Noosa Food & Wine Festival sets the table for its most ambitious year yet
Sunshine, surf and serious flavour will be on the menu next June when the Noosa Food & Wine Festival returns with a refreshed identity and a stacked program of unmissable events. Formerly known as Noosa Eat & Drink, the iconic festival is reclaiming its original name – and with it, the spirit, style and culinary prestige that made it a national favourite. Here’s what to expect …
Organisers have lifted the lid on what’s shaping up to be the most ambitious Noosa Food & Wine Festival yet, unveiling seven Signature Events ahead of the soon-to-be-announced Restaurant Series. The festival’s main hub, the American Express Festival Village, will also return in 2026, giving festivalgoers access to more than 40 eateries and bars, live cooking demos, entertainment and complimentary canapes and mocktails on arrival.
Running from June 11–14, the festival will welcome world-class chefs and culinary leaders to Noosa for four days of flavour-driven events and experiences – from intimate chef’s tables to exclusive island lunches and sunset dinners on the beach.
The Signature Events series kicks off on Friday June 12 with The Official Opening Party, a marquee-lit beachfront celebration on Noosa Main Beach, where roving pop-ups, an interactive seafood bar and fire-kissed flavours from South African braai master Warren Mendes set the weekend’s tone.
On the same day, food lovers can escape to a private paradise with The Makepeace Island Experience, an ultra-exclusive long lunch for just 40 guests featuring a river cruise to Makepeace Island and a woodfired menu crafted by the island’s chef Zeb Gilbert and Brisbane culinary icon Ben Williamson.
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Saturday June 13 brings the spectacular return of The Italian Long Lunch, a lavish beachfront feast created by Luca Ciano, Adriano Zumbo, Andrea Ravezzani and Guy Grossi. That evening, the festival dials up the heat with Sunset Sessions: Beachside Dinner, uniting Lanai’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stanley’s Louis Tikaram and Serai’s Ross Magnaye for a three-course, Asian-inspired feast served as the sun dips.
Chef Ben Williamson steps back into the spotlight on Sunday June 14, showcasing a coastal spin on French flavours alongside chef Ben Cross at Le Bistro, La Plage: A French Beachside Lunch. Then, it’s all about golden-hour sips at The Catalina Afternoon Afloat, an indulgent Latin-inspired cruise along the Noosa River helmed by chef Jason Jones.
The series of Signature Events rounds out in true Noosa style with The Festival Sundowner, a sun-drenched beach party featuring Light Years’ playful Asian-inspired canapes, Stone & Wood brews and DJs spinning into the night.
Tickets to Noosa Food & Wine Festival are on sale from Thursday November 20 via the website.