The 25th Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) returns to Miami Beach and South Florida from February 19 – 22, 2026, bringing together culinary stars, world-class vino, and unforgettable entertainment. Beyond the much-anticipated dinners, tastings, and wine seminars, this year’s festival celebrates its silver anniversary with an expanded lineup of music-infused and chef-driven food events that promise something for every food lover and festival goer — from beachside beats to chef-led parties and late-night celebrations.  

Here’s our curated guide to the must-attend music + food experiences that will define SOBEWFF 2026:

SOBEWFF Kick-Off Party — Diplo Live!  - Thursday, February 19

Kicking off the festival in electrifying fashion, the SOBEWFF Kick-Off Party brings Grammy-winning DJ and producer Diplo to the stage for a celebration that blends culinary culture with true nightlife energy. As the sun sets on South Beach and the festival gets underway, expect an unforgettable evening of music, cocktails, and bites. This marks a first for the Grand Tasting Village Courtyard, which will stay open late just for this occasion, setting the tone for the entire weekend.

Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions: Live on the Beach

Few SOBEWFF events capture the festival’s adrenaline quite like Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, an electrifying culinary showdown staged directly on the sands of Miami Beach. Hosted by Guy Fieri himself, this high-stakes competition brings together five powerhouse teams, each led by a past champion from the hit Food Network series.

This year’s culinary captains include Brooke Williamson, Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, Mei Lin, and Antonia Lofaso—a lineup that reads like a who’s who of modern American cooking. Each team of five chefs, made up of past TOC competitors and rising culinary talent, will race against the clock to deliver bold, inventive dishes across 25 interactive tasting stations.

What sets this event apart? You are the judge. Attendees vote People’s Choice–style, keeping the competition tight and the energy electric until the final tally is revealed.

As the culinary drama unfolds, the night takes a musical turn with a live performance by Rev Run, the legendary founding member of RUN DMC. His presence brings a powerful cultural pulse to the evening, blending hip-hop history with the heat of competition. The team with the highest cumulative votes walks away with bragging rights—and one of the festival’s most coveted honors.

Ja Rule at the Grand Tasting Village. Saturday Afternoon

One of the festival’s most nostalgic crowd-pleasers returns as Ja Rule brings his iconic catalog to the Grand Tasting Village stage. Expect a sun-soaked, high-energy set where early-2000s hip-hop meets world-class bites, wine, and spirits, all enjoyed steps from the ocean. It’s Miami at its most effortless: music, food, and movement in constant flow.

Fat Joe at The Cookout. - Saturday Evening

As day turns to night, Fat Joe commands the stage at The Cookout, delivering a performance that feels tailor-made for Miami. With deep cultural roots in the city and a catalog built for crowd participation, his set pairs seamlessly with grilled specialties, cocktails, and festival-wide energy.  

DJ Cassidy: The Ultimate Festival Send-Off  -  Sunday Closing Night

Closing out the festival’s landmark year, DJ Cassidy delivers the final soundtrack to SOBEWFF 2026. Known for curating legendary moments, from presidential inaugurations to global celebrations, Cassidy’s set is equal parts party and victory lap, offering a celebratory close to a weekend defined by flavor, sound, and spectacle.

What makes SOBEWFF stand apart isn’t just the food—it’s how the festival layers culinary excellence with live performance, competition, and cultural relevance. From Guy Fieri’s high-octane Tournament of Champions to Rev Run’s hip-hop legacy and Diplo’s global sound, these events represent the festival at its most dynamic.

If you’re attending SOBEWFF 2026 and want to experience the moments people will still be talking about long after the last glass is poured—this is your list.

Tickets and full event details are available at sobewff.org, and many of these entertainment-driven experiences are expected to sell out.