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 Tomato & Vine Festival 

August 19-20, 2023, 11 a.m.

Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Downtown Fairfield
Texas Street and surrounding streets
Fairfield, CA
fairfield.ca.gov/tomato

Fairfield Tomato Festival, This year, there's a car show, tomato eating contest and a salsa contest, too. Live music, food, and entertainment, not to mention the great shopping at all of the vendor booths!  Bring the whole family out to the 31st annual Tomato & Vine Festival in downtown Fairfield which includes a children's carnival! 
Bands performing: Fast Times, The Bobby Young Project, Git With It, West Coast Blues Society, Ariel Marin Music, Southbound, Project 4, Blu Egyptian, Mobility
Attractions

• Tomato Alley Sampling 12-4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
• Festival Merchandise Booth at the intersection of Jackson and Texas Streets
• Car Show on Sunday, August 20, 12-5 pm on Jefferson Street
• Tomato Eating Contest on Saturday, August 19, at 3:30 pm.
• Beer and Wine Gardens at Maidson and Webster intersections on Texas Street.
• Family Carnival will return! Ticket pricing includes: 1 ticket-$1.50, 20 tickets-$25, 50 tickets-$50, Wristband- $35.
• Cultural Stage on Jefferson & Texas feature special performances.
   

Ventura National Heirloom Tomato Festival

September 12-14, 2023, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 West Harbor Boulevard
Ventura, CA
$15-30, theheirloomexpo.com
Celebrating heirloom gardening and healthy food! Learn from world-class speakers on gardening, food security, seed saving, and more! Browse an amazing display of heirloom vegetables and flowers in the expo hall! Enjoy delicious cuisine from local healthy food vendors and shop for plants, seeds, and other goods

WINDSOR: Windsor  Tomato & Pepper Fest 
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 July 8, 2023, 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 
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

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
 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

 

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