Top 5 food festivals in California’s Central Valley

California’s Central Valley is a broad, flat valley that dominates the interior of the state.

Food and wine are abundant in this region filled with orchards, vineyards and farms.

In fact the region supplies over half of the nation’s fruits, nuts and vegetables amongst a host of other produce.

The most productive farming region in the US, almost every square inch of land in the Central Valley has been razed, planted, and shaped to support large-scale agriculture producing almonds, walnuts, pistachios, olives, cherries, beans, melons, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and garlic.

Visitors won’t go hungry here – or complain about a lack of choice. There are endless options for every palate.

Come and taste the local bounty with one of these standout food festivals or hop on a local food tour.

Asparagus – 12-14 April, Stockton 

Held annually at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Stockton is home to the biggest Asparagus Festival in the western US. Fun for all the family, the three-day event offers several unique ways to try the green vegetables from deep fried and wrapped in bacon, to ice-cream in Asparagus Alley. There’s also a carnival, monster truck rides and live music.

Garlic – April, Fresno 

Growing 80% of the nation’s garlic, The National Garlic Festival takes place in April 2024 in Fresno County – The Garlic Capital of the United States. Not to be confused with the Gilroy Garlic Festival, this epic food expo offers live cooking demonstrations from regionally and nationally recognised chefs, a garlic marketplace selling a multitude of garlic-infused products, a car show, 5k fun run, a carnival and fireworks.

Pomegranate, – November, Madera

Madera County coined the term ‘locavore’ and is one of the richest agricultural hubs in the United States. In November, Madera County hosts a free Pomegranate, Fruit and Nut festival designed to display and promote the area’s wealth of natural resources. Highlights include live music, a kids’ zone, food demonstrations, a car show and speciality food and retail vendors.

California Fig Fest – 2024/25, Fresno 

This annual festival, often held in Fresno, California, showcases the many culinary possibilities of figs through tastings, cooking demonstrations, and innovative recipes. Visitors have the opportunity to sample an array of fig-inspired dishes, from sweet fig jams and preserves to savoury fig-infused entrees. The festival often features a fig recipe contest and offers insights into fig farming and cultivation. Beyond the culinary delights, the California Fig Fest often incorporates live music, arts and crafts vendors.

Almonds – February 2025, Capay Valley 

Over 80% of almonds are produced in the Central Valley. In 2025, the Capay Valley will celebrate 110 years of the Capay Valley Almond Festival with a weekend-long event. Enticing locals and travelers alike, the event offers live music, entertainment, a bake-off contest, a car show and lots of local food vendors.

For more information visit www.visitcentralvalley.com 

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