Gilroy Garlic Festival
The Gilroy Garlic Festival is a three-day food festival held annually at the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center. This festival offers some of the best garlic food in California, live entertainment, and arts and crafts. It is a fun and exciting event for festivalgoers and families. While you can't RV camp at the event, there are several campgrounds nearby. Renting an RV in Gilroy provides you with a comfortable home base to enjoy everything the festival has to offer. With an RV, you can also cook your own meals and bond with family or friends at your camping spot in the evenings.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy live musical performances, cooking competitions, dance performances, and chef demonstrations. You can learn new recipes and cooking techniques or attend an interactive dance workshop. The chef will also provide garlic pairing tips and preservation methods.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
Guests will find on-site restrooms and shaded areas to relax and eat. The whole event is centered on foods infused with garlic. You will find everything from pepper steak sandwiches and fries to garlic ice cream. Refreshing beverages are also available.
LOCATION
The Gilroy Garlic Festival is held at the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center. The address is 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, California 95020. The festival is held outdoors in grassy terrain, and it can become muddy if it rains. You should consider packing waterproof boots and an umbrella or poncho.
FAQs About RVing to the Gilroy Garlic Festival
Can you bring an RV to the Gilroy Garlic Festival?
Currently, there isn’t any dedicated RV parking at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. RVers usually leave their camper at their campground and take a personal vehicle or rideshare to the event.
What’s included in my Gilroy Garlic Festival ticket?
Ticket prices include admission, live musical entertainment, and cooking demonstrations. You can purchase food and beverages, including beer and wine, from a wide variety of vendors.
Is the Gilroy Garlic Festival family-friendly?
Yes, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is designed for all ages. A children’s area features rides, face painting, games, and arts and crafts. The festival also offers kid-friendly foods that are perfect for picky eaters.
What items are prohibited at the festival?
All bags will be checked at the entrance. You may not bring outside alcohol or glass bottles. Empty water bottles and coolers for breast milk or medications are permitted.
RVING AT THE EVENT
There are several RV campgrounds near the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center where you can set up camp. Many RVers attend the festival as part of a California vacation.
Where to Camp Near the Gilroy Garlic Festival
• Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park: This RV park is within 10 miles of the festival. It offers full hookups, complimentary cable TV and Wi-Fi, a mini store, a swimming pool, and a dog park. • Uvas Pines RV Park: This campground offers electric hookups, hiking trails, hot showers, propane, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, and laundry rooms. • Coe Ranch Campground: Coe Ranch is located on top of a ridge and has views through canyons that stretch to the southern part of Santa Clara Valley. The state park's sites are dry camping only. However, the scenery and access to amazing hiking trails make it a popular destination.
RV Rental Tips for the Gilroy Garlic Festival
For novice RVers attending the festival, Class C RVs and campervans are a solid choice because they are easier to drive and park than the big rigs. Class C RVs have enough sleeping spaces for families, while campervans are suitable for couples seeking a more intimate experience. Pop-up campers are also a good choice for the Gilroy Garlic Festival and can be towed by most SUVs. After you set up camp, you can use your personal vehicle to commute to and from the event.
WHERE TO STAY
Sometimes, travelers want to stay in a hotel, whether they're taking a break from their RV or seeking something a little more luxurious. Gilroy has many high-caliber hotels offering the comforts of home. Hilton Garden Inn Gilroy offers well-appointed guest rooms with beautiful design and modern furnishings. The hotel amenities include connecting guestrooms, free Wi-Fi, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, meeting rooms, an outdoor pool, and a business center. Hampton Inn & Suites Gilroy offers quaint guestrooms and suites with modern furnishings and comfortable beds. The hotel amenities include free parking and Wi-Fi, streaming entertainment, a fitness center, a business center, meeting rooms, and an outdoor pool.
HOW TO GET THERE
• From San Jose and San Francisco: Take US-101 South to Gilroy, then follow CA-152/Hecker Pass Highway west. • From Monterey: Take CA-1 North to CA-156 East, merge onto US-101 North toward Gilroy, then follow CA-152/Hecker Pass Highway west. • From Fresno and Central California: Take CA-152 West through Pacheco Pass directly to Gilroy
PARKING
Parking for personal vehicles is available at the venue and included with your ticket. The volunteers will direct traffic into the parking lot.
TICKETS & PRICING
Tickets to the festival must be purchased online in advance and will not be available at the event. They cost $26.88, and children under 3 get in for free.
WRAP UP
The 2026 Gilroy Garlic Festival is a wonderful celebration of the community of Gilroy and everything garlic. You will experience live music, delicious food, and fun activities during the three-day event. Stay up to date about the Gilroy Garlic Festival by following the Gilroy Garlic Festival Facebook page .
3-Day RV Itinerary for the Gilroy Garlic Festival
• Day 1: Arrival and Festival Kickoff: Arrive early and spend the morning setting up camp and relaxing. In the afternoon, head to the festival and start exploring the many onsite booths, and enjoy the live music. In the evening, head to Gourmet Alley to watch the chefs cook the food. Dine on the delicious foods, including garlic scampi or pepper steak. • Day 2: The Full Festival Immersion: Spend a leisurely morning at your RV and enjoy breakfast. About noon, you can go to the festival and attend live cooking demos. There are also cooking competitions and arts and crafts. In the afternoon, try the garlic beer, fries, or ice cream. In the evening, grab dinner at a local restaurant or cook in your RV. • Day 3: Local Exploration and Departure: Wake up and begin packing up camp. Visit local stores like Garlic World and purchase your favorite garlic braids and sauces. You can also get souvenirs to take home. About noon, you can visit the festival again to experience anything you missed. In the afternoon, finish packing up and depart for your next destination.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page.
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