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California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is an annual event at Disney California Adventure featuring California inspired food and wine, festive marketplaces, culinary demonstrations, along with live music and entertainment. Food & Wine Festival runs from March 2 to April 12, 2018.
I popped in during Food & Wine Festival last year and was beyond impressed! Considering I don’t drink alcohol, you might wonder what I could find so impressive about this seasonal event. It really brings such a fun, festive vibe to California Adventure with different cuisines, drinks and entertainment options and truly has something everyone can enjoy.
Keep reading for all the details on Food & Wine Festival, running for six weeks this year beginning March 2, 2018 through April 12, 2018.
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Marketplace
Food and wine really are on the top of everyone’s list when they come to Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival. You’ll find the parade route lined with various booths, where you can sample small bites and drinks as you wander your way through California Adventure.
If you’re familiar with Festival of Holidays during the holiday season at Disneyland Resort, it’s a similar set up and vibe. Lots of booths to combine different delicious snacks or meals.
It’s fun to order a few different things from various booths and because the serving size is smaller, you can sample a lot more cuisines! You’ll also find tables and spots to stop and snack along the route.
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Video Coverage
In 2017 I covered Food & Wine Festival for The Anaheim Hotel, located just minutes from Disneyland Resort on Harbor Blvd.
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Discount Tickets
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is covered with regular park admission, although some seminars are an additional cost, I have partnered with Get Away Today to bring you the best discounts for Disneyland tickets available.
You can also combine Disneyland tickets with a hotel stay of 2 nights or more and save an extra $10 with promo code HAPPIEST10.
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Signature Events
Some events during Food & Wine require registration (and a fee), while others are open to anyone visiting the park that day (space permitting).
Junior Chef (FREE) in the Hollywood Backlot
Jr Chef is available on a first-come, first-served basis for children ages 3 to 11 in the Hollywood Backlot. Grab an entertainment schedule as you walk in for the day to see what times are available. Park admission required.
“With silly supervision from Chef Goofy, kids follow a recipe and then swirl everything together (little hands may get messy). The finished goodies go into the magic oven and―voila! Each child gets a wrapped, ready-to-eat baked treat.” -Disney Parks Blog
Hollywood Backlot Seminars (FREE)
Along with your paid park admission you can attend various presentations on select days during Food & Wine Festival. They last about 20-30 minutes and feature different guest presenters on a variety of topics from gardening to cooking and more. Topics and times will be posted daily (Thursday-Sunday) outside the venue in Hollywood Land.
First come, first serve and no advance reservations are required. Kids welcome with parents.
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More Food & Wine Events (Extra Fee)
DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL (Disneyland Resort)
These popular events fill up quickly, so make your reservations now. Here’s a sample of the most popular Food & Wine Festival signature events
- Taste of the Festival (March 1)
- Guy Fieri LIVE! at the Hyperion (March 9)
- Robert Irvine LIVE! at the Hyperion (March 30)
- Disney Family of Wines Dinner (March 29)
- David Arthur Winemaker Dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant (April 5)
- Karl Strauss Brewmaster Dinner at Steakhouse 55 (March 8)
- Flora Springs Winemaker Dinner at Steakhouse 55 (March 15)
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Shopping
Sprinkled among the food and wine booths, you can also find limited edition merchandise and unique gift ideas, cooking supplies and more during the Food & Wine Festival. I love the Mickey Mouse pasta above, an easy way to get picky kids to eat their dinner!
What’s California Adventure without some signature California merchandise? All this and more available during California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival running March 2 through April 12, 2018.
Will you be at California Adventure during Food & Wine Festival—tell us about it!
What a fun event to attend! I love the bite-sized portions you can sample. It’s kind of like going to Costco at lunchtime, just better! And that ‘Wine a little, laugh a lot” cutting/cheese board is adorbs!
Yes, it’s a fabulous event and I’m not surprised they extended it to 6 weeks this year. Hope you get a chance to pop in Helena!