San Francisco Best Food and Drink Festivals
Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.
Napa Truffle Festival
January
SF Chronicle Wine Competition
February
SF Beer Week
February
Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off
February
Lodi Wine & Chocolate Festival
February
Sonoma Crab & Wine Festival
February
SF Beer Week Fest
February
Beer City Festival Santa Rosa Half/10K/5K
February
Cherry Blossum Festival
April
Bay Area Craft Beer Festival
April
Battle of the Brews Sonoma
April
Bay Area Brew Fest
April
Piedmont Food Fest
April
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival
April
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival
May
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
May
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival
May
BottleRock Music, Food & Wine Festival Napa Valley
May
Daly City FoodieLand Festival
May
Chow Fun Asian Dine Around
May
Freemont Burger & Brew Fest
May
Beer City Festival San Jose 10K/5K
May
Union Street Festival
June
Monterey Wine Festival
June
North Coast Wine & Food Festival Santa Rosa
June
North Beach Festival
June
San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival
June
Taste of Sonoma
June
Carneros Sip & Stroll Wine Festival
June
Gilroy Garlic Festival
July
Taste of Napa Food & Wine Festival
July
Outside Lands
August
Freemont Beer City Festival Half/10K/5K
August
Mammoth Festival of Beers
August
Tiburon Taps Beer Festival
September
Brewsology Beer Festival San Jose
September
Alameda Point Beer City Festival 10K/5K
September
Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
September
Whiskies of the World SF
September
Haight Ashbury Street Fair
September
Mountain View Art and Wine Festival
September
Castro Street Fair
October
USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience
October
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Festival
October
World of Dumplings Festival
October
SF WhiskeyFest
October
Art and Pumpkin Festival
October
Whiskey X Spirits Festival
November
Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
November
Eat Drink SF
November
What's happening San Francisco! This city is a food and drink lover's paradise, showcasing an array of some of the best festivals in the state.
Whether you're a beer enthusiast, wine aficionado, lover of whiskey and bourbon, or you simply appreciate great food, there's a festival for you.
San Francisco Food Festivals
USA Today Food & Wine Experience: October
San Francisco's culinary scene comes alive at this annual event held at the Civil War Parade Ground in the Presidio. Attendees can sample offerings from approximately 30 local restaurants and beverage purveyors, including California Fish Grill, CocoTutti Chocolates, and um.ma Korean Seoul Food. Wine enthusiasts can sip varietals from Adobe Road Winery and New Zealand Wine Navigator, while spirits aficionados might enjoy Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur or Codigo 1530 Tequila.
The festival features live cooking demonstrations and mixology classes, with hands-on cocktail crafting experiences sponsored by Skrewball Whiskey. With a expansive musical lineup, this event promises a lively atmosphere with food, drinks, and entertainment for thousands of San Francisco food and wine lovers.
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Chow Fun SF: May
The bustling Asian food festival brings together over 45 local restaurants and food vendors along San Francisco's Mission Street and Geneva Avenue corridors, expanding into the Ocean View, Merced, and Ingleside neighborhoods. Notable participants include China Live's duck sliders, Tin's Tea House dim sum, and Noodle in a Haystack's signature ramen bowls. Live entertainment features traditional lion dancers alongside contemporary Asian-American musicians performing at multiple stages throughout the festival route, while local mixologists craft specialty cocktails using Asian spirits and ingredients.
The event draws approximately 8,000 attendees throughout the weekend who sample creative dishes like black sesame ice cream, fresh hand-pulled noodles, and innovative fusion creations. Special features include hands-on dumpling making workshops, calligraphy demonstrations, and a night market with glowing lanterns illuminating vendor stalls along Bayshore Avenue. Local DJs spin a mix of K-pop and electronic music while guests enjoy the vibrant neighborhood atmosphere and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities against custom-designed festival backdrops.
San Francisco Spirits Festivals
Whiskies of the World SF: October
This premier whiskey tasting event in San Francisco offers an unparalleled experience for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Hosted at the elegant Beacon Grand, formerly known as the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the festival showcases over 150 carefully selected whiskies from around the globe. Attendees can sample drams from renowned distilleries such as Green River, Savage & Cooke, Uncle Nearest, and Westward, among many others. The event features light gourmet bites to complement the whiskey tastings, including tempura-battered chicken and wagyu beef sliders.
VIP ticket holders enjoy exclusive pours and early access to the festivities, enhancing their tasting journey. A unique aspect of the event is the opportunity to participate in masterclasses, such as the "Inside the Barrel" session by Widow Jane, offering deeper insights into the art of whiskey-making.
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Whiskey X Spirits Festival: November
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Whiskey enthusiasts will gather at Historic Pier 70 in San Francisco for a celebration of exceptional spirits. This premier tasting event features over 70 craft distilleries including standouts Redwood Empire, Westland, and Nikka Whisky. Attendees can sample rare single malts and innovative bourbon expressions while enjoying gourmet food pairings from local restaurants like State Bird Provisions and Rich Table.
Nearly 3,000 enthusiasts are expected to gather for this popular event, which showcases both established brands and emerging craft producers. The festival's popular masterclass series includes hands-on blending workshops and expert-led tastings, while live performances by indie folk band Wilderado provide a perfect soundtrack for the sophisticated affair.
San Francisco Wine Festivals
SF Chronicle Wine Competition and Tasting: February
The largest wine competition in North America attracts over 5,700 entries from 1,000 wineries across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Held annually, the event culminates in a public tasting at Fort Mason in San Francisco, where wine enthusiasts can sample hundreds of award-winning wines. Attendees have the opportunity to taste gold medal and above winners, including offerings from renowned wineries like Chandon, V. Sattui, and Dry Creek Vineyard.
The tasting also features gourmet food pairings from local artisanal producers, allowing guests to explore perfect wine and food combinations. This event offers a festive atmosphere where visitors can mingle with winemakers, learn about different wine regions, and discover new favorites among the diverse selection of varietals and styles.
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Taste of Napa Food and Wine Festival: July
This celebration of culinary excellence and wine mastery draws thousands of visitors from across California to The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley. The Taste of Napa Food and Wine Festival showcases over 70 local artisan vendors, including renowned establishments like Bouchon Bakery, The Model Bakery, and Kenzo Estate. Festival attendees can sample farm-to-table dishes from Michelin-starred chefs while tasting premium wines from prestigious vineyards such as Robert Mondavi Winery and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Live music performances feature local jazz ensembles and acoustic artists on multiple stages throughout the grounds, creating an elegant backdrop for the sophisticated affair. The festival's VIP garden lounge offers exclusive wine tastings, chef demonstrations, and intimate meet-and-greets with winemakers in a private setting. Special features include guided wine education seminars, artisanal cheese pairings, live cooking demonstrations, and a carefully curated marketplace where visitors can purchase local olive oils, honeys, and specialty foods.
San Francisco Beer Festivals
Bay Area Brew Fest: April
Thousands of craft beer enthusiasts gather to celebrate California's vibrant brewing culture at one of San Francisco's most anticipated festivals of the year. The Bay Area Brew Festival, hosted at the Presidio Main Lawn, welcomes over 70 breweries serving more than 200 different craft beers, including popular local favorites like 21st Amendment Brewery, Almanac Beer Co, and Fort Point Beer Company. Food trucks line the venue offering an array of street food options from gourmet tacos to artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches, while live DJs keep the energy high with an upbeat mix of electronic and pop music throughout the day.
The festival features two separate tasting sessions to accommodate the 4,000+ attendees who come to sample unlimited 3-ounce pours of unique and seasonal brews. Special features include a dedicated cider alley, outdoor games like giant Jenga and cornhole, and a VIP lounge offering exclusive beer selections and shorter lines. Local artists display their work throughout the spacious lawn venue, adding a cultural element to this beer-centric celebration that has become a cornerstone of San Francisco's craft beverage scene.
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San Jose Beer City Festival: June
The annual celebration of craft beer and running springs to life at the scenic Almaden Lake Park, combining athletic achievement with local brewing culture. Participants can choose from multiple race options including a half marathon, 10k, 5k, the unique Beer Stroll, Race the Rex beer mile, and a family-friendly Questicorn kids fun run/walk. San Jose-area brewers showcase their finest selections, serving samples in distinctive 7-ounce Beer City Festival tasting glasses.
This community gathering welcomes both runners and beer enthusiasts, with special tasting tickets available for those interested solely in the brewing experience. The lakeside venue provides a picturesque backdrop for participants to celebrate their athletic accomplishments or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere. As part of the larger Beer City Half Series, the San Jose event has established itself as a standout stop that successfully merges fitness with the region's thriving craft beer scene.
These festivals not only celebrate the city's exceptional food and drink scene but also provide a platform for local and international purveyors to showcase their craft. So, if you live in, or find yourself in San Francisco, make sure to check out one of these festivals to indulge in a unique and flavorful experience that the city has to offer.