The West Coast’s premier culinary celebration is back and bolder than ever! From November 2–9, 2025, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival (SDFW) transforms “America’s Finest City” into an eight-day epicurean playground, blending flavor, culture, wellness, and advocacy in a way no other festival does. Now in its 21st year, San Diego Food + Wine has evolved into one of the largest culinary festivals of impact in the country, attracting over 11,000 food and wine enthusiasts from bothvsides of the U.S./Mexico border. Beyond just an entertainment event, the festival unites James Beard Award winners, Michelin-seasoned chefs, world-class winemakers, and innovators for eight days of extraordinary experiences. This year ushers in a bold new chapter: an expanded James Beard Foundation partnership, the first-ever Wellness Weekend featuring chef-driven, nutrient-dense dishes and trendsetting zero-proof cocktails, a can’t-miss live filming of the Outdoor Channel’s Jason the Butcher during the Grand Tasting, and an expanded roster of James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred chefs, and national food celebrities from across the U.S. and Mexico headlining across the week. BOLD NEW COLLABORATIONS AND FESTIVAL FIRSTS 11.2 SDFW WELLNESS WEEKEND: Delicious, nutrient-rich dishes, low/no ABV pairings, movement pop-ups, and activations from leading wellness brands at the visionary agri-hood, Fox Point Farms. 11.3 INDUSTRY NIGHT PRESENTED BY CHEF WORKS – Bica Block Party: The ultimate hospitality industry “thank you” party. A celebration for exhibitors, sponsors and this year’s scholarship recipients along with all the chefs and restaurants whose participation makes the Festival possible. 11.6: BAJA CULINARY EXPEDITION: A Journey Through Michelin Guide Mexico: Experience a journey through Michelin Guide Mexico with acclaimed chefs and winemakers, rare wines, Michelin-honored talent, and cross-border culinary artistry. 11.6: FORKCAST: THE FUTURE OF FOOD SUMMIT: This summit will bring together changemakers shaping the future of our food system. Chefs, policymakers, activists, scholars, and industry leaders will explore the intersection of food, policy, equity, and sustainability through engaging panel discussions and community dialogue. 11.6, 11.7, 11.9: CULINARY CINEMA: The Coronado Island Film Festival and SDFW will once again partner to showcase rich, food inspired films that will screen during this year’s festival. In addition to the screenings, the series will feature engaging panel discussions, providing insights from filmmakers, on-screen talent, and renowned chefs. 11.7 FRIENDS OF JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION Opening Night: Grand Decant: Kick off the Grand Weekend with an unforgettable evening of rare pours, iconic flavors, and culinary excellence. It’s the best of the best, poured and plated, setting the tone for San Diego’s most delicious weekend. Global wine and spirits brands will uncork their most coveted bottles including award-winning vintages, small-batch spirits, and collectible labels worth savoring, paired with a standout lineup of celebrated chefs, rising stars, and Michelin-honored and James Beard Award winners and nominees from across the country serving their signature bites. 11.8 GRAND TASTING: An epic waterfront celebration of all-star chef and beverage talent featuring Live Fire VIP experiences, Michelin-rated and James Beard nominated chefs, the return of Cohn Restaurant Group’s “Cohnchella”, One World Beef's Brandt Experience, Grind & Prosper Hospitality’s “Tropic Like It’s Hot,” live music and tons of immersive tastings from Paso Robles Wine Country, Temecula, Sonoma, Lake County, and international wine and spirits 11.8-9 THAT’S COOL! Bagavagabonds partners with the Festival to debut That’s Cool! Try & Buy Shoppe, a new experience-driven retail pop-up at Malibu Farms in Seaport Village. Located steps from the Festival entrance, the Shoppe will spotlight emerging brands through free daily programming and curated evening events featuring food, beverage, art, and music. No ticket necessary and open to the public (21+), offers an immersive space to sample, sip, and shop, extending the Festival experience beyond the gates. 11.9 GRAND FIESTA: The capstone to the Grand Weekend - a vibrant celebration of food, beverage and culture from Baja and beyond, featuring expanded cross-border connections, more guest Bocuse d’Or and Michelin recognized chefs from Mexico, and an even larger selection of Baja wines and spirits. Guests will enjoy abundant culinary stations, live music, and an expanded version of the beloved annual “Taco TKO” competition, the ultimate showdown of taco supremacy, to include a new “Overall Best Bite” category. Visit: www.sandiegowineclassic.com/ San Diego Food + Wine Festival | San Diego on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok
