Gramado Festival of Culture and Gastronomy 2026: Dates and What to Expect

Lago Joaquina Rita Bier in Gramado, with its fountain and gardens. | Photo: Eugenio Hansen, OFS / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0; cropped and resized

Booking.com partner (advertising): we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The 18th Gramado Festival of Culture and Gastronomy takes place from October 8 to 18, 2026, at Lago Joaquina Rita Bier. Restaurants sell dishes, and there are shows and workshops every day. Dishes are paid separately; buy ahead on the official website and arrive early to avoid the line.

What is the Gramado Festival of Culture and Gastronomy?

It’s the city’s biggest food festival, organized by Abrasel Hortênsias, the region’s bar and restaurant association. In 2026 it reaches its 18th edition, from October 8 to 18, at Lago Joaquina Rita Bier in downtown Gramado.

In practice, you spend the day or evening eating at stalls run by local restaurants, listening to live music and, on some days, watching workshops and competitions. The 2026 edition highlights the flavors, producers and small food businesses of the Serra Gaúcha, according to the official website.

The site lists more than a dozen participants, including Belle Vitrine, Camino 152, Candido’s Pizza Gourmet, Colosseo, Don Milo Cucina, Dona Lira, Forneria Corleone, Galeto D’Nase, Hui Poke, Joaquina Restaurante Fondue, Nata Gelateria Autoral and The Waffle King.

Is admission free, and how much does food cost?

The official website doesn’t mention tickets for 2026 and carries the notice “buy your dish in advance.” In other words: what you pay for is the food and drink. At the previous edition, admission was free, according to Viva magazine (10/08/2025).

2026 prices haven’t been released yet. In 2025, dishes cost between R$ 45 and R$ 189 across the participating restaurants. Use that range only as a reference.

The official 2026 menu includes creamy polenta with chicken sauce, leek and pine nut risotto, shredded beef rib risotto, German sausages with sauerkraut, schnitzel with German potato salad, burgers, a snack platter and gelato desserts. See it all on the festival menu.

Partner · Civitatissee all activities in Gramado ›

Ticket to Skyglass Canela

Rating 8.9 · 59 reviews on Civitatis

from€24.53per person

Check availability ›

• Porto Alegre Airport – City of Gramado Transport

  Rating 8.6 · 31 reviews on Civitatis
  from€22.84per person
  See ›
• Mundo Criamigos Tickets

  Rating 8 · 1 reviews on Civitatis
  from€25.36per person
  See ›
• Maria Fumaça Train Ride + Tour of Aurora Winery

  Rating 8.9 · 33 reviews on Civitatis
  from€71.07per person
  See ›
• Vale dos Vinhedos Wine Tour

  Rating 8.9 · 14 reviews on Civitatis
  from€61.93per person
  See ›

Civitatis prices on 28/09/2026, from, per person. They may change. Want to compare? Activities in Gramado on GetYourGuide ›

What’s on the 2026 schedule?

The full lineup is on the official schedule, subject to change without notice. Highlights by day:

• Thu 10/08: opening with shows from noon; Jazz Mix at 6 pm and Gui Franzoi at 8:30 pm.
• Fri 10/09: Seminar on the Geographical Indication of Fondue de Gramado at 8 am; Senac workshops (1:30 pm and 3 pm), Sebrae showcase (2 pm and 4 pm) and a chocolate workshop (8 pm).
• Sat 10/10 and Sun 10/11: Georgia masterclass at Museu do Vinho, 7 pm to 9:30 pm; shows from 4:30 pm.
• Mon 10/12 and Tue 10/13: a lighter schedule, with late-afternoon and evening shows, including Coral Etnias.
• Wed 10/14: Best Chef Competition (Senac), 8 am to 2 pm, with the awards at 5 pm.
• Thu 10/15: Best Front-of-House Professional Competition at Casa Terroir; in the evening, Pepeu Gonçalves (8 pm).
• Fri 10/16 and Sat 10/17: Senac workshops on Friday; evening shows, with Blue Hits on Saturday (8 pm).
• Sun 10/18: Waiters’ and Waitresses’ Race at 3 pm; closing with Percussão do Samba (8 pm).

Every day wraps up at 10 pm. The festival also includes the Gastronomic Trail and feasts at restaurants such as Casa Lugano and Primrose, with exclusive menus, according to the official website. These menus have their own prices and reservations.

Where to stay in Gramado

How to enjoy it without waiting in line

• Buy your dish ahead. The official website has the advance-purchase link.
• Go on a weekday or early in the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday nights tend to be packed; this is general guidance, not official crowd data.
• Share portions. With several restaurants in one place, a group can taste more dishes.
• Bring a jacket. October evenings in the mountains can get chilly by the open lake.
• Check the day’s schedule. It changes without notice.
• Leave the car far away. Downtown Gramado tends to be crowded during events; walk from your lodging if you can.

For an overall trip budget, see the guide to costs and saving money in Gramado.

What other events happen in October?

Oktoberfest Gramado ends on October 4, according to the city calendar, so it doesn’t overlap with the festival. The Xtreme Run is on the 10th, according to organizer TH2 Eventos. The Canela Book Fair runs from October 2 to 12, according to the Canela city government (07/02/2026).

Natal Luz starts on 10/22/2026, four days after the festival ends, according to the city announcement of 06/30/2026. See other dates in the Gramado and Canela events calendar.

Where to stay for the festival

Lago Joaquina Rita Bier is downtown, so central lodging lets you walk there and back without a car after the shows, which run until 10 pm. Demand rises on October weekends; book ahead. Compare neighborhoods and price ranges in the guide where to stay in Gramado.

For the other days, use the Gramado and Canela itinerary or, if you only have one day, the Gramado day trip.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Gramado Festival of Culture and Gastronomy 2026?

The 18th Festival takes place from October 8 to 18, 2026, at Lago Joaquina Rita Bier in Gramado. The music schedule runs until 10 pm, when the daily closing takes place.

Is admission free?

The official website doesn’t mention a ticket fee for 2026. At the 2025 edition, admission was free, according to Viva magazine. Dishes are paid separately, and the site recommends buying your dish in advance.

How much do the dishes cost?

2026 prices aren’t on the official website yet. In 2025, dishes cost between R$ 45 and R$ 189, according to Viva magazine (10/08/2025). Check the official menu before you go.

What is there to do besides eating?

There are shows every day, Senac and Sebrae workshops, wine masterclasses at Museu do Vinho, the Best Chef Competition, the gastronomic trail and the Waiters’ and Waitresses’ Race on the 18th.

Does the festival overlap with Natal Luz?

No. The festival ends on 10/18/2026 and Natal Luz starts on 10/22/2026.

What’s the best day to go?

For earlier shows and smaller crowds, weekday afternoons tend to be calmer. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday usually draw more people. This is general guidance, not official data.