San Diego Food + Wine Festival 2026
The 22nd Annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, 2026, for three signature events celebrating food, wine, spirits and the culinary culture of San Diego and Baja California.
The festival weekend includes Icons + Legends, formerly known as Grand Decant, the waterfront Grand Tasting and the Latin American-inspired Grand Fiesta. Additional dinners, tasting experiences, educational programs and culinary events may also take place during the wider festival week.
Festival dates: November 6–8, 2026
Location: Multiple venues in San Diego, California
Ticket policy: Ticket required for each event
Last reviewed: July 17, 2026
Other foodie events will be happening throughout the week, so stay tuned for updates and information. For tickets and more information, visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com
2026 San Diego Food + Wine Festival Schedule
| Date | Festival Event | General Admission Time | Early Entry or VIP | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 6, 2026 | Icons + Legends, formerly Grand Decant | 6:30 PM–9:00 PM | Early entry at 6:00 PM | JULEP Venue |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Grand Tasting | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM | VIP and early entry at 11:00 AM | Embarcadero Marina Park North |
| Sunday, November 8, 2026 | Grand Fiesta | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM | VIP and early entry at 11:00 AM | Embarcadero Marina Park North |
Festival times, participating talent and ticket availability may change. Guests should check the official event listing before attending.
Icons + Legends
Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
General admission: 6:30 PM–9:00 PM
Early entry: 6:00 PM
Venue: JULEP Venue
Address: 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Icons + Legends opens the festival’s signature weekend with an evening centered on notable wines, culinary talent and special tasting experiences.
The event was previously known as Grand Decant. Ticket holders should check the official listing for the confirmed 2026 wineries, chefs, participating brands and admission options.
Grand Tasting
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
General admission: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
VIP and early entry: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Venue: Embarcadero Marina Park North
Address: 400 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
The Grand Tasting is the festival’s largest waterfront tasting event. It brings together chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries, spirit producers, gourmet food companies, live entertainment and culinary competitions along San Diego Bay.
The official 2026 event information describes a lineup of more than 200 wineries, breweries and spirit producers, along with more than 80 chefs and restaurants from the West Coast and Baja region.
The Grand Tasting also includes the Chef of the Fest competition, where participating culinary teams compete for the People’s Choice title.
Grand Fiesta
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
General admission: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
VIP and early entry: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Venue: Embarcadero Marina Park North
Address: 400 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
Grand Fiesta closes the festival weekend with food, wine, craft beer, Mexican spirits, live music and cultural experiences influenced by San Diego, Baja California and Latin America.
The event highlights chefs and culinary traditions from both sides of the border. Festival experiences may include the Taco TKO competition, Baja-focused food and beverage tastings, Mexican wines and spirits, art installations and live entertainment.
San Diego Food + Wine Festival Locations
The festival takes place at multiple locations, so attendees should review the address shown on their individual ticket.
JULEP Venue
Address: 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego, CA 92101
JULEP Venue hosts the Friday evening Icons + Legends event.
Embarcadero Marina Park North
Address: 400 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
Embarcadero Marina Park North hosts the Grand Tasting on Saturday and the Grand Fiesta on Sunday. The waterfront park offers views of San Diego Bay, the marina and the downtown skyline.
What Is Included with a Festival Ticket?
Festival events are generally all-inclusive unless the individual ticket listing states otherwise. Food and beverage tastings within the ticketed admission area are included.
VIP tickets may provide access to designated VIP areas, additional tastings or earlier admission. Parking, transportation, merchandise, artwork and retail purchases are not included unless specifically stated.
Food and beverage servings are tasting-sized portions rather than full restaurant-sized meals.
Tickets for the San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Tickets are available for individual signature events and multi-day festival packages. Available options may include:
- Icons + Legends tickets
- Grand Tasting general admission
- Grand Tasting VIP admission
- Grand Fiesta general admission
- Grand Fiesta early-entry admission
- Two-day Grand Weekend packages
- Full three-day weekend packages
All ticket sales are final and refunds are not normally provided. Festival tickets may be transferred to another eligible attendee who is at least 21 years old.
Use the official San Diego Food + Wine Festival ticket platform to review current pricing, availability and package inclusions.
Age Requirements
All San Diego Food + Wine Festival events are restricted to guests who are 21 years of age or older.
Children and infants are not permitted. Guests should bring a valid government-issued photo ID for admission.
Pets are not allowed. Trained service animals required because of a guest’s disability are permitted.
Bag and Security Policy
All attendees are subject to security screening and bag inspection.
Small purses, totes and drawstring bags may be permitted, but backpacks are prohibited. Guests should review the current official policy before arriving because permitted bag sizes and security requirements may change.
Weapons and other items considered a security risk are not allowed.
Weather Policy
The San Diego Food + Wine Festival is scheduled to take place rain or shine.
Because the Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta are outdoor waterfront events, attendees should check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is not included with festival admission.
The festival recommends using a rideshare service, particularly for guests who plan to consume alcoholic beverages. Public garages, surface lots and limited metered parking are available near Embarcadero Marina Park North, but availability and rates may change.
Allow additional time for downtown traffic, parking, security screening and entry.
What to Wear
The general dress code is casual. Comfortable shoes are recommended because guests may spend several hours walking and standing at tasting stations.
For outdoor events, consider bringing weather-appropriate clothing that complies with the festival’s bag and security policies.
About the San Diego Food + Wine Festival
The San Diego Food + Wine Festival, formerly known as the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, is an annual celebration of food, wine, craft beverages and regional culinary culture.
The festival was named the winner of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Wine Festival in both 2023 and 2024.
Its programming highlights the culinary communities of San Diego, Southern California and Baja California through public tastings, chef competitions, wine and spirit experiences, dinners, educational events and cultural programming.
Important Festival Information
Dates, times, participating chefs, restaurants, wineries, beverage brands, ticket availability and event locations may change.
Before attending, confirm the following through the official event or ticket page:
- The correct event venue
- General admission and early-entry times
- Ticket type and package inclusions
- Age and identification requirements
- Parking or transportation arrangements
- Bag and security policies
- Weather updates
- Event status
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the San Diego Food + Wine Festival in 2026?
The three signature festival events take place from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, 2026. Additional dinners and culinary experiences may be scheduled earlier in the wider festival week.
Where is the San Diego Food + Wine Festival held?
The festival uses multiple San Diego venues. Icons + Legends takes place at JULEP Venue, while the Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta take place at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
What time does the Grand Tasting start?
Grand Tasting general admission is scheduled from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, 2026. VIP and early-entry admission begins at 11:00 AM.
What is included with a festival ticket?
Tickets generally include admission and tasting-sized food and beverage samples within the guest’s ticketed area. Parking, transportation, merchandise and other retail purchases are not included unless stated otherwise.
Is the San Diego Food + Wine Festival only for adults?
Yes. All festival events are restricted to guests aged 21 and older. Children and infants are not permitted.
Are San Diego Food + Wine Festival tickets refundable?
Ticket sales are final and refunds are generally not offered. Tickets may be transferred to another attendee who meets the age and identification requirements.
Does the festival take place if it rains?
Yes. Festival events are scheduled to take place rain or shine.
Where should I purchase official festival tickets?
Tickets should be purchased through the official San Diego Food + Wine Festival website and authorized ticket platform. Confirm the event name, date, location and admission type before completing the purchase.
