Must-Attend Fall Food and Drink Festivals Across the U.S.

As autumn rolls in, food enthusiasts across the U.S. prepare to immerse themselves in a delicious celebration of seasonal flavors. This fall, it’s all about savoring the unique dishes and drinks that define each locale. Festivals brimming with local specialties—from the cherished Hatch chiles of New Mexico to expertly crafted bourbons of Kentucky—are ready to tantalize your palate. Here’s a roundup of nine standout food and drink festivals you won’t want to miss.

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Photo: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival

• Date: September 23–27, 2026
• Admission: Tickets starting around $100 per person

Originating in 1991 as a modest one-day event for 20 restaurants, the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta has grown into a five-day culinary extravaganza that attracts around 4,500 attendees. The festival showcases nearly 60 local restaurants and over 90 wineries, featuring cooking demonstrations, wine dinners, and educational seminars. A highlight is the Chile Friday, dedicated to the iconic New Mexican chile pepper, culminating in the Grand Tasting event where participants can relish unique pairings. Smaller, intimate wine dinners and seminars create added excitement throughout the week.

Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival (Hawaiʻi)

Photo: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival

• Date: October 16–November 8, 2026
• Admission: Starting at $150 per event

Co-founded by culinary legends Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, this festival celebrates local ingredients through 11 ticketed events spread across three islands. Nearly 100 chefs, including renowned figures from shows like Top Chef, collaborate to create exquisite dishes sourced solely from Hawaiʻian farms and fisheries. Each island will host a major event, supplemented by promotions from local restaurants. Proceeds from the festival support culinary scholarships, enriching the local culinary landscape.

Fall for Greenville (Greenville, South Carolina)

Photo: Fall for Greenville

• Date: October 9-11, 2026
• Admission: Free (food and drink purchased separately)

Diversely delicious, the Fall for Greenville festival transforms downtown Greenville into a culinary oasis featuring over 50 local restaurants serving around 250 different dishes. With no admission fee, guests simply purchase tickets for tastings, creating a festival atmosphere where around 150,000 people can partake in food and fun. Live music from 80 bands, cooking demonstrations, and a beer and wine garden complete the experience.

Bowling Green Bourbon and Brewfest (Bowling Green, Kentucky)

Photo: Bourbon & Brew Fest

• Date: September 10-13, 2026
• Admission: Starting at $115 per person

Hosted at the Bowling Green Ballpark, this festival features tastings of Kentucky bourbon and regional craft brews. Since its inception in 2014, it has become a well-loved gathering for enthusiasts eager to sample distilleries and breweries from across the state without the crowds typical of bigger Louisville festivals. Special VIP options are available for early access to limited releases. Shuttle services are offered for those looking to avoid driving.

Wellfleet OysterFest (Wellfleet, Massachusetts)

Photo: Lezi Rowell / Wellfleet Oyster Alliance

• Date: October 17-18, 2026
• Admission: Starting at $23 per person

Oysters take center stage at this vibrant festival where attendees can enjoy fresh catches, raw oyster bars, and hearty New England chowders while enjoying live music and local craft brews. The event also features educational programs, farm tours, and competitions like the annual Oyster Shuck-Off. Wellfleet's commitment to sustainability ensures that oyster shells are recycled for reef restoration.

Arkansas Cornbread Festival (Little Rock, Arkansas)

Photo: The Arkansas Cornbread Festival

• Date: November 7, 2026
• Admission: Free, with ticket sales for tastings

Focusing on cornbread, this festival invites home cooks and professional chefs to compete in various categories, allowing attendees to taste and vote for their favorites. With live music and local vendors contributing to the atmosphere, the event supports the Arkansas Foodbank. A distinguished low-waste approach includes refill stations to minimize environmental impact.

The Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff (Terlingua, Texas)

Photo: Aastha Karki and Andrew Riefenstahl

• Date: November 4-7, 2026
• Admission: Starting at $80

This historic cookoff, dating back to 1967, draws thousands to a site near Big Bend National Park for a chili competition the way it should be—no beans allowed. Set against a striking desert backdrop, this chili cook-off blends culinary prowess with live music and community spirit. Proceeds benefit various charities, primarily supporting the ALS Association in honor of co-founder Wick Fowler.

San Diego Beer Week (San Diego, California)

Photo: San Diego Brewers Guild

• Date: November 3-12, 2026
• Admission: Event-based pricing TBD

Regarded as the "Capital of Craft," San Diego's Beer Week showcases over 150 independent breweries featuring unique events from tap takeovers to collaboration brews. Rather than a central gathering, this festival encourages exploration across neighborhoods, with special events and limited releases enhancing the local brewing culture. The week culminates in the Capital of Craft Beer Fest, where beer lovers can sample a plethora of offerings all in one place.

Chicago Gourmet (Chicago, Illinois)

Photo: Chicago Gourmet Press Room/James Vitullo

• Date: September 24-27, 2026
• Admission: Event tickets starting from $39

A culinary showcase above Millennium Park, Chicago Gourmet brings together acclaimed chefs, including familiar faces from esteemed cooking shows. With experiences that offer everything from an opening Tacos & Tequila night to a grand tasting event featuring over 30 chefs, attendees enjoy a memorable culinary journey. Ticket options cater to various preferences, allowing food lovers the chance to engage in a range of gastronomic experiences.