Putnam County Wine & Food Fest

Putnam County Wine & Food Fest is an annual outdoor food and wine festival held each August in Carmel, New York — now in its 15th year, the two-day event takes place August 22–23, 2026, at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park (Upper), 201 Gipsy Trail Road, about an hour north of New York City. Early Bird Tasting tickets start at $20 in advance, with General Admission available at $15.

The festival is produced by Greenergy Productions, LLC and focuses on the Hudson Valley region's agri-business, featuring wine, hard cider, and spirit tastings alongside food trucks, specialty vendors, arts and crafts exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, and a beer tent. Live music from both local and international artists runs across both days. Saturday hours are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday runs 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Putnam County Wine & Food Fest also incorporates family-friendly programming — face painting, sand art, and cornhole — making it one of the more inclusive outdoor events in the Hudson Valley calendar.

Ticket structure is tiered and worth understanding before you buy. The $20 Early Bird Tasting ticket (21+ with valid ID) includes a commemorative tasting glass and wine, cider, and spirit samples. The $15 General Admission ticket covers entry and bottled water but does not include alcohol. Seniors 65 and older and active military receive 50% off walk-up tickets with ID. Children under 12 enter free; ages 13–16 pay $5. Note that the event is rain or shine with no refunds, and no dogs or domestic animals are permitted on the festival grounds. Purchasing through the HMWIUSA affiliate link directs 40% of the ticket price to the Hospitality Mental Wellness Initiative, USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting mental health resources in the hospitality industry.

Carmel sits in Putnam County within the broader Hudson Valley wine region, an area known for cold-hardy varietals and a growing craft beverage scene. The Hudson Valley is one of New York State's oldest wine-producing regions, and festivals like the Putnam County Wine & Food Fest reflect the area's expanding network of small-production wineries, cideries, and distilleries drawing visitors from the New York City metro area.