Cornucopia turns 30: what to know about Whistler’s food and drink festival, Nov. 5–15
Eleven days, more than 100 events and a 19+ rule. Here's how Cornucopia's 30th edition is laid out, with signature-night prices as published.
Whistler’s food and drink festival turns 30 this year. Cornucopia runs Nov. 5 to 15, 2026: 11 days and more than 100 tastings, seminars, dinners and parties, based at the Whistler Conference Centre and spread across restaurants and bars in Whistler Village. All tickets are on sale now, restaurant and bar events included. Here’s how the festival is built and what to know before you buy.
The four kinds of event
Cornucopia sorts its program into four streams, per Tourism Whistler:
- Signature events: the big-ticket nights, from tastings and après parties to silent discos and comedy.
- Drink seminars: more than 40 guided tastings of wine, spirits, beer and more, led by winemakers, distillers and beverage experts.
- Culinary Stage Series: live cooking demos with multi-course plates and drink pairings.
- Bar and restaurant events: winemaker dinners, cocktail pairings, brunches and tasting menus hosted by Whistler kitchens.
The signature nights, with published prices
Tourism Whistler lists these 2026 signature events. The first price is what a ticket costs on its own; the lower price applies when it’s bundled into a lodging package.
- BC House Party, Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 p.m.: opening night with a West Coast buffet, local pours and a DJ. $79, or $65 in a package.
- 30th Edition Dinner, Friday, Nov. 6, from 7 p.m.: a wine reception followed by a multi-course paired dinner. $249, or $225.
- CRUSH, Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:30 to 11 p.m. (early entry from 7:45 p.m.): the flagship grand tasting, with 50-plus wineries from BC, the Pacific Northwest and beyond. $99, or $79.
- Comedy Kitchen with Dino Archie, Thursday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. $40, or $35.
- Night Market: Legends and the Next Generation, Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m.: established chefs and newcomers side by side. $84, or $69.
- 30th Edition Gala, Saturday, Nov. 14, 8:30 p.m.: the birthday party. $139, or $109.
Restaurants run their own dinners inside the festival. Rimrock Café in Creekside, for one, lists “An Evening with Antinori” on Nov. 10 on its site. The full grid, including seminars and Culinary Stage sessions, is on the festival’s schedule page.
What to know before you buy
- It’s 19+. All Cornucopia events are for guests 19 and older. Because of liquor licensing, the Whistler Conference Centre can’t admit anyone under 19 to any part of the building during the festival, per the festival FAQ. Leave the kids with a sitter.
- Sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable, and Showpass sells optional refund protection at checkout. If the organiser cancels an event, the 2026 policy is a refund minus 5% within 45 days.
- Restaurant events have no physical ticket. You go on the restaurant’s guest list once you buy, so just show up. Bringing the confirmation email is a good idea.
- Packages can save money. Tourism Whistler bundles signature-event tickets with lodging. Its packages are priced on three-night stays for two adults arriving Nov. 3 to 15 and include a $100 dining credit for stays of three nights or more. See the packages page for terms and blackout dates.
Getting there
Mid-November on the 99 means winter driving rules. Check DriveBC before you leave and plan for conditions, especially if you’re driving home after a tasting. Better yet, don’t drive after one at all: Cornucopia is built for staying over, and that’s what the packages are for.
Sources
- Whistler Cornucopia: 30th edition Nov. 5–15, 2026; Whistler Conference Centre and Village venues; all tickets on sale; four event streams; 40+ seminars
- Tourism Whistler (whistler.com): Signature events with dates, times, single and package prices; 100+ events; package terms and dining credit
- Whistler Cornucopia: 19+ rule, Conference Centre licensing, refund and transfer policy, 2026 cancellation exception, restaurant event guest lists
- Rimrock Café: Rimrock Café's Cornucopia event 'An Evening with Antinori', Nov. 10
- Whistler Cornucopia: Full schedule and tickets
- DriveBC: Road conditions
