Manhattan’s biggest food party is coming back to the waterfront this fall. The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF)returns October 15-18, 2026, bringing more than 50 events to the historic Seaport neighborhood spread across four days, from intimate chef-hosted dinners to blowout signature parties overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
Now settling into its second year at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus, the Festival has grown considerably since its debut nearly two decades ago with a 2026 lineup that boasts hundreds of chefs, mixologists, and culinary personalities. While the scale has expanded with new experiences and new talent, the mission has stayed the same: bringing people together through food while supporting important charitable causes.
The 2026 Lineup
That evolution is on full display in this year’s lineup, which unites Food Network favorites, James Beard Award winners, and some of the city’s most beloved local restaurants. Among the chefs headlining 2026: Jet Tila, Maneet Chauhan, Esther Choi, Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli, José Andrés, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, Antonia Lofaso, and Geoffrey Zakarian. Guests can catch the Voltaggio brothers bringing their competitive energy to Steak & Whiskey, or find Guarnaschelli, Andrés, Chauhan, Florence, Lofaso and Zakarian hosting one-night-only dinners paired with wines and spirits from Southern Glazer’s. The full talent roster—spanning Food Network stars, culinary creators and live entertainment—dropped July 8th.
NYCWFF captures the diversity, creativity, and nonstop energy that make New York’s dining scene unlike anywhere else, with guests able to experience everything from intimate dinners to large-scale signature events like the Grand Tasting and Burger Bash.
Rooftop Series
The festival is expanding its footprint with a full slate of new events this year, including the Norwegian Cruise Line Rooftop Series at Pier 17. This al-fresco event series will pair world-class food and drinks with live entertainment and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline for an experience that is uniquely New York. The roof will be the backdrop for New York After Dark hosted by Kwame Onwuachi with a special performance by Questlove; Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray and Bert Kreischer; Morning Buzz hosted by mgk of 27 Club Coffee, and more.
Eating for Impact
As always, the Festival’s culinary star power comes with a purpose beyond the plate. Net proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Event Zero Foundation, which advances sustainability across the events industry, and the James Beard Foundation, which supports chefs and independent restaurants nationwide. Over its history, NYCWFF has raised more than $15 million for its charitable partners—proof that a great party can also do real good.
With headline names, rooftop debuts and a cause worth toasting to, NYCWFF 2026 is shaping up to be its most connected, most ambitious year yet.
Tickets and the full event schedule are available now at nycwff.org.
