The Ultimate Guide to the Denver Food + Wine Festival 2026: Events, Tickets & What to Expect

If you’re searching for the best food and wine festival in Denver, the Denver Food + Wine Festival (DF+WF) is an experience you won’t want to miss. Returning August 26–29, 2026, this four-day culinary celebration brings together Colorado’s most talented chefs, acclaimed restaurants, exceptional wineries, spirits brands, and passionate food lovers for a one-of-a-kind weekend of tasting, discovery, and celebration.

More than just a Denver food festival, the Denver Food + Wine Festival is a celebration of the people and places that make Colorado’s culinary scene one of the most exciting in the country. From exclusive wine seminars and spirited cocktail competitions to unforgettable dining experiences and the can’t-miss Grand Tasting, every event offers a unique way to experience the creativity, craftsmanship, and hospitality behind Colorado’s vibrant food and beverage community.

Even better, every ticket purchased supports the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, making your night out an investment in the future of Colorado’s hospitality industry.

What Is the Denver Food + Wine Festival?

The Denver Food + Wine Festival is Colorado’s largest culinary fundraiser and one of the state’s premier food and wine events. Produced by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and Title Sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the festival showcases the chefs, restaurants, and beverage professionals who shape Colorado’s dining culture while raising funds to support the hospitality community.

For more than two decades, DF+WF has brought together thousands of guests to sip, savor, and celebrate alongside the very people who make Colorado’s restaurants special. The festival creates a rare opportunity to experience dozens of top restaurants in one place, sample hundreds of wines and beverages, meet chefs and makers, and discover new favorites from across the state.

Proceeds from the festival support Colorado Restaurant Foundation programs, including Colorado ProStart® culinary education for high school students, scholarships for future hospitality leaders, workforce development initiatives, mental health and wellness resources, and emergency assistance for restaurant workers through the Angel Relief Fund.

Whether you’re a dedicated foodie, an adventurous wine lover, a local looking for a memorable night out, or a visitor planning a Denver getaway, the Denver Food + Wine Festival offers an unforgettable way to experience the best of Colorado.

What Events Are Included in the Denver Food + Wine Festival?

One of the things that makes the Denver Food + Wine Festival unique is the variety of experiences available throughout the four-day celebration. Each event highlights a different aspect of the culinary world, allowing guests to customize their perfect food and wine weekend.

Riedel Wine Glass Seminar

Wednesday, August 26 // 6 – 7 p.m.

Wine lovers will not want to miss this educational and interactive tasting experience. The Riedel Wine Glass Seminar demonstrates how the shape and design of a wine glass can dramatically impact the aroma, flavor, and overall enjoyment of different varietals.

Led by wine experts, this seminar offers guests the opportunity to taste multiple wines side-by-side in the glasses specifically designed for them. It’s a fascinating experience that changes the way many people think about enjoying wine long after the festival ends.

Shake + Brake Showdown

Thursday, August 27 // 6 – 9 p.m.

Part cocktail competition, part food truck competition, the highly entertaining Shake + Brake Showdown brings together talented bartenders to showcase their creativity, technique, and innovation behind the bar.

Guests can watch some of Colorado’s best mixologists go head-to-head while enjoying imaginative cocktails and experiencing the artistry that goes into creating an exceptional drink.

Dine Out Auction

Friday, August 28 + future dates

The Dine Out Auction offers guests the opportunity to bid on incredible culinary experiences, exclusive dinners, travel packages, tickets, and once-in-a-lifetime items that cannot be found anywhere else.

Every winning bid helps support the mission of the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, turning an exciting opportunity to score unforgettable experiences into a meaningful way to give back to the people who make Colorado’s hospitality industry thrive.

The Grand Tasting: The Signature Denver Food + Wine Festival Experience

Saturday, August 29 // noon – 4 p.m.

If there is one event that defines the Denver Food + Wine Festival, it is the Grand Tasting.

Taking place on Saturday, August 29, at Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, the Grand Tasting is a walk-around culinary experience featuring more than 50 of Colorado’s top restaurants paired with hundreds of wines, spirits, cocktails, and other beverages.

The experience is designed for discovery. Guests can wander from tasting station to tasting station, sampling signature dishes from celebrated chefs, award-winning restaurants, and beloved local favorites all in one afternoon. It’s a chance to try restaurants you have always wanted to visit, discover hidden gems, and experience the incredible diversity of Colorado’s culinary landscape.

The Grand Tasting is also one of the best values in Denver’s dining scene. Instead of making reservations at multiple restaurants or purchasing individual wine tastings, guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience with unlimited bites and sips, live entertainment, interactive experiences, and the excitement of being surrounded by fellow food and wine enthusiasts.

For guests looking for an elevated experience, VIP and First Taste admission options provide early access, allowing attendees to enjoy the event with fewer crowds and more time to connect with chefs, beverage experts, and fellow culinary enthusiasts.

Why the Denver Food + Wine Festival Is a Must-Attend Denver Event

Denver is quickly becoming one of the country’s most exciting culinary destinations, with innovative chefs, nationally recognized restaurants, and a thriving community of local producers and beverage makers.

The Denver Food + Wine Festival captures everything that makes Colorado dining special in one place.

Unlike a typical night out, the festival allows guests to experience dozens of culinary concepts in a single weekend. You can taste dishes from award-winning chefs, explore new wine regions, discover craft spirits, learn from industry experts, and engage directly with the people behind your favorite restaurants.

It’s also a perfect experience for a date night, group outing, celebration, or a memorable activity for visitors looking for unique things to do in Denver in August.

Whether you consider yourself a serious foodie or simply someone who loves a great meal and a great atmosphere, the Denver Food + Wine Festival is designed to be approachable, exciting, and unforgettable.

More Than a Food Festival: Supporting Colorado’s Restaurant Community

What truly sets the Denver Food + Wine Festival apart is its purpose.

Behind every incredible bite, perfectly crafted cocktail, and memorable dining experience is a community of chefs, servers, bartenders, managers, and hospitality professionals who dedicate their lives to creating meaningful experiences for others.

The Colorado Restaurant Foundation exists to support these individuals through education, career development, financial assistance, and programs that strengthen the future of the hospitality industry.

By attending the Denver Food + Wine Festival, guests become part of that mission. Every ticket, every auction bid, and every toast contributes to programs that help hospitality professionals build careers, overcome unexpected hardships, and continue making Colorado’s restaurant community exceptional.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Denver Food + Wine Festival

When is the Denver Food + Wine Festival 2026?

The Denver Food + Wine Festival takes place August 26–29, 2026, with events occurring throughout the four-day celebration.

Where is the Denver Food + Wine Festival held?

Festival events take place at various locations throughout the Denver area, with the Grand Tasting and Shake + Brake Showdown held at the beautiful Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver.

Is food and drink included with my ticket?

Yes. Denver Food + Wine Festival experiences are designed as all-inclusive events, allowing guests to enjoy chef-prepared bites, wines, cocktails, spirits, and other beverages as part of their admission.

Is the Grand Tasting worth it?

Absolutely. The Grand Tasting offers access to more than 50 restaurants and hundreds of beverages in a single afternoon, making it one of the best opportunities to explore Colorado’s culinary scene while supporting a meaningful cause.

Who should attend the Denver Food + Wine Festival?

The festival is perfect for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, visitors looking for unique Denver experiences, couples planning a special date, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to celebrate and support Colorado’s hospitality community.

Plan Your Visit to the Denver Food + Wine Festival 2026

Whether you choose to attend one event or experience the entire weekend, the Denver Food + Wine Festival offers a chance to eat, drink, learn, and connect with Colorado’s incredible culinary community.

From discovering your new favorite restaurant to tasting wines from around the world, watching talented bartenders compete, and supporting the people behind the hospitality industry, every moment of DF+WF is designed to be memorable.

Tickets for the Denver Food + Wine Festival 2026 are on sale now. Gather your friends, bring your appetite, and prepare to sip, savor, and celebrate at Colorado’s most delicious weekend of the year.

Get tickets here: 2026 Denver Food + Wine Festival