Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival

Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is a food and wine festival held annually in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — drawing more than 12,000 attendees across a weekend of culinary programming at Las Olas Oceanside Park. The event brings together over 75 local and regional vendors and features a grand tasting pavilion with more than 100 different wines and spirits, making it one of the larger food-and-wine gatherings in Broward County.

The festival's format spans multiple programming tracks running simultaneously. Live cooking demonstrations take place on multiple stages, while interactive mixology classes give attendees hands-on time with craft techniques. A craft beer garden, artisanal marketplace, and sustainable seafood showcase highlighting local fisheries round out the vendor floor. Notable participants have included Chef Paula DaSilva from Burlock Coast, Chef Jose Mendín of Rivertail, and the team from Hardy Park Bistro, each presenting signature dishes alongside wine pairings led by sommeliers. Live entertainment has featured local jazz ensemble The French Horn Collective and Latin fusion band Elastic Bond.

General admission grants access to the grand tasting pavilion, vendor floor, cooking demonstrations, and live entertainment. VIP ticket holders receive access to a dedicated lounge offering exclusive tastings of rare wines, private chef encounters, air-conditioned comfort, and dedicated concierge service — a meaningful upgrade for those prioritizing access and atmosphere. Prospective attendees should note that specific dates, ticket prices, and additional logistical details for the upcoming edition had not been confirmed at time of publication; checking the official festival channels before purchasing is recommended. With over 75 vendors on-site and programming spread across multiple stages, arriving early helps maximize time at high-demand demonstrations.

Fort Lauderdale sits in Broward County along Florida's southeast coast, a market that draws wines from across domestic and international regions rather than a single local AVA. The festival's breadth — more than 100 wines and spirits alongside chef-driven food programming — reflects that positioning, functioning as a broad showcase rather than a regionally focused tasting event. The Las Olas Oceanside Park venue places the festival steps from the Atlantic, adding an outdoor coastal setting to the experience.