Fort Worth’s Food + Wine Festival is back April 9–12 at Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork, slimmed down on paper but beefed up where it counts. The 2026 edition drops one longtime event, adds more marquee chefs and introduces a new Saturday night showcase that is already driving ticket FOMO. For locals, it is a tight, four-day run of tacos, live-fire cooking, wine and fundraising for the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation.
According to CultureMap Fort Worth, the festival has been condensed into four main, ticketed events: Tacos + Tequila, The Main Event, Fork + Fire and The Big Brunch, all at Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork. The longtime Burgers, Brews + Blues night is out, Fork + Fire is in, and all brunch programming now lands in Sunday’s Big Brunch. CultureMap also notes that at least one event has already sold out and that The Main Event will feature small plates from about 20 leading Fort Worth chefs, plus more than 30 bars and beverage vendors.
For those eyeing early access, premium tickets are the hot commodity. The Main Event early-entry pass is listed at $229 and already shows as “sold out” on the festival site, while general admission is $145. Other events range from sub-$100 general admission tickets to $159 early-entry options for the new full-venue evenings. The Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation advises guests to check each individual event page for up-to-date ticket availability and full menus.
Fork + Fire and the Taste Of Texas Row
Saturday’s Fork + Fire is the biggest shakeup on the schedule. The new anchor event will host a Taste Of Texas Row, a dedicated stretch where curated chef teams from Chefs For Farmers in Dallas, Hot Luck in Austin and Southern Smoke in Houston serve side by side. As detailed by CultureMap Fort Worth, the format pairs roughly 16 Fort Worth chefs with about 12 visiting cooks, plus a “Hidden Gems” section that highlights four additional chefs.
Local previews from CraveDFW spotlight several of the out-of-town names to watch, including Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie, Ryan Pera of Coltivare and Mike Pham of Trill Burgers.
Festival Funds Local Programs
The weekend is not just about piling up tasting plates. Proceeds flow back into the community through the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation’s year-round grants and scholarships. The Fort Worth Business Press reports that the foundation has invested more than $610,000 locally through scholarships, classroom equipment, chef stipends and relief initiatives. Organizers say that money helps fund culinary education, upgrade teaching kitchens and provide emergency support for hospitality workers, so every ticket doubles as a donation.
What To Know Before You Go
There are a few ground rules before you head out to Clearfork. All events are 21 and up. Parking at Heart of the Ranch is free, although organizers suggest using rideshare or shuttles on the busier nights. The festival FAQ notes that seating is limited, tickets are rain or shine and all sales are final, so this is not the kind of thing you casually cancel. Guests are urged to check event pages for shuttle schedules and complete menus. With multiple sessions already sold out, anyone hoping to catch specific chefs or the live-fire action should plan ahead and move fast.
