lake provides calm water ideal for beginners learning to paddle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I request dietary accommodations? A: Contact FestivALL directly at 304-470-0489 when purchasing tickets. The multi-course format makes last-minute substitutions difficult, so communicate needs during purchase.

Q: Is there a dress code? A: Smart casual to cocktail attire. Think nice jeans with a blazer or a dress with tights. You’ll see everything from suits to dressy casual, but most guests lean toward the nicer end of that spectrum.

Q: What time should VIP ticket holders arrive? A: 5:30 PM for the exclusive reception. This gives you the full hour of early access to sample craft cocktails, browse silent auction items before crowds arrive, and secure preferred seats.

Q: How does the beer vs. wine voting work? A: After each course, you’ll indicate whether you preferred the beer or wine pairing. Results are tallied throughout the evening, creating a running competition. It’s lighthearted rather than serious wine education.

Q: Can I purchase auction items if I don’t attend? A: Silent auction bidding opens online before the event. Visit festivallcharleston.com for details on remote bidding options.

Q: Where should we stay to maximize our Charleston weekend? A: Downtown Charleston puts you three miles from the University of Charleston, within walking distance of Capitol Market, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, and multiple restaurants. For direct water access, look for properties near the Kanawha River or within easy reach of the Charleston Riverwalk. Check Lake.com for vacation rentals that balance city access with riverside settings.