TASTE Leesburg is the town's free August evening festival downtown with paid beer, wine and cider tastings. 2026 was Aug. 8; 2027 date not out yet.

Last checked Oct. 20, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the Town of Leesburg’s TASTE Leesburg pages and the festival’s official ticket site.

The 2027 date is not announced yet. TASTE Leesburg is the Town of Leesburg’s summer evening festival in historic downtown: free to walk in, with food vendors, shopping, two stages of entertainment and paid tastings from local breweries, wineries, cideries and meaderies. The last one ran 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. The town bills it as “Eat. Drink. Shop. Enjoy.” Questions go to the town’s parks and recreation staff at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 703-777-1368; the date and drink tickets go up on the town’s TASTE page.

Who to call

TASTE at a glance
Next festival August 2027, date not yet announced
Last festival Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, 5 to 10 p.m.
Where The streets of historic downtown Leesburg
Admission Free
Drink tasting ticket (2026) $45 plus fees early; $50 from July 18; $60 on the day
Age for tastings 21 and older, photo ID required
Weather Rain or shine
Parking Free on weekends in the three downtown garages

When is the next TASTE?

The town has not posted a 2027 date. The festival’s ticket site shows it on a Saturday in August three years running: Aug. 10, 2024, Aug. 9, 2025 and Aug. 8, 2026, each the second Saturday of the month. The 2025 and 2026 festivals both ran from 5 to 10 p.m. We will add the 2027 date as soon as the town announces it.

How it works

The town’s how it works page splits the evening into four parts:

  • Eat: admission is free, and food is bought directly from the food vendors.
  • Drink: tasting wristbands are sold ahead online and at the event, and buying early is cheaper.
  • Shop: vendor booths and interactive art displays.
  • Enjoy: entertainment across the festival on two stages.

Drink tickets and the rules on the street

The drink ticket is the only thing you pay to get. It comes with a TASTE Leesburg tasting glass and covers unlimited tastings at every beer, wine, cider and mead booth, according to the ticket site. In 2026:

  • Early bird: $45 plus fees, online only.
  • From July 18: $50 plus fees.
  • On the day: $60.
  • Photo ID is required to collect the tasting glass.
  • No refunds unless the event is canceled.

The rules on drinking downtown are strict. You need a TASTE ticket to have alcohol on the streets. Drinks cannot be taken into any store, restaurant or bar, and a drink bought in a restaurant or bar cannot be brought outside onto the street.

Parking and getting there

From the town’s directions and parking page:

  • Town Garage: 10 Loudoun St. SW.
  • County Garage: 1 Harrison St. SE.
  • Pennington Garage: 210 Church St. NE.
  • Rideshare drop-off and pickup: 104 W. Market St.

Weekend parking in all three garages is free. Downtown is reached from Route 7, U.S. 15 and the Dulles Greenway. Because the festival takes over the downtown streets, expect those blocks to be closed to cars that evening and park in a garage, not on the street. More on downtown parking is in our getting around guide.

What to know before you go

  • Pets: the town asks visitors to leave pets at home, citing the crowds, the August heat and the lack of places for animals to go.
  • Rain: TASTE runs rain or shine. If severe weather threatens visitors or vendors, the town will notify the public and close the festival until it is safe.
  • Plan a ride home: if you are buying a tasting ticket, use the rideshare point on West Market Street.
  • Accessibility: requests for a reasonable accommodation go through the town’s ADA accommodation request form.

What this means for you

Expect a Saturday evening in August 2027 and watch the town’s TASTE page next summer. If you plan to drink, buy the tasting ticket early, when it is cheapest, bring your photo ID, park in a free downtown garage and leave the dog at home. For other downtown evenings, see our historic downtown Leesburg, live music and nightlife and date night guides.

Frequently asked questions

When is TASTE Leesburg in 2027?

The Town of Leesburg has not announced the 2027 date yet. The festival is held on a Saturday evening in August: Aug. 8 in 2026 and Aug. 9 in 2025, both from 5 to 10 p.m., and Aug. 10 in 2024.

Is TASTE Leesburg free?

Admission is free and food is bought from the vendors. Only the drink tasting tickets cost money: in 2026 they were $45 plus fees early, $50 from July 18 and $60 on the day.

Where do I park for TASTE Leesburg?

The town says weekend parking is free in its three downtown garages: the Town Garage at 10 Loudoun St. SW, the County Garage at 1 Harrison St. SE and the Pennington Garage at 210 Church St. NE. Rideshare drop-off is at 104 W. Market St.

Can I drink on the street at TASTE Leesburg?

Only with a TASTE ticket and the festival tasting glass, which needs a photo ID. Drinks cannot be carried into shops, restaurants or bars, and drinks bought in a restaurant or bar cannot be taken onto the street.