Annual Beer and Wine Festival returns to Columbus this fall. What you need to know.

Dropping temperatures, college football and Halloween decorations in stores means the fall season is near.

Columbus residents can kick it off by tasting different craft beers and wine at the annual Uptown Beer & Wine Festival on Sept. 28. Along with beer and wine, this year will mark the first that spirits will be available to taste at the festival.

The event, presented by Publix, has been an annual fundraiser for Uptown Columbus, Inc. for over 10 years. Money raised from ticket sales helps pay for many of the free events hosted by Uptown Columbus throughout the year.

Tickets for the festival are $50 if purchased by Sept. 27. Residents can purchase tickets by card only at the door on the day of the festival for $60.

Attendees will have the chance to taste over 100 drinks at the festival this year, which will be held in the Rankin Courtyard behind The Tap and Salt Cellar. Along with the drinks, music and food will be available at the festival.

Tickets include unlimited sampling of the beer, wine and spirits, but they do not include the food, which will be available for purchase.

Designated drivers will have a $10 entree fee and be given a wristband when they enter the festival. People under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter unless they’re designated drivers.

The festival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 28.

This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 11:13 AM.

Brittany McGee

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Brittany McGee is the community issues reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. She is a 2021 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Media and Journalism with a second degree in Economics. She began at the Ledger-Enquirer as a Report for America corps member covering the COVID-19 recovery in Columbus. Brittany also covered business for the Ledger-Enquirer.