Get away to Gilroy, CA for some fall family fun! In September and October, you can experience a trio of festivals celebrating community and culture in the “Garlic Capital of the World.”
Tamal Festival & Car Show: Saturday, September 28
The tamal (or tamale, as many Americans say) is a simple but savory dish featuring masa or cornmeal that dates back as far as 8,000 BC—and is the heart of the Tamal Festival in downtown Gilroy on Saturday, September 28.
With Latinos making up more than half of Gilroy’s population, the day-long festival has become a celebration of tamales and culture, according to event organizer Sally Armendariz. “It’s a fun day. It’s a family event,” she said.
Held on Monterey Street between Third and Seventh streets, the alcohol-free festival begins at 11 a.m. Guests can savor a dozen different varieties of tamales prepared in various regional styles, including South American, Guatemalan, and Mexican, while checking out the car show featuring more than 100 cars.
The festival is free to attend and also features three stages of music showcasing local talent—including Folklórico and Aztec dancers—as well as artisan booths, a kids’ zone with facepainting and jump houses, and food vendors offering a variety of dishes, including barbecue, aguas frescas, and churros.
The festival is a fundraiser for CARAS, the Community Agency for Resources Advocacy and Services, a non-profit organization in Gilroy.
Downtown Gilroy Beer Crawl: Saturday, October 26
Get into the Halloween “spirit” and come out for the Downtown Gilroy Beer Crawl on Saturday, October 26.
“For the downtown, the Beer Crawl has really become an exciting event. People look forward to it a lot and really enjoyed it last year,” said Melane Reynisson, a board member of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association, which is organizing the event.
Downtown restaurants will be serving up event-themed specials. Entertainment will include artisan booths, food trucks, a costume contest, and a dog costume contest. There are a variety of ticket prices, including a designated driver rate.
La Ofrenda Festival: Saturday, November 2
La Ofrenda Festival returns to downtown Gilroy on Saturday, November 2. Now in its second year, this free event is built around the traditions and celebrations of Día de los Muertos, which honors ancestors and loved ones who have passed.
More than just a festival, the day weaves together arts, culture and wellness, according to Rubén Dario Villa, Festival Director. “It’s about preserving tradition and a legacy that has been around for many years,” he explained.
Beginning at 1 p.m., witness vibrant ofrendas (or altars) adorned with marigold flowers, with large-scale ofrendas by local artists at Fifth and Eigleberry streets. The alcohol-free festival also will feature artisan craft booths, more than 100 wellness non-profit groups and businesses, a kids’ zone, and three stages of entertainment featuring performances by Grupo Nuahcampa, Mariachi Mexico de Gilroy (youth mariachi), MANOS Folklorico, and The Chiqlets Dance Team.
There also will be a family-friendly Calavera Community Bike Ride and Bike Valet to encourage riding to the festival.
More than 8,000 guests attended the festival last year, Dario Villa said. “We had no idea what to expect. It helped us understand that there was obviously a big need for this kind of celebration.”
La Ofrenda Festival is made possible with a Gilroy Elevate the Arts Grant, a program of SVCreates, with support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the City of Gilroy, and the County of Santa Clara, and fiscally Sponsored by Local Color. Festival proceeds will go towards the endowment for the Marigold Legacy Scholarship, which Dario Villa and his family started earlier this year.
Discover our Community with a Spice for Life
These festivals celebrate local culture, community, and great food and drink—while welcoming visitors from surrounding areas to enjoy a great day in Gilroy. If you live in Gilroy, please invite friends from out of the area to visit. And if you don’t live in Gilroy, come for a visit! We’re certain you’ll make new friends and be back again soon.
