The Ultimate Guide to the 19th Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival : TRAVEL/FOOD

The Midwest’s premier culinary celebration – the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival – returns to DeVos Place, November 20-21 just in time for the holiday season. General Admission and Pairing tickets are on sale now at GRWineFestival.com.

New this year, the Festival brings all the foods and beverages together in one exciting epicurean space inside the Devos Place Exhibit Halls A & B (see Festival Floorplan). Explore at your own pace and discover something new around every corner. Whether you’re searching for a favorite wine, curious to try a new craft beer, looking for the perfect cider or ready to explore something completely unexpected, you’ll never have to look far for your next pour. Along the way, pause for a small plate, join a curated tasting session, discover a featured experience, or simply take in the energy of the Festival. With so much to see, taste, and experience in one space, you can easily create your own progressive tasting journey—one sip, one bite, and one discovery at a time.

“Most of our guests attend the Festival as a couple or with small groups of family or friends, and over the last few years many have shared with us that they didn’t like splitting up to find the beverage of their choice,” notes Dawn Baker, Associate Festival Manager. “We’ve reimagined the Festival experience to bring everything together with unique spaces and a chill yet energized vibe that we hope everyone will enjoy.”

This annual event kicks off on Thursday, November 19, with the Cheers for Charity from 6- 9 p.m., benefiting Hospice of Michigan. This elegant evening features an intimate and upscale experience featuring restaurants and specialty food producers serving mouth-watering small plates, and a curated list of beverages (wine, beer, and spirits). “Cheers for Charity” tickets are $150 per person (which includes 150 tasting tickets good for beverage and/or food samples which can be used throughout the festival), benefiting Specialized Veteran Services.

General Admission tickets are $25 per person, per day with festival hours running from 4-9pm on Friday, November 20, and 2-9pm on Saturday, November 21. When you arrive at the Festival, you will receive a Festival wristband, and any tasting tickets you purchased with admission will be loaded onto your band and ready to use.

Other new features include:

Chef-Led Food & Drink Pairings on the Sip & Savor Indoor Patio: Set against the backdrop of our inviting indoor patio, Sip & Savor promises an exciting celebration of bold flavors, expertly crafted cuisine, and perfectly paired wines. Additional details will be available soon for this new culinary experience. There is an added fee and reservations are recommended. Sponsored by Moersch Hospitality Group
Bourbon Bar: Discover a refined bourbon (and whiskey) experience unlike any other. Guests are offered the opportunity to enjoy premium ½-ounce samples in an intimate setting focused on craftsmanship, flavor, and hospitality. In addition, the Tip Jar Foundation will feature talented mixologists crafting signature whiskey cocktails. Pull up a chair, savor a pour, and elevate your festival experience with every sip. There is an added fee for samples and cocktails. Designed and built by Alcove Interiors
Craft & Cask Workshop: Shake, stir, and sip! Join this quick, hands-on workshop where you’ll craft your very own cocktail and/or mocktail. In just 10-15 minutes, you’ll learn simple mixology techniques, experiment with flavors, and create a delicious drink that’s uniquely yours. A perfect make-and-take experience for aspiring home mixologists and casual enthusiasts alike. There is an added fee and reservations are recommended.
Bistro Gathering Areas: Expanded seating areas will be scattered around the festival creating an al fresco vibe complete with ambient string lighting and unique décor.
Grand Rapids Downtown Market: Making its debut at the Festival with two Small Plate restaurants and four specialty food or beverage producers meant to introduce you to one of the city’s premier culinary shopping destinations. Cash and credit can be used for purchases. You can also “check your bag” with all your purchases so you don’t have to carry everything around during the Festival.
Meijer Tailgate Zone: Experience the perfect blend of fun and flavor in the Meijer Tailgate Zone! Test your skills in our multi-sport inflatable challenge featuring a speed pitch, hockey shot, football toss and soccer kick. Then, stop by the Meijer Food Trailer to sample delicious Frederik’s® chocolates and discover one of Meijer’s premium brands. Whether you’re competing with friends or indulging in a sweet treat, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Returning festival favorites include:

PAIRINGS: Five regional restaurants are offering intimate Pairings on Friday and Saturday, including a beer pairing with Archival Brewing, KNCO Private Dining with Michigan Governor’s Cup award winning wines, MDRD, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, and Trust G.R. These limited-seating, four- to seven-course dinners are prepared by the featured chefs tableside as they talk you through the meal and the selected beverage pairing. Complete menus, along with seating times, prices and the link for reservations can be found now at GRWineFestival.com/pairings.

TASTING SESSIONS: Elevate your Festival experience with one of our expert-led Wine Tasting Sessions. Guided by knowledgeable sommeliers and beverage professionals, these engaging experiences offer the opportunity to sample exceptional wines, discover new varietals, and gain valuable insights into the flavors, regions, and craftsmanship behind each pour. Ask questions, expand your palate, and deepen your appreciation for the world of wine while exploring your next favorite bottle.

Beverage Tasting Sessions offer limited seating per session, last around 30 minutes and costs vary depending on the quantity and type of beverages offered. Reservations are recommended; details are online at GRWineFestival.com.

Among the featured presenters are:

Riedel Comparative Tasting with Jason Forbes, The Cork Master Organization. Riedel, the quintessential wine glass producer in the world, brings their stemware to Grand Rapids. Does the shape, size and quality of your wine glass make or break the taste and aroma of your wine? Join us at this comparative tasting and find out. Plus, you get to keep the 4-glass tasting set (a $180 value). RSVP required. (Saturday @ 2:30pm, Tasting Session A)
Casey Labonte, The Wagner Family of Wine. Don’t miss this elevated tasting of Caymus Cabernets. From California to the Special Selection, you’ll learn what makes each wine so highly sought after and unique. (Saturday @ 4:30pm, Tasting Session B)
Blake Lougheed, head winemaker at Bel Lago Ventures (Bel Lago, French Valley Vineyard and Dune Bird) from the Leelanau Peninsula American Viticultural Area (AVA) who was named Michigan Winemaker of the Year for 2026. (Saturday @ 5pm, Tasting Session A)

SMALL PLATES: Nearly two dozen Small Plates options are offered with a wide array of dining options to satisfy all your cravings. With several of Grand Rapids’ beloved restaurants and catering companies gathered in one place, you are sure to find a new favorite. Explore dining delights throughout the Festival as part of a progressive dining experience that complements the festival’s selection of wines, beers, spirits, ciders, and specialty drinks. See the new bistro style areas on the floorplan to locate these fantastic eateries throughout the Festival. Cash, credit and tasting tickets can be used for Small Plates.

GLOBAL BEVERAGES: As always, the Festival offers an unparalleled diversity of beverages available for sampling – from wine and spirits to beer and cider, as well as signature coffees, RTD’s (ready-to-drink cocktails), and a growing portfolio of non-alcoholic (NA) options – with over 1,000 offerings from around the world, under one roof.

THE ELITE COLLECTION – an expanded focus beyond wine, with the best-of-the-best of unique pours, hidden gems and hot trends, including beer and spirits.
TIKI LOUNGE — COCKTAILS, CULTURE & FLAVOR: Step into a global flavor experience at this new feature! Enjoy a savory Hawaiian dishes paired with exclusive Zini cocktails with inspiring global fusion. Plus, join the fun with prizes, games, and a chance to win free play — a true celebration of culture, flavor, and excitement all in one place! Sponsored by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

MEIJER MARKETPLACE: Discover the latest and greatest specialty foods and beverages as you stroll through the Meijer Marketplace. Here, you can sample and purchase mouth-watering offerings from dozens of local and regional producers. Cash and credit can be used for purchases. You can also “check your bag” with all your purchases so you don’t have to carry everything around during the Festival.
COMPLIMENTARY TROLLEY: Park for just $3 in Dash Lot Area 9 on Seward and take a free trolley to the front door of DeVos Place! Trolley runs on a 15-minute loop, and is scheduled for an hour before show open to an hour after show close each day. NOTE: The Gentex Santa Parade will be happening on Saturday, November 21, closing some downtown roads from 4:30-6:30 pm. If you plan to arrive during this time, we highly recommend you park in DASH Lot #9 and use our complimentary Trolley service to avoid the traffic or approach the Festival from the NORTH end of town to find parking.

Since its inception in 2008, this Festival – named by Forbes.com in 2019 as one of a dozen “Fall Wine Festivals In North America You Don’t Want to Miss” and 8 Best Fall Festivals in Michigan by BestThingsMI.com – has grown into the largest and most popular of its kind in the Midwest. Admission tickets, pairing reservations, tasting sessions and other details are found at GRWineFestival.com.

The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival is one of 15 consumer expositions produced by ShowSpan Inc., in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1945, ShowSpan – a Studio C Company – is the largest producer of consumer shows in the Midwest.