Sacramento Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Sacramento is the place to be if you're into great food, wine, and beer. The city is known for its awesome festivals that bring together some of the best flavors and drinks around. Here's a sneak peek at some of the best food, wine, and beer festivals that make Sacramento a food lover's dream come true.

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Sacramento Food Festivals:

 

All American Rib Cookoff: August

 

The annual barbecue festival in Auburn, California, promises a day of mouthwatering ribs and family-friendly entertainment. Held at the Regional Park, the event features a competitive rib cookoff where local grill masters showcase their skills. Attendees can sample ribs from various vendors, including popular teams like Red Dog BBQ, Smokin' Bliss BBQ, and Gold Country Church. The festival offers more than just ribs, with craft beers, a full bar, and live music performances throughout the day.

 

Families can enjoy the kids' zone with interactive games and activities, while adults browse handmade goods from local artisans. With an expected attendance of several thousand people, the event also supports local non-profit organizations, making it a community-focused celebration of summer and barbecue.

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Farm-to-Fork Festival: September

 

Northern California's largest food festival has grown into one of the most significant culinary events in the western United States, drawing over 50,000 attendees to downtown Sacramento's Capitol Mall. The Farm-to-Fork Festival showcases more than 200 vendors, including local farms, restaurants, wineries, and craft breweries from across Northern California's agricultural region. Notable participants include Mulvaney's B&L restaurant, Track 7 Brewing Company, and Bogle Vineyards, serving everything from fresh produce to gourmet prepared dishes and local craft beverages. Live cooking demonstrations take place on multiple stages, where regional chefs share techniques using seasonal ingredients sourced directly from nearby farms.

 

The festival features live music performances on the main stage, though I should note that since my knowledge has a cutoff date, I want to be careful about specifying particular musical acts as these change annually. Special features include a designated kids' zone with hands-on agricultural education activities, a butchery competition, and the "Visit Sacramento" burger battle which pits local chefs against each other for the title of best burger in the region.

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Sacramento Wine Festivals:

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White Wine Weekend: February

 

This California coastal region transforms into a spirited celebration of the area's acclaimed Alsatian-style wines each winter. The White Wine Weekend at Anderson Valley invites wine enthusiasts to gather at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds for intimate tastings with 25 local vintners, including Navarro Vineyards, Toulouse Vineyards, and Handley Cellars. Guests sample crisp Gewürztraminers, aromatic Rieslings, and elegant Pinot Gris while expert winemakers share their craft through educational seminars and hands-on demonstrations. Local chefs prepare seasonal pairings featuring fresh Mendocino Coast seafood, artisanal cheeses, and farm-to-table specialties from nearby producers.

 

The festival, typically hosting around 800 attendees, features live folk and jazz performances from regional musicians throughout the weekend. A highlight includes the grand tasting tent where visitors can vote for their favorite wines while learning about the valley's unique terroir and cool-climate growing conditions.

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Foothill Wine Festival:  November

 

This beloved Sierra Foothills celebration, the Foothill Wine Festival, brings together over 50 premier wineries at the stunning Palladio in Folsom, California. The festival draws approximately 1,200 wine enthusiasts who sample award-winning varietals from regional vintners who have mastered the unique terroir of the Sierra Foothills appellation. Local food vendors showcase their culinary expertise with artisanal bites perfectly paired to complement the wine selections.

 

The expansive outdoor venue at the Palladio provides an elegant backdrop for this sophisticated yet relaxed wine-tasting experience. Live music fills the air as guests mingle and explore the carefully curated selection of wines. The festival has become a cornerstone event for showcasing the exceptional winemaking talent and agricultural bounty of the Sierra Foothills region.

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Sacramento Craft Beer Festivals:

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Capital City Beer Fest: March

 

Sacramento's craft beer scene comes alive at this premier tasting event that has captured the hearts of Northern California beer enthusiasts. The Capital City Beer Fest, hosted at the Downtown Commons plaza near Golden 1 Center, typically welcomes over 7,000 beer enthusiasts eager to sample from more than 100 breweries and 300 different beers including favorites like Track 7, Device, Urban Roots and New Glory. Attendees enjoy unlimited tastings paired with dishes from local food trucks serving everything from wood-fired pizzas to gourmet tacos, while live music creates an upbeat atmosphere featuring local bands performing rock and blues.

 

The festival incorporates both indoor and outdoor spaces, with covered areas providing shade during warm Sacramento afternoons and the plaza's built-in stage hosting the musical performances. Special features include a homebrew competition judged by certified beer experts, educational sessions about brewing techniques, and exclusive VIP areas offering specialty rare beer releases. The event supports the Runnin' for Rhett Youth Fitness Program, helping promote youth health and fitness initiatives throughout the Sacramento region.

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California Brewers Festival: September

 

The largest craft beer event in Northern California draws thousands of enthusiastic beer lovers to Discovery Park in Sacramento each fall. The California Brewers Festival showcases more than 125 craft breweries, including popular local establishments like Drakes Brewing, Knee Deep Brewing, and New Glory Craft Brewery. Festival attendees can sample from over 300 different craft beers while enjoying food from local food trucks serving everything from wood-fired pizza to gourmet tacos. Live music performances from regional bands, including alternative rock group James Cavern & The Council, provide a lively backdrop for the outdoor park festivities.

 

Over 5,000 beer enthusiasts typically attend this single-day event, making it one of Sacramento's most well-attended festivals. The festival features special attractions like a "Meet the Brewers" tent where visitors can chat with master brewers, a dedicated area for rare and limited-release beers, and educational sessions about brewing techniques and beer styles.

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Whether you're a devoted foodie, a wine connoisseur, or a beer enthusiast, Sacramento's diverse festivals provide an opportunity to indulge in the finest flavors the region has to offer.