The Quirkiest Festivals In California

Anyone can go to world renowned California festivals like Coachella and SnowGlobe. But where’s the weird? Where’s the most interesting celebrations in the Golden State? Don’t worry, these festivals below will satisfy anyone’s desire for a quirky celebration.

1. Gilroy Garlic Festival

Gilroy is home to one of the largest (and most pungent) festivals in the United States. The Gilroy Garlic Festival has brought together garlic lovers, enthusiasts, and the curious every summer for four decades. Festival goers can enjoy live music and everything garlic here. Yes, everything garlic; garlic cook-offs, garlic souvenirs, garlic-braiding workshops, even garlic-flavored ice cream. Attendees won’t be able to wash the smell of delicious garlic out off their skin for a week.

Gilroy Garlic Festival, 7473 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA, USA, +1 408 842 1625

Mr. and Mrs. Garlic! | © Eric Chan/Flickr

2. Tarantula Awareness Festival

Arachnophobes may want to take cover during this festival. Held in Coarsegold, locals have gathered every year for over 20 years for all kinds of eight hairy-legged fun. This festival is all about learning about these misunderstood arachnids and having fun. There’s lots of displays, tarantula races, food, and even a costume contest. The Tarantula Awareness Festival is held every October.

Tarantula Awareness Festival, 35300 CA-41 # 204, Coarsegold, CA, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/9Edvx2xoHA/?tagged=tarantulafestivalcoarsegold

3. California Lemon Festival

Park

The town of Goleta doesn’t let the under appreciated lemon go without celebrating. Like the sour fruit itself, the California Lemon Festival has something for the entire family. Live music that includes bluegrass, folk, and pop bands play the entire weekend. Arts and crafts vendors and booths line Girsh Park, many of which are lemon themed of course. Attendees can enter a lemon cooking contest to show off their zesty skills, or enter a classic pie-eating contest. Samples of everything lemon can be tried and enjoyed. Taste some of the best lemon meringue pie or lemon curds around. Get to Girsh Park in Goleta late September if you don’t want to miss out on all the lemony goodness at the California Lemon Festival!

California Lemon Festival, 7050 Phelps Rd, Goleta, CA, USA, +1 805 967 2500

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKvz-FNABQL/?tagged=californialemonfestival

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.