Orange County CA Best Food and Drink Festivals
Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.
Taste of Villa Park
March
OC Wine & Spirits Festival
March
Knott's Boysenberry Food & Wine Festival
March
Field Trip Fest Beer & Music Festival
March
OC Food & Wine Festival
March
California Wine Festival Dana Point
April
BBQ, Boots & Brew Perris CA
April
Old Town Orange Taste of Orange
May
Fountain Valley Crawfish Festival
May
Newport Beach Wine Festival
May
Taste of Brea
May
Tustin Chili Cook Off
June
Newport Beach Cigar, Wine & Spirits Tasting
June
OC Food & Wine Celebration
June
Taste of Yorba Linda
July
OC Brew Hee Haw
July
Taste of Placentia
August
Pacific Wine & Food Classic
September
Original Lobster Festival
September
Dana Point Ohana Fest
September
Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival
October
Firkenstein Craft Beer Festival
October
SoCal Vegan Festival
October
Boo Ha Ha Halloween Beer Festival
October
OC Wine & Spirits Fest
October
Beer City Festival Santa Ana
November
Taste of San Clemente
November
Savoring the Flavors of Orange County: A Guide to the Best Food, Wine, Spirits, and Beer Festivals
These events offer a delightful experience for foodies, wine enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys good company and a vibrant atmosphere. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through the best festivals in Orange County that celebrate the delectable world of tastes and flavors.
Orange County CA Food Festivals
Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival: October
This annual Southern California culinary festival brings together top restaurants and caterers from across Orange County for an evening of gourmet tastings and live entertainment. The Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival, hosted at the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach, welcomes over 10,000 attendees to sample dishes from more than 30 local vendors including Broadway by Amar Santana, Las Brisas, and Starfish Laguna. Local craft breweries and regional wineries offer carefully curated drink selections, while guests enjoy live performances from tribute bands like DSB (Journey tribute) and Hot August Nights (Neil Diamond tribute).
The festival features both indoor and outdoor seating areas, with covered pavilions showcasing chef demonstrations and culinary workshops throughout the evening. Special features include a silent auction benefiting local charities, complimentary wine glasses for VIP ticket holders, and designated areas for dancing under the stars.
Taste of San Clemente: November
A vibrant culinary gathering transforms the historic Casino San Clemente into a food lover's paradise in Southern California. The Taste of San Clemente features more than 30 local restaurants, wineries, and craft breweries sharing their finest offerings with guests. Popular vendors like Sonny's Pizza, H.H. Cotton's, and The Cellar showcase signature dishes alongside pours from area favorites including Pizza Port Brewing Company and San Clemente Wine Company.
Live music from local bands entertains over 1,000 attendees while the outdoor format allows guests to enjoy ocean views while sampling dishes ranging from fresh seafood and artisanal pizzas to craft cocktails and local wines. Beyond the food and drinks, the festival highlights include silent auctions benefiting Casa Romantica's cultural programs and exclusive access to areas of the historic property normally closed to visitors.
Orange County CA Wine Festivals
California Wine Festival: April
A premier wine tasting event brings together over 250 wineries for a two-day celebration at the luxurious Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. The California Wine Festival begins in the elegant Sapphire Ballroom with the exclusive Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, featuring limited-production wines and reserve-level vintages from established producers like Robert Mondavi Winery, Justin Vineyards, and Duckhorn Vineyards. Day two expands into both indoor and outdoor venues at Paséa for the signature Beachside Wine Festival, where 1,000's of attendees sample wines alongside gourmet bites including fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, and wood-fired pizzas.
Live entertainment features regional jazz bands and acoustic performers on multiple stages throughout both venues, while guests explore educational wine seminars and cooking demonstrations. VIP guests enjoy early access to rare reserve wines and exclusive tastings in a private pavilion area. The festival incorporates unique touches like a champagne garden, themed photo opportunities, and an artisan marketplace featuring local craftspeople selling wine-related items.
Newport Beach Wine Festival: May
The iconic Southern California coastal festival has been delighting wine enthusiasts and foodies for over 15 years at the luxurious Balboa Bay Resort, drawing more than 3,500 attendees annually. The Newport Beach Wine Festival features 150 premier wine vendors including notable names like Robert Mondavi Winery, Justin Vineyards, and Far Niente, alongside 40 top-tier restaurants serving gourmet bites and chef demonstrations. Guests can sample rare vintage wines while enjoying educational seminars led by master sommeliers and winemakers in intimate settings throughout the waterfront property.
Jazz performances from local artists provide an elegant backdrop as attendees stroll between tasting stations and cooking demonstrations set against Newport Harbor's stunning yacht-filled backdrop. The VIP Grand Tasting Pavilion offers exclusive access to limited production wines and specialty food pairings prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. The festival also hosts specialized events like champagne brunches, winemaker dinners, and exclusive yacht tastings where guests can sip prestigious labels while cruising the harbor.
Orange County CA Spirits Festivals
OC Wine & Spirits Festival: March
Southern California's most sophisticated gathering of wine and spirits connoisseurs has become a significant draw for California's food and beverage enthusiasts. The OC Wine & Spirits Festival, hosted at the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters grounds in Laguna Beach, welcomes over 3,000 attendees to sample from more than 40 craft distilleries and wineries, including notable names like Nolet's Gin, Grey Goose, and local favorite Chapman Crafted Beer.
Festival guests can pair their beverages with offerings from renowned local restaurants including Oceans and Earth Restaurant, Byblos Mediterranean Grill, and First Class Pizza, featuring everything from wood-fired pizzas to fresh Mediterranean specialties. Live entertainment includes performances by tribute bands and local jazz ensembles across two stages throughout the day. The festival distinguishes itself with unique features like a dedicated whiskey tasting lounge, craft cocktail demonstrations by master mixologists, and a VIP area offering rare spirit tastings and champagne service.
Orange County CA Beer Festivals
OC Brew Hee Haw: July
This annual craft beer festival held in Orange County, California has become a cornerstone event for beer enthusiasts across Southern California. The OC Brew Hee Haw takes place at the OC Fair & Event Center, bringing together over 40 craft breweries serving more than 150 different types of beer. Visitors can sample offerings from respected breweries like Bottle Logic, The Bruery, and Bootlegger's Brewery while enjoying live country music performances from local bands on the main stage.
The festival typically draws around 2,500 attendees who can participate in beer education sessions, meet-and-greets with brewmasters, and beer-themed games and competitions. Food options include a curated selection of gourmet food trucks serving everything from BBQ and tacos to specialty sliders and wood-fired pizza. A highlight of the event is the "Rare Beer Section" featuring limited-edition and exclusive brews not typically available to the public.
Oktoberfest Boo Ha Ha: October
The biggest craft beer festival in Southern California draws thousands of attendees to experience seasonal brews and seltzers at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Over 65 breweries with 100's of craft beers and seasonal releases, with notable vendors including Belching Beaver Brewery, Karl Strauss, and Lost Winds Brewing Company offering traditional Oktoberfest-style lagers and festive fall ales. Festival-goers can enjoy German-inspired cuisine from food trucks and vendors, featuring authentic bratwurst, pretzels, and schnitzel while listening to tribute bands performing on multiple stages.
The family-friendly atmosphere includes traditional Bavarian games, stein-holding competitions, and a costume contest where attendees dress in their finest dirndls and lederhosen. Special features include a craft beer garden, themed photo opportunities, and commemorative steins for VIP ticket holders. The festival transforms the fairgrounds into a German beer garden complete with traditional decorations, communal tables, and festive lighting that creates an authentic Oktoberfest ambiance.
These festivals not only offers a taste of Orange County's diverse and thriving food and drink scene but also create unforgettable memories with friends and fellow enthusiasts.