The 22nd edition of the event will focus on women in the craft chocolate business
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
For one indulgent weekend in March, Ashland will once again prove that chocolate isn’t just a treat — it’s a destination.
The Oregon Chocolate Festival returns March 6-8 for its 22nd year, blending tastings, education and celebration with a spotlight on women leading the craft chocolate movement.
The festival will be centered at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, with additional events at the Ashland Springs Hotel. This year’s theme, “From Bean to Boss: The Power of Chocolate,” highlights women who are shaping the craft-chocolate industry as makers, entrepreneurs and innovators.
The event has expanded well beyond its early roots.
“Over 22 years, the Oregon Chocolate Festival has grown from a small regional gathering into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected artisan events,” said Maili Morrison, spokesperson for the festival. “What started as a place to sample sweets has become a destination experience that brings together cacao growers, chocolate makers, chefs, bakers, beverage producers and culinary storytellers from across the West Coast.”
The deets
Oregon Chocolate Festival. March 6-8 at Ashland Hills Hotel and Ashland Springs Hotel. Admission: $45 for two-day pass, $25 for one day. Tickets and information: oregonchocolatefestival.com.
Beyond the tasting
“What feels most exciting about 2026 is how immersive the weekend has become,” she said. “This year is not just about tasting chocolate, it is about understanding where it comes from, who makes it and how it connects to food, culture, and community.”
Morrison said 2026 reflects a continued evolution toward deeper engagement.
Timed to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, the “From Bean to Boss” theme emerged organically from the festival’s roster of vendors and speakers.
“As we were looking at our vendor list and our speaker lineup, we realized something powerful,” Morrison said. “So many of the people shaping the future of craft chocolate are women.”
The festival will feature women-led brands such as Missionary Chocolates, Branson’s Chocolates, Dolcetta Chocolate, Pyroclastic Chocolate and Holm Made Toffee Co., alongside panel discussions and expert-led sessions. Among them is “Designing Chocolate: The Science and Art of Blending Cacao Origins.” Presented by Desiree Marca of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, the session will include a guided tasting of single-origin and blended chocolates.
“’From Bean to Boss’ is about honoring that journey, from working directly with cacao farmers to building thriving chocolate brands,” Morrison said. “We wanted to celebrate not just the finished bar or truffle, but the leadership, resilience and creativity behind it.”
Weekend highlights
Signature events anchor the weekend, beginning Friday night with the Chocolate Maker’s Wine Dinner at the Ashland Springs Hotel. Curated by Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine executive chef Franco Console, the multicourse dinner will pair chocolate-infused dishes with Oregon wines.
New offerings expand the festival beyond the traditional marketplace. Cocoa & Cocktails, debuting Saturday night, will invite participants into Larks’ historic 1920s bar for a hands-on cocktail-making experience. There will be live demonstrations and tasting pours of shaken, stirred and built cocktails. It will conclude with creating a custom drink to take home, along with a personalized recipe card.
Chocolate Happy Hour, also new, will take place place Saturday afternoon in the Stardust Lounge at Ashland Hills, featuring chocolate-inspired cocktails and savory small plates.
More ways to taste
The festival also introduces a culinary stage, showcasing live chef demonstrations and pairing presentations.
“We wanted to give people more ways to experience chocolate beyond the main marketplace,” Morrison said. “These additions turn the festival into a full weekend journey. You can taste, learn, sip and celebrate, all while discovering new makers and new ways to enjoy chocolate.”
The two-day Chocolate Marketplace, open March 7 and 8 at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, will feature vendors, speakers, live demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. Children 8 and under are admitted free, with activities ranging from a Chocolate Gnome Hunt to the Wonka Chocolate Costume Contest.
Educational elements extend to a chocolate product competition, where attendees can learn how entries are judged and vote throughout the weekend for the People’s Choice Award.
More than candy
Beyond indulgence, Morrison emphasized the festival’s educational mission.
“We hope people walk away understanding that chocolate is an agricultural product, a craft and a culture, not just a candy,” she said. “Once you taste chocolate this way, you never look at a grocery store bar the same again.”
The festival has also become a significant driver for the local economy.
“The Oregon Chocolate Festival is a huge cultural and economic engine for Ashland and the Rogue Valley,” Morrison said. “It brings thousands of visitors to town during what is traditionally a quieter travel season.”
Day passes are $25, with two-day passes available for $45. Special events, including the wine dinner, Cocoa & Cocktails, Chocolate Happy Hour and Chocolate Brunch, are ticketed separately. More information and tickets are available at oregonchocolatefestival.com.
As the weekend unfolds each year, Morrison said the most memorable moments often happen behind the scenes.
“One of my favorite moments is always watching a first-time vendor sell out and realize that people truly love what they have created,” she said. “That joy, that validation, is really what this festival is about.”
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
