Get ready for the premier fall event on the coast. Our 2026 playbook covers the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival schedule, parking tips and tasting ticket details.
Living in or traveling to La Jolla in the fall means taking advantage of immaculate weather, fewer crowds and a premier community event: the 18th annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. Returning in 2026 for its usual Girard Avenue takeover, the festival draws folks from all over the country, also serving as a favored hotspot for La Jolla residents.
The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival isn’t just a good time, it’s a good cause – all proceeds from the festival support underfunded programs at La Jolla public schools. In its first 17 years, the event has donated more than $1.7 million to the five schools.
Read on to see what to expect for the 2026 iteration and how to factor the festival into your La Jolla vacation plans.
The 2026 event overview: Dates and location
The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival will be held from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday, Oct 10 and 11.Â
The festival will spread along Girard Avenue in The Village from Torrey Pines Road north to Prospect Street, fanning out along Silverado and Wall streets. The center portion of Girard contains the ticketed Wine & Beer Garden.
Navigating the Girard Avenue closure
From the afternoon of Friday, Oct 9 through Monday morning, Oct 12, Girard Avenue will be closed from Torrey Pines Road to Prospect Street for setup, festival and clean up. Signs will be posted 72 hours in advance. Portions of Silverado and Wall streets from Herschel Avenue west to Fay Avenue will also be closed.
Pay attention to signage to avoid being towed on Oct 9, and plan ahead for weekend traffic and delays.
The Wine & Beer Garden experience
A fenced-off oasis in the middle of the expansive La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, the 2026 Wine & Beer Garden will be open from noon to 6 pm, promising culinary delights, regional and international wines, local San Diego craft beers and handcrafted spirits, along with shaded seating and live music performances that keep the celebration going.
Tasting ticket tips
The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is free but for the Wine & Beer Garden, you’ll need two things: to be 21 and up (ID required) and a ticket.Â
Admission starts at $69.38 for five tasting tickets, with upgraded levels and more tickets available.
Curated artists and regional talent
La Jolla is already home to a robust art scene, with renowned galleries and thoughtful public art around every corner. So it’s no surprise the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival attracts more artists that it can accept every year.
The 2026 festival will showcase more than 170 artists from across the US and Mexico, including local favorites and regional debuts.
These creatives will display their work in various mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry design, ceramics, woodwork and photography, making the Art & Wine Festival a solid La Jolla shopping destination that many locals plan ahead for.
Beyond the booths
Beyond the art appreciation, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival’s 2026 edition will include several activations that keep this weekend at the top of beloved La Jolla annual events.
The festival includes live entertainment from local musicians and bands, pet adoption opportunities with multiple rescue organizations and a large silent auction benefiting local public schools.
Wall Street will also again contain the Gepetto’s Toys Family Art Center, with crafts, dance, robotics and other activities that make the festival a top attraction for those wanting family-friendly entertainment in La Jolla.
Food choices, classic cars and other festival attractions abound throughout the event’s massive footprint.
Logistics: Parking and post-festival dining
Find your spot
Heed the local insider secret and don’t attempt parking in The Village near the festival Oct 10 and 11. Park a few blocks away and plan to walk, or rely on rideshare companies to drop you off on Eads Avenue and Silverado Street.
Read more Art & Wine festival parking information in our La Jolla parking tips guide.
If you’re visiting La Jolla from out of town and want to visit the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival without a car, choose from one of the below hotels, all of which are included in our La Jolla luxury hotels overview:
- Grande Colonial Hotel: A historic La Jolla hotel right at the northern end of the festival, steps from The Children’s Pool.Â
- La Valencia Hotel: An iconic spot on Prospect situated perfectly between the festival and La Jolla Cove
- Empress Hotel: Centrally located among La Jolla attractions and less than a block from the festival’s west end.
Dining in The Village
Before the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival opens at 10 am, grab a coffee from one of La Jolla’s best coffee shops or secure a table at a hotspot breakfast eatery to fuel up before browsing the talent.Â
After the festival closes at 6 pm, beautiful La Jolla restaurants abound, and with October weather still warm enough for a rooftop dinner or cocktail, you can close out your day with a sunset view as inspiring as the art.
One local tip: The Village will be busy; make your dinner reservations now to ensure a prime spot.
Festival FAQ
- What are the dates for the festival?
- The 2026 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival will be held Oct 10 and 11.
- Do I have to buy tickets for the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival?
- The festival is free to attend! The Wine & Beer Garden, however, requires ticket purchase.
- Where do I park for the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival?
- Free parking is available on surrounding streets but will be hard to find; paid lots and garages are also available.
- Are dogs allowed at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival?
- Yes! The Art & Wine Festival is very dog-friendly.
- What streets are closed during the festival?
- Girard Avenue from Torrey Pines Road to Prospect Street, Wall Street from Herschel to Girard avenues and Silverado Street from Herschel to Fay avenues will be closed.
The 2026 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is shaping up to be one for the books, a perfect part of your La Jolla itinerary. Whether you’re visiting La Jolla for an October weekend or longer, make sure this event makes it into your vacation lineup!
Looking for more La Jolla events? Head to our Events page for the best goings-on.
