13 Best Garlic Festivals in the USA in 2024
If you’re a garlic lover, you will want to add these garlic festivals to your foodie bucket list. The bulbous plant loved by many has been used for centuries in thousands of dishes worldwide, and for good reason.
From the Egyptians to the Babylonians, garlic has been a staple in many cuisines; and now, the ingredient has grown so much in popularity that festivals, dedicated solely to celebrating the ingredient, exist in abundance. Get ready to enjoy everything garlic-related, from sweet to savory, at these 13 stirring garlic festivals in the USA.
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The 13 Best Garlic Festivals in the United States
1. South Florida Garlic Fest, Wellington, FL
Affectionately named the “best stinkin’ party in South Florida,” the South Florida Garlic Fest started as a small festival in a city parking lot and is now one of the most well-known garlic festivals in the country. Experience a diverse selection of exciting “stinky” foods in the Gourmet Alley. Some festival favorites are garlic pizza, garlic shrimp cakes and, of course, garlic ice cream!
While you enjoy a large array of delectable foods, you'll be entertained by the likes of The Heavy Pets, Andrew Morris Band and a host of other talented stars. What more could you want?
Festival Location: 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414
Month of Festival: February
2. Minnesota Garlic Festival, Hutchinson, MN
The Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event in Minnesota for fantastic local garlic-inspired foods, celebrity chefs, fun games and so much more. This festival is a fundraising project of the Sustainable Farming Association’s Crow River Chapter, which supports the rural communities of Minnesota.
Spend one eventful day browsing local arts and crafts, listening to live music and sipping on refreshing craft beers. Some garlic-centric events you can expect include chef demonstrations and a garlic growing contest. Finally, you can sip on a garlic bloody Mary cocktail while listening intently to what local farmers have to say about their sustainable practices, offering useful insights and tips.
Festival Location: 840 Century Ave. SW, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Month of Festival: August
3. Cleveland Garlic Festival, Cleveland, OH
Are you the next Miss Garlic? Take your chances at the Cleveland Garlic Festival, which is a fundraiser for North Union Farmers Market that seeks to provide access to fresh, healthy foods for the community.
This festival is known for hosting a multitude of exciting activities, like top chef grill-offs, a kids' zone with exhilarating games and face painting and, of course, the crowning of Miss Garlic. Sample delicious food like mouth-watering garlic fries while sipping on a refreshing craft beer.
Festival Location: 13111 Shaker Sq., Cleveland, OH 44120
Month of Festival: August
4. Elephant Garlic Festival, North Plains, OR
Garlic festivals are all about family, fun and, you guessed it, garlic. That's exactly what makes this festival in Oregon, held annually since 1994, a must-visit. Festival goers at the Elephant Garlic Festival can expect three days of fun, food and lots of garlic. Get your running shoes ready because this festival holds a two-mile walk and a six-mile run, organized by the Oregon Roadrunners Club.
Treat yourself to exciting foods like garlic and pepper stir-fry or juicy garlic burgers. While watching the Garlic King and Queen Parade, treat yourself to a unique yet delicious garlic ice cream.
Festival Location: 30975 NW Hillcrest St., North Plains, OR 97133
Month of Festival: August
5. Garlic Town, USA Festival, Bennington, VT
Get stinky with the folks at the Garlic Town, USA festival in Vermont. Once a year, during Labor Day weekend, Downtown Bennington is transformed into a garlic town. As one of the best festivals in the area, it has over 20 food trucks to explore, a beer garden, interactive demonstrations and live music. Browse through garlic-themed culinary creations, sauces, merchandise and even infused oils.
Don't forget to grab your slice of the official Garlic Town, USA "swag" being sold at the event. T-shirts, aprons, hats and more will all be on display for your choosing.
Festival Location: Downtown Bennington, Bennington, VT 05201
Month of Festival: August
6. California Garlic Festival, Stockton, CA
Name a better combo than garlic-flavored festival foods and monster trucks — we'll wait! That's exactly what awaits you at the California Garlic Festival, alongside a host of other activities and delectable food. This family-friendly festival is held over three days and is filled with exciting cook-offs, live talent, monster truck shows and countless garlic dishes to satisfy your cravings.
Eat your way through the festival by visiting the Cali Garlic Alley, which serves garlic fries, garlic bread, a delicious garlic pesto pasta and a unique maple brown sugar and garlic ice cream.
Festival Location: 403 F St., Los Banos, CA 93635
Month of Festival: August/September
7. Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, Saugerties, NY
Looking to experience the magic of one of the oldest garlic festivals in New York? This festival has been held since 1989 when local farm Shale Hill Farm and Herb Gardens hosted the event to promote the herb business. Since then, this food festival has become a must-visit destination with over 20,000 attendees.
The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is a zero-waste event that celebrates the harvest with fun demos and lectures from local chefs, fresh produce markets, live music, garlic shopping and plenty of garlic-infused foods. Enjoy meals like garlic steak, pulled pork and even Belgian waffles topped with garlic.
Festival Location: Small World Ave., Saugerties, NY 12477
Month of Festival: September
8. St Louis Garlic Festival, St Louis, MO
Learn about the interesting history of this pungent ingredient while enjoying the sounds of live music and the tastes of appetizing foods at this popular garlic festival. The St Louis Garlic Festival is held annually at the Steampunk Brew Works, a fascinating location for an equally interesting event. Pick up fresh, healthy ingredients at the farmers market and sample garlic-inspired foods from local vendors while listening to live music.
Put your skills to the test in the thrilling garlic-eating contest and reward your efforts with something fizzy to wash it down. If you're in the mood for something sweet, grab a scoop of garlic ice cream.
Festival Location: 231 Lamp and Lantern Village, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Month of Festival: September
9. Long Island Garlic Festival, Riverhead, NY
Visit one of the stinkiest and best festivals in the country, known as the Long Island Garlic Festival. This annual festival is all about celebrating garlicky goodness while treating guests to live music, family activities and more.
Peruse and support local vendors while engaging in fun events like navigating the corn maze, pumpkin picking and everybody’s favorite, the garlic scavenger hunt. Sample wholesome meals like garlic butter roasted corn and pair it with freshly squeezed lemonade or an alcoholic beverage from the farm brewery.
Festival Location: 4560 Sound Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901
Month of Festival: September
10. North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, Orange, MA
In 1999, a discussion between four locals birthed this longstanding event that's now loved by people from all over. The discussion was centered around the lack of available venues for crops and artworks to be showcased, so they decided to take matters into their own hands and host the first-ever North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival at the Seeds of Solidarity Farm.
By 2000, it had grown so much that it was moved to Forster’s Farm and is now one of the best garlic festivals in Massachusetts. At this fall festival, you can browse over 120 booths filled to the brim with fresh ingredients, explore dazzling works of art and travel the globe with chef demos.
Festival Location: 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA 01364
Month of Festival: September
11. Easton Garlic Fest, Easton, PA
Are you ready to “eat, drink and stink?” That’s what the Easton Garlic Fest is all about. Residents from across Easton, Hellertown and Phillipsburg flock to this enthralling event to watch the three mayors of each area partake in the 3 Mayors’ Cook-Off, together with a talented chef of their choosing.
This is just one of many cooking competitions happening at the event. The best part is that you'll get to sample and vote for your favorite garlic-laced dishes. Don't forget to burn the many calories consumed by dancing as much as your heart desires to the sounds of live music.
Festival Location: Centre Sq. Circle, Easton, PA 18042
Month of Festival: October
12. Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival, Bethlehem, CT
If you're looking for fresh produce and fall cooking inspiration, it can be found in abundance at the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival. This is one of the best garlic festivals to sample innovative garlic-themed creations like dips, spreads, oils and cheeses from local vendors before heading to the food court. There, you’ll find things like wood-fired garlic pizza, garlic sausage and deep-fried garlic.
Once you're done the rounds scouring the large variety of food offerings, be sure to check out the hand-made crafts, cooking demos and garlic-growing lectures. One other element of entertainment to look forward to at this bustling event is the live music, encompassing an array of genres.
Festival Location: 304 Main St. N., Bethlehem, CT 06751
Month of Festival: October
13. Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Gilroy, CA
This next list item is not a single festival as such, but rather numerous celebrations and events held throughout the year. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is extremely proud of its longstanding traditions and passion for supporting local non-profit organizations.
With a focus still very much on the distinctive taste of garlic, recent events held by the association have seen people come together for an Annual Golf Tournament, a Songwriter Concert and The Great Garlic Pasta Party. As you can tell, music, dancing, delicious food and other enjoyable activities are all very much at the heart of this all-encompassing organization.
Festival Location: Gilroy, CA 95021
Month of Festival: Throughout the year
Other Foodie Experiences To Enjoy
Brush up on your cooking skills and learn how to recreate your favorite foods, even those tasted at various garlic festivals, by attending cooking classes near you. Five-star chefs are ready to share their best tips and tricks to help you expertly execute even the most difficult dishes.
If you're in the mood to sample a variety of delectable foods while learning all about the local culture, food tours near you are ideal. Whether you're sharing the experience with loved ones or getting to know new, like-minded people, an expert tour guide will show the best local hotspots, from well-known spots to hidden gourmet gems.
With so much to do and so many delightful treats to taste, garlic festivals are a fantastic way to spend your free time. Even if you're not a fan of garlic, these exciting celebrations promise to keep your spirits up and your appetite truly satisfied.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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