If Austin Food & Wine Festival has been on your fall bucket list, 2026 is officially the year to start planning. The festival returns to Auditorium Shores in downtown Austin November 6–8, 2026, bringing a full weekend of food, wine, spirits, live-fire cooking and some of the best culinary talent together against the Austin skyline.
And the first important date is almost here: presale begins Tuesday, August 18 at 10 a.m. CT. You can sign up now for a presale reminder through the official Austin Food & Wine Festival website. (Austin Food & Wine Festival)
Why Austin Food & Wine Festival Is Worth the Weekend
I’ve attended Austin Food & Wine Festival before, and it’s one of those Austin events that’s about much more than simply sampling food.
You can spend the afternoon moving between bites from Central Texas favorites and chefs from around the country while sampling wine, beer and spirits. There are also Chef Demos, guided Tasting Sessions and plenty of interactive experiences throughout the festival.
And then there are all the colorful brand activations and photo moments throughout the grounds—which are definitely part of the fun.
If you’re a foodie, wine lover or simply looking for a reason to spend a fall weekend in Austin, this is one to put on your calendar.
What’s Coming in 2026
Sip & Savor
This is the heart of the festival experience: bites from Central Texas favorites and chefs from around the country, paired with wines, brews and spirits—all with views of Austin’s skyline.
It’s the part of the weekend where you can wander, discover something new and find yourself going back for just one more bite.
Chef Demos + Tasting Sessions
Want to take a little of the experience home with you?
Festival Chef Demos feature culinary pros sharing techniques and ideas you can actually use in your own kitchen, while guided Tasting Sessions offer opportunities to explore wines, spirits and more.
The Fire Pit
One of the experiences that feels especially Texas is the Fire Pit.
Expect sizzling bites, BBQ and live-fire cooking, with pitmasters cooking over the flames and sharing some of their knowledge along the way.
Made in Texas Returns Friday Night
If you want to make an entire weekend out of the festival, don’t overlook Friday.
Made in Texas kicks off the weekend with an evening devoted to Texas, foodie-style. Think tailgate atmosphere, open-flame cooking and Lone Star favorites straight from the grill.
After experiencing it previously, I’d absolutely consider adding Friday night rather than waiting until Saturday to start the weekend. It gives the festival a completely different feel before the main daytime events begin.
Get Hands-On With Chef Tim Love
Here’s an option for anyone who wants to do more than watch the chefs cook.
Hands-On Grilling takes place Saturday, November 7, giving guests the chance to grab a partner, cook a meal over a charcoal grill and get pitmaster pointers from Chef Tim Love.
This could be one of the most memorable ticket upgrades for someone who loves grilling—or the person who always ends up stationed at the grill during every backyard party.
Austin Food & Wine Festival 2026 Dates & Presale
Austin Food & Wine Festival
Auditorium Shores | Austin, Texas
November 6-8, 2026
Presale: Tuesday, August 18 at 10 a.m. CT
The festival is currently encouraging guests to sign up for a presale reminder ahead of ticket sales.
Sign up for the Austin Food & Wine Festival 2026 presale reminder
The full 2026 lineup and additional details are still rolling out, so I’ll be watching for more announcements as we get closer to November.
If you’re thinking about going, I’d sign up for the presale reminder now rather than waiting until tickets are already on sale.
See you at Auditorium Shores!
Sushi ATX 