San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival 2026
Event Date
November 1–8, 2026
Location
San Diego, CA
Expected Exhibitors
300
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe San Diego Food + Wine Festival (formerly the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival) is Southern California's largest wine and culinary celebration, held each November along San Diego Bay. The festival returns November 1-8, 2026 for an iconic coastal celebration of wine, food and culture, with hundreds of wineries, celebrated chefs, farmers and fishermen joining the 2026 lineup.
Over a jam-packed week, guests can choose from more than 20 experiences, from marquee tasting events and workshops to panels, film screenings and cocktail culture. The Grand Weekend is a coastal celebration featuring hundreds of wineries, renowned chefs, farmers and fishermen, with a diverse range of gourmet experiences shared alongside cross-border chefs, winemakers, innovators and global leaders.
The event draws food and wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, hospitality professionals and trade buyers. True to its name, it is San Diego's largest wine and culinary event, where local, national and international talents gather in tribute to wine, food and craft beer. It is worth attending for the caliber of talent, the bayfront setting and its repeated national recognition as a top U.S. wine festival. Note that all festival events are 21 and older.
Show Highlights
The 2026 festival is anchored by three signature Grand Weekend events along San Diego Bay:
- Icons + Legends (Friday, Nov 6, 6:00–9:00 pm) — a star-studded opening-night tasting featuring luxury wines, spirits and award-winning chefs.
- Grand Tasting Presented by Southwest Airlines (Saturday, Nov 7, 11:00 am–3:00 pm) — the flagship event that started it all, featuring 300+ tastemakers and purveyors along the bay, with a Grand Tasting VIP option.
- Grand Fiesta Presented by Southwest Airlines (Sunday, Nov 8, 11:00 am–3:00 pm) — a vibrant celebration of the cross-border culinary and cultural influence of Latin America on Southern California.
The wider week includes ticketed dinners and expeditions such as the Día de Muertos Gala at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a Baja Culinary Expedition, the Legacy of the Land Dinner and winemaker lunches. Attendees can enjoy a diverse lineup that includes Icons + Legends, the Grand Tasting featuring hundreds of wineries, breweries, spirit producers and local chefs, and the Grand Fiesta cultural showcase. The 2026 talent roster spotlights 150+ chefs and tastemakers, including James Beard Award winners and Michelin-starred chefs.
Attendance
Dubbed the best general food festival in the country, the festival features the city's most sought-after restaurants and a showcase of trendsetting culinary masters plus world-premiere spirits and wines, drawing over 11,000 visitors. It is billed as San Diego's largest wine and culinary event. All festival events are 21 and older; no children, infants or pets are admitted, with exceptions only for service animals.
Registration
Tickets are sold online through the festival's Events page. Attendees can buy tickets to individual signature events (Icons + Legends, Grand Tasting, Grand Tasting VIP, and Grand Fiesta) or bundle them via ticket packages:
- Grand Weekend FOMO Four Pack — four tickets for a single chosen day (Grand Tasting Day 1 or Grand Fiesta Day 2).
- 2-Day Grand Weekend Package — Grand Tasting (Day 1) plus Grand Fiesta (Day 2).
- Full Weekend Package — Icons + Legends, Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta.
Key policies: All events are 21+. There are no refunds, but tickets are transferable to anyone 21+ with valid ID. Multi-day tickets are issued as a single QR code scanned at each event, allowing one entry per ticket with no re-entry. Industry professionals and media can apply through dedicated Trade Registration and Press Registration forms, and brands can apply via the festival's Sign Up to Exhibit page.
History
The festival was created in 2004 by co-producers Ken Loyst and Michelle Metter and has been held annually in November since 2004. Originally known as the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, it has been rebranded as the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and is produced by Fast Forward Events. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions required the 2020 17th annual festival to be deferred to 2021. In 2026 the festival celebrates 22 years and has expanded into a two-day Grand Weekend along San Diego Bay. It has earned repeated national recognition, including USA Today 10Best honors as a top U.S. wine festival. Proceeds from festival auctions support culinary, hospitality and enology scholarships, and to date the festival reports having raised over $700,000 in scholarship funds.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: August 6, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 San Diego Food + Wine Festival?
The festival runs November 1-8, 2026 across San Diego. The flagship Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, November 7 from 11 am to 3 pm at the Port of San Diego's Embarcadero Marina Park North, with the Grand Weekend events (Icons + Legends, Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta) held November 6-8.
What are the signature events?
The Grand Weekend features Icons + Legends on Friday, November 6 (6-9 pm), the Grand Tasting and Grand Tasting VIP on Saturday, November 7 (11 am-3 pm), and the Grand Fiesta on Sunday, November 8 (11 am-3 pm). The wider week also includes dinners, winemaker lunches and culinary expeditions.
How do I buy tickets and are there packages?
Tickets are sold online via the festival's Events page. You can buy single-event tickets or packages including the Grand Weekend FOMO Four Pack, the 2-Day Grand Weekend Package, and the Full Weekend Package. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable to anyone 21 or older with valid ID.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what should I know before attending?
All festival events are 21 and older, and no children, infants or pets are allowed, except service animals. Events happen rain or shine, bags are restricted to small purses and totes with backpacks prohibited, and all bags are searched at entry.
How do I get there and where can I park?
The venue is near San Diego International Airport (SAN) in the downtown Marina district. Organizers strongly recommend ride-share. If driving, a negotiated $11 all-day Ace Parking rate is available about five blocks away at 501 Broadway, with limited metered street parking at $2.50 per hour nearby.
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