Columbia Food + Wine Festival is back after a successful (sold-out) inaugural year that brought in ~1,250 attendees – and this year, they’ve made it bigger + better.

Brought to you by Five Points Association and Free Times, the fest – April 26-28 – kicks off with a dinner on Friday night, followed by educational satellite events across Cola on Saturday + the outdoor festival on Sunday. 5,000+ attendees are expected across all 7 events.

To help you navigate all the newness, we’ve put together the ultimate itinerary for Columbia Food + Wine weekend. You’re welcome – and don’t worry about calories this weekend, Cola.

Friday, April 26

7 p.m. | 🥂 Toast to the beginning of the festival at Saluda’s. Enjoy a five-course dinner by local chefs – including those behind Hendrix, Cola’s, Goat’s + more – plus beer + wine and a specialty cocktail. Tickets: $95.

Saturday, April 27

9 a.m. | 🥘 Rise and shine + start your day at Soda City. This market comes with a special International Food Corridor, featuring 8 local food vendors of international foods, like Mary’s Arepas, Belgian Waffle Truck, I Love Paella + more. Free.

11 a.m. | 🍳 If 9 a.m. is too early, get ready to Brunch at BullStreet. Kick-off the day with a five-course brunch + paired cocktails (created by those behind Bone-In Barbeque, Cantina 76 + The Warmouth) on the rooftop of the First Base Building overlooking Segra Park, home of the Columbia Fireflies. Tickets: $65.

2 p.m. | 🍺 Food, wine + beer, anyone? Next, head to River Rat’s rooftop for Brews & Views. You’ll be able to sip on your favorite craft beers from around the city – including the official beer of CFWF: Tangerine Dreams. Heavy hors d’oeuvres (like boiled peanut hummus + charcuterie) included. Tickets: $45.

4 p.m. | 🍷 This is for the true wine enthusiasts. Join Sommelier + owner of Lula Drake, Tim Gardner, as he offers a series of rare wine tastings (those not even on their wine list) + education about each wine, held upstairs at The Pastor’s Study. Tickets: $90.

6:30 p.m. | 🍽 Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait: Motor Supply + Spotted Salamander have teamed up for the Heirloom Breeds + Seeds Dinner at the Seibels House, highlighting heirloom + sustainable ingredients. Enjoy Motor Supply cocktails in the historic home, then head out to the garden for a four-course dinner with wine pairings + live music. Tickets: $150.

Sunday, April 28

12 p.m. | 🍾 Sneak Peek ticket holders into the Sunday festival an hour early. Tickets: $85. If you upgrade to VIP, you’ll have access to the VIP area in Saluda’s, complete with a private chef + the VIP Fly Local Lounge, sponsored by CAE. Tickets: $100.

1 p.m. | 🎟 The festival opens for all ticket holders. New this year: a ‘20s-inspired Speakeasy inside The White Mule with cocktails by top Cola mixologists like Josh Streetman, Opie Patterson + Andy Haddock; expanded fine wine selection; ~50 restaurant booths; and a new Cool Care Heating & Air Chill Zone – a covered area with comfy seating– for when you need a break. Tickets: $65.

See more details for each event on the full schedule. Pro tip: You’ll want to snag your tickets (and probably send this to the group chat, too) before they’re all gone. Ⓟ

Eat up, wine down: Buy tickets here 🍴🥂

Poll

(function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk'));