From Manhattan to Madrid: BagelFest 2025 Highlights Global Bagel Culture

Sam Silverman, better known as New York’s Bagel Ambassador, has always been serious about his bagels. Living in the food capital of the world, he was surrounded by festivals that celebrated everything from barbecue to baklava. But one thing was missing. How could New York—the bagel capital of the world—not have a festival dedicated to its most iconic bite?

That question became the seed of an idea. Sam launched BagelUp, a trade group created to celebrate bagel culture and support the shops and bakers who make it thrive. “I started BagelUp with the mission of shining a spotlight on the great shops and people behind them, and building a community to support and advance each other,” he explains. From there, BagelFest was born. What started as one man’s vision to give the bagel its rightful stage has now grown into an international phenomenon, pulling in bakers from Madrid to Montreal and fans from all over the world.

And this year, BagelFest is bigger than ever. On Sunday, November 16, 2025, the festival returns to Citi Field with more bagels, more competition, and way more global flair. Sam notes that interest is already off the charts—tickets in the first three days outpaced what they sold in the first three months last year. 

With 25 bagel makers from 12 states and 4 countries, BagelFest 2025 is shaping up to be the most international edition yet. Expect Montreal’s St-Viateur Bagel with their wood-fired classics, Si Si Bagels from Madrid bringing Spanish heat, Tali’s Bagels from Honolulu with a tropical twist, and NYC’s own Modern Bread & Bagel making sure gluten-free guests don’t miss out.

Of course, BagelFest is about more than just noshing (though you’ll definitely get your fill). For bakers, it’s a launchpad. PopUp Bagels went from festival champ to a 300-location expansion plan. Starship Bagel in Dallas turned their win into James Beard buzz. At BagelFest, careers rise right alongside the dough.

And then there’s the fun: Brooklyn seltzer to wash it all down, Mike’s Hot Honey drizzles, Peter Pan Donut detours, and the crowd-favorite World Bagel Rolling Championship, where bakers hand-roll at lightning speed to set new records.

New for 2025 is the BagelFest Growth Lab, happening on Saturday, November 15. It’s like Shark Tank, but for bagel makers—an incubator where rising stars pitch their ideas to industry pros, get mentorship, and maybe even land the connections that take them from local favorite to household name.

BagelFest is also looking at the future of bagel shops beyond the storefront. Delivery has become one of the biggest shifts in the food world, and bagel shops are feeling it too. That’s why BagelFest is excited to welcome Sauce, a commision-free, pick-up and delivery network for restaurants, as a BagelFest sponsor this year. Trusted by industry legends like Peter Shelsky, who put it simply: “We needed something different for delivery, and Sauce was definitely something better.”

And don’t think BagelFest is just for die-hard foodies—it’s built for families too.  It’s a celebration for all ages, blending good eats with good vibes and giving everyone a chance to be part of the bagel community.

So, what’s next? When asked if BagelFest might pop up in other cities, Sam just grinned and said, “We don’t currently have plans—but never say never.”

BagelFest 2025 takes place at Citi Field’s Heineken Diamond Lounge on Sunday, November 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets start at $69 and are available now at bagelfest.com.

By Eileen Strauss