Fredericksburg Balloon and Wine Festival

Fredericksburg Balloon and Wine Festival is a multi-series food and wine festival held annually in Fredericksburg, Texas — organized across 3 distinct event series spanning spring, summer, and fall in the Texas Hill Country. Now in its 30th-plus year, the festival brings together more than 75 wineries and culinary partners for a town-wide celebration that began in 1991 with a single winery in Gillespie County and has grown into one of the region's most established culinary events.

The festival operates as 3 curated series rather than a single-day event. Spring Restaurant Week (May 5–10) features special menus, chef collaborations, and exclusive dining experiences at participating Fredericksburg restaurants. Summer Preview Week (July 20–24) offers intimate, ticketed gatherings including chef-driven dinners, wine and spirit pairings, and tasting events held across the city. Fall Festival Weekend (October 21–24) is the centerpiece: a multi-day celebration anchored by an Opening Night Event, a Friday Street Dinner serving more than 200 guests, Saturday's Grand Tasting Pavilion with 75+ wineries and culinary vendors, and a Sunday Brunch to close the weekend. The festival is produced by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is held in historic downtown Fredericksburg.

Ticket pricing for 2026 has not yet been announced across all series, though Restaurant Week tickets are currently on sale. Preview Week tickets open June 4, and Fall Festival Weekend tickets open July 23. Each series is ticketed separately, so visitors planning to attend multiple events should check the festival website for individual event listings and pricing as they become available. The multi-series format means attendance can be tailored — a single dinner during Preview Week or the full Grand Tasting Pavilion experience on Saturday of Festival Weekend are both valid entry points.

Fredricksburg sits in the Texas Hill Country AVA, a wine region that has expanded dramatically since the festival's founding year. The area is known for Tempranillo, Viognier, and Mourvèdre alongside Bordeaux varieties, with a warm continental climate shaped by the Edwards Plateau. The festival's history mirrors the region's growth: when it launched in 1991, Gillespie County had 1 winery; today the festival hosts 75+ producers, reflecting three decades of development in Texas wine country.