Five foodie events worth travelling for
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Canberra’s cooler months are cosy and all — but sometimes the best thing you can do with a chilly weekend is point the car in the direction of good food and even better wine.
From open-fire cooking on the Sydney waterfront to Italian-style hospitality in Victoria’s northeast, here are five food-focused events that are absolutely worth packing a bag for this season.
Vivid Fire Kitchen – Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney
You know Vivid for the lights, but the food program has become one of the best reasons to brave Sydney in winter – and this year it’s levelled up. Vivid Fire Kitchen has moved to a new waterfront home at Barangaroo Reserve with an expanded lineup of more than 60 chefs, a brand-new open-fire cooking hub called The Vivid Fire Pit, and a Food for Thought stage hosting talks and demos from some of the biggest names in Australian food.
The rotating chef roster reads like a who’s who: Mark Best, Laura Sharrad, George Calombaris, Adriano Zumbo, and many more – all cooking over open flame in one-off sessions across the festival. Themed nights keep things interesting too, from First Nations culinary showcases on Wednesdays to a Dessert Takeover over the June long weekend. Hoy Pinoy, Gelato Messina and Burn City Smokers are among the vendors shaping the precinct, with Maybe Sammy’s Stefano Catino running a cocktail program on Sundays.
Entry to the precinct is free, which makes it an easy add-on to any Vivid weekend. The fact that you’ll be eating flame-grilled food surrounded by light installations is just a bonus.
Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June, 6–11 pm nightly | Full program and tickets at vividsydney.com
GWYLO’s Streetfood Saturday – Mollymook, NSW
If you’ve ever had one of those “we really should go to Mollymook” conversations that never quite turned into a booking, consider this your sign. For one night only, GWYLO – already a favourite on the South Coast dining scene – is transforming into a buzzy, roaming street food party as part of the Shoalhaven Food Network’s Autumn Celebration of Food.
Think hibachi grilling outdoors, roaming food stations serving dumplings, skewers, buns and flame-cooked plates, live music, and a very well-stocked bar. It’s designed for standing, grazing and moving through the space – no set menu, no assigned seats, just excellent food appearing in front of you all night. Tickets are limited, so don’t sit on this one.
Saturday 30 May, 5:30–10 pm | Grab tickets here
Weekend Fit For A King –King Valley
For something a little slower and a lot more wine-focused, the King Valley’s annual winter festival is one of the loveliest weekend escapes going. The region’s Italian winemaking heritage takes centre stage here – think Prosecco, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo poured generously while you wander from cellar door to cellar door, all set up with cosy undercover spaces for whatever winter throws at you.
Eight wineries are part of the program, including Brown Brothers, Dal Zotto, Pizzini and Politini, with hearty food, live music and warm, unhurried Italian-style hospitality. It’s about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Canberra, and well worth building a long weekend around.
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June | Book at winesofthekingvalley.com.au
Bastille Festival – Circular Quay & The Rocks, Sydney
Sydney’s beloved French festival has been running for over 13 years now, and the 2026 edition is going bigger — literally. For the first time, Bastille Festival is expanding beyond its Circular Quay home with a collaboration with the City’s busking program, plus a new French-inspired flea market at Gateway Plaza with vintage finds and artisanal goods.
But let’s be real: you’re going for the food. More than 130 exhibitors and over 80 dishes span the full spectrum of French eating, from raclette and escargots to crêpes, macarons and creative modern plates with French flair. The wine program is equally impressive — a Taste France x Vin de France activation offers tastings and masterclasses, while 18-plus bars across the precinct pour everything from mulled wine to French-inspired cocktails. Throw in 110-plus free performances including cabaret, roaming mimes and live music, and you’ve got yourself a proper winter weekend in Sydney.
Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July | bastillefestival.com.au/sydney
From Ocean to Plate: South Coast Seafood Showcase – Worrowing Estate, Shoalhaven
This one’s for the seafood lovers who want to go deeper than a fish and chip run at the coast. Hosted at Worrowing Estate near Jervis Bay, this immersive evening brings together chefs, fishermen and divers to celebrate the exceptional produce that comes out of the South Coast’s waters — Southern Bluefin tuna, wild abalone, blue mackerel, sea urchin, Sydney rock oysters and more.
The evening kicks off with a live tuna breakdown and fish butchery demo led by Bosley McGee (formerly of Josh Niland’s Fish Butchery), before moving into a seated dinner prepared by guest chefs Alex Prichard (Sara Dining, Berry), Sean McCarthy (Season and Savour) and Jono Hall (Salted Butter). You’ll hear directly from the fishermen and divers who bring this produce to the surface, and the wine pairings come courtesy of Joval Wines.
You’ll leave understanding not just what you ate, but where it came from and who caught it.
Saturday 25 July | Tickets via Eventbrite
Feature image: Render of Vivid Fire Kitchen supplied.
