San Diego Food + Wine Festival Returns Nov. 1–8. 2026
About the Event
The 22nd annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival (SDFW) returns Nov. 1–8, 2026, welcoming attendees for eight days of cultural events celebrating Southern California and Baja with participating chefs, winemakers, spirits producers, and culinary experts from across the country and county joining us on the San Diego Bay shoreline.
This year brings SDFW’s biggest programming evolution in more than two decades, ushering in a new era for the cross-border culinary event. The reimagined Grand Weekend features the debut of Icons + Legends, all-new “culinary districts” to explore, an expanded food rescue program in partnership with Rethink Food and the San Diego Food Bank, and—for the first time—a seamless two-day waterfront celebration that brings the Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta together at the iconic Embarcadero.
Renowned culinary talents from Food Network and Top Chef to Michelin Guide and the James Beard Foundation will attend SDFW 2026. The Festival’s talent roster includes Two-Michelin-star chef and winner of the Antonin Carême Medal Suzette Gresham; Top Chef finalist Joe Sasto; Michelin-starred, James Beard Award semifinalist, and executive chef of New York Times 50 Best Restaurants of 2025 honored Eric Bost; James Beard Award winners Maynard Llera and Susan Bae; Baja culinary pioneer Javier Plascencia; acclaimed pastry chef Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman; and sommelier and wine educator Cha McCoy, alongside lauded chefs and winemakers from both sides of the border.
New this year, attendees will explore a series of “culinary districts” hosted by gastronomic all-stars, including:
- Smoke + Fire, a live-fire playground where premium proteins meet open flame
- Sweet Street, an indulgent destination devoted to pastry, desserts, and coffee
- So San Diego, showcasing the city's thriving local indie innovation and arts + culture scene
- Street Feast: Asian Market, inspired by vibrant Asian night markets
- South of the Border, an immersive journey into the people, places, and craftsmanship that define Baja and Mexico
Here’s a peek into SDFW’s three signature Grand Weekend experiences:
Icons + Legends (Friday, Nov. 6. VIP + Early Entry: 6 – 9 p.m. General Admission: 6:30 – 9 p.m.) a new opening-night tasting featuring award-winning chefs, wines, and spirits.
Grand Tasting, Presented by Southwest Airlines® (Saturday, Nov. 7 VIP + Early Entry: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. General Admission: Noon – 3 p.m.) the flagship event with Michelin and James Beard-recognized talent, immersive tasting activations, and the attendee-voted “Chef of the Fest” competition.
Grand Fiesta, Presented by Southwest Airlines® (Sunday, Nov. 8 VIP + Early Entry: 11a.m. – 3 p.m. General Admission: Noon – 3 p.m.): now held at the Embarcadero for the Festival’s first seamless two-day waterfront celebration, complete with expanded Baja programming and annual “Taco TKO” competition.
