Grand Tasting attendance climbs 29% as the festival draws guests from across the country and generates more than $1 million in estimated economic impact for Gillespie County
November 2, 2026 (Fredericksburg, CA) — The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival just wrapped its 2026 season, closing out a year that stretched from the inaugural Restaurant Week in May to the third annual Preview Week in July and culminated in four days of Festival Weekend, October 22–25. Every chef, winery, brewery and distillery taking part calls the Texas Hill Country home.
Across Restaurant Week, Preview Week and Festival Weekend, more than 4,800 tickets were sold. Saturday’s Grand Tasting at Marktplatz welcomed 2,850 guests, a 29% increase over 2025, and Opening Night at Contigo Ranch, the Friday Street Dinner and Après Garden Party, the Waterfront Brunch, and VIP and All Access badges all sold out ahead of the weekend.
The festival’s draw continued to grow well beyond Texas, with 39% of attendees traveling from out of state, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Louisiana and Illinois. Closer to home, Dallas saw the biggest jump of any market, climbing from the festival’s ninth largest audience in 2025 to its No. 1 market in 2026. That growth is felt across the local economy. Festival Weekend alone accounted for more than 700 hotel room nights and an estimated economic impact of more than $1 million for Gillespie County.
This year the festival also deepened its commitment to the people behind Hill Country hospitality. To date, the festival has contributed $25,000 to the Hill Country Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund, which it created to provide emergency financial assistance to hospitality workers in Gillespie, Mason, Llano and Blanco counties. In August, the fund expanded its reach through a new partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation, connecting food and beverage workers across Texas to Southern Smoke’s emergency relief grants and Behind You, its program offering no-cost mental health counseling. The partnership was designed with the July 2026 Hill Country flooding in mind, reaching workers who are still feeling its financial effects even though their workplaces never closed long enough to qualify for traditional disaster relief. The festival also purchased nearly $2,000 in equipment for the Fredericksburg High School Culinary Program, continuing its investment in the next generation of Hill Country chefs.
Guests found plenty of new activations in 2026. The Grand Tasting introduced a Rosé Garden, the Slate Theory Silent Disco and new curated lounges from Llano Estacado and Lost Draw, while the Friday Street Dinner, presented by Waldorf Astoria, debuted the Après Garden Party, turning the street into an outdoor piano bar after dinner. More than 75 wine, culinary, brewery and distillery tastings filled Marktplatz, alongside the Flint & Flame Culinary Demo Stage and a Wine Education Stage curated by Texas Hill Country Wineries.
“The success of the 2026 Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival was built across an entire season, from Restaurant Week in May to Preview Week in July, culminating in the full festival weekend,” said Jim Mikula, President and CEO of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. “Each experience celebrated the food, wine and hospitality that make Fredericksburg so special. We’re grateful to the chefs, wineries, local businesses, volunteers and especially our guests who brought it all to life.”
“We also owe our deepest thanks to our top sponsors: the City of Fredericksburg, Heath Family Brands, Create Healthy, Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country, Uncork Texas, Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, Lee + Associates and The Meuse,” Mikula added. “Their generosity brought our vision to life, and their investment in this festival is an investment in the people, local businesses and hospitality that make our community thrive.”
For highlights from this year’s festival and updates on 2027, visit the Festival’s Instagram page @fbgfoodandwinefest and website at fbgfoodandwine.com.
About the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival
The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival is a non-profit organization that celebrates, showcases and nurtures the region’s rich agricultural heritage, outstanding culinary experiences and award-winning wineries. Every winery, chef, brewery and distillery participating in the festival is based in the Texas Hill Country. Through its programs and events, the festival supports charitable organizations across the region, ensuring prosperity and innovation within the community.
About the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce
Since 1920, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce has championed the diverse and growing business community of Gillespie County through collaboration, information, and service. The chamber’s members benefit from business promotion, networking opportunities, legislative and economic monitoring, and resources for today’s ever-changing marketplace. For more information, visit https://fbgtxchamber.org.
