The Best Food and Wine Festival Events Across America
Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
Combine your love for good eats and travel by attending one of these fabulous food and wine festival events.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to plan your next vacation, we’ve got a few for you right here! These popular food and wine festival events are some of the most highly rated on sites like Trip Advisor, Google and Yelp, and any one of them would be the perfect destination for your next getaway.
Keep in mind, however, that due to COVID-19, many of these festivals have been postponed until later in the year or as far off as 2021. Still, if you’re all about food and wine, these festivals are the best of the best.
Pick up some wine tasting tips before you go!
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Orlando, Florida
The highly anticipated 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is a multi-month event, typically taking place from August to November. You’ll enjoy cheese and beverage seminars, culinary demonstrations, talks from celebrity chefs and much more. For the time being, reservations for this festival are paused, but keep an eye on the site for updates!
How much does the Epcot Food and Wine Festival cost? A one-day pass to the park starts at around $109.
Charleston Wine + Food
Charleston, South Carolina
The Charleston Wine + Food festival attracts tens of thousands of foodies each year, so you know it’s good! The event takes place at the beginning of March and features a culinary village, hands-on classes, workshops and classic Southern food. Have a hankering for biscuits and gravy? Get the recipe and more classics with our best recipes from the South.
Austin Food + Wine Festival
Austin, Texas
You’ll want to check out the Austin Food + Wine Festival for the gourmet taco competition alone, but there are also culinary demonstrations, tasting sessions, grilling classes and live music to keep you engaged through every minute of this event. The festival has been postponed until November, but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on, especially if you’re craving a taste of all these goodies. Here’s our crash course on how to grill everything like a pro.
San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival
San Diego, California
No matter your taste in food, you’ll find something you love at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, which takes place in mid-November. Make sure to grab tickets to the Grand Tasting, which boasts food from 60 celebrity chefs and restaurants and hundreds of beverage brands.
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
Various Islands, Hawaii
As if we needed another reason to want to visit Hawaii, the state’s annual Food & Wine Festival is a must-visit three-weekend event that takes place across multiple islands and features a roster of over 150 internationally-renowned master chefs, culinary icons and wine producers. Can’t make the trip? Recreate these delicious recipes from the Aloha State.
Key West Food & Wine Festival
Key West, Florida
Escape the winter weather with a trip to the Key West Food & Wine Festival, which takes place at the end of January. Discover the best food, beverages, art and history the island has to offer, and don’t miss the paella cook-off!
Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Watkins Glen, New York
Discover all the amazing wines New York has to offer at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival in mid-July. Not only is there a great selection of local vino, but you’ll get to participate in cooking classes, seminars and the much-anticipated toga party.
Taste of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Taste of Chicago, which takes place in July, is one of the biggest food festivals in the world, so get ready for five days of amazing deep-dish pizza (and other Chicago staples) and free live concerts!
LA Food Fest
Los Angeles, California
The LA Food Fest only lasts one day, which is why you should get to Santa Anita Park early. There are dozens of vendors to sample, ranging from iced coffee to specialty doughnuts, grilled cheese to Yucatan cuisine, and much more. It doesn’t look like this fest is operating this year, but be sure to check back in 2021 for dates and tickets.
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
New Orleans, Louisiana
NOWFE has been taking place annually for nearly 30 years, and the event, which usually takes place for a few days in mid-April, includes not only tastings, but seminars, food experiences and even a parade. This year, NOWFE has been rescheduled for November. When tickets go on sale, grab a slice of king cake and enjoy the show.
Bounty of Yamhill County
Yamhill Country, Oregon
Helllllo, wine country! The Bounty of Yamhill County takes place late in August and you’ll find all the delicious wine and farm-to-table fare you could ever want at this event. Plus, there’s even a vineyard hike scheduled so you can work off those calories. Secret’s out: This trick makes any wine taste better.
Seattle Wine and Food Experience
Seattle, Oregon
The Seattle Wine and Food Experience is structured a little differently. This event in February has three main events—Comfort, Pop! Bubbles & Seafood, and the Grand Tasting—all of which deliver a different culinary experience. Pick your favorite (or hit them all)! Tickets will go on sale this November, so stay tuned!
Pacific Wine and Food Classic
Orange County, California
Soak up some rays in beautiful Orange County as you celebrate the Pacific Wine and Food Classic in August. The waterfront event features an array of summer-inspired cuisine, as well as all the wine, beer and craft cocktails you could ever want. Unfortunately, this festival has been rescheduled for 2021, so you’ll have to wait to get your hands on all this goodness.
Seed Food & Wine Week
Miami, Florida
If you want to head down to sunny Miami during early November, you can experience the unique Seed Food & Wine Week, which is dedicated to celebrating plant-based cuisine and conscious living. Come for the veggie burger battle, and stay for a quick yoga class or seminar on urban gardening. It appears as if plans for this event have been postponed, as the last updates are from 2019.
Nantucket Food & Wine Festival
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Every May, thousands of visitors descend on Nantucket the to celebrate the Nantucket Food & Wine Festival, which is the unofficial kickoff of the island’s summer season. The event is heralded for its lineup of high-end winemakers, so it’s a must-see event for any wine lovers.
Taste of Vail
Vail, Colorado
You’ll be able to take in the gorgeous Colorado scenery and fall colors at the Taste of Vail festival, which takes place in both the spring and fall. The picnic-style event features tastings from more than 30 of Vail’s finest chefs and restaurateurs, so you definitely won’t leave hungry. This event has been postponed until April 7-10, 2021.
Savannah Food & Wine Festival
Savannah, Georgia
Who doesn’t love Southern cuisine? You can get your fill of Southern favorites at the Savannah Food & Wine Festival, which takes place in early November. Sign up for a few master classes, or join the Riverboat Luncheon Cruise for an unforgettable experience.
Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Finally, seafood aficionados will want to make note of the Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival in October. The event is rooted in the island’s tradition of farming and fishing, featuring farmers, fishermen, oyster producers and local artisans. Bring the flavor home with our very best seafood recipes.
Originally Published: July 16, 2020
