California’s Garlic Festival Returns After 5-Year Hiatus

The first Gilroy Garlic Festival was held in 1979, featuring a head chef and food booths that came to be known as ‘Gourmet Alley.’

Danny Martin cooking at the Gilroy Garlic festival for the drive-thru, at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church in Gilroy, Calif. on Jul. 24, 2021. Ted Lin/NTD

The California town of Gilroy is preparing to celebrate its 46th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival after a five-year hiatus. The event will be held in Gilroy Gardens on July 25–27, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association announced on March 28.

A maximum of 3,000 visitors will be allowed at the festival per day, compared to the previous average of 30,000 per day. Tickets to the event must be purchased ahead of time, as they will not be available at the gate.