The Artichoke Festival: Where Fun Blossoms!

Join us for a Culinary Adventure, Music, Wine Tasting, and More!

The Artichoke Festival is back with a fantastic theme: "Artichoke Festival: Where Fun Blossoms!" Experience a culinary adventure, music, wine tasting, and more! This year's festival celebrates the harvest season in California, highlighting the artichoke's central role in our region's agricultural legacy.

Don't miss out on this unique celebration of food, fun, and community spirit.

It's more than a festival; it’s an experience!

Friday Night "Thistle Be Funny" Comedy Club: Start the festival weekend with laughter! Friday night will feature a comedy club with hilarious performances that will leave attendees in stitches. Friday only, Doors open at 5:00 PM.

Exciting live music, featuring a Prince Tribute Band: Don't miss out on the Prince Tribute Band appearance, and more, on our Main Stage both Saturday and Sunday.

Live Chef Demos: In the spirit of culinary innovation, the festival proudly hosts a series of cooking demonstrations, emphasizing the artichoke's versatility and rich flavor. Chefs can showcase their artistry while sharing their passion for cooking with an audience of food enthusiasts.

Plus, the Festival will feature more fun and excitement with wine tasting in our Vineyard Oasis, gourmet artichoke foodie finds in the Culinary Bazaar, shopping for unique and artisanal treasures in the Artisan's Marketplace and Treasure Trove, and family fun in the Adventures Park.

Separately ticketed events with the Artichoke Festival:

Friday Night Comedy Club: 6 PM – 9 PM (Festival admission not necessary)

Vineyard Oasis Wine Tasting: Saturday 12 PM – 8 PM, Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM (Festival admission sold separately)

About the Artichoke Festival: For many years, the Artichoke Festival has been dedicated to informing and exciting festival attendees about the unique qualities of artichokes, including farming, harvesting, and preparation, to demonstrate how the artichoke industry has influenced the history of Monterey County. The purpose of the Artichoke Festival remains the same, with an emphasis on giving back to the young people of our community. Proceeds from this event are used to support our nonprofit partners and many other wonderful nonprofit community organizations and activities that align with our organization’s mission.

For more information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.

Health & Safety at the 64th Annual Artichoke Festival (2024)

A healthy California is a joyful California, especially at festivals and fairs. Due to increased public safety restrictions, we will employ bag checks and metal scanners at the gate. A CLEAR BAG POLICY will be enforced; clear bags will be available for sale on the Festival website store and at the admissions gates.

Please know that your safety and satisfaction is our priority at the Artichoke Festival. We are committed to doing everything possible to provide a clean and safe experience. All guests will be required to comply with current CDC, California Dept of Public Health, and Monterey County public health guidelines regarding safety protocols, as posted at the event and on the event website.

Face masks are not required, but hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the Festival grounds. Safety signage must be adhered to while at the Festival. Failure to comply with posted or verbal guidelines may result in ejection from the Festival grounds.

Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance, (processing/service fees will be added at check-out). At the gates, admission tickets can be purchased by cash-free payment using a major credit or debit card (processing fee applies), or with cash. On-site Will-Call is not available.

By purchasing a ticket to attend the Artichoke Festival, permission for past use and for present and future use is hereby granted to Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. (and all persons acting under its permission and authority) to use a photo or other image of myself, of the likeness of the minor under my guardianship, for use in published or video works in any medium and for any lawful purpose in trade, exhibition, illustration, promotion, publicity, advertising and electronic publication. I understand that I have waived any right that I or my representative(s) may have to inspect or approve Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc.’s use of the likeness or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in connection with the use and/or publication of this likeness.

Join us at the Artichoke Festival and indulge in a truly unforgettable experience!