Central Coast Festivals – 2024
The Central Coast region is one of our favorite places to travel – for many reasons, actually, but high on the list is enjoying California’s culinary delights courtesy of the land, the sea and the grapevines.
While there certainly doesn’t need to be a festival or restaurant week on the agenda to have a fun and tasty Central Coast vacation or weekend getaway, planning your visit around one can provide an efficient way to sample all the deliciousness here.
Whether you’re looking for something fun to do in Carmel this weekend or putting together a plan for a future trip to Santa Barbara and searching for food and wine events, the Central Coast festival list below can kick your itinerary up a notch. A large percentage of these events take place in the summer, when fruits and vegetables are at their peak, but of course there’s really no bad time to enjoy a wine (or beer!) festival.
This list is arranged by month, and you can easily determine what’s happening there during your visit. For each entry on the list, you’ll find the date(s) it’s scheduled to occur, the hosting city, plus a link to a website that provides additional details.
While the list still shows some 2023 festival dates, the 2024 dates are ***noted with a triple asterisk*** to avoid any confusion.
Many of these events are held annually and often scheduled to occur around the same time every year, so if a 2023 event looks interesting you may want to click through to see if the organizer’s website now provides the new date. Also, if you plan to attend an event, we strongly recommend that you make note of the website and recheck it closer to the actual date.
You may want to check out the Central Valley list, as well, for more Central California festivals. And, here are some jump links that you can use to quickly skip to a certain month’s events:
January ### February ### March ### April ###
May ### June *** July ### August ###
September ### October ### November ### December
January
Santa Maria Valley Restaurant Month
January 12 through February 11, 2024***
Eco-Farm Conference, Monterey
January 17-20, 2024***
Big Sur Foragers Festival
January 20 & 21, 2024***
Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks
January 21 through February 3, 2024***
Cambria Art & Wine Festival
January 26-28, 2024***
Los Alamos Mushroom Festival at Bedford Winery
January 27, 2024***
February
Garagiste Southern Exposure Festival, Solvang
February 9 & 10, 2024***
Chocolate Bar Alchemy at The Inn
at Mattei’s Tavern, Los Olivos
February 10, 2024***
Santa Barbara Greek Festival
February 16-18, 2024***
Rhone Rangers Experience, Paso Robles
February 18, 2024***
Lompoc Valley Restaurant Week
February 19-25, 2024***
Blendfest on the Coast, Cambria & San Simeon
February 22-25, 2024***
World of Pinot Noir at the
Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
February 29 through March 2, 2024***
March
At Her Table Women’s Culinary
Celebration Week, SLO County
March 1-10, 2024***
46 West Wine Safari Weekend, Paso Robles
March 9 & 10, 2024***
Burrata & Bubbles Culinary Workshop
at Folktale Winery, Carmel
March 14, 2024***
Santa Barbara Burger Week
March 14-20, 2024***
Pleasant Valley Wine Trail Zinfandel
Fest Weekend, San Miguel
March 15-17, 2024***
The Beer Garden Fundraiser,
Santa Barbara Botanical Garden
March 16, 2024*** – SOLD OUT!
805 Night Market, Santa Barbara
March 16 & 17, 2024***
Buellton Wine & Chili Festival
March 17, 2024***
Just 8 Supper Club hosted by Matt Kettmann
at Clean Slate Wine Bar, Solvang
March 21, 2024***
Central Coast Craft Beer Fest, Atascadero
March 23, 2024***
Cowboy for a Day, Buellton
March 23, 2024***
Fascinating Fungi Worshop at
Gainey Vineyard, Santa Ynez
March 23, 2024***
Easter High Tea at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
March 30, 2024***
April
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival
April 4-7, 2024***
Cuyama Buckhorn Wild Flour
Celebration, New Cuyama
April 5-7, 2024***
Backyard Brunch at Stow House, Goleta
April 6, 2024***
SLO Coast Wine Classic
April 6 & 7, 2024***
Rhone Rangers Tasting Event, Santa Barbara
April 9, 2024***
Folktale Supper Club:
Get Hooked Dinner, Carmel
April 10, 2024***
Just 8 Supper Club hosted by Matt Kettmann
at Clean Slate Wine Bar, Solvang
April 11, 2024***
Lagerville – Figueroa Mountain Brewery, Buellton
April 13, 2024***
Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance
Saunters & Sips, Santa Barbara
April 13, 2024***
Scar of the Sea + Lady of the Sunshine
Wine Release at Barbareño, Santa Barbara
April 14, 2024***
Natural Coast Wine Fest, Santa Barbara
April 20, 2024***
Paso Robles Taco Fest at
Estrella Warbirds Museum
April 20, 2024***
Taste of Pismo, Pismo Beach
April 20, 2024***
Wine School at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
“The World of Rosê and Orange Wines
April 21, 2024***
Rosé the S.L.O. Way at Hotel SLO
April 21, 2024***
Spring Brunch at Kiler Ridge Olive Farm, Paso Robles
April 21, 2024***
Journey through Sake at
Mattei’s Tavern, Los Olivos
April 25, 2024***
Hospice du Rhône, Paso Robles
April 25-27, 2024***
Santa Maria Strawberry Festival
April 26-28, 2024***
Santa Barbara Restaurant Week
April 26 through May 5, 2024***
High Tea at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
April 27, 2024***
Santa Rita Hills Saunters & Sips
April 27, 2024***
May
Santa Barbara Independent Wine Week
May 2-8, 2024***
Atascadero Tamale Festival
Weekend Fiesta Friday!
May 3, 2024***
Atascadero Tamale Festival
May 4, 2024***
Roar & Pour at the Santa Barbara Zoo
May 4, 2024***
Buellton Brew Fest
May 4, 2024***
Taste of the Paso Back Roads Wine Trail
at Rava Wines Estate, Paso Robles
May 4, 2024***
Pacific Grove Good Old Days
Street Festival & Fair
May 4 & 5, 2024***
Barbeque Bootcamp at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
May 5-7, 2024***
Just 8 Supper Club hosted by Matt Kettmann
at Clean Slate Wine Bar, Solvang
May 9, 2024***
Santa Maria Barbecue Festival
May 11, 2024***
Paso Robles Olive Festival & Central Coast Lavender Festival
May 11, 2024***
Mother’s Day High Tea at Cuyama Buckhorn, New Cuyama
May 12, 2024***
Cookie Adventure at the
Charles Paddock Zoo, Atascadero
May 12, 2024***
Taste of Santa Barbara
May 13-19, 2024***
Paso Wine Fest
May 16-19, 2024***
Santa Lucia Highlands Sun Wind & Wine Festival
at Mer Soleil Vineyards, Salinas
May 18, 2024*** – Tickets on sale February 1!
Wine School at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
Taste Like a Wine Critic
with Sommelier Sam Schmitt
May 19, 2024***
Outstanding in the Field at Las Cumbres Ranch, Los Alamos
May 25, 2024***
High Tea at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
May 25, 2024***
Outstanding in the Field at Parr Collective at Stolo Vineyards, Cambria
May 26, 2024***
Carmel Culinary Week
May 31 through June 8, 2024***
June
Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest
Paso Robles Event Center – Frontier Pavilion
June 1, 2024*** – SOLD OUT
Santa Barbara Zoo Brew
June 1, 2024***
805 Night Market, Santa Barbara
June 1 & 2, 2024***
San Luis Obispo Greek Festival
June 1 & 2, 2024***
Pinot & Paella Festival, Templeton
June 2, 2024***
Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival
June 8, 2024***
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
June 8, 2024***
Artichoke Festival, Monterey
June 8 & 9, 2024***
Wine School at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
The World of Sauvignon Blanc
with Sommelier Sam Schmitt
June 9, 2024***
Juneteenth Santa Barbara, Funk Zone
June 15, 2024***
Monterey Wine Festival
June 15 & 16, 2024***
SLO Open Farm Days at
Farms throughout SLO County
June 21-23, 2024***
High Tea at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
June 22, 2024***
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
June 22, 2024***
Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival
June 22, 2024***
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival
June 29, 2024***
Santa Barbara Lavender Festival
June 29, 2024***
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport
June 1 through August 31, 2023
Santa Barbara French Festival
CANCELLED for 2023
July
Santa Barbara County Fair
July 10-14, 2024***
Ice Cream Zoofari
Charles Paddock Zoo, Atascadero
July 13, 2024***
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
July 13, 2024***
California Mid-State Fair
Paso Robles Event Center
July 17-28, 2024***
Lobsterfest, Chamisal Vineyards, San Luis Obispo
July 19 & 20, 2024***
California Wine Festival, Santa Barbara
July 19 & 20, 2024***
Cajun Shrimp Boil at
Clean Slate Wine Bar, Solvang
July 20, 2024***
Central Coast Renaissance Festival, San Luis Obispo
July 20 & 21, 2024***
Santa Lucia Highlands
Somm Tour, Monterey County
July 22-25, 2024***
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
July 27, 2024***
Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days Fiesta
July 31 through August 4, 2024***
August
Paso Robles Distillery Trail Weekend
August 9-11, 2024***
Paso Robles Winemaker’s Cookoff
August 10, 2024***
Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Fest, Carpinteria
August 10, 2024***
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
August 10, 2024***
Wine and Fire, Sta. Rita Hills AVA
August 15-18, 2024***
Atascadero Cruisin’ Weekend
August 16 & 17, 2024***
Under the Estrella Sky Winemakers’
Dinner at Hartley Farms, San Miguel
August 17, 2024*** – Early bird tickets available until May 31!
California Ranch Cookout at Alisal
Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
August 24, 2024***
Avila Beach Macaroni & Cheese Festival
August 24, 2024***
Central Coast Cider Festival, Atascadero
August 24, 2024***
Santa Barbara County Farm Day
August 24, 2024***
California Turkish Arts & Culture Festival, Monterey
August 24 & 25, 2024***
Sand City West End Celebration
August 24 & 25, 2024***
Monterey County Fair
August 29 through September 2, 2024***
September
Barbeque University with Steven Raichlen
at Alisal Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley
September 3-6, 2024***
Festa Italia Fisherman’s Festival,
Monterey State Historic Park
September 6-8, 2024***
Santa Barbara Burrito Week
September 19-25, 2024*** – UNCONFIRMED
Solvang Danish Days
September 20-22, 2024***
Taste of Downtown Paso Robles
September 21, 2024***
Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley
September 26-29, 2024***
Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival
September 27 & 28, 2024***
Los Alamos Old Days
September 27-29, 2024***
Goleta Lemon Festival
September 28 & 29, 2024***
October
San Luis Obispo Oktoberfest
October 5, 2024***
Outstanding in the Field at White Buffalo Land Trust, Lompoc
October 20, 2024***
Outstanding in the Field at Big Sur Secret Location
October 23, 2024***
Paso Robles Harvest Wine Month
October 1-31, 2023
Cambria Scarecrow Festival
October 1-31, 2023
Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest
October 1-31, 2023
Ethopian Dinner by Helen Abraha at
Thomas Hill Organics, Paso Robles
October 3, 2023
Fall Wine Release & Argentine Asado
at La Lomita Ranch, San Luis Obispo
October 5, 2023
Taste of Carmel
October 5, 2023
California Avocado Festival, Carpinteria
October 6-8, 2023
Sabor Del Valle Solvang Latino
Food & Wine Festival, Solvang
October 7, 2023 – SOLD OUT
British High Tea at Arrowsmith’s, Solvang
October 7, 2023
Thacher Winery Barn Dinner at
The Kentucky Ranch, Paso Robles
October 7, 2023**
Pacific Grove Butterfly Weekend
October 7 & 8, 2023
Carpinteria Avocado Festival
October 7 & 8, 2023
Vineyard Beekeeping Retreat
at Cass Winery, Paso Robles
October 11 & 12, 2023
Chuck Wagon BBQ Weekend at
Cuyama Buckhorn, New Cuyama
October 13-15, 2023
Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival
October 13-15, 2023
Carmel “Meet the Makers”
Art & Wine Walk
October 14, 2023
Butterfly Ball at the
Octagon Barn, San Luis Obispo
October 14, 2023
Santa Barbara Vintners Fall Festival, Buellton
October 14, 2023
Kalyra Winery Grape Stomp, Santa Ynez
October 14, 2023
Santa Barbara Chowder Fest, Goleta
October 15, 2023
Santa Maria Empty Bowls Fundraiser
October 18, 2023
Santa Barbara Independent Best Fest
October 19, 2023
Pismo Beach Clam Festival
October 20-22, 2023
Los Olivos Day in the Country
October 21, 2023
The Golden Oak Honey & Pumpkin Festival, Paso Robles
October 21, 2023
Tequila & Cuisine
Farewell Tour, Monterey
October 21, 2023
Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival
October 21, 2023
All Hallow’s Eve Blending Party at
PasoPort Winery, Templeton
October 28, 2023
Los Osos / Baywood Park
Oktoberfest & Car Show
October 29, 2023
November
Santa Barbara Wine Auction
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
November 8 & 9, 2024***
Olive Harvest Retreat
at Cass Winery, Paso Robles
November 1-3, 2023
Big Sur Food and Wine Festival
November 2-4, 2023
Harvest on the Coast at Center
of Effort Winery, Arroyo Grande
November 3-5, 2023
Arroyo Grande Beer & Wine Festival
November 4, 2023
Wine Harvest on the Coast, Avila Beach
November 4, 2023
Olive Harvest Retreat
at Cass Winery, Paso Robles
November 8-10, 2023
Buellton Fall Festival
November 10-12, 2023
Autumn Soirée: The SLO Way
at Hotel SLO, San Luis Obispo
November 11, 2023
Elegant Holiday Evening Downtown, Paso Robles
November 11, 2023
The Art of Olive Oil
at Cass Wines, Paso Robles
November 12, 2023
Atascadero Fall Festival
November 17-19, 2023
Brazilian Day, Santa Barbara
November 19, 2023
Solvang Julefest
November 24, 2023 through January 5, 2024
December
Los Alamos WinterFest Weekend
December 1-3, 2023
Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Fundraiser, Goleta
December 3, 2023
Cab Franc Day, Paso Robles
December 3, 2023
Atascadero Winter Wonderland
December 8, 2023
Annual Tamale-Making Class
Santa Barbara – SOLD OUT
December 12, 2023
Victorian Teddy Bear Tea, Paso Robles
December 16, 2023
If you know of any other Central Coast events we should add to this list, would you please use our Contact form to let us know? (Thanks in advance!)
Photo of Santa Barbara Wine Festival by Roberta DePoppe via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Strawberry Bush at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden by Devra via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Wine and Waves Festival by Randy Aquilizon via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Santa Barbara French Festival by DieselDemon via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Chef David Meyers (of LA’s Comme Ça) at Pebble Beach Food & Wine by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Tillamook VW Van at Sunset Magazine Savor the Coast Festival by Joe Bierman via flickr (Creative Commons); and Photo of Dinner at the Cracked Crab in Pismo Beach by emdot via flickr (Creative Commons).
