Thank you so much to everyone who came out to enjoy some flaming hot chili on a blustery winter day! This year’s Chili Cook-Off was one of the highest-attended yet and welcomed back some old favorites as well as new contenders!
Congratulations to everyone, especially the People’s Choice Award Winner: Chili McChiliface! An unexpected first-time challenger and the 2025 popular vote pick.
Best Meat Chili
1. Taverna Banfi
2. Creola Southern Steakhouse
3. Bickering Twins
Best Vegan/Vegetarian Chili
1. Moosewood
2. Gorgers
3. Collegetown Bagels
Best Chili-Inspired Item
1. Cayuga Lake Creamery
2. Ania's Confections
3. Earthquake Spices
Missed out on this year’s mug? You have until Sunday, March 9 to order one! Click here.
Orders will need to be picked up from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office.
Your support makes a difference! Thanks to our incredible sponsors, Downtown Ithaca continues to host free, accessible events that bring our community together. Your generosity helps create a vibrant, welcoming space where everyone can enjoy live entertainment, local flavors, and unforgettable experiences. We appreciate your commitment to making Downtown Ithaca a thriving destination for all!
The 27th annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off is back!
Indulge in mouthwatering chili offerings from several of our restaurants, complemented by an array of delightful drinks and chili-inspired snacks from regional craft breweries, local cideries, wineries, and beloved local establishments.
Chili enthusiasts will be competing for the titles of Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian or Vegan Chili, Best Chili Inspired item, and the coveted People's Choice for the Best Chili in all of Ithaca, NY!
Embrace the winter chill with friends and family as you savor warm bowls of chili at this cherished annual tradition in upstate New York!
Ready to take on the ultimate chili challenge? In the Space Chili Challenge, inspired by the classic Asteroids game, you’ll navigate a flying chili cauldron through a galaxy filled with fiery chili asteroids. Your mission: survive waves of spicy obstacles and face off against the fearsome Ghost Chili King, the ruler of the cosmic spice! Collect ingredients, rack up points, and compete for high scores. The challenge runs from February 10 to February 28, with prizes awarded to the top three players during the Chili Cook-Off on March 1st.
Can you conquer the Ghost Chili King and become the champion of cosmic spice? Play now and secure your place on the leaderboard!
On-street parking is $1.50/hour during the week until 6pm. Free on the weekends. Pay for parking using the Paystation Kiosks on each block, or using the Park Mobile App.
Visitors can park in the Seneca and Cayuga garages and walk to any part of the festival.
Avoid the hassle of parking altogether and ride TCAT to Downtown. Both Green Street and Seneca Street bus stations are part of most major routes.
Ride a bike to the festival and park at any of the art bike racks around downtown. Please be sure to dismount and walk your bike while on the Ithaca Commons and within the festival footprint.
Map your bike route to Downtown with Bike Walk Tompkins too.
