Brooklyn SeltzerFest will return to Industry City on Mar. 15, 2026, with an expanded, full-day program celebrating New York City’s iconic fizzy drink through tastings, comedy, performance and hands-on activities.
Produced by the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum, the second annual festival follows a sold-out debut that drew more than 600 attendees and national media coverage and now grows into a two-session event designed to welcome both families and longtime seltzer fans.
This year’s lineup introduces several high-profile participants. Global mineral water brand Topo Chico joins the tasting program, marking one of the festival’s largest additions to date. Greenpoint institution Peter Pan Donuts enters the Third National Egg Cream Invitational, bringing classic soda fountain tradition to the competition.
“SeltzerFest is becoming is a place where heritage, comedy, food, and fizz all collide,” says Barry Joseph, Director of the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum. “It’s nostalgic without being precious, funny without being ironic, and deeply New York in spirit.”
Emmy-nominated actor Jackie Hoffman will appear as a guest judge, while viral comedy project @OldJewishMen will serve as presenters, judges and emcees throughout the day’s programming.
The first session, scheduled from 11:00am to 2:00pm, centers on family-friendly entertainment and interactive experiences. Live klezmer music from The Seltzer Klezmer Spritz-tacular opens the program, followed by standup performances from Kosha Dillz and Josh Cahn.
Younger guests can participate in Lil Spritz’s Egg Cream Mixer, where children learn to prepare their own drinks onstage. Additional highlights include Carbonated Cabaret with comedian and writer Willie Zabar and the annual Seltzer Awards, which recognize standout flavors, sharpness and overall fizz.
From 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the afternoon session shifts toward comedy, competition and classic soda culture. Standup sets from Anna Roisman and Liz Glazer lead into presentation of the Spirit of Eli Award honoring author and illustrator Ken Rush for the reissue of his children’s book The Seltzer Man.
The Third National Egg Cream Invitational will feature competing soda jerks from Peter Pan Donuts, GERTIE, Tom’s Restaurant, S&P Lunch, Sammy’s Roumanian Steak House and additional neighborhood institutions, followed by a closing awards ceremony and musical finale.
Throughout both sessions, visitors can explore Seltzer Village, which offers unlimited tastings from local and global producers, including Topo Chico, along with workshops, a curated vendor marketplace and interactive exhibits from the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum.
Industry City’s courtyards and factory spaces will host multiple stages and demonstrations tracing the history of seltzer from immigrant soda counters to the modern craft beverage scene.
Tickets will be available for each session separately, allowing guests to tailor their experience while celebrating Brooklyn’s enduring beverage culture. Organizers say the expanded footprint allows for more performances, additional vendors and larger crowds while maintaining a focus on storytelling and preservation.
Roaming performers, pop-up history talks and demonstrations of vintage seltzer bottles and delivery systems will highlight the drink’s deep roots in immigrant communities and neighborhood soda counters.
Families can move freely between music, comedy and educational activities, while longtime fans can sample new flavors and contemporary interpretations from emerging beverage makers.
By blending nostalgia with modern creativity, Brooklyn SeltzerFest aims to create a lively cultural gathering that connects generations through food, humor and shared local traditions. Organizers highlight collaborations with neighborhood artists and small businesses.
