We adore a big-city festival with a small-town feel, and GrapeFest checks all the boxes. Located in Grapevine, Texas (a few miles from DFW Airport), it’s a festive fall activity for all your favorite winos.
And that’s not just our opinion: This year, GrapeFest snagged the #7 spot on the USA Today Readers’ Choice list of the country’s 10 Best Wine Festivals.
The festival has been happening in Grapevine since 1986. I’ve been going off and on since the early aughts and always have a fantastic time. (We won’t talk about that one weekend I ended up swimming around in the fountain outside of Messina Hof Winery. There’s no photo evidence and thankfully no arrest record…only memories.)
The 39th Annual GrapeFest begins next week, on Thursday, September 11. Admission is free on Thursday (and Friday before 5 PM), and only $12 on Saturday or Sunday.
Whether you’re coming in from out of town or staycationing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it’s sure to be a great, grape-y weekend! Here’s seven exciting things to do at this year’s GrapeFest:
1. Discover Texas Wines
Every time someone tells me that Texas wine is bad, I ask them how many they’ve tried. (And how recently.) Because while it’s certainly true that there are bad wines in Texas, if you taste widely enough, you’re sure to find something that pleases your palate.
Downtown Grapevine is chock-full of welcoming, family-run wineries that are within easy walking and/or shuttle distance. Don’t knock Texas wine until you try delicious emerging styles like our barrel-aged Tempranillos and crisp, food-friendly white blends. Most tasting rooms offer flights and even samples to help you find your perfect pour.
2. Lose Your Shoes for GrapeStomp!
Do you have what it takes to claim the coveted Purple Foot Award trophy? Or do you just want to relieve some stress by squishing an 18-pound vat of grapes beneath your wriggling toes? Either way, the annual GrapeStomp competition is a time-honored GrapeFest tradition.
Competitors register in person and form two-person teams. There are several stomp sessions daily, with the final championship round scheduled for 3 PM on Sunday.
The cost to stomp is $5/person in addition to GrapeFest admission. Competitive folks can also check out the Champagne Cork Shoot-Off near Main Street and Wall Street ($5 for one cork shot attempt, $20 for five).
3. Sign Up for Bonus Wine Education
GrapeFest has historically been focused on Texas wine, but this year they’re branching out to offer several international tasting experiences for the vino-curious.
Our tastebuds perked up for the Barossa Premium Wine Experience ($15) led by Mark Rashop of Elderton Wines. Attendees will taste six wonderful wines from Australia’s Barossa region. (Afterwards, stop by the Qantas booth for a chance to win a 7-day wine trip to Barossa and Adelaide from DFW Airport.)
Riesling clearly has a lot of fans in Texas, because Friday’s “Around the World in 80 Minutes with Rieslings” tasting ($25) has sold out in advance! It’s taught by WSET Level 2 Certified wine educator Lisa Pacioni, who will also be leading a Wine Spritzer Class ($25) on Saturday. (Wine tastings are ticketed separately from festival admission.)
4. Enjoy Free Parking and Shuttle Service
Skip the paid parking and traffic tangle near the festival grounds and take advantage of Grapevine’s convenient free shuttle. Sometimes it’s hot at GrapeFest, and the shuttle will get you from car to bar in air-conditioned comfort.
Free parking for GrapeFest with shuttle service is available at three locations: Grapevine Public Library, the Gaylord Texan Resort, and 121 Community Church. See the festival’s website for shuttle schedules and drop-off points. (There are paid lots, too. Prices vary and some of them benefit local charities.)
Not driving? No problem! You can take the Trinity Metro TEXRail train directly to the festival plaza from DFW Airport or downtown Fort Worth. There are also two designated rideshare pickup points at the north and south entrances to the Main Street festivities.
5. Sample Some Carnival Food
Like a lot of Dallas natives, I got burned out on the State Fair of Texas a long time ago. The crowds, the heat, the endless parking lots–and oh lordy, the prices. (A turkey leg was $22 last year, FYI.)
But I do crave a funnel cake now and then–and I find that smaller festivals are a more satisfying place to eat and stroll. GrapeFest will feature around two dozen food vendors offering midway grub like BBQ sausage, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and cotton candy.
If you’re yearning for something more gourmet than a corn dog, remember that most of Main Street’s restaurants and cafés will be open during the festival for lunch and dinner seating.
6. Groove to Live Music
GrapeFest has a main music stage and three smaller stages. Live musicians will be playing classic rock, blues, pop, and Americana/country songs throughout the festival.
This year’s festival has a 1920s theme (“The Grape Gatsby”), so expect lots of jazz standards and sax solos, too! All concerts are included in the price of admission, and the complete schedule is available here.
I’ve seen some grumbling on Instagram about how there aren’t any nationally known headliners at GrapeFest this year–but that’s a bad take, IMHO. I’d rather discover a new local act (or even watch a good cover band) then wait around for some washed-up old star to play their one and only hit. If that’s what you’re into, the Oklahoma casino is only 90 minutes away.
7. Be a Judge for a Day at the People’s Choice Wine Competition
People in the wine business can get awfully hung up on thinking and talking about what makes a “good” wine. But there’s one definition that can’t really be argued with: A good wine is one that people like to drink.
GrapeFest takes that philosophy to the next level with the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic. It’s the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the United States.
The public is invited to help choose the best entry in each of 10 categories: Dry White, Semi-Sweet White, Sweet White, White Blend, Blush/Rose, Light Red, Medium Red, Bold Red, Sweet Red, and Red Blend. The 2025 entrants include 34 wineries from all across Texas, including several that are local to Grapevine. Winners are announced on Sunday evening to much fanfare and celebration.
People’s Choice ticket holders receive a printed ballot/booklet and 90 minutes to taste your way through the big white tent. Advance tickets are $28 or $55 for the VIP section ($32/$60 after the festival starts).
We’re looking forward to catching up with good friends (and our favorite Texas wines) next weekend! See you at GrapeFest 2025!
Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.
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