Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta 2027: What to Expect (Events, Tickets, Tips)
Every fall, Santa Fe comes alive with the bold flavors of New Mexico during the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, one of the Southwest’s most anticipated food and wine festivals. In 2027, the Fiesta celebrates its 36th year, bringing together acclaimed Santa Fe chefs, local restaurants, renowned wineries, sommeliers, and food lovers for days of tastings, culinary demonstrations, wine seminars, special dinners, and signature events.
The 2027 Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta takes place September 21–26, 2027, with events hosted at venues throughout Santa Fe.
Whether you are planning a dedicated culinary getaway or adding the festival to a Santa Fe vacation, the Wine & Chile Fiesta offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the city through its food, wine, culture, and distinctive Southwestern character.
What Is the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta?
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is an annual celebration of the city’s exceptional culinary scene and New Mexico’s famous chile culture. It began as a one-day gathering with about 20 restaurants and 20 wineries and has grown into a multi-day festival. The official Fiesta site now describes about 75 Santa Fe restaurants and 80 winery partners, drawing more than 5,000 food and wine lovers.
What Events Are Offered?
The festival is about much more than wine. Throughout the week, visitors can meet chefs and winemakers, learn about pairings, sample creative dishes, attend cooking demonstrations, and enjoy special meals prepared for Fiesta guests. Rather than one large festival, the Fiesta is a schedule of individual events held around Santa Fe.
The Grand Tasting
The Grand Tasting is the festival’s signature event. Guests sample wines from more than 80 wineries alongside food from dozens of Santa Fe restaurants, with live music and a festive atmosphere. For wine lovers, it is a chance to compare many producers in one afternoon. For food lovers, it is a way to taste leading Santa Fe restaurants without visiting each one.
Chile Friday
If you want to experience the flavors that make New Mexico cuisine unique, Chile Friday belongs near the top of your list. This walk-around tasting celebrates New Mexico chile with chile-focused dishes from Santa Fe restaurants, plus margaritas, cocktails, beer, wine, and cider, live music, cooking demonstrations, and local artisan vendors.
Wine Seminars & Tastings
Wine tastings and seminars offer a more educational experience than the large Grand Tasting, with a closer look at producers, varietals, regions, and food pairings. Past Fiestas have also included a Reserve Wine Tasting & Silent Auction featuring reserve and exclusive wines.
Winery Dinners
For a more intimate experience, consider a winery dinner. These meals pair participating restaurants with winery partners, and a winery representative is typically present to introduce the wines. Dinners are independently planned by each restaurant, so menus, pricing, and reservations vary, and reservations are generally made directly with the host restaurant. They are an excellent choice for couples or travelers who prefer a leisurely evening to a large tasting.
Culinary Demonstrations, Luncheons & Special Events
The schedule also typically includes chef demonstrations, winery luncheons, auctions, and other special events. Some are well suited to foodies who want to learn about cooking techniques and ingredients rather than simply sample food. With such a diverse schedule, you can build your Santa Fe Wine & Chile experience around your interests.
Where Can You Buy Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta Tickets?
The best place to purchase tickets is the official Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta website, which lists the current event schedule, ticket availability, pricing, and event details. Tickets for the 2027 Fiesta had not yet gone on sale as of November 2026. Tickets for the 2026 Fiesta went on sale in mid-June, so the official site is the place to watch for the 2027 launch.
Buy tickets and view the official Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta schedule
Because individual events can sell out, review the schedule early and buy tickets for your top choices as soon as they are available. Ticket policies vary by event. The Fiesta has stated that sales are generally final, with some tickets transferable for select events, and events take place rain or shine.
Tips for Attending the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
- Book Your Santa Fe Vacation Rental Early
The Fiesta attracts thousands of food and wine enthusiasts, making late September a particularly popular time to visit Santa Fe. With the 2027 dates set for September 21–26, booking your Santa Fe vacation rental well in advance gives you a better selection of locations, amenities, and dates.
Staying in a vacation rental can also give groups and families more room to relax between events, along with kitchens and common areas that aren’t typically available in a hotel room.
Not sure where to start? Read our guide, Where to Stay for the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival, for a curated list of vacation rentals that perfectly complement the festival.
- Choose Your Events Before You Arrive
With multiple events taking place throughout the week, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Review the official schedule before your trip and identify the experiences you most want to attend. Consider mixing larger events, such as the Grand Tasting, with a smaller wine seminar or winery dinner for a more balanced experience.
- Don’t Try to Do Everything
The Fiesta offers a lot of food and wine, so pace yourself. A cooking demonstration one day, Chile Friday another day, and a winery dinner in the evening make for a much more enjoyable experience than rushing from event to event.
- Plan Transportation
Many Fiesta events involve wine and other alcoholic beverages, so plan your transportation ahead of time and avoid driving after drinking. The festival takes place at multiple venues throughout Santa Fe, so check the location of each event when building your schedule, since venues can change from year to year.
- Dress Comfortably
Santa Fe’s high-desert environment can bring sunny days and cooler evenings in September. Comfortable shoes are particularly important for larger tasting events where you may spend several hours walking and standing. A light layer or jacket is also useful for evening dinners and outdoor events.
- Drink Water and Pace Yourself
Wine tasting is meant to be enjoyable, not a race. Eat throughout the day, drink plenty of water, and give yourself time between tastings, especially at large events like the Grand Tasting.
- Explore Santa Fe Beyond the Festival
While the Fiesta can easily fill your itinerary, leave some time to explore Santa Fe itself. Walk around the historic Plaza, visit galleries and museums, explore Canyon Road, and sample New Mexican cuisine outside the official festival events.
Why Visit Santa Fe During Wine & Chile Fiesta?
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is more than a traditional wine festival. It combines the city’s celebrated restaurant scene with international wines and one of New Mexico’s most iconic ingredients: chile. From the energy of the Grand Tasting to intimate winery dinners and the chile-focused celebration of Chile Friday, there is an experience for nearly every type of foodie.
If you’re planning a Santa Fe vacation in September, consider building your trip around the 2027 Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, September 21–26. Ready to plan your stay? See Where to Stay for the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival and book early, because the best rentals fill up fast.