Traverse City Food & Wine 2026
A multi-day Traverse City festival built around chef-led tastings, local wines, craft beverages, educational sessions, and lakeside culinary events.
About the event
A five-day regional food and wine festival
Traverse City Food & Wine 2026 runs from Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23 in Traverse City. The festival centers on culinary and beverage programming, with chef-led tastings, craft beverages, local flavors, educational sessions, and lakeside culinary events.
The program is described as a regional festival with more than 80 culinary and wine events, including dinners, wine pairings, farm tours, chef demonstrations, and walk-around tastings. It also highlights local wines and craft beverages, foods identified with the up north region, and learning opportunities led by chefs, winemakers, and experts.
Dinners, sparkling wine, seminars, and the Grand Tasting
The festival opens with an al fresco James Beard Foundation Dinner overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay. Other named programming includes Bubbles by the Bay, a sparkling wine tasting focused on Méthode Champenoise wines paired with desserts and small bites, and Dirt to Glass, which offers wine education seminars and side-by-side tastings for industry and consumer audiences.
The Grand Tasting takes place on Saturday, August 22, with Main Stage chef demonstrations, tastings from local and guest chefs, and more than 100 Michigan wines, beers, ciders, and spirits. Morning chef demonstrations also run at the Open Space Demonstration Kitchen from August 19 through 21.
Featured chefs, writers, hosts, and venues
Featured names include Aarti Sequeira, listed as a cookbook author and TV host; Ruth Reichl, listed as a food writer, critic, and chef; Afrim Pristine, listed as a cheese master and TV host; and Martin Sorge, listed as a baker and author. Guest chefs named for the festival include Anna Ansari, Debbie Gold, and Tony Vu, while Patrick Brys is listed for a host and winemaker session.
Traverse City Open Space is identified as the downtown waterfront festival hub and Grand Tasting venue. Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay and Bel Lago Vineyards are listed as participating winery producers, and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is listed as a lodging and host partner.
Frequently asked questions
When is Traverse City Food & Wine 2026?
Traverse City Food & Wine 2026 takes place from Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23, 2026.
What kinds of events are part of the festival?
The festival includes dinners, wine pairings, farm tours, chef demonstrations, walk-around tastings, educational sessions, chef-led tastings, craft beverages, local flavors, and lakeside culinary events.
What is poured or served at the Grand Tasting?
The Grand Tasting features tastings from local and guest chefs plus more than 100 Michigan wines, beers, ciders, and spirits, alongside Main Stage chef demonstrations.
Which named special events are on the schedule?
Named programming includes an opening James Beard Foundation Dinner, Bubbles by the Bay, Dirt to Glass, the Grand Tasting, and daily morning chef demonstrations at the Open Space Demonstration Kitchen from August 19 through 21.
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