California Tomato Festivals

California is the top producer of tomatoes in the U.S., providing approx. 96% of the country's tomatoes and 35% of the world's tomatoes, according to the California Tomato Research Institute in Escalon, Calif. Tomato Festivals are only a natural for our state.

One of the most unique tomato events in the world is La Tomatina held the last Wednesday of August during the week of festivities in the town of Buñol, Spain. Thousands of people come to participate throwing tomatoes for fun. California has recently enjoyed a similar event called Tomato Battle.

FAIRFIELD: Fairfield Tomato Festival September 10-11, 2022
Fairfield Tomato Festival, Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Over 30,000 visitors attend "Tomato Alley", with over 100 varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes grown in the Suisun Valley. The festival features tomato eating contests, live entertainment, food court, artisans and crafters, cooking demonstrations, a variety of tomato-related vendors, children's activities, and a beer and wine garden featuring award-winning Suisun Valley wines. Wine & Food Pairing, family movie night, car show and concert to the festivities. Call: (707) 422-0103. Tickets for Saturday wine & tomato tasting are approx. $15-20. Other events are usually free. Check for details: fairfield.ca.gov

RIVERSIDE: Inland Empire Salsa Festival June 
White Park
3936 Chestnut St
Riverside, California 92501
$10-55, iesalsafestival.com
The Inland Empire's 1st annual Salsa Festival is coming to White Park in Historic Downtown Riverside! Featuring salsa tasting, live entertainment, a free kids zone, talent competition and a wine & beer garden. $500 Grand Prize awarded for Best Salsa.
Band Line up: Ashanti | Lil Rob | Messiah | Saweetie | Lil Xan | Grupo the Beat

AMADOR CITY: Amador City Tomato Festival August 31, 2019, 12-4 p.m.
amador-city.com | event posted on visitamador.com
Local Tomatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes….Taste organic, heirloom tomatoes in Historic Downtown.

SANTA ROSA: National Heirloom Tomato Festival September back in 2023?

Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA
$15-30, theheirloomexpo.com

SACRAMENTO: Sacratomato Festival Week July 22-28, 2019
Sacramento, CA The festival  includes a farmers market, a bloody mary bar, cooking demos, a children's "tomato patch" area, and more tomato fun.   exploremidtown.org

WINDSOR: Windsor  Tomato & Pepper Fest September 22, 2019
windsorfarmersmarket.com
Celebrate everyone's favorite fruit and vegetable at this annual event -  Free Tasting of over 40 locally grown varieties of Tomatoes, Local restaurants bring out their best at the Salsa Tasting with fresh Chips from Casa Sanchez, Hot Sauce Tasting, Chef Demonstration 

LOS BANOS: Los Banos Tomato Festival August 6, 2022, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Downtown Los Banos
Los Banos, CA
facebook.com/ LOSBANOSTOMATOFESTIVAL/

 Sponsored by the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce

OXNARD: Oxnard Salsa Festival July 27-28, 2019
Free Admission! Concerts $fee venue seating
Plaza Park
5th & B Street
Award-winning Salsa Festival is held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission and parking are Free. The event includes salsa food competitions, food vendors, arts & crafts, and plenty of dancing with spicy Salsa bands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.  oxnardsalsafestival.com

PASO ROBLES: Tomato Festival September tba
Windrose Farm Heirloom Tomato Festival - Paso Robles, CA
Gates Open at 1:30pm Festival Hours: 2pm - 6pm
Phone: (805) 226-2081
Tickets:  www.farmsteaded.com Both events take place at Windrose Farm, 5750 El Pharo Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446.  windrosefarm.org

CAPAY: Capay Tomato Festival July 20, 2019, 3-11 p.m.
Farm Fresh To You / Capay Organic
23800 Hwy 16
Capay, CA 95607
Ticket $20 pre, $25 gate, capayorganic.com
Annual event on a farm includes Heirloom & Cherry Tomato Tasting, Tractor Trailer Rides, Harvest Activity & Make Your Own Herb Salt, Live Music and Dancing, Contest for Best Guest Picnic, Self-Guided Farm Walking Tour, Kids' Activities and Arts & Crafts, Petting Zoo, Olive Oil & Grapeseed Oil Tasting and more!

OJAI: Boccali Vineyard & Winery Tomato Festival & Wine Tasting September 15, 2018, 4:30-8:30 p.m.  2019 TBA
Boccali's Oak View
3277 Santa Paula Ojai Rd
Ojai, CA
$30, wine tasting tix sold at door for $10 each, boccalis.com
Held at Boccali's in Oak View (Ventura County) the evening event includes delicious samples, live music and wine. 

WOODLAND: Woodland Tomato Festival No info posted for 2019 as of 6/28
August 11, 2018, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Freeman Park on Main Street in Downtown Woodland. woodlandtomatofestival.com
Events include Woodland Farmer's Market held 9am - 2pm;
Latin Touch band 9-10:30 a.m.
Salsa Tasting Competition 9:30 a.m.
Chef Competition 11:30 a.m.
Kuk Sool Won 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Bloody Mary Festival September 2018
thebloodymaryfest.com

CORONA DEL MAR: Tomatomania March
Seedling sale. 150 varieties. Roger's Gardens 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. | Corona del Mar, CA 92625 | (949) 640-5800, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. rogersgardens.com

TEMPLETON: Heirloom Tomato Tasting TBA
 Jack Creek Farms
5000 Highway 46 West
Templeton, CA 93465
805-239-1915
$7-10, jackcreekfarms.com  
Cherokee Chocolate, Red Zebra, or Mortgage Lifter Radiator Charlie heirloom tomato tastes like? This event will be your chance to try them, as well as many more! We will be sampling a dozen different varieties of our favorite heirloom tomatoes that we grow on our farm. In addition, we will have available many products from our local artisan food producers. The tomato fest includes Heirloom Tomatoes from Jack Creek Farms
Infused Vinegars from Chaparral Gardens
Avocados from Stepladder Ranch
Walnut Oil from Limerock Orchards
Pistachio Butter from the Pistachio Factory
Balsamic Vinegars & Olive Oil from Robbins Farm
Salami from Alle Pia

FULTON: Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival Announcement 2017:

"After 20 years of hosting the Heirloom Tomato Festival each fall, we thought it was time for a change! Join us as we toast the bounty of harvest with this exclusive event sure to please even the most discerning palate.  Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, CA Call: (866) 287-9818 kj.com
 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.