The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (AFWF), presented by Invesco QQQ, has officially announced its return for its 16th year, scheduled to take place from September 10 to September 13, with a comprehensive programmatic overhaul that places the city’s unique cultural identity at the forefront of the celebration. Under the new thematic banner, “The City is the Story,” the four-day culinary event will utilize The Home Depot Backyard—the 11-acre greenspace adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium—as a centralized hub to showcase the chefs, neighborhoods, and international influences that have propelled Atlanta into the upper echelon of global dining destinations.
Owned and produced by a21, a leading international experiential event agency, the 2026 festival marks a significant evolution in the event’s structure. Since its inception in 2010, the AFWF has served as a cornerstone of the Southern hospitality industry, but this year’s iteration introduces a more curated, narrative-driven approach. The signature Tasting Tents, presented by Goya Foods, have been redesigned to offer four distinct daily themes: The Atlanta Standard, Flavors of Atlanta, The Southern Spread, and The Homecoming. This shift is intended to provide a more cohesive storytelling experience, moving away from a general regional focus toward a localized exploration of Atlanta’s specific culinary DNA.
A Strategic Shift in Culinary Storytelling
The decision to center the festival on the "City as the Story" reflects a broader trend in the hospitality industry where travelers and local enthusiasts alike seek hyper-local, authentic experiences. By segmenting the festival into thematic days, organizers aim to highlight the diverse facets of Atlanta’s food scene, ranging from its historic Southern roots to its burgeoning reputation as a melting pot of international flavors.
According to Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21, the festival remains the premier culinary gathering in the South. “AFWF is consistently the finest culinary event in the region, and we are proud to showcase the burgeoning culinary talent from throughout the area,” Friedman stated. This year, the festival is expected to host more than 150 chefs, artisans, and beverage professionals, providing a high-visibility platform for both established James Beard Award winners and emerging local talent.
Chronological Schedule of Events and Programming
The festival’s four-day itinerary is designed to build momentum, starting with a focus on local legends and concluding with high-energy celebrations of Southern staples.
Thursday, Sept. 10: The Atlanta Standard
The opening night focuses on the foundational elements of the city’s food scene. Located in the Tasting Tents at The Home Depot Backyard, this event highlights "neighborhood legends" and "cultural icons." The evening is designed to capture the essence of Atlanta’s daily food life, from late-night dining culture to the creative mixology found in the city’s trendiest districts.
- Hours: VIP 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; General Admission 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Pricing: Starting at $99.
Friday, Sept. 11: Flavors of Atlanta
The second day shifts the focus toward the international communities that define modern Atlanta. This high-energy walk-around tasting highlights the influence of Latin spices, Asian techniques, and Caribbean flair. The inclusion of these diverse profiles acknowledges the importance of corridors like Buford Highway and the city’s growing immigrant-led culinary innovations.
- Hours: VIP 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; General Admission 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Pricing: Starting at $109.
Saturday, Sept. 12: The Southern Spread and Stacked
Saturday features a dual-track schedule. The afternoon session, "The Southern Spread," is a celebration of traditional hospitality and locally sourced ingredients, focusing on the evolution of Southern recipes. In the evening, the focus shifts to "Stacked: The Burger Social," presented by Mike’s Amazing. This event is a competitive and social showcase of gourmet burger creations, featuring over-the-top toppings and innovative patty blends.
- Southern Spread Hours: VIP 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.; General Admission 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Starting at $109).
- Stacked Hours: Early Access 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; General Admission 7:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Starting at $89).
Sunday, Sept. 13: The Homecoming, Southern Fried, and Whiskey & Fire
The final day of the festival offers three distinct experiences. "The Homecoming" serves as a festival wrap-up with a focus on communal dining and comfort food. Concurrently, "Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair" explores the global variations of fried chicken, from traditional buttermilk styles to Korean and Japanese interpretations. The weekend concludes at Guardian Works with "Whiskey & Fire Atlanta," a collaboration with Heritage Fire that pairs open-fire cooking with hundreds of global whiskies.
- The Homecoming: 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Starting at $99).
- Southern Fried: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Starting at $89).
- Whiskey & Fire: 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Starting at $99).
Economic Impact and Corporate Sponsorship
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival’s longevity is bolstered by significant corporate partnerships, most notably with Invesco QQQ. As the presenting sponsor, Invesco QQQ—which is headquartered in Atlanta—utilizes the festival to align its brand with innovation and excellence. This partnership underscores the economic importance of the festival to the local business community. Large-scale culinary events of this nature are estimated to generate millions of dollars in local economic impact through hotel stays, transportation, and direct spending at local businesses.
Furthermore, the festival continues its commitment to social responsibility by partnering with the Event Zero Foundation. This charitable organization focuses on guiding event organizers and businesses toward sustainable practices. By integrating sustainability into the festival’s operations, AFWF aims to mitigate the environmental footprint of high-volume food and beverage service, setting a standard for other major American food festivals.
Historical Context: From Regional Showcase to Global Destination
When the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival launched in 2010, its primary goal was to shine a spotlight on the broader Southern region, which was often overlooked by the national culinary media. Over the past 16 years, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Atlanta has transitioned from a regional hub to a "Global Gateway" city, a transformation punctuated by the recent arrival of the Michelin Guide in 2023.
The 16th annual festival arrives at a time when Atlanta’s culinary prestige is at an all-time high. The city now boasts a diverse array of Michelin-starred and Recommended restaurants, and the AFWF serves as the primary annual gathering where these elite professionals interact directly with the public. The move to The Home Depot Backyard—a venue synonymous with the city’s sports and entertainment pulse—further cements the festival’s status as a top-tier metropolitan event rather than a niche industry gathering.
Industry Analysis: The Evolution of Experiential Dining
The decision by a21 to refresh the AFWF format highlights a shift in the "experiential" economy. In the post-pandemic era, consumers are increasingly prioritizing events that offer educational and narrative value over simple consumption. By organizing the Tasting Tents around themes like "The Atlanta Standard" and "Flavors of Atlanta," the festival is adapting to a more sophisticated audience that wants to understand the history and people behind the food.
The addition of specialized events like "Whiskey & Fire" and "Southern Fried" also allows the festival to capture specific market segments. Whiskey & Fire, in particular, leverages the growing national interest in spirits and open-flame cooking, a culinary technique that has seen a resurgence in fine dining circles.
Logistics and Attendance Information
The 16th Annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will be hosted primarily at The Home Depot Backyard, located at 1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, GA 30313. Due to the service of alcohol, all guests must be 21 years of age or older.
Tickets are currently available for purchase through the festival’s official website. In addition to individual event tickets, the festival offers multi-day passes for attendees seeking a comprehensive experience of the four-day schedule. Organizers have indicated that additional programming details, including specific participating restaurant partners and celebrity chef appearances, will be released throughout the summer months.
As Atlanta continues to define itself as a premier destination for food enthusiasts, the AFWF remains a vital indicator of the city’s culinary health and creative ambition. By focusing on the local narrative, the 16th edition of the festival aims to prove that in the world of high-end gastronomy, the city itself is indeed the most compelling story.
