The 2026 edition of Noosa Food & Wine Festival feels like its most confident chapter yet. The name is back where it belongs. The energy is dialled up. And from Thursday 11 June to Sunday 14 June 2026, Noosa will once again turn into Australia’s most stylish open-air dining room. Promising four days of dynamic dishes, creative collaborations and surprising settings, this is one of the country’s premier coastal food festivals. Think sand between your toes, champagne in hand, and chefs cooking with the kind of focus usually reserved for grand finals.
Why Noosa Food & Wine Festival Is the Perfect Excuse for a Noosa Getaway
I rarely miss Noosa Food & Wine Festival, partly because it takes place in one of my favourite corners of Australia, around Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach. Few festivals let you move so easily between great dining and barefoot beach time, and that’s exactly the charm here.
My perfect festival day starts with a sunrise walk along the sand, often followed by a quick swim before settling in for breakfast on Hastings Street. From there, it’s straight into festival events, tastings or long lunches, with time in between for a beachside massage or an afternoon wander through Noosa National Park before heading out again for an evening dining experience.
This is Noosa at its best, too. Late autumn brings warm water, sunny days and balmy evenings, often far milder than southern Australia, making it an ideal time to visit whether you’re coming for the festival or simply planning a coastal escape.
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Plan Your Trip
Heading to Noosa for the Food & Wine Festival? A little planning goes a long way, especially as accommodation and flights fill quickly once the festival program is announced.
These are the booking tools I personally use when planning trips, whether it’s a quick escape or a longer food-focused adventure.
- Cheap flights
- Savings on accommodation
- Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
- Affordable car rental options
- Great destination touring options
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What is Noosa Food & Wine Festival?
Noosa Food & Wine Festival is one of Australia’s most loved culinary celebrations, bringing together leading chefs, local producers, winemakers and food lovers for a long weekend on the Sunshine Coast.
Rather than being a single event, the festival unfolds across Noosa through a series of experiences, from beachfront gatherings and chef-led dining events to tastings, masterclasses and relaxed food markets. Restaurants, bars and pop-up venues across town become part of the program, giving visitors a chance to explore Noosa’s dining scene while enjoying special festival events.
It’s as much about the destination as it is about the food. Days move between beach walks, river views and long lunches, with the festival offering a chance to experience Noosa at its most vibrant. Noosa makes a perfect weekend escape from Brisbane.
Ben Williamson from Agnes in Brisbane, Christ Hagan of Locale, and Jason Saxby from Raes on Wategos in Byron are just some of the chefs who attend Noosa Food and Wine.
When Does Noosa Food & Wine Festival Run Each Year?
The festival typically takes place in late May or early June, offering one of the best excuses of the year to plan a Sunshine Coast getaway before the winter chill arrives further south.
Dates change slightly each year, but the format remains similar, with events running across several days and peak activity over the weekend. Accommodation books quickly once dates are announced, so planning ahead helps secure the best spots close to the action.
In 2026, Noosa Food & Wine Festival will take place from June 11 to June 14.
What Types of Experiences Can You Expect?
One of the reasons the festival remains so popular is the variety of experiences on offer. Visitors can tailor their weekend depending on whether they want relaxed grazing, chef-led experiences or something more indulgent.
Common Noosa Food and Wine highlights include:
The Festival Village
A lively hub where visitors can sample dishes, wines, cocktails and local produce while enjoying live music and chef demonstrations. It’s perfect for grazing, discovering new producers and soaking up the atmosphere.
Long Lunches and Signature Dining Events
Multi-course lunches and dinners featuring visiting chefs collaborating with Noosa restaurants. These events often sell out quickly and are ideal for travellers wanting a memorable food experience.
Chef Masterclasses and Tastings
Interactive sessions where chefs and producers share techniques, stories and ingredients, offering insight into the people behind the plates.
Beach and Waterfront Events
With Noosa’s natural beauty as a backdrop, some events take place near the beach or river, combining stunning scenery with exceptional food and drink.
Restaurant Pop-Ups and Collaborations
Local venues host guest chefs or special menus, giving diners a chance to experience something unique while exploring Noosa’s dining scene.
Here’s where to eat in Noosa.
Why Noosa Food & Wine Festival Is Worth Visiting
The festival succeeds because it blends serious food credentials with relaxed coastal charm. You’ll find big culinary names alongside talented local chefs, but the mood remains friendly and approachable rather than formal.
Add in Noosa’s beaches, river walks, boutique shopping and national park trails, and the festival becomes more than a food event. It becomes a destination weekend where mornings can start with a swim, afternoons with tastings, and evenings with memorable dinners.
For many visitors, it’s the perfect excuse to return to Noosa year after year, discovering new restaurants, new producers and new experiences each time.
And if your travels revolve around what and where to eat, Noosa Food & Wine remains one of Australia’s most enjoyable ways to combine both.
Planning more food-focused travel? See my guide to Australia’s best food festivals to discover delicious events worth travelling for around the country.
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Written by Kerry Heaney
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