A new Christmas food fest premieres in St. Pete next weekend

A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene. Credit: City of St. Pete / Flickr

A new food festival is here for the holidays. Brewed Life Festivals brings “A Taste of the North” to the St. Pete Pier next weekend.

The two-day festival includes more than 15 local vendors serving northern comfort foods, a Christmas-themed amateur sand sculpture contest, beachy photos with Santa and an inflatable kids zone.

Brewed Life also produces the St. Pete Tacos & Tequila, Tampa Bay Empanada and Tampa Bay Barbecue festivals.

“We wanted to create an event that captures the warmth and comfort of a northern Christmas but celebrates it in true Florida style,” Brewed Life founder Patrick Green said in a press release.

Attendees can expect lobster rolls, NE clam chowder, loaded mac and cheese, Maryland crab cakes, cheese curds, smash burgers, Philly cheese steaks, chicken parm and Buffalo wings among the stick-to-your-ribs selections.

There is no cover for general admission. Tickets for the North Pole VIP experience, including a holiday cocktail competition, are $39 presale and $45 day-of.

A Taste of the North Festival happens Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20 at Spa Beach Park at the St. Pete Pier.