10 Florida Food & Wine Festivals To Look Forward To In 2026

Florida’s culinary scene keeps getting hotter each year, and 2026 promises some amazing food and wine celebrations across the Sunshine State. From beachside seafood extravaganzas to sophisticated wine tastings in urban settings, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

I’ve rounded up ten must-visit food and wine festivals that will make your 2026 calendar deliciously exciting.

1. South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Mark your calendars for February 2026 when Miami’s iconic foodie event celebrates its 25th anniversary! This milestone year will feature special celebrity chef appearances and exclusive tasting events that weren’t available in previous festivals.

I love how the beachfront setting adds that perfect Florida vibe to world-class cuisine. You’ll get to sample dishes from over 100 chefs while the ocean breeze keeps you cool. Ticket packages will go on sale earlier than usual, so keep an eye out around June 2025.

2. Key West Seafood Festival

Fresh from the ocean to your plate! The Key West Seafood Festival is expanding in 2026 to include a three-day celebration of everything that swims in Florida’s waters. Local fishermen will showcase their daily catches alongside top chefs.

What makes this festival special is its commitment to sustainability. You’ll learn about responsible fishing practices while enjoying the most delicious seafood imaginable. The sunset seafood boil on the final evening is worth planning your entire trip around – trust me on this one!

3. Orlando Food & Wine Celebration

The theme parks aren’t the only attraction drawing crowds to Orlando in 2026! This newly expanded festival will take over downtown Orlando for five flavorful days in April. Chefs from the city’s booming restaurant scene will showcase their best dishes alongside Florida’s top wineries.

My favorite part? The late-night dessert events featuring creative concoctions from award-winning pastry chefs. The festival’s addition of dedicated food trucks and craft cocktail competitions makes this a must-visit for anyone who appreciates innovative food and drink pairings.

4. Sarasota Seafood & Wine Festival

Sarasota’s cultural scene gets even better in March 2026 when this sophisticated festival returns with expanded waterfront venues. The organizers have partnered with local art galleries to create unique dining experiences that combine visual arts with culinary mastery.

You’ll adore the oyster bars set up along the bay with local varieties paired with sparkling wines. Last year’s event sold out in just three days! The cooking demonstrations focus on Gulf seafood preparation techniques you can actually use at home – I still make the grouper recipe I learned there.

5. Tampa Bay Margarita & Taco Festival

Spice up your summer at this sizzling celebration hitting Tampa’s Riverwalk in June 2026! This festival has grown from a small local event to a major culinary destination featuring over 50 tequila brands and Tampa’s most creative taco makers.

The 2026 edition introduces a new “Fusion Taco” competition where chefs combine Florida seafood with traditional Mexican flavors. I can’t wait to try the mango-habanero margaritas they’re planning! Family-friendly areas will feature mocktail versions and kid-friendly food options, making this perfect for everyone.

6. Pensacola Seafood & Wine Experience

The Florida Panhandle’s premier food event gets a major upgrade in 2026! Set against Pensacola’s stunning beaches, this festival celebrates the unique Gulf Coast culinary heritage with a focus on local seafood traditions dating back generations.

New for 2026 is the “Heritage Kitchen” area where grandmothers and family cooks share authentic recipes alongside professional chefs. The mullet smoking demonstration was my highlight last year. Don’t miss the sunset wine tastings featuring Florida’s emerging vineyards – these small-batch wines rarely make it outside state borders.

7. Jacksonville Farm-to-Table Festival

North Florida’s agricultural bounty takes center stage at this autumn celebration planned for October 2026. What started as a small farmers market has evolved into Jacksonville’s most anticipated food event, connecting local farms directly with hungry festival-goers.

The 2026 edition will feature overnight farm stays as part of premium ticket packages! You’ll get to harvest ingredients for the next day’s cooking demonstrations. My favorite part is always the heirloom vegetable tastings – I never knew tomatoes could have so many different flavors until I attended this festival.

8. Palm Beach Wine & Food Extravaganza

Luxury meets culinary excellence at this upscale festival scheduled for January 2026 in Palm Beach. The organizers are bringing in five Michelin-starred chefs for exclusive dining experiences in historic Palm Beach mansions.

You’ll love the champagne garden featuring rare vintages and food pairings designed specifically for bubbly. The truffle-themed dinner under the stars was completely magical last year. While ticket prices are steep, the intimate settings and face time with world-renowned chefs make this splurge-worthy for serious food enthusiasts.

9. Naples Stone Crab & Wine Festival

October 2026 marks the official start of stone crab season, and Naples celebrates in style with this seafood-focused festival! The beachfront setting provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying Florida’s most prized shellfish alongside carefully selected wines.

The festival’s expansion in 2026 includes crab boat tours where you can watch the traps being pulled. I recommend splurging on the VIP package for unlimited stone crab claws – they’re usually strictly portioned due to their popularity! The sunset crab feast on the beach features communal tables stretching along the shoreline.

10. St. Augustine Historic Flavors Festival

History meets gastronomy in America’s oldest city during this unique April 2026 festival. Set among St. Augustine’s colonial buildings, this event showcases recipes and cooking methods from Florida’s diverse cultural heritage spanning 500 years.

The 2026 edition introduces historical reenactors who prepare dishes using authentic period techniques. You’ll taste Minorcan clam chowder made according to centuries-old family recipes! My favorite experience was the Spanish wine cave tour that explores how early settlers preserved and aged their wines in Florida’s challenging climate.