The Albany Chef's Food and Wine Festival is back, with exceptional vendors from all over the Capital Region. Hosted at Albany Capital Center, the 2026 Albany Chef's Food and Wine Festival will take place on January 22-24, 2026, bringing together the region’s top chefs, restaurants, and beverage professionals for one of the Capital Region’s signature events.
Taking place over the course of three-days, proceeds from the event will be directly affecting local Albany-based art organizations to strengthen the Capital Region's local art economy. Premier beneficiaries include Empire State Youth Orchestra, Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York, Albany Barn, and Albany Center Gallery. Spotlight beneficiaries include Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the Palace Performing Arts Center.
The festival weekend kicks off at the New York State Museum on Thursday, Jan. 22, with the Mayor’s Reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres, wines, cider, and champagne. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with festival supporters, arts beneficiaries, and business leaders.
The festival continues on Friday, Jan. 23, with the Grand Tastings and Seminars, featuring more than 100 food, wine, spirit, cider, and beer vendors from across the Capital Region. Seminars include tastings and interactive sessions where guests can learn new skills or gain knowledge from industry experts, including chefs and winemakers. Guests can finish off Friday Night, with the "Slider Slam", Boogie Nights Edition, a culinary competition where top chefs vie for the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice slider awards.
The Grand Tastings and Seminars return on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 12 p.m., offering additional opportunities to explore flavors, attend seminars, enjoy Rising Star Chefs, and watch another round of Battle of the Bartenders competitions. The festival officially closes Saturday night with the “Disco Ball” Grand Gala, featuring a five-course dinner, live entertainment, and dancing, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This year's gala will be embracing the energy and flair of the 1970s, culminating with their Disco Ball Grand Gala on Saturday night. Guests can expect three days of celebrated cuisine, fine wine, artisan beer and cider, curated cocktails, live entertainment, and plenty of disco-era fun, all in support of the local arts community.
Tickets for the 2026 Albany Chefs’ Food and Wine Festival are available now at albanywinefest.com.