Bring your appetite - seven days of culinary action await, y'all.
Credit: Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s most anticipated culinary week is officially heating up. The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival returns January 19 through 25, 2026, marking its seventh edition with a tighter footprint, bigger talent and more reasons than ever to clear your calendar. What started as a buzzy regional tasting event has grown into a full-scale, weeklong celebration of Broward County’s dining scene.
“This year’s Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival reflects Broward County’s growing reputation as a hub for a food destination,” event co-founder Phil Marro tells Browardist. “Known as the spring break capital, the county is evolving with the times, with Michelin-recognized concepts and James Beard–recognized chefs taking a more prominent role in the dining series,”
Headliner Richard Blais leads a stacked lineup of celebrity chefs including Eddie Jackson, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith and Clarice Lam. Signature events anchor the week, now geographically concentrated for easy hopping between bites and sips. “All signature events are now centralized along the Las Olas promenade and park, including fan favorites like Wok ‘n Roll, BBQ at the Beach and the Grand Tasting, which features over 75 restaurants and vendors, the largest Grand Tasting to date,” added event
Beyond the big-time crowd favorites, intimate dining collaborations and hands-on culinary and beverage classes round out the schedule, from bourbon-infused cooking sessions to pasta-making and wine seminars.
“Brunch is back with even more offerings following last year’s inaugural hit, and for families, the first 500 kids at Picnic in the Park will receive a cookbook designed to inspire them to explore cooking, learn about healthy ingredients and spark a lifelong curiosity for food. As always, a portion of proceeds continues to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital,” Ritter said.
Tickets for signature events, dinners and classes are on sale now, with options ranging from free family-friendly festivities to VIP experiences. Full details and the complete schedule are available at vlfoodwine.com.
