Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience Returns

Annual festival celebrates local cuisine and libations in Wilmington

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:41pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of an outdoor festival with people, food, and drinks, captured in soft, warm pools of light and color.The return of the Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience will bring a vibrant celebration of local cuisine and libations to Wilmington this spring.Wilmington Today

The Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience, a popular annual festival in Wilmington, North Carolina, is set to return this spring after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-day event features tastings, demonstrations, and celebrations of the region's thriving food and beverage scene.

Why it matters

The Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience is a highly anticipated event that draws thousands of visitors to Wilmington each year, providing a major economic boost to local restaurants, wineries, and other food-related businesses. The festival's return signals a continued recovery for the region's hospitality industry after the challenges of the pandemic.

The details

The Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience will take place over three days, from April 25-27, 2026. The festival will include a variety of events, such as wine and cocktail tastings, chef demonstrations, live music, and a grand tasting showcasing the culinary talents of local restaurants and food producers.

  • The Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience will be held from April 25-27, 2026.
  • The festival is returning after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience

An annual festival in Wilmington, North Carolina that celebrates the region's thriving food and beverage scene through tastings, demonstrations, and other events.

Wilmington, North Carolina

A coastal city in southeastern North Carolina that is home to a vibrant food and hospitality industry.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience will go on sale to the public on March 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The return of the Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience is a welcome sign of the region's continued recovery and a celebration of the local food and beverage community that draws visitors from across the state and beyond.