We are so excited for the Gilroy Garlic Festival 2026! The mission of this Festival is to support local charities and promote the Gilroy community through a quality celebration of Garlic. These goals will be accomplished by showcasing quality food, entertainment and Arts and Crafts.

Our Festival will be located in Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center. The space is limited, so we are only accepting food vendors that offer dessert and snack food items. Do not apply if your menu focuses on full meals (such as steak plates, chicken tacos, or similar entrées).

Please read this entire application before submitting your application.

Booth size and fees:

  • 10×10 – $350
  • 10×15 – $525
  • 10×20 – $700

General Application Guidelines

  • Completed application with pictures must be submitted no later than April 30, 2026. Applications can be submitted by email to vendors@gilroygarlicfestival.com or submitted online at the gilroygarlicfestival.com site.
  • Applicants must submit color photographs of their product(s) and one (1) photo of their booth display with the application.
  • $20 non-refundable application fee is due by April 30. Payment options: Venmo @GilroyGarlicFestivalAssociatio, PayPal: https://paypal.me/gilroygarlicfestival or mailing a check payable to: Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, address: PO Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021.
  • The Vendor Committee will screen applicants based on the item description, photos submitted and the mix of vendors. The Committee will select vendors based on quality and diversity of products.
  • Do not apply if your menu focuses on full meals (such as steak plates, chicken tacos, or similar entrées). We are only accepting a limited number of vendors selling dessert and snack food items.

If you have questions, email vendors@gilroygarlicfestival.com before submitting your application.

Dates to Remember

April 30, 2026: Completed application and $20 non-refundable application fee must be submitted.

May 15, 2026: Applicants will be notified via e-mail and/or phone as to whether they are accepted or not.

June 7, 2026: Completed Santa Clara County Temporary Food Facility Permit must be received via email to vendors@gilroygarlicfestival.com or by mail to Gilroy Garlic Festival, PO Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021.

June 15: Booth fees and County permit fee payments are due. No exceptions. All accepted vendors must submit a copy of a valid California State Sales Permit and Certificate of Insurance.

July 5, 2026: Vendor packets with instructions for parking, booth location, setup times, etc will be sent to the email address provided on the application.

Apply to become a vendor

Applications must include color photographs of the product(s) and one (1) photo of the booth display with signs. The images may be specific to each item or include multiple items/designs. Acceptable image formats include jpeg, gif, bitmap or pdf. Pictures can be inserted into this application or attached if submitting via email to vendors@gilroygarlicfestival.com.

    Gilroy Garlic Festival 2026
    Food Vendor Information

    Policies and Procedures for Accepted Vendors

    1. Vendors must supply their own booth that matches the picture submitted with the application. All booths must meet the standards set by the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association. Only pre-printed booth signs are allowed – No handwritten signs.

    2. Vendors must provide a $1,000,000.00 Certificate of Insurance naming the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc. as an additional insured. If approved, the valid Certificate must be received no later than June 15, 2026.

    3. All accepted vendors must have a valid California State sales permit, collect taxes and be responsible for the reporting of same. Vendors must provide a valid California State Resale Permit Number no later than June 15, 2026. Vendors may obtain a Seller's Permit from the California State Board of Equalization, 250 S. Second Street, San Jose, CA 93113. Online: ⦁ www.boe.ca.gov Telephone: (408) 277-1807.

    4. Vendors must comply with all Santa Clara County Health Department requirements and submit a signed a Temporary Food Facility permit by June 7, 2026. Along with the Booth fee, Vendors will be invoiced for the Santa Clara County permit fee.

    5. Payment of the non-refundable booth fee and County permit fee is due by June 15, 2026. No exceptions. Payment options: Venmo @GilroyGarlicFestivalAssociatio, PayPal: https://paypal.me/gilroygarlicfestival or mailing a check payable to: Gilroy Garlic Festival Association at PO Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021.

    6. Only the type of items submitted on the application may be sold. Items not included in the application will be removed from booth. Non-compliance will result in removal of the vendor.

    7. Prices must be posted and visible to customers and include sales tax.

    8. Vendors must be set up and ready for sales no later than 9:30 am each day of the Festival. Vendors must provide their own displays, tables, racks, etc. Displays are to be orderly and aesthetically pleasing.

    9. There is limited electricity available in the Hecker Pass Event Center. Only Whisper Quiet or battery-based generators are allowed. Amplified music is prohibited. Battery-operated fans are allowed.

    10. Merchandise must not be removed from the booth until the Festival is closed each day at 6pm. Vendor agrees to remove all booth material and clean up vendor space by 9pm on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

    11. Vendors are responsible for their own merchandise, equipment and personal property. Vendor agrees to accept responsibility for all materials and goods furnished by them and used or displayed in the booth area. Security will not allow Vendors to stay on the Event Center grounds after dark.

    12. If a vendor fails to open their display in the space assigned by 9:30 am Friday, July 24, 2026, the committee reserves the right to assign that space to someone else.

    13. Vendors must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local statutes and ordinances, and agree to assume full responsibility for the payment of all sales taxes occasioned by use of booth space.

    14. Bring enough inventory for three (3) full days. If you leave the Festival early, you may not be allowed to participate the following year.

    15. Vendors are encouraged to incorporate garlic as a design component or feature of their product line, but it is not a requirement.

    16. The walkways must be kept clear of tables, chairs, etc. Please apply for a space that fits your needs, no exceptions.

    17. Please note that WIFI connection can be difficult at this site, so please plan accordingly.

    18. No open flames, generators, weapons, drugs, matches or smoking allowed in or around booth. Aggressive behavior to Festival attendees, Festival staff, volunteers or Security will not be tolerated.

    19. No animals allowed on Festival grounds.

    20. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc. reserves the right to select alternate vendors.

    21. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc. reserves the right to reject any vendor if they feel the quality of items, the display or booth is significantly different from the images submitted on the application.

    22. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc. reserves the right to locate/relocate vendor booths according to the needs of the Festival.

    IMPORTANT

    The "Gilroy Garlic Festival" name and "Logo" are protected by trademark and copyright laws. As such, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association requires that approved vendors agree not to use the name "Gilroy Garlic Festival" or the Festival Logo, or anything similar to the name Gilroy Garlic Festival or the Festival Logo on any product the vendor will sell which has not been produced under an approved License Agreement.

    Application Rejection and Cancellation Policy

    The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc. reserves the right to waive any and all irregularities and reject any and/or all applications. All applications will remain on file in the event of a cancellation. Assignment of any available space(s) will be left to the discretion of the Vendor Committee.

    Hold Harmless Agreement

    Booth Vendor shall be solely responsible for any and all injuries to persons or damages to property or any other injury, claim, damage or loss of whatever nature, arising from or related to the Festival. Booth Vendor shall indemnify, save and hold harmless Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Inc., and its employees, agents and volunteers from and against all liability, loss, damages, claims, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of injury to person (including death) or damage to property or any other injury, claim, damage, loss, cost or expense arising from the Festival performed by vendor including, but not limited to, any negligence, act or omission of vendor.

    Memorandum of Understanding

    I understand that the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, its Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and the City of Gilroy will not be responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged materials and/or merchandise. I have read and fully understand and agree to comply with the policies and procedures included in this application. My submission of this application constitutes full agreement. I understand that violation of the rules and procedures will result in my removal from the Festival without refund.

    By signing below, I confirm I have read and understand the Vendor Policies, Procedures & Requirements. If accepted, I agree to comply with the Policies, Procedures & Requirements and wish to submit an application as a vendor for the Gilroy Garlic Festival 2026.

    Reminder: Completed application with pictures and $20 non-refundable application fee must be submitted no later than April 30, 2026. $Payment options: Venmo @GilroyGarlicFestivalAssociatio, PayPal: https://paypal.me/gilroygarlicfestival or mailing a check payable to: Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, address: PO Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021.
    Please keep a copy of this application as reference for the dates, prices, policies and procedures.