Westchester Magazine's Wine & Food Festival Returns

— For more than two decades, Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival has been a gathering place—where chefs, makers, and neighbors come together to celebrate what makes this region distinctive. This June, the festival returns for its 16th year, unfolding over six days, June 9–14, 2026, at some of Westchester County’s most iconic settings.
The 2026 festival coincides with Westchester Magazine’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter century of chronicling the region’s dining, culture, and community life. Together, the milestones reflect a shared history: a publication and an event that have grown alongside the people, places, and partners that define Westchester.
Over the years, the Wine & Food Festival has evolved into one of the region’s signature culinary experiences—rooted in local talent, elevated by national voices, and sustained by long-standing relationships with chefs, restaurateurs, vintners, and sponsors who return year after year. It is as much about connection as it is about cuisine.
“Celebrating our 25th anniversary alongside the 16th year of the Wine & Food Festival speaks to the enduring relationships that make this event possible—from our culinary partners to our sponsors to the community that shows up every June,” said Steve Aaron, Publisher of Westchester Magazine.
A Week of Signature Experiences
Each event within the festival offers a distinct lens on the region’s food and beverage culture—intimate, celebratory, and deeply connected to place.
Perfect Pairings with Kevin Zraly & Chef Peter X. Kelly
Tuesday, June 9 | The Briarcliff Manor | 6-9p.m.
An evening designed for conversation and curiosity, this limited-seating dinner brings together celebrated chef Peter X. Kelly and legendary wine educator Kevin Zraly for an exploration of thoughtful pairings and seasonal cuisine. Guests begin with cocktails in the gardens overlooking the Hudson River before moving indoors for a guided dining experience that reflects decades of culinary expertise and collaboration.
Party on the Pier at Playland
Wednesday, June 10 | Playland Park, Rye | 6-9p.m.
Set against the Long Island Sound, this waterfront gathering marks the unofficial start of summer. Global street-food–inspired dishes from local restaurants and food trucks are paired with craft cocktails, wine, beer, and live music. The evening’s energy peaks with the return of the Bartender Shake-Off, a spirited competition that celebrates the creativity behind the bar.
Burgers, Beer & Barrels (formerly Burger & Beer Blast)
Thursday, June 11 | Kensico Dam Plaza | 6-9:30p.m.
One of the festival’s most anticipated nights, this event brings together local restaurants in a friendly competition centered on the all-American burger. Expanded beverage offerings—including barrel-aged beers, spirits, and wines—add a new dimension to a long-time favorite. The 2026 theme honors classic flavors while nodding to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Wine Collectors’ Dinner
Friday, June 12 | The Kittle House Inn | 6:30-10 p.m.
An evening rooted in tradition and shared appreciation, this dinner invites guests to bring a cherished bottle from their personal collection to enjoy alongside a thoughtfully prepared multi-course meal. Hosted at The Kittle House Inn, the event also serves as a debut for the venue’s newly renovated event space, offering an intimate setting for one of the festival’s most refined gatherings.
Grand Tasting Village
Saturday, June 13 | Kensico Dam Plaza | 12-4 p.m.
The festival’s centerpiece brings together dozens of local restaurants and an expansive selection of wine and spirits, including 50+ dedicated wine tables and hundreds of pours. Throughout the afternoon, guests can attend chef demonstrations and curated tastings with chefs such as Anthony Gonçalves of Kanopi, Brian Lewis of OKO, Michael Psilakis of MP Taverna, and more.
Highlights include appearances by acclaimed chefs from across the region and exclusive seminars in the Connoisseurs Tent, led by Kevin Zraly and special guests, featuring rare wines not available elsewhere during the festival.
Cross County Center Family Food Summer Fest
Sunday, June 14 | Cross County Center, Yonkers | 12–3 p.m.
An official satellite event for the Wine & Food Festival, Food Fest brings the energy of the week-long celebration to Cross County Center. This free-to-attend afternoon transforms the shopping destination into a vibrant, family-friendly culinary hotspot featuring kid-friendly tastings and treats, family entertainment, live music, activities, interactive brand and tenant activations, outdoor dining and lounge areas, and food trucks aplenty.
The Last Taste: A Sunday Soirée
Sunday, June 14 | The Sea Fire Grill, Yonkers | 12–3 p.m.
Celebrate the finale of Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival with an indulgent waterfront afternoon at The Sea Fire Grill. The Last Taste: A Sunday Soirée invites guests to unwind in style with handcrafted cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Elevated culinary experiences include a caviar and champagne/sparkling pairing station, raw bar activations featuring oysters, shrimp, and chilled seafood towers, signature cocktail offerings, oyster-shucking demonstrations, and premium small plates. This intimate closing celebration offers a luxurious final toast to an unforgettable festival week.
A Festival with Purpose
The Wine & Food Festival is made possible through long-standing partnerships with local and national brands that value authentic community engagement. Grapes the Wine Company returns as the festival’s official wine partner, continuing a relationship built on shared standards and trust.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Westchester Parks Foundation, supporting the preservation and enhancement of the county’s parks and open spaces, venues that have become integral to the festival’s identity.
Now in its second decade, the Wine & Food Festival draws thousands of attendees annually and remains a defining moment on Westchester’s cultural calendar—not simply as an event, but as a reflection of the region itself.
For tickets and additional information, visit westchestermagazine.com/winefood.