After a five-year pause, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is set to return this summer. Tickets for the 2025 event will be available starting at noon on May 31 through the festival association’s website.
On May 15, Gilroy Gardens announced a partnership with the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association to host the festival in the South County Grove section of the park this July. Dan Harney, Chairman of the Gilroy Gardens Board, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the festival’s comeback, highlighting the shared goal of promoting the Gilroy community through local collaboration.
The three-day festival is scheduled for July 25-27 and will mark the 46th edition of the event. This will be the first festival since 2019, when a tragic shooting at Christmas Hill Park resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.
The South County Grove offers a special gated event space with a large shaded patio and lawn, ideal for hosting the festival. Gilroy Gardens clarified that the Garlic Festival will be independently managed with separate ticketing. Visitors to Gilroy Gardens during the festival dates will need to purchase separate tickets to attend.
The 2025 festival will be much smaller, operating at roughly 10% of its previous size, with a daily capacity limit of 3,000 tickets. Paul Nadeau, President of the Garlic Festival Association, said the entertainment lineup is being finalized, while vendor applications are being reviewed and booth assignments made.
In addition to the main festival, popular associated events will continue, including the Songwriters Music event on June 19 at Clos La Chance Winery and the Golf Classic Tournament on June 20 at Gilroy Golf Course.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival has long celebrated the city’s garlic heritage and community spirit. Historically, it has drawn nearly 100,000 visitors over three days and raised over $12 million for local schools and nonprofits.
