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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.
Taste of South Bay
February
Lakehouse Food & Wine Festival
March
Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival
April
North Park Festival of Beers
April
San Diego Magazine Brunch Bash
April
North Park Salsa Festival
April
Tequila & Taco Music Festival
April
LSU Alumni Crawfish Boil
May
Gator by the Bay Crawfish Festival
May
Del Mar FoodieLand Festival
May
Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival
May
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
Barks & Brews Dog Festival
July
San Diego Magazine Best of San Diego
August
So Cal Taco Festival
August
Mission Bayfest
September
Oside Flavor Food & Beverage Festival
September
San Diego Zoo Food Wine & Brew
September
La Mesa Oktoberfest
October
San Diego Spirits Festival
October
Pacific Beach Fest
October
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
October
Del Mar Food & Wine Festival
October
San Diego Food & Wine Festival
November
Uncorked Derby Days Wine Fest
November
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
November
So Cal Taco
SD BrewF
SD Spirits
SD Brunch
Gator
SD LSU
Savoring San Diego: A Sips and Eats Adventure through Food & Drink Festivals
Looing 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.
Whether you’re into craft beer, fine wine, or the bold tastes of bourbon and whiskey, there’s always something happening to satisfy your taste buds and celebrate the city’s rich culture.
San Diego Beer Festivals, A Craft Beer Wonderland
Barks & Brews Festival:
July
The Barks & Brews Festival in San Diego is a popular dog-friendly event held at Waterfront Park, offering stunning views of San Diego Bay. This annual festival features over 25 local craft beer tastings, a variety of food vendors serving San Diego's culinary delights, and numerous pet and retail vendors showcasing their products. Attendees can enjoy live music from local artists while their four-legged companions explore designated off-leash areas tailored for dogs of all sizes.
The event includes unique activities such as a pet-friendly costume contest with a Comic-Con theme, hammock lounging areas, and various interactive experiences for both humans and dogs. A portion of the proceeds from the Barks & Brews Festival benefits The Barking Lot, a local non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs.
San Diego BrewFest:
June
Held at NTC Park, The San Diego Brew Festival is a popular annual event that showcases the region's thriving craft beer scene. This festival features over 70 breweries offering more than 200 different beers for attendees to sample. Notable local vendors include Pizza Port Brewing Company, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, and Ale Smith Brewing Company.
In addition to the vast selection of craft beers, the event boasts 10 of San Diego's best food trucks, providing a variety of culinary options to complement the brews. Festival-goers can enjoy live music from cover bands and participate in lawn games while savoring unlimited beer samples in a lively atmosphere.
Raise a Glass to San Diego Wine Festivals
Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival:
April
The Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival, held at Spanish Landing Park, offers wine enthusiasts a chance to sample over 150 wines and bubblies from around the world. The event features a diverse selection of beverages, including canned cocktails and seltzers, catering to various tastes. Attendees can enjoy their drinks while listening to a DJ, participating in outdoor games, and visiting food trucks for gourmet bites.
This event also includes a photo booth for capturing memories and supports the local nonprofit Urban Surf 4 Kids, which provides surf therapy to foster and homeless children. With its waterfront location and array of activities, Uncorked San Diego provides a complete experience for wine lovers in a picturesque setting.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival:
November
San Diego's premier culinary event brings together over 300 chefs, wineries, farmers, artists, and brands for a week-long celebration of food and drink. Held at the picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park North along the waterfront, the festival showcases more than 800 wine and spirits selections alongside dishes from 60+ top chefs and restaurants from the West Coast and Baja. Attendees can sample gourmet offerings, watch live culinary competitions, and enjoy musical entertainment while exploring the diverse flavors of Southern California and beyond.
The event features a Grand Tasting, where visitors can indulge in creations from James Beard award-winners and Michelin-starred chefs, as well as specialty pavilions highlighting regional cuisines. With over 10,000 food and wine enthusiasts in attendance, the festival has become a nationally recognized showcase for San Diego's thriving food and wine festival scene.
San Diego Food Festivals, A Taste Like No Other
Tequila & Taco Music Festival:
April
San Diego's premier celebration of Mexican cuisine and spirits is set to return to Thrive Park at Snapdragon Stadium. The Tequila and Taco Festival will feature over 30 food vendors offering a wide variety of gourmet street tacos, including popular local eateries like Puesto and The Taco Stand. Attendees can sample from an extensive selection of top-shelf tequilas, with margarita booths and craft beer stations scattered throughout the venue.
Live music will be a central focus, with performances by Latin artists such as Ozomatli and Metalachi on the main stage. The festival typically draws crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 people over the course of the weekend, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with the sounds of mariachi, the aroma of sizzling carne asada, and the clinking of tequila glasses.
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew:
September
The San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew is an annual tasting event hosted at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, featuring over 150 Southern California restaurants, wineries, and breweries. Attendees can sample a wide variety of local cuisine, craft beers, wines, and spirits while enjoying live entertainment and wildlife experiences throughout the zoo grounds. The festival showcases the best of San Diego's culinary scene, with vendors offering small bites and refreshing beverages to complement the zoo's unique atmosphere.
This year's event includes a new Conservation Stage where guests can meet wildlife ambassadors and learn about global conservation efforts from zoo specialists. Live music and dancing add to the festive atmosphere, with multiple stages set up around the zoo featuring local bands and DJs.
San Diego Spirits Festivals, A Toast to Great Libations
San Diego Magazine Best of San Diego:
August
San Diego's ultimate summer celebration brings together the city's finest culinary and entertainment offerings. Over 100 vendors, including top local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries, gather at Legacy Plaza Liberty Station to showcase their best creations. Attendees can indulge in unlimited bites and sips, sampling everything from tiki drinks to gourmet dishes prepared by San Diego's most acclaimed chefs.
The event features live entertainment, vibrant photo opportunities, and ample space for relaxing and dancing. While the music lineup is yet to be announced, past years have included performances by local bands and DJs, adding to the lively atmosphere of this highly anticipated annual event.
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.
From the sun-kissed vineyards to craft breweries along the coastline, these festivals offer an unforgettable experience, blending delectable tastings with the picturesque backdrop of Southern California.
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