It might be hard to believe, but soon summer’s sweltering temps will have passed and fall festival season will be upon us.
Phoenix’s moderate fall and winter climates mean that plenty of outdoor events are coming, including for the adults who like to imbibe. Here are seven beer and wine festivals to put on your calendar. Cheers!
Editor’s Note: Canacopia organizers announced on Sept. 11 the festival was cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.” The event’s website stated refunds were being processed for everyone who had already purchased tickets.
Canacopia
When: Sept. 16, 3-10 p.m.
Where: Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Mesa
Cost: $38-$185
As the name suggests, Canacopia is a celebration of canned craft beers, seltzers, spirits, and wine from a variety of brands. Held at Mesa’s Riverview Park, attendees also can look forward to DJs like Dillon Francis, SG Lewis, and BONNIE X CLYDE spinning tunes.
Need to know: Visitors must be 18 or older to attend.
Sedona Winefest
When: Sept. 23-24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Posse Grounds Park, 525 Posse Grounds Road, Sedona
Cost: $35-$45 (designated driver: $10)
Head to Sedona’s Posse Grounds Park to drink Arizona wine underneath the city’s red rocks at Sedona Winefest. This annual wine festival honors local wines, including Chateau Tumbleweed, Page Springs Cellars, Four Tails Vineyard, Bodega Pierce, and Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. A total of 25 vineyards are slated to be sampling at the festival, with each day also including live music and food trucks like Lobstar New England Seafood. Sober attendees also can enjoy Seedlip nonalcoholic beverages.
Tickets purchased online cost $35 per person and include admission along with a commemorative wine glass and eight wine-tasting tickets, but go up to $45 at the door. Kids 18 and under receive free admission.
Four Peaks Oktoberfest
When: Oct. 13-15; times vary
Cost: Free-$20
Where: Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
The three-day Four Peaks Oktoberfest will feature plenty of Four Peaks beer (naturally) in addition to food, games, carnival rides for kids and adults, live music, and dancing. New foods that attendees can look forward to include gourmet pretzels and strudels in addition to plenty of other traditional German fare.
Guests can also dig into funnel cakes, corn dogs, Harkins popcorn, and food from Island Noodles, Dickey’s BBQ, and Karen’s Creamery. Attendees also can view a (hilarious) local celebrity bratwurst eating contest. On Sunday, you can even watch Dachshund races. Part of the proceeds raised benefit the nonprofit Tempe Sister Cities.
General admission tickets cost $20 on Friday and Saturday, with free admission on Sunday. Attendees 20 and younger are free, and the festival is open to all.
Willcox Wine Festival
When: Oct. 21-22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Railroad Park, 157 N. Railroad Ave., Willcox
Cost: $35-$45
Southern Arizona is where 74% of Arizona’s wine grapes are grown and is home to 14 tasting rooms. The Willcox Wine Festival seeks to celebrate the area’s rich contribution to the wine world. Held at Railroad Park, the festival is slated to feature 16 Arizona wineries. These tentatively include 1764 Vineyards, Copper Horse Vineyard, Soaring Wines, DA Wines, and Coronado Vineyards. Attendees also can look forward to fine arts, artisan food, and vintage vendors.
Tickets for Oct. 21 cost $35 per person, or $45 at the gate;,with tickets for Oct. 22 priced at $30 per person, or $40 at the gate. All tickets include admission and 10 tasting tickets.
Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival
When: Oct. 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Kierland Commons, 15210 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Cost: $30-$45
During the Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival, visitors can stroll along main street in Kierland Commons and see artwork from more than 100 artists. The festival also features Arizona wine from about 15 Arizona wineries and partners with Willcox Wine Country in southern Arizona to bring these wines to festival attendees. Some of the wineries that may be pouring include Keeling Schaefer Vineyards, Copper Horse, Carlson Creek, Arizona Stronghold, Oak Creek Vineyards, and Soaring Wines.
Tickets to the wine garden on Oct. 28 cost $35, or $45 at the gate, while tickets for Oct. 29 cost $30 per person or $40 at the gate. Tickets include 10 tasting tickets, though admission is free without wine tasting. The wine garden is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
USA Today Wine and Food Experience
When: Nov. 4, 1-4 p.m.
Where: High Street, 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix
Cost: $60-$115
USA Today puts on its food and wine festival at different locations throughout the country, and the Phoenix festival is happening in early November at High Street. Guests can look forward to sampling a variety of food and libations. Local restaurants slated to attend include California Fish Grill, Carcara at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Frasher’s Smokehouse, and Cala. Some sips you can try include beer from local brewery Huss Brewing Co., wines from California’s Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, and a variety of spirits like Nolet’s gin and Dough Ball Cookie Dough Whiskey, among others.
Early bird general admission tickets cost $60, then go up to $65 on Sept. 20 and $80 at the gate. VIP tickets cost $95, then increase to $100 on Sept. 20 and $115 at the gate.
Tempe Festival of the Arts
When: Dec. 1-3, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Tempe
Cost: Admission is free; alcohol tokens for sale
One of the oldest festivals in the Southwest at more than 50 years old, the Tempe Festival of the Arts includes a wine garden. Visitors stroll up and down Mill Avenue checking out art from more than 350 artists based throughout the country and enjoying wine at this festival, which takes place bi-annually in early December and late March.
As of press time, wineries have not been confirmed. However, last March, Pedal Haus Brewery and Four Peaks Brewery both poured suds, while wineries included Page Springs Cellars, Da Vines Vineyard, and Four Tails Vineyard.
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Teresa K. Traverse Teresa K. Traverse is a freelance writer and editor who's based in Phoenix, Arizona. She's also a dog mom, a traveler, and a magazine aficionado who's always searching for her next great cup of coffee.
