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Festival previewSan Diego Food + Wine Festival 2026: the Grand Weekend is almost here.
The short version: the 22nd annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival runs November 1–8, 2026, with the Grand Weekend November 6–8 at Embarcadero Marina Park North. Three signature events: Grand Decant (Fri), Grand Tasting (Sat) and Grand Fiesta (Sun) — plus Cohnchella, the festival within the festival.
Cheers from the Grand Tasting. (Courtesy of the San Diego Food + Wine Festival.)
The 22nd annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival runs November 1–8, 2026, and the centerpiece is the Grand Weekend — November 6–8 at Embarcadero Marina Park North. Three days on the Port of San Diego waterfront that turn the whole shoreline into a tasting menu.
This is the one that actually feels like an event event. Not a trade show with snacks. A real weekend — 11,000+ attendees, chefs from both sides of the border, and a setting that does half the work.
The three days
Opening night. The wine-forward evening — pours, pairings, and the kind of room where everybody's holding a proper glass.
The main event. The biggest day, the most booths, the most chefs. If you only do one day, this is the one. Come hungry and wear comfortable shoes.
The finale with a Latin pulse — Baja flavors, live energy, the most colorful day of the three. Best photo day, no contest.
And then there's Cohnchella
Yes, that's really what it's called. Cohnchella — the festival within the festival, put on by the Cohn Restaurant Group. A restaurant group throwing its own party inside the biggest food weekend of the year. The announcement on @sdfoodwine stopped a lot of scrolls.
I'll be there either way
Full honesty: I've applied to cover the festival as a creator ambassador — decision's still pending. But credential or not, @chefshanu will be at the waterfront in November. This is the kind of weekend worth covering because it's good, not because someone handed out a lanyard.
If you're going — say hi. I'll be the one filming his food before eating it.
Want festival coverage like this for your event? I shoot San Diego food and drink events as @chefshanu — check out my Spirits Festival recap for proof.
Festival details ↗Quick answers.
When is the San Diego Food and Wine Festival 2026?
November 1–8, 2026, with the Grand Weekend running November 6–8 at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
What are the main Grand Weekend events?
Grand Decant on Friday November 7, Grand Tasting on Saturday November 8, and Grand Fiesta on Sunday November 9.
What is Cohnchella?
Cohnchella is billed as the festival within the festival, presented by the Cohn Restaurant Group as part of the San Diego Food + Wine Festival.
Where is the festival held?
The Grand Weekend takes place at Embarcadero Marina Park North on the Port of San Diego waterfront.