GrapeFest: Spotlight on Grapevine’s Best Festival
Celebrate and discover wines from Texas and around the world at the 30th Annual Grapefest, presented by Bank of the West. This Texas wine experience has fun for the whole family during the four-day festival and is one of the biggest annual events in Northeast Tarrant County. Here’s all you need to know to have the most fun at this full-bodied event taking place on the Urban Wine Trail.
When: Sept. 15, 16, 17, 18
Where: Historic Downtown Grapevine
Hours: Sept. 15 – 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY
Sept. 16 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE ADMISSION UNTIL 5 p.m.
Sept. 17 – 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Adults – $8
Seniors (62+) -$5
Children (6-12) – $5
Children 5 & under – FREE
Weekend Pass Pin – $18
Weekend Souvenir Pass Pin: $23
Parking:
It won’t be difficult to find public parking. When you get to Grapevine, follow the signs for the parking areas. A frequently run complimentary shuttle bus will then take you between the parking area and festival gates. Paid parking is also available within walking distance of GrapeFest, presented by Bank of the West. All proceeds from paid parking lots will benefit various local youth, civic and service organizations. More information about parking can be found here.
Wine Experience:
It isn’t called a Texas Wine Experience for nothing. Here’s all you need to know about the different wine tastings at GrapeFest.
- People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic – Taste and experience delightful Texas varietals at the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the U.S. Try 1 oz. samples from Texas wineries in 10 different categories. Tickets are $23 per person and includes a souvenir wine glass (price does not include festival admission).
- Central Coast California Wine Tasting – Hoping to try some California Central Coast varietals? Try the Central Coast California Wine Tasting where you can try two different options of wines. You can try California wines by the glass that are distributed in Texas. You can also try California wines that aren’t normally distributed in Texas through a wine tasting with a flight of six wines. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the winery representatives from participating wineries. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the festival.
- Barossa Valley Australian Wine – Go down under without having to take the 17-hour flight with the Barossa Valley Australian Wine Tasting. Sample premium Australian wines through the six wine flight. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the festival. In the same pavilion will be wines from Krems, Austria and Parras de la Fuente, Mexico.
- Champagne Terrace – Desiring a bit of bubbly? Taste some of the premium drink on the Champagne Terrace, a shaded spot next to Merry’s on Main.
Attractions:
Everyone can have fun at Grapefest. Enjoy games and rides along the Carnival and Midway (don’t miss the unlimited carnival ride pass good for Sept. 15), go under the sea at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium’s touch pool and build some fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Be awed and mesmerized by the Ice Carving demonstrations where artists create beautiful ice sculptures with a chainsaw. You can also do some shopping or check out art in one of the many downtown boutiques, stores and art galleries in historic downtown Grapevine.
Events & Entertainment:
Recreate your own I Love Lucy moment by competing in the GrapeStomp or test your cork shooting skills at the Champagne Cork Shoot Off. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the ItalianCarFest at Nash Farm. And check out any of the numerous acts on the three festival stages.
Food: You’ll be working up quite the appetite with all the fun you’ll be having. Enjoy classic festival food like turkey legs, corn dogs, snow cones, cotton candy, kettle corn, funnel cakes, lemonade, root beer floats and more! Plus, all the restaurants on Historic Main Street will also be open.
What is Allowed/Not Allowed:
Items Allowed:
- Small bags and backpacks, no larger than 12”x12”x6”
- Purses and diaper bags
- Baby food or food items for guests with special dietary needs
- Service animals
- Wheelchairs and/or medical scooters
- Strollers
Items Not Allowed:
- Alcohol (not allowed to enter or leave festival grounds)
- Audio recording devices
- Coolers
- Bottles/beverages
- Bicycles
- Explosives or other hazardous items
- Hoverboards
- Frisbees
- Glow Products
- No weapons (except legally permitted firearms)
- Laser pens or other similar products
- Pets
- Professional, still or video cameras
- Picnic supplies
- Scooters
- Seqways
- Skateboards
- Skates