Pralinés, ganache, orangettes, single origin, bean-to-bar, mendiants, palets d’or, dark or milk. Craft chocolate comes in a panoply of forms, flavours, origins and styles. And each country seems to have its own USP in chocolates. While Belgian chocolate is often considered to be the gourmet standard, the Swiss attract for their refinement of chocolate manufacturing techniques. Italy, France and the United States also lay claim to being some of the world’s greatest producers of gourmet chocolate.

Though it has transformed over time, chocolate has remained a magical, classic mainstay in many societies for centuries.It has ancient roots with profound cultural significance in some communities.

Evidence suggests that chocolate was first domesticated by the Olmec, one of the earliest civilisations in Latin America, who turned cacao plants into chocolate. Centuries later, the Mayans praised chocolate as the drink of the gods and this magical ingredient was subsequently relayed to other parts of the world. Chocolate was introduced to Europe, by the Spaniards and in turn the European settlers brought it to America, Africa and Asia.

In the 20th century, as globalisation took roots around the world, chocolate penetrated literally in every part of the world and today chocolate connoisseurs, chocolatiers and chocolate lovers in the world unite in a symphony of different chocolate celebrations around the world, with a series of chocolate fairs and festivals that celebrate their love for chocolate. Here are some exotic chocolate destinations and festivals to look out for:

Salon du Chocolat de Paris (October-November)

Salon du Chocolat in Paris pays tribute to French chocolate-making heritage

Paris’ runway is not just limited to fashion and arts, but lays the red carpet for a dazzling chocolate show as well. The Salon du Chocolat Paris is an annual trade fair for the international chocolate industry that is supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 1994, Salon du Chocolat de Paris began as a tribute to the artistry and tradition of chocolate-making. Thousands of visitors from all corners of the world, flock to the annual gala where over 300 exhibitors display their gourmand products. The show, which is slated to be held from October 30 to November 3 this year, is replete with live performances, a chocolate fashion show where the couture is crafted out of chocolate, pastry show to musically-entertaining cacao show and an array of innovative tributes to the art and tradition of chocolatemaking unwraps an unseen culinary universe of chocolate.

Euro Chocolate Italy (October)

Over 6,000 varieties of chocolates can be sampled at Euro Chocolate in Italy

Expect a kaleidoscope of chocolate art displays, experimental chocolate tastings, street performances, chocolate sculpting and many other chocolaty surprises during one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe. In central Italy lies Perugia, the capital of Umbria, where an annual chocolate festival has been a tradition since 1993. Every year, Euro Chocolate attracts almost a million visitors, including Italian natives. Savour the finest chocolate while strolling through the charming medieval Italian town, featuring live music to set the mood, chocolate sculptures on display and cooking classes for professionals and amateurs.

It takes place each October and is scheduled for October 18 to 27 this year. During the nine-day fest visitors can explore the igloo constructed out of 3,600 kg of chocolate bricks, an opportunity to make a chocolate day spa appointment or simply get lost amidst the more than 6,000 chocolate products presented by over 100 brands belonging to the top artisans or to the most important Italian and international confectionery companies.

Belgian Chocolate Festival, Belgium (Year-Round)

Home to Pralines, Belgium celebrates chocolate all-year round

Say Belgium, and chocolate immediately comes to mind because surely the two are most intrinsically linked. Belgian chocolate is world famous for its superior quality and the love story between this small country and the sweet delight has been thriving for generations. The Belgian Chocolate Festival is often held annually in February in major cities known for their rich chocolate heritage like Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp or Ghent, with the exhibition extending over thousands of square metres and attracting numerous native and international visitors. Showcasing a delectable spectacle of Belgian cacao craftsmanship, chocolatiers and chocolate aficionados alike come together in an immersive experience into the art of Belgian chocolate making.

Expect a trip through time as you indulge in chocolates that pay homage to the past while also hinting at contemporary innovation, all while showcasing traditional techniques. The star of the event has to be its Chocolate Fashion Show, where models parade a variety of chocolate dresses made by Belgian and international fashion designers and chocolatiers.

Chocolate Heritage Month, Saint Lucia (August)

Saint Lucia has been exporting cocoa beans to Europe for over 300 years

Saint Lucia, located in the Caribbean, has been exporting cocoa beans to Europe since the 1700s. Saint Lucia’s chocolate heritage runs deep, with its history inextricably linked to the seeds of the cacao tree. Thus with the nod to its chocolaty heritage began the celebration of the Chocolate Heritage Month in the final days of summer.

From plantation tours to chocolate-based spa treatments, during the festival, cocoa farms come together to offer chocolate tastings, cooking demonstrations, cultural performances, special packages, deals, tours and chocolate related experiences. This gastronomical affair begins with a number of on-island experiences, the month-long festivities will delve into Saint Lucia’s cocoa roots. A Chocolate Heritage Trail highlights 20 indulgent spots across the island, too.

Chocolart, Germany (December)

Visit Tübingen in December to participate in Germany’s largest chocolate festival

Every December, Tübingen hosts the largest chocolate festival in Germany. The Internationales Tübinger Schockoladen festival, also known as Chocolart, is Germany’s largest chocolate festival and takes place over five or six days in early December every year. The Tübingen town centre is the venue for both the festival and the accompanying Chocomarkt. Marvel at chocolate artwork, sign up for a guided tour or stock up on handmade fine chocolates collectibles and souvenirs, all the while immersing in an endless discovery of chocolaty affairs. Over 100 leading chocolatiers and chocolate manufacturers from Africa, North and South America and Europe come together in a festival well rounded off with about 10,000 sqm exhibition area.

Festichoc, Switzerland

Festichoc is Switzerland’s largest chocolate fair

Taking up the spot as Switzerland’s biggest chocolate festival, the annual extravaganza Festichoc Versoix in Lake Genève is a coveted chocolate lover’s paradise and for numerous reasons. To begin with, Festichoc allows free visitor entry and sampling. In this Salon des Artisans, a large marquee tent, over twenty chocolatiers exhibit and sell chocolate ranging from simple but exquisite slabs to elaborately decorated chocolate statues.

The annual gala is also marked as a family-friendly show featuring chocolate caricatures, exhibition of chocolate sculptures, treasure hunt as well as visit of the Favarger factory. More than 40 chocolate artists from all around Switzerland participate in Festichoc, with chocolate artisans from Genève, Valais, and nearby communities in the Lac Léman region exhibiting top-selling chocolates. It was held on March 16-17 this year and the next edition is slated for April 5-6, 2025.

Northwest Chocolate Festival, USA (October)

Northwest Chocolate Festival is said to be world’s largest chocolate education event

The 16th Annual Northwest Chocolate Festival boasts delicious line-up of chocolate artisans sharing their best from October 4 to 6 this year. Every year for the past 15 years, almost 100 global exhibitors have been representing different corners and tastes around the world. The NW Chocolate Festival claims to present the largest Education Programme of any chocolate event in the world. All classes, workshops and seminars are included with sampling of chocolate from around-the-world on a global showcase on the main exhibit floor. From cacao farmers to chocolate makers, chocolate experts and the people who supply raw ingredients for chocolate making, all come under one roof to make this a grand fiesta.