We are less than two months away from the start of the 2025 World Barista Championship in Italy, taking place at HostMilan. And while it would be easy to focus entirely on what is easily the biggest competition on the coffee calendar, that would be to overlook all the other cool events taking place around the world in the meantime.
That’s why we are taking a look at the Sprudge Coffee Events Calendar, our free go-to resource for all manner of coffee gathering across the globe. In it you will find a regularly updated list of throwdowns, cuppings, trade shows, comps, learning sessions, and so much more. And so today we are checking out some of the cool events taking place before the WBC. Because why wait until late October to have a good time?
Women In Coffee
Friday, August 29th, Olympia Coffee is hosting their first ever Women In Coffee event. Taking place at their downtown Seattle cafe, Women In Coffee is “is dedicated to uplifting women and gender-expansive folks across all areas of the coffee industry, from behind the bar to behind the scenes.” There will be snacks and natural wine, door prizes, and even a professional photographer in case your resume or LinkdIn profile needs a new headshot. It goes from 5:00pm to 7:30pm and is free to attend, just make sure you RSVP.
So. Many. Festivals.
As best I can tell, September is the official month of coffee festivals. And if it’s not it should be, based on the number of different coffee festivals happening around the world anyway. It starts off September 13–15 with the Paris Coffee Show, a three-day professional-focused event where “coffee experts, roasters, coffee shops, and gourmet chefs will share their know-how and expertise through tastings, workshops, championships, and conferences.” From there the fund heads east about 1,000km to Slovenia, for the latest installment of the Ljubljana Coffee Festival. Going strong since 2016, the Ljubljana Coffee Festival has become one of Central Europe’s premiere coffee events. And on September 20th and 21st, you can expect a host of tastings, barista battles, and learning events.
Speaking of premiere coffee events in Central Europe, Coffee Week Berlin would like a word. Now in its third year, Coffee Week Berlin is adding to the programming. From September 22nd through the 25th, the event takes to the streets of Berlin, featuring pop-up events at coffee shops and roasteries across the city. “Decentralized, diverse, and community-driven, Coffee Week Berlin turns the city into a stage for new brewing methods, exciting beans, and innovative concepts – from classic roasts to experimental creations.” Then on the 26th and 27th, Coffee Week Berlin writes a new chapter with Coffee Festival Berlin, a combination B2B and B2C event featuring networking opportunities, tastings, and learning sessions for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Stateside, on the 27th and 28th, the Pennsylvania Chocolate and Coffee Festival is heading to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for two days of gourmet foodstuffs from over 900 vendors for just $16.
Turning the page ever so briefly into October, and it’s our last big festival until Host, the Rotterdam Coffee Fest. It’s taking place the 11th and 12th and will feature 15 local roasters as well as 15 coffee-adjacent brands. There will be cuppings, tea tastings, curated talks, workshops, and panels covering “topics on city history, culture, and social responsibility.”
Level Up
One of the more exciting new events to pop up this year is Level Up, an immersive, multi-day learning experience. Organized by the coffee non-profit Raise the Bar, Level Up is 2.5 days of practical workshops, public service experience, and community building, all with the working coffee professional in mind. The goal is for Level Up to be accessible to all, thus they are trying to keep the costs as low as possible and even offer need-based scholarships. It all takes place September 27th through 29th at Mill City Roasters in Minneapolis.
So there you have it. Tis but a peak at what the coffee calendar has in store over the coming months, and it’s only going to get more crowded. Make sure you check out the Sprudge Coffee Events Calendar for all the cool stuff going on in the wide world of coffee. Want your in-person event added to the list? Us too! Reach out and give us all the deets.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
