Orange F.O.O.D Week 2026: Dates, Events and How to Plan Your Visit
Orange F.O.O.D Week runs from Friday 20 March to Sunday 29 March 2026, and in 2026 it marks its 35th year, making it one of the longest-running regional food festivals in Australia. Across ten days the region hosts more than 100 events, from the opening Night Markets to the celebrated Forage walking degustation through the vineyards. If you want to see Orange at its most alive, and taste the region's cool-climate wines alongside the produce that grows beside the vines, this is the week to come.
This guide is part of our ultimate guide to Orange wine tours.
What Is Orange F.O.O.D Week?
F.O.O.D stands for Food of Orange District, and the festival has been celebrating the region's growers, cooks and winemakers since the early 1990s. It is volunteer-founded, community-run, and built around the simple idea that Orange grows extraordinary produce and makes extraordinary wine, often on the same patch of volcanic soil. The 2026 program spans more than 100 events over the ten days, and the official Orange F.O.O.D Week site lists the full schedule and ticketing.
The Headline Events
Night Markets (Friday 20 March 2026). The festival opens with the Night Markets at Robertson Park, a relaxed evening of local food stalls, regional wine and live atmosphere that sets the tone for the week.
Sampson Street Lunch (Saturday 21 March 2026). A long-table lunch down one of the town's main streets, bringing the community and visitors together over shared plates and regional wine.
Forage (Saturday 28 March 2026). The signature event. Forage is a walking degustation through picturesque vineyards, where you stroll between stations enjoying a curated multi-course menu of local seasonal produce matched to the region's wines. It is the single best way to experience Orange terroir and Orange cooking in one afternoon, and it sells out, so book early.
Producers Market and Brunch. The festival closes with a market and brunch in the town's parklands, where you can meet the growers and producers directly. Entry is free.
Planning a Wine Tour Around F.O.O.D Week
Because F.O.O.D Week falls in late March, it lines up perfectly with harvest and the start of Orange's famous autumn colour, which makes it arguably the best week of the year to combine a festival with a proper wine tour. A smart structure is to book your headline festival events first, then build cellar-door touring around them on the quieter days. A local guided tour means you can enjoy the wine at both the festival and the cellar doors without worrying about driving.
Accommodation books out fast for F.O.O.D Week, so secure your stay as soon as your dates are set. The Visit NSW Orange guide is useful for accommodation and the regional tourism body Orange 360 keeps the wider events calendar. For help choosing your touring days, see our best time to visit Orange guide, and if you would rather have the day built entirely around your group, our private wine tours in Orange guide covers the bespoke option.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Orange F.O.O.D Week 2026? Orange F.O.O.D Week 2026 runs from Friday 20 March to Sunday 29 March 2026. It is the festival's 35th year and features more than 100 events across the ten days.
What is Forage at Orange F.O.O.D Week? Forage is the festival's signature event, a walking degustation through the vineyards where guests stroll between stations enjoying a curated multi-course menu of local produce matched to Orange wines. In 2026 it runs on Saturday 28 March. It is extremely popular and books out well in advance.
Is Orange F.O.O.D Week free? Some events are free, including the closing Producers Market and Brunch, while signature events like Forage and various long lunches are ticketed. Check the official program for pricing on individual events.
Should I book a wine tour during F.O.O.D Week? Yes, a local guided tour is the easiest way to enjoy both the festival and the cellar doors without anyone needing to drive. Book early, as both tours and accommodation fill quickly during the festival.
What else is on during F.O.O.D Week? Beyond the headline events, the program includes winemaker dinners, cellar-door lunches, cooking demonstrations, producer tours and more than 100 events in total. Late March also coincides with harvest and the start of autumn colour in Orange.
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Browse Orange wine tour operators on The Cork Chronicles and pair your F.O.O.D Week trip with a guided day across the cellar doors.