Drink Las Vegas Food & Drink Festival 2026
World-class chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, celebrities, and hospitality innovators come together for Drink Las Vegas, a four-day food and drink festival taking place September 24–27, 2026.
Presented by MGM Resorts International, this immersive festival transforms four iconic Las Vegas Strip resorts into destinations for cocktail tastings, spirits, wine, chef-driven meals, educational seminars, brand experiences, and late-night parties.
Guests can purchase a curated weekend pass or build their own itinerary with tickets to individual events. Each experience has its own time, price, location, and ticket availability.
Drink Las Vegas Event Details
- Event: Drink Las Vegas Food & Drink Festival
- Dates: September 24–27, 2026
- Daily Times: Times vary by event. The earliest events begin at 11:00 a.m., and some events may continue until approximately 1:00 a.m.
- Locations: Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Park MGM
- Admission: Weekend passes and individual event tickets are sold separately
- Age Restriction: Must be 21 or older with valid identification
- Dress: Smart-casual attire is recommended
- Presented By: MGM Resorts International
- Official Website: DrinkLasVegas.com
Drink Las Vegas does not have one universal opening and closing time. Every tasting, meal, seminar, panel, and party has its own scheduled time and location. Review the individual event listing carefully before purchasing.
What Is Drink Las Vegas?
Drink Las Vegas is a premier culinary and cocktail festival celebrating the people, flavors, and ideas shaping modern hospitality. The four-day program combines sophisticated tasting events with intimate meals, industry conversations, interactive seminars, and high-energy nightlife.
Award-winning mixologists, internationally recognized sommeliers, celebrated chefs, and influential tastemakers lead experiences throughout the weekend. Guests can discover new spirits, learn about wine, explore cocktail techniques, and enjoy dishes created specifically for the festival.
Festival programming includes:
- Signature walk-around tasting events
- Chef-hosted lunches and dinners
- Wine and spirits seminars
- Cocktail and hospitality panels
- Premium brand experiences
- The Vintner’s Table experiences
- Cocktail hours and late-night parties
- Opportunities to meet culinary and beverage talent
Additional programming may be announced. Individual events can sell out independently of the festival passes.
Signature Tastings Passes
Guests interested primarily in the festival’s three flagship tasting events can purchase a Signature Tastings Pass.
Signature Tastings Pass — General Admission
Price: $785
Signature Tastings Pass — VIP
Price: $975
Both passes include admission to:
- Opening Night, hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten with special guest Shaquille O’Neal
- A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation, hosted by Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry
- Timeless Taste: Celebrating the Legacy of Las Vegas, hosted by Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, and Wolfgang Puck
VIP and general admission entry times differ. Review the ticket description for arrival instructions and all included benefits.
Can You Purchase Individual Event Tickets?
Yes. Guests do not need to buy a weekend pass to attend Drink Las Vegas.
Tickets are available separately for many tastings, dinners, lunches, cocktail hours, panels, seminars, and brand experiences. This allows guests to create a personalized itinerary or attend only one event.
Individual experiences currently begin at approximately $95, while premium meals, rare wine tastings, and other exclusive events cost more. Prices and availability vary.
Some events are already sold out, while others may offer promotional pricing. Always check the individual listing for:
- Event date and starting time
- Host resort and specific venue
- General admission or VIP entry
- Food and beverages included
- Seated or walk-around format
- Ticket restrictions and cancellation terms
Shop Individual Drink Las Vegas Events
Featured Signature Events
Opening Night
Thursday, September 24 at ARIA Yucca Pool
Hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten with special guest Shaquille O’Neal, Opening Night begins the festival with culinary creations, spirits, and internationally recognized talent.
Entry: VIP at 7:15 p.m.; general admission at 8:00 p.m.
Individual tickets: Starting at $250
A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation
Friday, September 25 at ARIA Yucca Pool
Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry host a walk-around tasting featuring celebrated culinary and beverage talent.
Entry: VIP at 7:15 p.m.; general admission at 8:00 p.m.
Individual tickets: Starting at $250
Timeless Taste: Celebrating the Legacy of Las Vegas
Saturday, September 26 at ARIA Yucca Pool
Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, and Wolfgang Puck lead a tasting celebrating classic Las Vegas dining and the city’s modern cocktail culture.
Entry: VIP at 7:15 p.m.; general admission at 8:00 p.m.
Individual tickets: Starting at $250
Times, prices, hosts, and availability are subject to change.
Participating Chefs and Beverage Talent
Drink Las Vegas brings together prominent chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and hospitality professionals from Las Vegas and around the world.
Featured participants include:
- Jean-Georges Vongerichten
- Michael Mina
- Masaharu Morimoto
- Wolfgang Puck
- Tom Colicchio
- Tiffany Derry
- Roy Choi
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Lynnette Marrero
- Ayesha Nurdjaja
- Kathryn “Pepper” Stashek
- Christine Kim
The lineup varies by experience. A festival or tasting pass does not guarantee personal interaction with every listed participant.
Watch the Drink Las Vegas Festival Preview
See how Drink Las Vegas brings together mixology, spirits, wine, cuisine, and nightlife across the Las Vegas Strip.
Where Does Drink Las Vegas Take Place?
Events are held across four MGM Resorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip:
- Bellagio Hotel & Casino — 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
- ARIA Resort & Casino — 3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas — 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
- Park MGM Las Vegas — 3770 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Your ticket will identify the correct resort, restaurant, lounge, pool, or event space. Do not assume every experience takes place at the same property.
Allow enough travel time between events, especially when your itinerary requires moving between resorts.
Getting Between Festival Venues
The complimentary ARIA Express Tram connects several festival areas, with stops serving Bellagio, Vdara, The Shops at Crystals, ARIA, and Park MGM.
The tram is scheduled to operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., with trains arriving approximately every six to eight minutes. Operating schedules are subject to change.
Taxis and rideshare services are also available at designated pickup areas at each resort. Walking may be practical for some locations, but indoor resort routes and pedestrian bridges can make travel take longer than expected.
Parking for Drink Las Vegas
Self-parking and valet parking are available at the participating MGM Resorts properties. Rates vary by resort, day, event, and MGM Rewards status.
ADA-accessible parking is available on a space-available basis and is charged at the same rate as other parking.
Check your ticket before parking to confirm which property is hosting your first event. Guests attending experiences at multiple resorts should consider the tram, rideshare, or walking instead of moving their vehicle repeatedly.
Las Vegas Parking Fees & Information
Dress Code and Bag Policy
Drink Las Vegas recommends smart-casual attire that fits the festival’s polished Las Vegas atmosphere. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended for walk-around tasting events.
Only small personal bags measuring no more than 9 by 5 by 2 inches are permitted. Bags do not need to be clear. Fanny packs, crossbody bags, and clear stadium bags are acceptable when they remain within the size limit.
Oversized or noncompliant bags will not be admitted into festival events.
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
Drink Las Vegas cannot guarantee that every event can accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Guests purchasing tickets to seated dining experiences may be given an opportunity during checkout to identify dietary restrictions. Contact the organizer before purchasing if an allergy or dietary concern could affect your ability to participate safely.
Guests remain responsible for asking questions about ingredients and determining whether food or beverages are suitable for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a weekend pass?
A: No. Many experiences offer individual tickets, allowing you to attend one event or create your own festival schedule.
Q: Can guests younger than 21 attend?
A: No. Every attendee must be 21 or older. Infants and children are not permitted, even in carriers or strollers.
Q: Do I need identification?
A: Yes. Valid identification is required for admission to every Drink Las Vegas event. Entry may be denied if security cannot verify your age.
Q: Are tickets refundable?
A: No. Drink Las Vegas tickets are nonrefundable.
Q: Are pets permitted?
A: Pets are not allowed. Trained service dogs assisting individuals with disabilities are the only exception.
Q: Is smoking permitted?
A: No. Drink Las Vegas event areas are smoke-free.
Q: Are food and beverages included?
A: Inclusions differ by event and pass. Read the specific ticket description before purchasing.
Q: Does every event take place at ARIA?
A: No. Programming is distributed among Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM.
Choose Your Drink Las Vegas Experience
Build a full four-day itinerary or select an individual tasting, meal, seminar, or cocktail event that matches your interests. Purchase early because premium experiences have limited capacity and several passes and events have already sold out.
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