8 Best California Food Festivals You Need To Attend This Year
California’s food scene is buzzing with festivals that celebrate everything from garlic to strawberries, showcasing the state’s rich agricultural diversity and culinary creativity.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours exploring these vibrant festivals, sampling mouthwatering treats, and meeting passionate food artisans who bring their flavors to life.
Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for new, exciting tastes or simply looking for a fun day out with family and friends, these festivals offer something for everyone. From family-friendly activities to gourmet experiences, each event is a celebration of food, fun, and community that’ll make your taste buds dance.
1. Magic in Every Bite: Disney California Adventure Food Festival
Last spring, I wandered through Disneyland’s sister park during this spectacular feast for the senses. Colorful booths lined the pathways, each offering delectable California-inspired bites that told stories of the state’s diverse culinary landscape.
Chefs in crisp white coats demonstrated cooking techniques while eager crowds gathered, notepads in hand. The festival combines Disney magic with gourmet experiences – imagine savoring Pacific coast seafood while Pixar characters pose nearby!
Family-friendly cooking activities kept my nephew entertained for hours. Pro tip: grab a festival passport to track your tastings and collect stamps from each booth you visit!
2. Carnival of Flavors: San Diego County Fair Food Extravaganza
Remember those childhood fair memories? The San Diego County Fair amplifies them tenfold with over 100 food booths offering everything from classic cotton candy to wild culinary inventions.
My jaw dropped at the sight of rainbow-colored grilled cheese and chocolate-covered bacon last summer. Between bites, I watched pie-eating contests where competitors faced off with cherry-stained grins.
Fairground lights twinkle as evening falls, creating the perfect backdrop for munching on fresh cinnamon rolls. The combination of traditional agricultural exhibits alongside innovative food creations makes this June-July event a must-visit California experience.
3. Aromatic Paradise: Gilroy Garlic Festival
The scent hits you before you even park your car! Gilroy’s famous festival transformed me from garlic-cautious to garlic-obsessed in one afternoon. Everywhere you turn, creative chefs work their magic with the pungent bulbs – garlic ice cream actually tastes good, who knew?
Cooking competitions draw cheering crowds as contestants craft everything from garlic bread to complex garlic-infused entrees. My favorite spot was Gourmet Alley, where pyro-chefs create spectacular flame-ups while preparing garlic-laden dishes.
Mark your calendars for July 25-27, 2025. The festival’s charm comes from Gilroy’s tight-knit community celebrating their agricultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
4. Nighttime Flavor Adventure: 626 Night Market
Stepping into 626 Night Market feels like teleporting to Asia without the jetlag! The air buzzes with excitement as 250+ vendors create a sensory playground at Santa Anita Park.
My first visit left me speechless – rainbow cheese pulls from Korean corn dogs, giant squid skewers, and bubble waffles overflowing with ice cream competed for my attention. Beyond food, artisans sell handcrafted jewelry and artwork while musicians create the perfect soundtrack.
Unlike one-weekend events, this festival runs multiple times from May through September. The night market culture creates a magical atmosphere as lanterns glow overhead and the evening air fills with the sizzle of street food.
5. Rhythm and Flavor Fusion: Outside Lands Festival
Guitars and gastronomy create perfect harmony at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park each August. While most people think of Outside Lands as a music festival, I go for the food – don’t tell the bands!
The festival transforms sections into themed culinary wonderlands. Cheese Lands became my personal paradise last year, offering artisanal selections that paired perfectly with the indie rock soundtrack. Choco Lands satisfied my sweet tooth with treats from San Francisco’s finest chocolatiers.
Local restaurants set up mini-versions of their establishments throughout the grounds. The 2025 event promises even more culinary adventures alongside headline performances – food and music, what could be better?
6. Fungus Festival Fun: Mushroom Mardi Gras
Morgan Hill’s celebration of all things mushroom converted me from skeptic to superfan! The festival grounds overflow with creative culinary uses for fungi – mushroom tacos, mushroom ice cream, and even mushroom chocolate satisfied my curious palate.
Local farmers proudly displayed varieties I’d never seen before, from lion’s mane to blue oysters. They happily explained growing techniques while I sampled their harvests.
Beyond eating, I enjoyed mushroom-themed arts and crafts, perfect for unique souvenirs. The Memorial Day weekend timing makes this festival an ideal kickoff to summer food adventures. Who knew mushrooms could create such a festive atmosphere?
7. Berry Blissful Celebration: California Strawberry Festival
Strawberry fields forever? More like strawberry festival for a weekend! Oxnard’s May celebration turned me into a strawberry enthusiast after just one visit.
Vendors create strawberry magic in every form imaginable – strawberry pizza, strawberry nachos, and the famous strawberry drinks had me returning for seconds. My hands were stained red from participating in the strawberry relay race, a hilarious competition involving berry-filled buckets.
Live music creates the perfect backdrop for families enjoying strawberry-themed activities. The festival celebrates local agriculture while supporting community scholarships. Strawberry shortcake eating contests draw cheering crowds – I’m training for next year’s competition!