Deeply rooted in community and fueled by hundreds of volunteers, the Gilroy Garlic Festival returns for a three-day celebration of garlic food and fun from July 24–26.
The festival is a testament to the community’s pride in Gilroy and the volunteers who put on the event, which has raised more than $12 million for local nonprofit groups since it first bloomed 47 years ago.
But for the people of Gilroy, the festival has always been about more than garlic.
“It’s bigger than garlic,” said Greg Bozzo, Mayor of Gilroy. “It has to do with the camaraderie and the friendships… and the pride and the community identity that comes from being able to put on such a unique festival.”
What’s more, the festival’s influence extends far beyond Gilroy. Widely regarded as the event that pioneered the agricultural community festival model, it inspired communities across the country to celebrate their own local crops and products through tourism-focused festivals. From Castroville’s Artichoke Festival to countless harvest celebrations nationwide, Gilroy’s garlic helped demonstrate how a single agricultural product could become the centerpiece of a destination experience.
For many locals, volunteering at the festival is simply part of growing up in Gilroy. Families return year after year, often with multiple generations working side by side.
“We probably have four generations being involved,” said Ed Saucedo, Volunteer of the Year. “Every year, the next generation gets involved… not just your family, but the community itself.”
This year marks the second year the festival will be at the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center, adjacent to Gilroy Gardens. Last year’s event welcomed 9,000 guests and raised nearly $75,000 for local nonprofit groups. Here’s what to expect in 2026.
On the Menu: What Food Is Available at the Gilroy Garlic Fest?
The three-day weekend will feature delicious food compliments of the Gourmet Alley Pyro Chefs. Creating a unique culinary experience for visitors, the Pyro Chefs wield large skillets over high heat to cook garlic-infused specialty dishes. Bring your appetites and get ready to indulge in pepper steak sandwiches, calamari, scampi, pasta con pesto, sausage sandwiches, garlic fries, and, of course, garlic bread.
Outside of Gourmet Alley, enjoy other treats, including the well-known local garlic ice cream. The creamy vanilla-based treat has subtle roasted garlic notes, offering a delightful blend of sweet and savory that some people find strangely delicious. Cool down with refreshing hand-crafted beer and local wines in the wine tent and craft beer garden.
That energy and enthusiasm is part of what visitors immediately notice when they arrive. “You can’t go there without seeing smiles,” said longtime volunteer Janet Krulee. “When everyone’s smiling, it’s hard not to smile too.”
Beyond the Menu: What Else Is There to Do at the Gilroy Garlic Festival?
While the yummy garlic-laced dishes take center stage, the festival is a feast for all your senses. Enjoy a variety of musical acts and local bands, check out cooking demonstrations at the Gourmet Alley Stage, and peruse a curated selection of unique artworks, hand-crafted items, and toys in the Arts & Crafts area.
You can also learn about garlic braiding and garlic topping during live demonstrations. In addition, the festival is partnering with Home Depot to bring back the beloved children’s activity area, said Mark Jacobsen, this year’s Garlic Festival vice president.
And while the entertainment, food, and traditions bring people in, locals say the deeper meaning is what keeps the festival going decade after decade.
“It gives people purpose,” Bozzo said. “It’s part of their social network… their ability to give back to their community in their way.”
Volunteers Bring Festival to Life
Mayor Greg Bozzo, who has volunteered every year for the festival since its early beginning, said the event is about more than garlic. He has helped with nearly every area of the festival, from hospitality and information to the behind-the scenes work of the Cook-Off Stage and Gourmet Alley, before serving as festival president in 2010.
“I just love the camaraderie and the satisfaction of coming together with other community members and putting on a great event,” he said. “In my opinion, the Garlic Festival in Gilroy became much bigger than garlic. It’s about the community, and fundraising opportunities, and the friendships. I loved playing a role in that.
“People ended up coming together and working together who never would have ended up working together otherwise and that’s what has made it so unique,” Bozzo said.
Jacobsen, a long-time Garlic Festival volunteer and next year’s Garlic Festival President, said he has met a lot of friends and people who became friends from working the Garlic Festival together.
“My favorite part of the festival is camaraderie and getting back together with people you’d only see that weekend, catching up with friends like no time had passed,” he said.
How to Make the Most of Your Garlic Festival Weekend
Whether it’s your first time or tenth, we look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Gilroy Garlic Festival. After enjoying a day of garlic delicacies, extend your visit into a full weekend of Gilroy fun.
Check out our Garlic Trail, abundant with sweet and savory garlic gifts and goodies, from dining and shopping to memorable experiences. Stay at one of our comfortable and affordable hotels and spend a day at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Home to the world-famous Circus Trees, the park features unique rides, beautiful gardens, and water attractions, including the Water Oasis Lagoon, splashpads, and twisty water slides the kids will love.
Be sure to come visit our team at the California Welcome Center at the Gilroy Premium Outlets for helpful tips, maps, and coupons to make the very most of your stay in Gilroy. Of course, any weekend is a good time to explore garlic in Gilroy. After all, it’s celebrated year-round here!
For more information about the Gilroy Garlic Festival, visit www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.
