Pie Fest

PieFest banner
KCRW Events

KCRW’s PieFest & Contest

Saturday, March 14, 2026 12 PM to 5 PM The Autry Museum of the American West
Free RSVP Here Enter Your Pie

KCRW PieFest is back for Pi Day

This event is free and open to the public

Join KCRW at the Autry Museum for the ultimate celebration of pie on March 14, 2026 (Pi Day), hosted by KCRW Good Food host and SoCal Pie Queen Evan Kleiman.

The event features a pie marketplace with 25+ vendors, food trucks, baking demos, a beer garden, activities for all ages, free access to The Autry Museum, and a massive pie-baking contest. Bakers will compete to impress our judges, a collection of LA’s finest chefs and food writers. Meanwhile, event guests will view competition pies and vote for winners across multiple visual categories.

This event is free and open to the public.

All Day activities

Marketplace, demos, museum access, beer garden and more!

Live finale with all-star judges

Featuring Will Ferrell, Roy Choi, and notable food luminaries from across LA.

Vote in the Pie Pageant

View hundreds of pies and vote on your favorites in several visual categories.

Free RSVP Here

Looking to take your PieFest experience to the next level? Become a KCRW Monthly Member to unlock exclusive pie discounts , special pricing on limited-edition merch, and year-round benefits.

Check Out Memories From Our Last Pie Fest

PieFest memory 1
PieFest memory 2
PieFest memory 3
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PieFest memory 5
PieFest memory 6
PieFest memory 7
PieFest memory 8

Bake a Pie for the Contest

Categories, judging, and how it works

You can enter to bake until March 7th, or until we reach capacity. The top pies will be judged live on stage and awarded prizes. The public will vote across visual categories. There will be no public tasting.

LEARN MORE & ENTER HERE

For full submission details, check out our Baker FAQs below.

The PieFest Experience

Full schedule coming soon

Outdoor Activities

  • View hundreds of pies in exhibition-style tents and cast your vote across multiple visual categories*
  • Live onstage judging with Will Ferrell, Roy Choi, Evan Kleiman and more
  • Pie marketplace & beer garden featuring 25+ vendors with sweet and savory treats
  • Hands-on activities with Freak Nature Puppets , Heavy Manners Library , and more
  • Cookbook signings at the Now Serving tent
  • Sets from KCRW DJs Tyler Boudreaux and Raul Campos
  • Professional chef-led baking demos
  • Get your baking question answered by Evan Kleiman and friends at the expert booth
  • Visit the KCRW Street Team tent for limited-edition PieFest swag when you make a donation

*Note: This is not a pie-eating contest, but we do encourage guests to enjoy pie from the marketplace!

Autry Museum of the American West: Free admission all day!

Featured exhibition in Marilyn and Calvin Gross Gallery

Desert Dreams and Coastal Currents traces the parallel rise of Southern California and the Southwest as hubs of artistic innovation — and the lasting impact of these legacies on how we see and experience these places still.

Have questions? Email events@kcrw.org

PieFest VIP Lounge

Benefit Details

Want to take your PieFest experience to the next level? Become a KCRW Amplifier or Champion (starting at $100 per month) to get access to the VIP lounge at PieFest, featuring:

  • A sampling of the competition pies curated by the judges, plus a selection of slices from marketplace vendors
  • Access to an exclusive, shaded area from 2 PM to 5 PM with hosted beer, wine, and food

Already a KCRW VIP? Be sure to contact developmentevents@kcrw.org to secure your spot.

Become a KCRW Amplifier or Champion

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

With support from our partners

Venue and Programming Partner

Autry Museum of the American West logo

Supporting Sponsor

inKind logo Caffe Luxxe logo SoundStack logo

Baker FAQs

Tap a question to expand
What are this year's pie categories?
Apple
Fruit (excluding apple)
Cooked Custard
Christine Moore Junior Baker Award (ages 12 and under)
What should I bring on the day of the pie contest?
TWO PIES: Pies should be roughly 9 inches. Pie pans must be labeled with your name on the bottom.

Pie 1 (Judging): Tasted by our judging panel.
Pie 2 (Pie Pageant): Displayed for public viewing only. No public tasting will happen at this event.

SUN PROTECTION: Sunscreen, a large sun hat, or a personal umbrella.
WATER: Stay hydrated.
What’s the Pie Pageant?
The Pie Pageant is a county fair-style exhibition tent where bakers showcase their pies for event guests. Each baker is given a 24 in × 24 in footprint.

Bakers are encouraged to stand with their pies and chat with attendees. You may include a small tabletop item such as a recipe card, decorative element, or display.
How will Pageant voting work?
Event attendees will vote on pies based on visual categories only.

Voting Categories:
Prettiest Pie – Best overall harmony, balance, and visual appeal
The Pie’s Pie – A timeless, instantly recognizable classic
Best Display – A richly layered presentation where the setting enhances the pie
Will the public taste the Pie Pageant pies?
There is no public tasting at this event. Guests can purchase pie in the marketplace. Bakers are welcome to enjoy their pie with friends on the lawn after judging ends at 3:45 PM.
Are hand pies allowed?
Yes. Please submit at least 8 hand pies: 4 for judging and 4 for the Pie Pageant.
Can I enter multiple pies?
Bakers may enter multiple pies, but only one per category. Separate entry fees apply for each pie.
I missed the deadline. Can I still enter my pie?
We will not accept any pies after the deadline. The official deadline to enter your pie(s) is March 7, 2026, at 11:55 PM, OR when we hit our maximum capacity, so don't delay!
Are there refunds?
There are no refunds, so please be sure you can participate before registering.
Still have more questions?
Email events@kcrw.org and we’ll do our best to help.

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