California Strawberry Festivals in 2024

Update for 2024:

It looks like most festivals are returning, aside from those that were killed off by the lockdowns of the past 2 years. That took a heavy toll on their finances. I am checking with them day by day, if you have an update for an, please tell me via the Feedback form.

Looking for a strawberry festival in California in 2024? (just scroll down the page)There is no other listing as complete and current as this list, just updated! All the strawberry festivals in California we can find are listed on this page! If you love strawberries, look for a festival near you below! And I'm always looking for more strawberry festivals! Please write me, if you know of any to add!  I update the dates as soon as the festivals publish their information, but you can always click on the links (usually the name of the festival) to see the current information on the festival's own website. 

Always click on the links to the festival to confirm this year's dates; weather and other conditions could cause a change at the last minute. They may change or cancel at the last minute. . If they don't have a website, call the phone number provided, but ALWAYS CONFIRM THIS YEAR'S DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING.

Click here for the form to add a festival and have detailed information; or click here if you have general information and are not connected with the event!

California 2024 Strawberry Festivals - Where, When and More Details!

CaliforniaI would expect most strawberry festivals twill return this year in California.  As we hear from them we are updating the info below.

There are two general types of strawberry festivals 1) community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local Chamber of commerce or a town and 2). Strawberry festival held at and by a farm

They are different in what they offer, so they are grouped separately. (of course not all states and areas have both. And following the festival listings are links to our easy to follow directions about making strawberry jam, freezing strawberries, strawberry pies and much more.

Community Strawberry Festivals

• Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival - normally held on Memorial Day Weekend
  Arroyo Grande, CA 93421. Phone: (805) 473-2250. Email: info@arroyograndevillage.org. As of 2020, the organizers have renamed it "the Strawberry Celebration". Well, whatever they call it, as one of California's largest festivals and premiere festival on the Central Coast this family-style event brings together thousands of visitors and residents to enjoy activities and entertainment, the Strawberry Stampede, hundreds of art, craft and display booths, ethnic foods, and of course, scrumptious strawberry treats of all kinds in shortcakes, funnel cakes, milkshakes, ice cream and by the box. Admission is free but bring money for food, drink and children's game booths. Features include Strawberry Stampede walk/run, Strawberry Pancake Breakfast, Strawberry Shortcake & T-shirt booths, Strawberry Prince & Princess Contest, Strawberry Blonde Contest, Strawberry Cook-Off Contest, Kiddie Carnival, Arts & Crafts Show, and Entertainment including Ethnic, Folk, Blues, Jazz, Contemporary & Rock 'n Roll music! The Festival Features Over 300 Booths, 3 Carnival Areas, Camel Rides, Street Performers and Free Bike Parking. The Strawberry Festival is San Luis Obispo County's largest free Festival and is the primary yearly fundraiser for the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association which also presents the Village Summer Concert Series, The Kids Halloween Event, Santa in the Village, Saturday Farmers' Markets and many other events. This family-style event brings together thousands of visitors and local residents to enjoy activities and entertainment, three carnival areas, the Strawberry Stampede, hundreds of art, craft and display booths, ethnic foods, and of course, scrumptious strawberry treats of all kinds as well as fresh strawberries by the box! Heritage Square Museums, antique shops, wineries and restaurants in the historic Arroyo Grande Village will also be open. The Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival has been named "the place to be on Memorial Weekend" by Sunset Magazine! (UPDATED: April 1, 2021, JBS)
• Cal Poly Pomona Spring Strawberry Festival and Tractor and Car Show - Saturday, NORMALLY in June from 10am to 4pm.
  4102 S. University Drive, Pomona, CA 91768. Phone: (909) 869-6722. Email: agriscapesinfo@cpp.edu. Directions: Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch, Located just south of Temple Avenue; Use University Dr. or South Campus Dr. See this page for a map.  Payment: Cash, Credit cards. This event is fun for the whole family and admission is FREE!  The event will feature: Pick-Your-Own Strawberries & Farmer's Market, Petting Farm and Animal Exhibits, Antique Tractors & Farm Equipment, Hay Wagon Rides, Live Entertainment & Great Food.  A tractor and car show, strawberry festival, tractor rides, petting farm, bug fair, antique equipment display, live music, trophies, and so MUCH more! See pictures from the 2014 show. Come see a variety of vehicles including customs, antiques, classics, muscle, street rods, special interest, motorcycles, and tractors. Spectators are FREE! For questions about the tractor and car show please contact Brenda Orozco at (909) 869-6722.Although we will not have berry picking this year, we will have fields full of produce to pick such as squash, onions, tomatoes and much more! There will also be plenty of delicious pre-picked strawberries for sale. Food vendors at the festival will including The Habit, Sno Pros, Old Towne Baking Company and more. Event Parking: $3 per vehicle, Admission: is FREE. (UPDATED: April 18, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: April 27, 2015, JBS)
• California Strawberry Festival - Click here for current dates and updates - mid to late May weekend from 10AM to 6:30 PM
  Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001.  The California Strawberry Festival is among the top festivals in the nation with over 40 food vendors, a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course, live music and entertainment, and over one-hundred arts & crafts booths! The California Strawberry Festival in Ventura is the perfect summer kickoff with proceeds benefitting the community in a BIG way.
• Fresno Strawberry Festival at River Park - Tuesday in mid June from 4 pm to 10 pm
  River Park Farmer's Market, 220 E Paseo del Centro, Fresno, California 93720. ! Come celebrate the DELICIOUS and Nutritious STRAWBERRY! Enjoy delicious strawberry creations, including; Strawberry pies, cakes, cookies, cheesecakes, funnel cakes, strawberry juices, jams, glazes, and dried and candied strawberries, strawberry granolas, strawberry shortcakes, cupcakes, strawberry flavored raisins, strawberry açaí bowls, strawberry lemonades, strawberry kombucha (on tap) strawberry shortcake churros and SO MUCH MORE! A full host of food trucks will also be on site offering some of the most delicious foods on four wheels!!! Be one of the first 5000 to attend and receive a FREE ORGANIC COASTAL STRAWBERRY! All children will receive a FREE California Strawberry Activity Book!! FREE BOUNCE HOUSES! FREE CONCERT! Enter our Strawberry Pie Eating Contest and win valuable prizes!!
• Galt The Strawberry Festival - Sorry to say, they are no longer holding it
  Email: info@galtchamber.com.
• Garden Grove Strawberry Festival -  Memorial Day weekend in May, Friday (1pm to 10pm), Sat & Sun (10am to 10pm), Monday (10am to 9pm)check their website for other year's dates)
  Garden Grove, CA. Phone: (714) 638-0981. Alternate phone: (714) 638-7950. Held at the Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, California. Admission is free. There are plenty of different activities are on the schedule to entertain and educate. Dozens of fun and exciting rides for the whole family are the highlight for many at the Strawberry Festival! The Strawberry Festival Parade every year starts on Saturday morning. Marching bands, classic cars, and celebrities are all a part of the fun.
• Los Gatos Strawberry Festival - Canceled, no longer being held
  Los Gatos, CA.
• The California Strawberry Festival - Saturday and Sunday, in mid to late May, from 10 am to 6:30pm  (it was cancelled in 2020, 2021 and 2022)
  Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Blvd, Ventura, California. Phone: (805) 385-4739. Fax (805) 385-4729. Toll Free Information: 1-888-288-9242. Email: csf@strawberry-fest.org. Directions: Ventura is approximately 68 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and 27 miles south of Santa Barbara. Limited parking is available on-site for $20 (2023 price).Delectable strawberry delights, along with non-stop entertainment, Strawberryland For Kids, gooey contests for berry lovers of all ages, and more. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be on parade Festival weekend. An eight-horse hitch of gentle giants complete with a Dalmatian mascot is an impressive sight pulling the 12-ton, traditional red, white and gold beer wagon that was first showcased back in the 1930s. Festival  | Information  | Vendors & Volunteers  | Sponsors  | Pressroom  | Contact. Enjoy strawberry-inspired treats like build-your-own strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry beer, and more. Plus, over 40 food vendors, a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course, live music and entertainment, and over a hundred arts and crafts booths to check out. The exciting new beachside location provides iconic views, and Ventura offers up a vibrant downtown just a few blocks away, with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. The Fairground's convenient location right off the 101 freeway offers parking onsite, free shuttle service, and close proximity to the adjacent Amtrak station, making it easier than ever to get to the Festival.  The California Strawberry Festival is among the top festivals in the nation with over 50 food booths, contests, rides and attractions, over 200 Arts & Crafts vendors, concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, and family fun! The California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard is the perfect summer kickoff with proceeds benefiting the community in a BIG way. Join us for an unforgettably sweet experience! 
• Placer County BerryFest Strawberry Festival -  Mother's Day Weekend from 10 am to 4 pm 
  Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All America City Blvd., Roseville, CA 95678. Phone: (916) 781-7066. Alternate phone: 877) 742-7066. Festival Admission Gates And Parking Lots Close by.  What makes a happy mom on Mother's Day? Happy kids! Besides loads of strawberry treats, shopping, cooking demonstrations, and live bands, BerryFest is loaded with fun for the kids with a petting zoo, pony rides, princess pageant. Adventure Faire, strawberry shortcake eating contest, Amazing Animal World, nonstop shows on the Kids Caboose Stage, extreme stunt shows, and a full kids' carnival and fun zone.
• Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival -  late April (check their website for other year's dates, April 28 to 30, 2023 ) from 12 pm to 10 pm
  Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg Street, Santa Maria, CA 93458. Phone: 805-925-8824. Enjoy Food, Fun, Rides and Wholesome Family Entertainment During Santa Maria's Favorite Event - Don't Miss Out! Hours are from 11am to 10pm; Carnival Stays Open 'til Midnight! ...and Don't Forget about the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Queen Contest. "A Berry Good Time". Festival Hours: 12 Noon to 10 pm daily. Carnival may stay open 'til midnight. Fun for the Whole Family! Rides, games, Food, pony rides and of course, strawberry delights FREE* Attractions Include:
  Petting Zoo, Educational Exhibits, Cooking Shows, Live Music, Strawberry Tasting & Eating Contests, Strolling Entertainment and much more!  * Free w/paid admission into festival.
• Strawberry Music Festival Mountain Magic Music - Thursday to Sunday in late May AND in the Fall: August/September  (check their website for this year's dates)
  Westside, 17807 Tuolumne Road, Tuolumne, CA 95379. The Strawberry Music Festival takes place two times each year, usually over the Memorial and Labor Day weekends - it varies, so check their website in March. SEE YOU ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND :  The Spring Festival will be held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, in late May .
   The Spring fes ival is held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA and the Labor Day festival is held at Westside, Tuolumne, CA. The festival features a wide range of musical acts representing many different musical genres including Americana, bluegrass, swing, rock, blues and gospel. You will find a schedule and list of the acts for the current year's festivals on the website. The festival used to take place at Camp Mather, Yosemite, California but was moved after the forest fires.
• Vista Strawberry Festival - On a Sunday in late May, annually, from 8 am to 6 pm
  127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084. Phone: 760.726.1122. Live entertainment on multiple stages, bands & local craft brews all day long in the beer garden. Carnival rides & 300+ vendors. Little Ms. Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Costume, Strawberry Idol, Pie-Eating and many more! Prizes galore! Vista was once the "Strawberry Capital of the World!" San Diego County's only celebration of the Strawberry. Live entertainment on multiple stages, bands & local craft brews all day long in the beer garden. Carnival rides & 400+ vendors. Little Ms. Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Costume, Vista's Got Talent, Pie-Eating and many more! Prizes galore! (ADDED: May 21, 2016, JBS)
• Watsonville Spring Strawberry Dessert Festival - usually Late July/ early August  (on a Saturday from  11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  and Sunday from  11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ) (in Ramsay Park)
  Watsonville, CA.  Phone: 415) 249-4625. Held in downtown Watsonville, California. Admission is FREE with plenty of parking! Watsonville is one of the largest strawberry growing regions in the world, so what better place to celebrate than Main Street Watsonville with a festival that includes fresh strawberry desserts, entertainment, savory foods and the laughter and fun that is sure to ensure? Some of the events: Pie Eating Contest, Topnotch Entertainers, Entertainment on stage, Gourmet Ethnic Foods, Children's Events & Fun, Castle Bounce, 22' Giant Slide, Hermit Crab Toss, Ferris Wheel, 14 passenger Firetruck. For more information contact Terry Pimsleur

Farm Strawberry Festivals

In addition to community and church festivals, some private farms have their own strawberry festivals in June. See each farm for this year's dates (they often do not announce them until the end of May). They usually have PYO strawberries then, too. Also, scroll down to see the links to recipes, freezing, canning and jam making directions at the bottom of the page.

 

• Boa Vista Orchards - Early May; Thursday to Sunday
  2952 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667. Phone: 530-622-5522. Email: info@boavista.com. Join Us Thursday to Sunday 8 for Strawberry Donuts, Strawberry Pies, Strawberry Lemonade, Strawberry Pastries, Strawberry Ice Cream, Strawberry Jams, Fresh Strawberries, Strawberry Sangria, Strawberry Hard Cider, Strawberry Preserves and Many More Strawberry Goodies! Indulge inThey also grow Cherries, Apples, Apricots. Blackberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pumpkins, pumpkin patch and Blackberries.
• Stehly Farms Organics Annual U-Pick Strawberry Fest - one Saturday in late April
  12630 Santa Catalina Road, Valley Center, CA 92082. Phone: (760) 742-1186. Email: Info@StehlyFarmsOrganics.com. Open: One Saturday each year, typically in mid or late April from 9am-3pm so check their Facebook page in early April for this year's date. We look forward to seeing old friends, and making new. 2022 Entrance fee was $9, kids under 3 are free. Each paid entrance fee will receive a 1 lb container to fill closed. Any additional strawberries you would like to pick may be purchased by the pound. Your admission covers the petting zoo, tractor ride and full access to the playground! Great ready for family fun. Food will be available to purchase. Our kitchen will be busy creating farm-to-table faire with oven-fired pizzas made with veggies from the garden, tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, gelato, and smoothies! Our farmers market will be open during the strawberry festival. We hope you can join us! No dogs/animals allowed in the strawberry patch. All animals must be on a leash. No bags, backpacks allowed in the patch.
  Tickets can be purchased by Venmo only online. Please go to Stehly farms organics  & click on the image of strawberries or ticket purchase button down to purchase. You will directed how to finalize your reservation. There is not an ATM at the farm. Cash, credit, debit will be accepted.

 

Related Strawberry Information: Freezing, making Jam, Canning, Pies, Recipes and More

Also, see our pages on easy illustrated strawberry directions:

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jell-O gelatin

For other fruit and vegetable festivals, see this page!