Summer may be made for the outdoors—but then what? The sun shines down, the throat acquires premium parch and the stomach growls, as if to say: feed me, Seymour. Here’s a list of some of the best food and drink festivals to grab a bite and a beer, listen to live music while taking a stroll and a sip, or simply sit in the mud and devour food truck goodies while ascending to hog heaven.
Bacon festivals have a way of inspiring irrational happiness. Photo by Taylor Jones
Gilroy Art & Wine Stroll
May 20, 2pm-6pm; 7780 Monterey St, Gilroy
Stroll through beautiful downtown Gilroy while sipping on wine from more than 20 local wineries while perusing art from featured local artists of the Gilroy Center for the Arts. There will be live music, as well as some presentation booths. Special gifts will be handed out to designated drivers at most pour stations. Of course, all the local restaurants will be open should all that walking and sipping work up an appetite. Early bird tickets $35, designated drivers free.
SJ Earthquakes Beer Fest
May 27, 4:30pm; Avaya Stadium
This inaugural event, hosted by Lagunitas, will take place before the May 27 game against the rival LA Galaxy. The fest will feature 14 breweries, 11 of which are local. For $45 ($15 upgrade for season ticket holders) guests get a ticket to the game, four 4-ounce tastings and a commemorative tasting glass. Additional tastings can be purchased for $5 each. A portion of the proceeds go toward NorCal Special Olympics. The event starts two hours before gametime at 4:30 p.m., so there’s time to get properly lubricated and help our Quakes beat LA!
Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras
May 27, 10am-7pm; May 28, 10-am-6pm; Downtown Morgan Hill
Taking place over Memorial Day weekend for the 38th consecutive year is the family-friendly arts and crafts festival celebrating the fungus among us. Educational booths and cooking demonstrations will teach you all you need to know about mushrooms. Despite the mycological theme, there will be plenty to do, including premium wine tastings, live music, street performers and a Munchkinland for the kiddies. As with all good festivals, there’s tons of food, as well as wine booths and a beer garden.
Taco Festival of Innovation and Baconland
May 27-28, 11am-5pm; 1650 Senter Rd, San Jose
Tacos and bacon are getting hitched in a Memorial Day weekend mashup brought together by the fine folks of Moveable Feast. First, The Taco Festival of Innovation will take center stage on Saturday, May 27, when 25-plus taco trucks from across the Bay Area will sling plates that cost no more than $6. General admission is $9.99, and an unlimited craft beer pass runs $34.99 pre-sale. Hog heaven will commence the following day, as Baconland takes over History Park on Sunday, May 28. The event will feature more than 20 of the region’s food trucks showcasing their best bacon-inspired dishes. Attendees can also vote on their favorites for multiple awards, such as best in show and most creative. Prices remain the same.
The San Jose Greek Festival
June 2, 5pm-10pm; June 3, 11am-10pm; June 4, 11am–9pm; 1260 Davis St, San Jose
For almost 50 years now on the weekend following Memorial Day, this quiet Rose Garden area neighborhood transforms into a raucous celebration of all things Greek. The San Jose Greek Festival, held at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, is fun for the whole family with live music, award-winning dance groups and some of the most authentic festival food around. Spanakopites, tyropites, mousaka and loukoumades are just several of the hard-to-pronounce but easy-to-eat items that can be found here. Be Greek for the day, but watch out for those flying plates. Opa! $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free to children under 12. Free pass on Facebook page.
Sunnyvale Art, Wine and Music Festival
June 3-4; Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
With more than 350 artists slated to perform—including Eagles and Beatles tribute bands—this event is just as much a rock & roll festival as it is about the art and wine. That’s not to say it won’t have quality spirits, such as margaritas, sangria, Champagne, wine and craft beers on tap to really get the party atmosphere going. A quality food court and carnival rides for the kids help solidify this as one of the best all-ages events in the South Bay. Free.
Dancin’ on the Avenue
June 17, 2pm-8pm; Lincoln Ave between Minnesota and Willow St
This Willow Glen hoedown returns to celebrate its 22nd year, and it isn’t showing any signs of tuckering out. With three separate stages spread across Lincoln Avenue, this event brings out all ages. Toree McGee, House of Rockers, Rock the Heat and RB-3 are all slated to perform. The food is another highlight, as stalwarts such as Yuki Sushi and Taiwan restaurant are among the food vendors. The family-friendly event is free to the public.
Silicon Valley BBQ Championship
June 23, 4pm–10pm; June 24, 11am-8pm; 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara
The second largest Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event on the West Coast returns for another year of smoke, meat and suds. Fifty professional teams will be competing in pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken thighs and brisket. The best part of this event is buying up tokens ($3 each, 7 for $20) and using them to taste the actual Q from the pro teams themselves. Those who hurry, can still sign up to be a “People’s Choice” judge and make their vote count. Admission is free, but parking is $10.
FOOD IT: Fork to Farm
June 27, 9am-6pm; 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View
One of the more heady culinary events of the summer comes in the daylong FOOD IT: Fork to Farm, which will take place June 27 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. Put on by the folks at The Mixing Bowl, the networking event is designed to create discussions on the different ways information technology is affecting our food systems. Early bird tickets run $150 ticket (by June 1) while general admission costs $250. Startups, investors and representatives from leading global food and agricultural innovation hubs will huddle in moderated group discussions and a pitch competition. A light breakfast, lunch and cocktail reception is also included.
Silicon Valley Beer Week
July 21-30; Multiple locations
The granddaddy of them all returns July 21-30 as local restaurants and breweries celebrate the region’s passion for craft beer. An opening party kicks off July 21, followed by eight days of hosted events throughout Silicon Valley, including tap takeovers, food pairings, seminars, demonstrations, brewmaster dinners, new release nights and other exclusive events.
Santana Row Beer Walk and Cider Walk
Beer Walk — July 26, 6pm–9pm; Cider Walk — Aug 30, 6pm-9pm
These two separate events—the Beer Walk in July and Cider Walk in August—will dominate Santana Row. The Beer Walk will be part of the Silicon Valley Beer Week celebration, with events designed to help people explore their neighborhoods and discover all the great small businesses and restaurants surrounding them. Sip on craft beers and ciders while milling about in a relaxed, upscale atmosphere with other beer and cider aficionados. The price of the ticket includes beer (or cider) samples, custom glass and passport. Early bird tickets $30.
Gilroy Garlic Festival
July 28-30; Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy
It’s almost that time of year when the air around the South Valley begins to hang heavy with the perfume of everyone’s favorite stinking rose: garlic. The world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival returns for its 38th year and it’s gotten so big that the Garlic Train will run nonstop between San Jose and Gilroy—reserve a seat with the app! This venerable festival features the usual booths, children’s area and libations, but Gourmet Alley is where it’s at. So much garlicky goodness will have attendees sweating it out for days. This year features an official Guinness World Record attempt for World’s Largest Garlic Festival.
California Beer Festival
Aug 11-13; 100 Aptos Creek Rd, Aptos
This is the ultimate beer lovers event and it’s really like three festivals rolled into one. The Friday event is a VIP Food and Beer pairing where local chefs and local brewmasters present an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. The Saturday event is every beer lover’s dream come true as they’ll provide access to unlimited tastings from over 85 craft breweries for one admission fee. The Sunday event is a more low-key, family friendly food and beer fest where live entertainment is provided, as guests are encouraged to picnic and bring the kiddies along.
Assyrian Food Festival
Aug 19-20, 11am–9pm; 680 Minnesota Ave, San Jose
Despite the recent arson at their east Willow Glen church, the Assyrian Food Festival will go on to celebrate its 25th year. This celebration of all things Assyria centers mostly on the food and will satisfy carnivores and vegetarians alike. Sample everything from kabobs, dolmas, soups—and don’t miss their Samovar Alley and Assyrian Coffee Café, where guests can sample amazing teas and desserts. They will also have plenty of traditional folk music, where people can learn to dance the sheykhani. Admission, parking and shuttles are all free and the food is reasonably priced.
Taylor Street Night + Market
Thru Aug 31, 5pm-9pm; 357 E Taylor St, San Jose
Beginning Thursday, a weekly beer garden event will be held in San Jose’s Japantown neighborhood at the Gordon Biersch Brewery complex. These events are hosted by Moveable Feast and Gordon Biersch, so there will definitely be plenty of food and brews to go around. Gordon Biersch Brewery tours, live music, games for the kids and SJMADE vendors will also be on hand. These night markets will be up and running all summer long every Thursday night through August. Admission is free; just bring good vibes and cash.
