Join us at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic for gourmet tastings.
Celebrity chef demos, tastings & wine talks—includes family lawn area & non-ticketed events.
Event details
Every June, Aspen signals the start of summer with the Aspen Food & Wine Classic—an event that’s become more than a tradition; it’s a pilgrimage. Often referred to simply as “Food & Wine” by locals and repeat guests, the festival blends elevated taste with high-altitude scenery, attracting chefs, sommeliers, and epicureans to one of the most beautiful alpine settings in North America.
Who Attends
This is where the culinary world’s A-list meets its most passionate fans. Expect to rub shoulders with 5,000+ attendees, including celebrity chefs, master sommeliers, cookbook authors, food-tech founders, and globally recognized brands. From seasoned connoisseurs to aspirational gourmands, the crowd skews stylish, smart, and deeply invested in where their food and wine comes from.
When and What’s Happening
The 2025 edition runs June 20–22, with Wagner Park as the central hub. But the weekend sprawls across Aspen in a curated constellation of tastings, seminars, after-hours parties, and brand activations. A snapshot:
Friday, June 20: The day begins with chef-led demos and tasting seminars, followed by exclusive trade access and the first Grand Tasting in the tented pavilion. Afternoon sessions and a second tasting round carry the energy into evening.
Saturday, June 21: The full rhythm of the festival hits its stride—double rounds of tastings, pop-ups, and fireside chats, plus off-campus events hosted by top-tier sponsors.
Sunday, June 22: A final series of seminars and sips, often the most relaxed and revelatory of the weekend.
Across all three days, guests can expect over 40 seminars and 200+ premium wine, spirits, and culinary brands showcasing the cutting edge of taste.
Where It Happens
Centered at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen, the event is flanked by satellite venues including The St. Regis Aspen, Hotel Jerome, and the Little Nell. Arrive via Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (just five miles from town) or route through Eagle (1.5 hours) or Denver International (4 hours). Highway 82 serves as the main artery into town, with shuttle and rideshare services available throughout the weekend.
Why It Matters
The Aspen Food & Wine Classic is more than a tasting event—it’s a full-sensory immersion into the future of food and drink. You’re not just watching a cooking demo; you’re standing a few feet from a James Beard Award winner plating duck à l’orange while explaining regenerative agriculture. You’re sipping limited-batch tequila with the distiller who made it, or watching a pét-nat seminar shift into a conversation about climate-resilient viticulture.
From the Grand Tasting Pavilion’s kaleidoscopic array of small bites and rare pours to the late-night lounges hosted by legacy houses and disruptor brands alike, every corner of the event is designed for discovery, education, and indulgence.
The Vibe
There’s a celebratory buzz that builds with each hour. Aspen’s crisp air mingles with the scent of seared lamb and wild sage. Groups greet each other with “Happy Food & Wine!” and clink glasses under the fluttering white tents. The mountains glow gold in the afternoon sun. It’s a setting where rosé flows, ideas spark, and friendships stretch well beyond the weekend.
Why You Should Go
If you’re serious about food and wine—or simply want to taste what’s next—this is the place. Think of it as the Davos of deliciousness: part festival, part symposium, part social ritual.
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