Five days. Five continents. A collection of chefs, winemakers, artists and unforgettable Key West settings.
The Key West Food & Wine Festival returns January 27–31, 2027, with intimate dinners, wine experiences, tastings and special events held at locations across the island. Now celebrating its 18th edition, the festival turns Key West into a culinary journey where the setting is just as memorable as what is poured and served.
The 2027 theme, “Connected by the Oceans,” explores how water has carried ingredients, cooking traditions, wine culture and human stories between continents. It is an especially fitting idea for Key West, an island shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf and generations of cultural exchange.
If you are thinking about attending, this guide covers the dates, theme, announced events, venues, ticket information and practical tips for planning a delicious winter getaway.
Key West Food & Wine Festival 2027 at a Glance
- Dates: Wednesday, January 27 through Sunday, January 31, 2027
- Location: Restaurants, historic properties and special venues throughout Key West
- 2027 theme: Connected by the Oceans
- Festival edition: 18th annual celebration
- Featured concept: Five continents, five wines, five stories, five dishes, five chefs and five oceans
- Ticket sales: The festival homepage lists September 30, 2026, for general ticket sales; certain limited experiences may have different release dates
- Planning advice: Reserve popular events, lodging and transportation early
Festival events are individually planned and ticketed. Times, menus, venues, prices and availability may change, so always check the organizer’s current 2027 schedule before purchasing tickets or finalizing travel.
What Is the Key West Food & Wine Festival?
The Key West Food & Wine Festival is an island-wide celebration of food, wine, spirits, art and culture. Instead of gathering everyone inside one festival ground, it places experiences throughout Key West.
One event may unfold inside a historic home or tropical garden. Another may lead guests through hidden corners of Old Town by trolley. A tasting can take place beside marine life at the Key West Aquarium, while an intimate dinner pairs international wine with a chef-created menu.
That variety is the heart of the festival. Guests do not simply taste their way through a series of booths. They experience Key West through its architecture, waterfront, restaurants, galleries and gathering places.
The 2027 Theme: Connected by the Oceans
The 2027 festival looks at the oceans as pathways rather than boundaries. For centuries, water routes carried seeds, spices, techniques, people and traditions from shore to shore. Those movements helped shape the foods and wines enjoyed around the world today.
The program explores culinary traditions connected to Europe, South Africa, North America, South America and Oceania. Chefs and winemakers will use dishes, pairings and storytelling to show how geography, culture and coastal life influence what reaches the table.
Contemporary Cuban artist Humberto Castro provides the festival’s visual interpretation of the theme, curated by Alaen Ledesma Fernández. The art component gives the celebration another way to explore migration, place and the relationship between people and the sea.
Photo Credit: Piqsels
Key West Food & Wine Festival 2027 Schedule Highlights
The official program continues to develop, but the festival has already announced experiences for all five days. The following overview reflects information published by the organizer as of September 17, 2026.
Wednesday, January 27: Local Flavor and the Welcome Party
The festival begins with a Key lime-inspired menu at La Pincha, a Cuban-inspired food truck in historic Kino Plaza. The event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and introduces visitors to the kind of casual, local flavor that makes eating in Key West so much fun.
The evening shifts to the VIP International Welcome Party, scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Realty ONE Group Destination, 1075 Duval Street, Suite C19. The welcome event offers an early opportunity to meet other guests and settle into the festival atmosphere.
Thursday, January 28: The Wine Game and a Voyage to Oceania
Thursday begins with “The Wine Game” at the Key West Cooking Show. Part tasting and part friendly competition, the event challenges participants to test their palates through a series of games involving aromas, flavors, regions and wine knowledge. The experience is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 291 Front Street, Suite 207.
That evening, the festival travels to Oceania with Chef David Fuhrman at the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens. The planned menu draws inspiration from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island traditions, pairing coastal ingredients and tropical aromatics with wines from the region. The historic house and garden setting should make this one of the festival’s most atmospheric dinners.
Friday, January 29: A Trolley Stroll, Grand Tasting and Whiskey Dinner
Friday offers several of the festival’s biggest choices.
“Hidden Gems & Golden Sips” is a curated afternoon trolley stroll scheduled from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Beginning at The Gardens Hotel, the experience visits distinctive Key West locations while pairing Mediterranean-inspired bites with regional wines.
Photo Credit: Piqsels
In the evening, the Five Oceans Five Continents Grand Tasting comes to the Key West Aquarium from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event brings together international dishes, wine and contemporary art in a setting surrounded by marine life. Chef Jennifer Cornell’s announced menu follows the festival theme through courses inspired by Oceania, Africa, South America, North America and Europe.
Guests can instead choose “An Exclusive Celebration of American Spirit,” a whiskey dinner inside the Harry S. Truman Little White House. The five-course experience pairs American whiskey with a historic setting where President Truman once played poker. It is scheduled from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 30: Cooking with Love and Two Continental Journeys
Saturday begins with a community-minded kitchen party supporting Cooking with Love. Festival guests, chefs and volunteers will help prepare and pack meals for local neighbors while enjoying music and the energy of a shared kitchen. It is a hands-on reminder that food can bring a community together in more ways than one.
At lunch, “A Dream Come True” highlights the wines of Encino de Piedra from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe and the grilled, smoked and spice-forward flavors of northern Mexico. Chef David Fuhrman and winemaker Andrés Blanco are among the announced participants.
Saturday evening turns toward South Africa. Chef Martin Liz will pair Florida Keys seafood and local culinary influences with South African wines in a five-course ocean-and-farm-to-table dinner. The experience is planned at Lost Kitchen Supper Club, with transportation details provided by the festival.
Sunday, January 31: An Italian-Style Farewell Brunch
The festival closes with “Pranzo on the Amalfi Coast,” an Italian-style brunch at Conchiglia Key West, 816 Duval Street. Chef Paolo Gallotti leads the European finale, scheduled from noon to 2:00 p.m.
After four days of tastings and dinners, a leisurely Sunday brunch feels like exactly the right way to raise one last glass.
Which Festival Events Should You Choose?
There is no single perfect itinerary. The best selections depend on how you like to experience food and wine.
- For variety: The Five Continents Grand Tasting offers several regional flavors in one evening.
- For a sense of place: Consider the Oceania dinner at the Audubon House or the whiskey dinner at the Truman Little White House.
- For exploring Key West: The Golden Sips trolley stroll turns the island into part of the tasting experience.
- For interaction: The Wine Game adds competition, storytelling and plenty of audience participation.
- For a small-group meal: Choose one of the chef-led continental lunches or dinners.
- For community connection: Join the Cooking with Love kitchen party.
A balanced festival plan might combine one larger tasting, one intimate meal and one interactive event. Leave space between them. Key West is better when you have time to walk, notice the architecture and enjoy the island instead of racing from reservation to reservation.
Tickets, Prices and Availability
The festival sells admission to individual experiences, and some events have very limited capacity. Currently published prices range from approximately $100 for the welcome party to $545 for the whiskey dinner, with several chef dinners and tastings falling between those amounts.
The official homepage lists September 30, 2026, as the general ticket-sale date. However, some limited-event pages reference earlier availability. Use the event’s live purchase page as the final authority for its release date, current price and remaining inventory.
Do not wait until you arrive in Key West to build your schedule. The smallest dinners, specialty experiences and most distinctive venues can fill quickly.
Planning Your Key West Food and Wine Getaway
Stay More Than One Night
The festival runs from Wednesday through Sunday, and many of its best experiences take place in the evening. A multi-night stay lets you attend events without watching the clock and gives you room to enjoy Key West between tastings.
Choose a Walkable Location
Many announced venues are in or near Old Town, including Duval Street, Front Street and Whitehead Street. Staying nearby can reduce the need for a car and make it easier to return to your accommodations between daytime and evening events.
If this is your first visit, our complete guide to Duval Street can help you understand the area before you arrive.
Make Time for Key West Beyond the Festival
Not every meal needs to be a ticketed event. Leave room for Cuban coffee, fresh seafood, conch fritters and Key lime pie. For a casual side trip, our Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Key West food guide introduces two colorful local favorites still serving guests today.
Photo Credit: Piqsels
When the final tasting ends, the island keeps going. Live music, waterfront walks, theaters and Old Town nightlife can extend your evening. Explore our guide to things to do in Key West at night for more ideas.
Plan for January Weather
January is a popular time to visit Key West because temperatures are typically comfortable, but conditions can still change. Pack lightweight island-casual clothing, comfortable walking shoes and a light layer for breezy evenings or air-conditioned venues.
Review Each Event’s Requirements
Food and wine events may have age restrictions, arrival instructions, transportation arrangements or dress recommendations. Confirm those details for every ticketed experience, especially when an event includes alcohol, trolley transportation or a tightly scheduled seated meal.
Travel to the Festival with Key West Express
For travelers coming from Southwest Florida, Key West Express turns the trip into part of the getaway.
Depart from Fort Myers Beach and settle into the Gulf crossing aboard a jet-powered catamaran. You can relax in climate-controlled seating, step outside for fresh air and water views, and purchase food and drinks from the onboard galley and bar.
When you arrive, the Key West Express terminal at 100 Grinnell Street places you at the Historic Seaport and close to Old Town. That is especially convenient for a festival spread across downtown venues, where walking, taxis and rideshare services are often easier than dealing with limited parking.
This is a multi-day festival, so plan your ferry transportation for separate arrival and departure dates and reserve accommodations. January is part of Key West’s busy winter season, and both travel and lodging choices can become limited.
Your culinary escape should begin with something more enjoyable than a long drive. Book your Key West Express trip, settle in for the Gulf crossing and arrive ready to taste your way around the island.
Come Hungry. Leave Inspired.
The Key West Food & Wine Festival is not simply a collection of meals. It is a chance to experience the island through flavor, history, art and the people who bring each menu to life.
Choose the events that excite you, leave time to explore Old Town and arrive ready for a culinary journey that moves from Key West to five continents—one glass, one dish and one story at a time.
Hero Image Photo Credit: CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
