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San Diego Best Food and Drink Festivals
Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.
SD Brunch
Gator
SD LSU
Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival
April
North Park Festival of Beers
April
Tequila & Taco Music Festival
April
Lakehouse Food & Wine Festival
April
North Park Salsa Festival
May
LSU Alumni Crawfish Boil
May
Gator by the Bay Crawfish Festival
May
Brunch Bash
May
Mt. Helix Food & Wine Festival
May
Del Mar FoodieLand Festival
May
Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival
June
Carlsbad Wine Festival
June
Encinitas Wine & Food Festival
June
Best of North County Festival
June
Ocean Beach Fair & Chili Cook-Off
June
Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival
June
San Diego Brewfest
June
San Diego Tiki Oasis
July
Whiskies of the World
July
San Diego Magazine Best of San Diego
July
So Cal Taco Festival
August
Mission Bayfest
September
Oside Flavor Food & Beverage Festival
September
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
September
San Diego Zoo Food Wine & Brew
September
San Diego Spirits Festival
September
Encinitas Octoberfest
September
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
September
Taste of Oceanside
October
La Mesa Oktoberfest
October
Pacific Beach Fest
October
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
October
Del Mar Food & Wine Festival
October
Sails & Ales Beer Fest Kona Kai
November
San Diego Food & Wine Festival
November
Uncorked Derby Days Wine Fest
November
Beer by the Bay Coronado
November
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook Off
December
So Cal Taco
SD BrewF
SD Spirits
SD F&W
Savoring San Diego: A Sips and Eats Adventure through Food & Drink Festivals
Looking for fun things to do in San Diego? In addition to the beaches and great weather, it's also packed with outstanding food and drink festivals. This Southern California city is a total paradise. Throughout the year, you can dive into all kinds of festivals that highlight San Diego's diverse food and drink scene.
San Diego Beer Festivals, A Craft Beer Wonderland
North Park Festival of Beers: April
Held annually, this craft beer celebration in San Diego's trendy North Park neighborhood draws over 3,000 beer enthusiasts to sample offerings from more than 50 local and regional breweries. The North Park Festival of Beers transforms the iconic Observatory North Park venue into a beer lover's paradise, featuring unlimited tastings from renowned breweries like Modern Times, Pizza Port, and Stone Brewing. Local food trucks and restaurants serve up artisanal bites, including gourmet sliders, tacos, and wood-fired pizzas to complement the diverse beer selection.
Past musical performances have included local bands like The Silent Comedy and Stick Figure, playing on two stages throughout the festival day. Special features include a home brewers' competition where amateur brewers showcase their creations, plus a "Meet the Brewers" VIP session before the main event begins. A portion of proceeds benefits local North Park community organizations and the San Diego Music Foundation, which provides music education programs to area schools.
San Diego Brew Fest: June
This premier craft beer festival in Southern California features over 70 breweries serving more than 200 unique beers, making San Diego Brew Fest a must-attend event at Liberty Station's Ingram Plaza. Local favorites like AleSmith Brewing Company, Ballast Point, and Stone Brewing pour alongside emerging craft breweries, while food trucks serve everything from gourmet tacos to artisanal pizza. Live performances from regional bands like The Big Lewinsky and Electric Mud keep the crowd of approximately 3,000 attendees dancing throughout the afternoon.
A dedicated gaming area offers giant Jenga, cornhole tournaments, and beer pong competitions, adding an interactive element to the festivities. Several VIP tents provide shade and exclusive tastings of limited-release brews, while educational sessions hosted by certified cicerones offer insights into brewing techniques and beer appreciation. The festival emphasizes sustainability with compostable serving ware and partners with local rideshare services to promote responsible transportation options.
Beer by the Bay Coronado: November
Coronado Ferry Landing transforms annually into a vibrant gathering spot for craft beer enthusiasts and foodies alike. With over 30 vendors including local favorites like Coronado Brewing Company, Mike Hess Brewing, and Stone Brewing, attendees can sample a diverse array of handcrafted beers and culinary offerings. The festival typically draws approximately 1,000 visitors who enjoy not only beer tastings but also specialty food offerings from local restaurants and vendors.
A waterfront stage hosts local bands and acoustic performers throughout the day, creating a laid-back soundtrack for the event. The picturesque location offers stunning views of the San Diego skyline across the bay, making it a photographer's dream and adding a scenic backdrop to this community-focused celebration.
Raise a Glass to San Diego Wine Festivals
Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival: April
The scenic Spanish Landing Park welcomes thousands of wine enthusiasts annually for a premier tasting event. Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival features more than 100 wines from respected vineyards like Justin Vineyards, Caymus, and Charles Krug alongside local San Diego favorites including Orfila Vineyards and Carruth Cellars. A diverse lineup of 12 gourmet food trucks offers delectable pairings, with standouts including fresh seafood from Blue Water Seafood truck and artisanal grilled cheese from Cheese Smiths.
This festival includes live acoustic sets from local musicians on two stages, with past performers including Whitney Shay and Michael Tiernan. VIP ticket holders gain early entry and access to an exclusive lounge area featuring premium reserve wines and chef demonstrations. The event supports the San Diego Food Bank through wine bottle auctions and direct donations, having raised over $50,000 in previous years.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival: November
The largest wine and culinary festival on the West Coast draws over 11,000 guests to San Diego's stunning Embarcadero Marina Park North each year. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival features more than 300 wineries, breweries, spirits companies, and 60 of San Diego's top restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood to artisanal chocolates. Celebrity chefs including Rick Bayless, Marcus Samuelsson, and Nancy Silverton have headlined cooking demonstrations at the main event's Grand Tasting, while local jazz bands provide ambient entertainment throughout the grounds.
Festival-goers can participate in hands-on cooking classes, wine tasting seminars, and specialized workshops led by master sommeliers at various downtown venues including the InterContinental Hotel. The weeklong celebration includes special dining events like intimate winemaker dinners, taco competitions, and seafood celebrations hosted at premier restaurants across the city. A highlight of the festival is the fresh oyster and caviar bar, featuring varieties from both coasts, alongside the popular "Taco TKO" competition where local chefs compete for the title of San Diego's best taco.
San Diego Food Festivals, A Taste Like No Other
Tequila & Taco Music Festival: April
The beloved two-day California festival brings together the finest local taquerias and tequila distilleries at Thrive Park at Snapdragon Stadium. Over 35 vendors, including popular spots like Cocina 35, City Tacos, and The Taco Stand, serve up authentic street tacos ranging from traditional carne asada to innovative seafood and vegan options. Premium tequila tastings feature more than 50 different varieties from renowned producers like Patrón, Don Julio, and Casamigos, along with craft margaritas and Mexican beer selections.
Live performances from local Latin bands and DJs create a festive atmosphere, while Lucha Libre wrestling matches and traditional folk dancers add cultural flair to the entertainment lineup. The spacious venue accommodates thousands attendees throughout the weekend, with shaded areas and misting stations keeping guests comfortable. Food enthusiasts can participate in cooking demonstrations by local chefs, enter the hot pepper eating contest, or learn about tequila production processes through educational seminars hosted by master distillers.
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew: September
One of Southern California's premier tasting events brings together craft beer enthusiasts, wine lovers, and foodies for an evening of unlimited samples at a unique setting. The San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew festival transforms the iconic zoo's grounds into an after-hours culinary paradise, featuring over 60 local and regional vendors offering their finest creations. Local favorites like Stone Brewing, Ballast Point, Modern Times Beer, and Karl Strauss serve signature craft beers, while notable San Diego restaurants like The Prado, Hodad's, and Extraordinary Desserts provide delectable bites ranging from sliders to gourmet pastries.
Festival-goers, typically numbering around 3,000 attendees, enjoy live music from local bands on multiple stages throughout the zoo grounds while exploring food stations strategically placed near animal exhibits. Live performers, including stilt walkers and acrobats, entertain guests as they sample their way through the various zones, with some animal encounters and keeper talks adding an educational element to the epicurean experience. Special features include a champagne lounge, craft cocktail demonstrations, a dessert pavilion, and the unique opportunity to enjoy the zoo's nighttime ambiance while many nocturnal animals are most active.
San Diego Spirits Festivals, A Toast to Great Libations
San Diego Magazine Best of San Diego: August
This premier summer food and drink celebration in Southern California brings together more than 100 local restaurants, craft breweries, wineries, and spirit purveyors at Liberty Station's sprawling central promenade. Nearly 2,500 attendees gather to sample signature dishes from renowned eateries like Born & Raised, Callie, and Herb & Wood, alongside craft beer pours from Modern Times, Pure Project, and Stone Brewing. Live entertainment features local bands performing across two stages, with DJ sets keeping the energy high between performances. Festival-goers can explore themed zones including a whiskey and bourbon tasting garden, a wine pavilion featuring regional vintners, and a dessert corner showcasing artisanal chocolates and pastries.
Special features include live cooking demonstrations from San Diego's top chefs, mixology competitions where local bartenders showcase their skills, and an exclusive VIP lounge offering premium spirits and champagne tastings. The all-inclusive format allows guests to enjoy unlimited tastings throughout the evening while exploring interactive photo opportunities and lounging in shaded seating areas amid Liberty Station's historic surroundings.
San Diego Spirits Festival: October
The San Diego Spirits Festival, now in its 15th year, is being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, offering attendees a picturesque coastal backdrop. Over 60 brands are showcasing their finest cocktails, including well-known names like Tito's Vodka, Maker's Mark, and local distilleries such as You & Yours Distilling Co. Visitors can sample a wide array of spirits, from whiskey and bourbon to tequila and gin, as well as enjoy food pairings from popular San Diego restaurants.
The event features live music performances by local bands such as The Sully Band and DJ sets by DJ Artistic, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. With a capacity for over 3,000 attendees, the event attracts a mix of industry professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and curious locals looking to explore the world of craft spirits.
San Diego hosts a vibrant array of food, wine, spirits, and beer festivals, where culinary enthusiasts can savor a diverse spectrum of flavors and indulge in the region's finest libations.
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