TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Traverse City Tourism today announced an initial event lineup for the second annual Traverse City Food & Wine, presented by 4Front Credit Union. The public can purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, May 20 at noon at TraverseCityFoodAndWine.com.
Building on the enthusiastic response to the celebrated inaugural year, Traverse City Food & Wine will return for five days, August 19–23, 2026. Guests are invited to come to Traverse City to savor the region's finest produce, agricultural products, and remarkable flavors crafted by award-winning chefs – all set against the stunning backdrop of West Grand Traverse Bay in the peak moments of summer.
The 2025 Traverse City Food & Wine featured more than 80 events, most of which sold out, and drew visitors from 34 states. The 2026 program is poised to be more expansive, with highlights including:
- James Beard Foundation Dinner — Wednesday, August 19: The festival’s opening night features an elegant al fresco dinner celebrating culinary excellence, with nine Michigan James Beard finalists teaming up to craft the wine-paired affair benefiting the James Beard Foundation.
- The Grand Tasting — Saturday, August 22: An afternoon event that includes chef demonstrations, dozens of local bites, and more than 100 locally made beers, wines, and spirits, returns as the festival's signature centerpiece at the Traverse City Open Space. The Grand Tasting will include a fully-redesigned VIP area with a curated beverage selection and numerous local award-winning chefs who will feature dishes exclusive to the VIP area.
- Bubbles by the Bay — Thursday, August 20: Toast the sunset over the bay with some of northern Michigan's finest wines crafted in the Méthode Champenoise, paired with decadent desserts and small bites.
- Dirt to Glass Walk-Around Tasting — Thursday, August 20: An immersive experience connecting guests to learn from a side-by-side tasting of Michigan wines with benchmark wines that are cited as some of the best in the world.
