Upcoming · Annually in April

Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival

Name: Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival
Start: 2027-04-01
End: 2027-04-01
Location: South Dakota

Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival in Deadwood, SD — 13th annual event across multiple venues. April 10–11, 2026.

Best for couples Best for groups food wine 21+ only

When

Annually in April

Where

, SD

Tickets

TBA

Annually in April

TBA

Get tickets

Quick facts

At a glance.

Dates

Annually in April

Duration

Single day

Best for

Couples, Groups

Atmosphere

Casual

Food

Bring or buy nearby

Age

21+ only

The story

About this festival.

Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival is an annual food, wine, and beer festival held over 2 days in Historic Deadwood, South Dakota — now in its 13th year, with the 2026 edition scheduled for April 10–11. The festival spans multiple tasting venues across Deadwood, with registration headquartered at Deadwood Mountain Grand. Tickets are limited and must be 21 to participate.

The festival is structured as a progressive, multi-event experience rather than a single-venue tasting. On Friday evening, the Wine Around (5–7 PM) places vineyard representatives at locations throughout Deadwood to discuss wine profiles and pairings, followed by the Appetizer Crawl (7–9 PM), where local chefs serve bite-sized dishes paired with wine or beer samples. Saturday's Deadwood Dine Around (11 AM–3 PM) continues the format with chef-prepared samples across multiple Deadwood locations. The weekend concludes with the Grand Tasting, featuring dozens of beer and wine varieties alongside light hors d'oeuvres. GA ticket holders receive an open container cup at registration and a commemorative glass at the Grand Tasting, plus a festival pass lanyard that also covers trolley transportation.

VIP tickets include all GA events plus significantly upgraded wine tastings throughout the weekend. On Friday, VIP holders attend a private Wine Around (5–7 PM) featuring high-end pours from Daou, Duckhorn, Orin Swift, J. Lohr, and Chateau Ste. Michelle, among others. On Saturday, VIPs enter the Grand Tasting 30 minutes early and access the Reserve Room for high-end wines. New for 2026, VIP tickets include entry to Smashed Grapes (2–3 PM Saturday), a competitive tasting where representatives from Duckhorn, Riboli, Delicato, and J. Lohr each present a wine and compete for attendee votes. Registration is open Friday 2–8 PM and Saturday 9 AM–noon; attendees register only once for the full weekend.

Deadwood itself is a National Historic Landmark town in the Black Hills of South Dakota, known for its 19th-century gold rush history. The festival's multi-venue format takes advantage of the walkable historic district, with trolley transportation included in the festival pass. Tickets are available through Deadwood Mountain Grand's box office (605-559-1188) or Ticketmaster, the only authorized online reseller.

Getting there

Location & logistics.

Location coming soon

What to expect

The experience.

Wine focus

Expect a strong showing of red, white — pace yourself and start with the lighter pours.

The setting

In , South Dakota. Check the venue page for layout details.

The crowd

A mix of regulars and newcomers. Knowledgeable pourers happy to walk you through what you're tasting.

Worth the trip

Arrive early, hit your must-try wineries first, then wander. That's the move.

Reviews

What people are saying.

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Frequently asked

Common questions.

When is Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival?

Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival takes place April 10–11, 2026, in Historic Deadwood, South Dakota. The 2-day festival begins with Friday evening events including the Wine Around and Appetizer Crawl, and continues Saturday with the Dine Around and Grand Tasting. Registration opens Friday at 2 PM and Saturday at 9 AM at Deadwood Mountain Grand.

How much are tickets to Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival?

Ticket prices for Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival in Deadwood, South Dakota have not been publicly listed for 2026. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (the only authorized online reseller) or by phone or in person at Deadwood Mountain Grand's box office at 605-559-1188. Tickets are limited, and the festival warns against third-party resellers.

What is included with a general admission ticket?

A GA ticket to Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival in Deadwood, SD includes all food and wine tastings across the weekend: the Wine Around, Appetizer Crawl, Deadwood Dine Around, and the Grand Tasting with dozens of beer and wine varieties. Ticket holders also receive an open container cup at registration, a commemorative glass at the Grand Tasting, and a festival pass lanyard covering trolley transportation.

Is VIP worth it at Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival?

VIP tickets at Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival add exclusive access to a private Friday Wine Around featuring high-end pours from Daou, Duckhorn, Orin Swift, J. Lohr, and Chateau Ste. Michelle. VIPs also enter the Saturday Grand Tasting 30 minutes early, access the Reserve Room, and in 2026 receive complimentary entry to the new Smashed Grapes competitive tasting (2–3 PM Saturday) with reps from four major wineries.

Where is Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival held?

Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival is held across multiple venues in Historic Deadwood, South Dakota, with registration and the main hub at Deadwood Mountain Grand. The multi-venue format sends attendees to restaurants and tasting locations throughout the walkable historic district. A festival pass lanyard includes complimentary trolley transportation between venues, though alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the trolley.

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