Food, Beer & Wine Festivals to Look Out For This Fall

Autumn is known for many things: falling leaves, cozy nights and of course, the pumpkin spice latte. In the greater Sacramento area, it’s also known as a time to celebrate all things food and drink! Once the weather dips, locals gather together to indulge in all the bounty the greater Sacramento area has to offer, from locally sourced meat and produce to beer and wine. Following are some of the best post-Labor Day fall festivals in and around the greater Sacramento area.

Note: Most of the following events will be held outdoors, with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines in place. Some events require proof of vaccination or negative test results prior to entry.

Legends of Wine | State Capitol | Sept. 9

Did you there are hundreds of wineries within an hour from Sacramento? Legends of Wine showcases the best of the best, representing areas from the Shenandoah Valley to the Capay Valley and everywhere in between. There will also be local chefs on hand turning out bites of farm-to-table cuisine. Tickets are $65 and attendees must be 21 and over.

Brewfest at the Ballpark | West Sacramento | Sept. 10

Beer and baseball go together like peanut butter and jelly, so why not have a beer festival at a ballpark? This event at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento features unlimited tasting from breweries across California and beyond, plus hard kombucha and cider. Live music and food vendors round out the offerings. Tickets range from $12 for designated drivers to $74 for VIP tickets the day of.

WINEderlust | Placerville | Sept. 10

Photo courtesy Kelsey Knight via Unsplash

This popular wine event in downtown Placerville highlights the many winemakers in the El Dorado County area. The event also has a street fair with vendors and local artists, plus a concert with area musicians. There are also food trucks and hands-on crafts and games like cornhole.

El Dorado Hills Brewfest | El Dorado Hills |
Sept. 11

Photo courtesy Solid Ground Brewing

This popular event in El Dorado Hills features beer, cider and even wine from more than 45 local producers. There will also be music, entertainment and food vendors to keep your bellies full. General admission tickets are $40, and VIP tickets are $55 and include early entry, access to the VIP lounge and unlimited tastings.

Black Food Fest | South Sacramento | Sept. 11

Photo courtesy Sacramento Black Food Festival

Now in its third year, the Black Food Fest will be held at the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum in South Sacramento. The family-friendly event features food, vendors and live music. Best of all, admission is free!

Grilled Cheese Festival | Southside Park | Sept. 12

Photo courtesy Grilled Cheese Festival

What’s better than a crispy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich? Not much! This festival in Southside Park celebrates the childhood comfort food alongside craft beer, regional wine and live music. There’s even a kids’ zone and samples of specialty sandwiches! Tickets are $10.

Farm-to-Fork Street Festival | Capitol Mall |
Sept. 17-18

No list of food festivals would be complete without mentioning the granddaddy of them all, the Farm-to-Fork Festival in Downtown Sacramento. This huge event features local food, cooking demonstrations, regional wines and craft beer, plus a lineup of top musical artists.

California Brewers Festival | Discovery Park | Sept. 18

Photo courtesy California Brewers Festival

The California Brewers Festival is one of the largest beer-centric events in the Sacramento area. Held at Discovery Park, it features more than a hundred brews from the region’s best breweries and cideries. There will be local food trucks, craft vendors and live music. Tickets are $55 for general admission or $95 for VIP tickets.

Chicken Festival | Fair Oaks | Sept. 18

Photo courtesy Fair Oaks Chicken Festival

So, the Fair Oaks Chicken Festival isn’t a food festival per se, but we’d be remiss to leave it off our list. Yes, there will be food vendors, but the event is really all about celebrating the rural history of Fair Oaks Village. There will be live music, kids’ activities, a human clucking and crowing contest and craft brew tasting. Plus, of course, the stray chickens that inhabit Fair Oaks Park.

Crawfish & Catfish Festival | Southside Park | Sept. 18-19

Photo courtesy Crawfish & Catfish Festival

Crawfish, crayfish, crawdad: whatever you call them, you’ll find them (alongside catfish!) at the Crawfish & Catfish Festival in Southside Park. The event highlights the food of Louisiana, including Cajun and Creole dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and beignets. There will also be cooking demonstrations, Zydeco dance lessons and live music.

Sactown Nachos Festival | Cesar Chavez Plaza | Sept. 25

Photo courtesy Sacramento Nachos Festival

If you’re a fan of crispy chips topped with cheese and meat, you should consider heading to Downtown Sacramento for this family-friendly event dedicated to all things nachos. There are $3 nacho specials at every vendor, as well as live music and a game area. Advance tickets are $10.

Sacramento Vegan Food Festival | Capitol Mall | Sept. 26

Photo courtesy Sacramento Vegan Food Festival

Those living the plant-based lifestyle, and those who are vegan-curious, should consider attending this event held in Downtown Sacramento. There will be dozens of food vendors on hand serving 100 percent vegan food, plus live music and cooking demonstrations.

Eggplant Festival | Loomis | Oct. 2

Photo courtesy Loomis Eggplant Festival

The humble aubergine can be prepared any number of ways, from breaded and deep fried to whipped into a dip and yes, even blended into a milkshake. The purple fruit will be honored at this annual festival in Loomis with music, dancing, vendors, arts and crafts and bounce houses for the kids. Come dressed in your favorite purple attire!

Rocklin Brewfest | Rocklin | Oct. 2

Photo courtesy Rocklin Brewfest

Craft beer, local wine and artisan cider are on the docket at this event in Rocklin. Brews from nearly 50 producers from throughout Placer County and beyond will be on tap, plus wine, cider, kombucha, sake and hard iced tea. Plus, you can grab a bite to eat off of one of the many food trucks and listen to live music. Advance tickets are $45, and only those 21 and over will be admitted.

Capitol Beer Fest | Capitol Mall | Oct. 16

Photo courtesy Capitol Beer Fest

From pilsner to pale ale, stout to sours, you can taste it all at the Capitol Beer Fest in Downtown Sacramento. The event features mostly-California breweries, plus a selection of food trucks. Live music and vendors will also be on hand. Tickets range from $45­–$75 and include tastings ($15 for non-tasters).

Mandarin Festival | Auburn | Nov. 19-21

Did you know Placer County is one of the largest producers of mandarins? The Mountain Mandarin Festival in Auburn celebrates that heritage with mandarin donuts, mandarin cocktails, mandarin pizza and mandarin body care products. You can also buy mandarins by the bushelful and enjoy live entertainment.