The California Avocado Festival will be back in downtown Carpinteria, Oct. 2-4, celebrating its 40th anniversary with more than 60 bands, four stages, local food and drinks, family activities, nonprofit fundraisers, agricultural exhibits, contests, and lots of creative ways to salute the California avocado.

And, thanks to local partners and sponsors, it’s completely free.

Founded in 1986 as a way to bring visitors and business to downtown Carpinteria, the festival has grown into a three-day community celebration.

Today, the California Avocado Festival is operated independently as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission focused on supporting the Carpinteria community, local nonprofits, businesses, musicians, and the city’s agricultural heritage.

“For the Carpinteria community, the California Avocado Festival is much more than a weekend celebration,” organizers said. “It is the largest community fundraising event in town, with local nonprofits estimated to raise approximately $100,000 collectively throughout the weekend.”

“The festival itself also gives back. Each year, the organization provides grants to local nonprofits, with more than $20,000 annually going to organizations including the Carpinteria Education Foundation, FFA, Howard School, Surf Club and other local community groups.”

What’s on at the festival

Musical highlights include Doublewide Kings, Cornerstone, False Puppet, Spencer the Gardner, Heads All Happy Hours and Flannel 101, along with dozens of local and regional performers.

Families can also head to the Youth Stage, presented by the Santa Barbara Bowl, featuring young performers throughout the weekend.

The 40th anniversary celebration officially begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday with opening ceremonies featuring this year’s honorary chairs, Cecilio and Mary Marquez of Rancho Cecila.

The Marquezes will officially open the 2026 California Avocado Festival with one of the festival’s most beloved traditions: balancing an avocado on the nose of the seal at the Seal Fountain.

There will be a Strong Arm Contest at noon Saturday at the Seal Stage. John Palmentari will host the crowd-favorite competition, where participants test their avocado-holding endurance by attempting to hold a bag of avocados for as long as possible.

This year, there are two divisions:
Adults — Ages 14 and over – 10 lb. bags
Youth — Ages 13 and under – 5 lbs. bags

An Avo-Themed Costume Contest is set for 1:20 p.m. Saturday at the Youth Stage. Visitors are invited to come dressed in their best avocado-inspired look.off their creativity and compete in three categories: Most Unique Costume, Most Avocado Inspired, Best Family or Group Costume

The popular Guacamole Contest will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Grotto Tent where local competitors can battle it out for guacamole glory. The contest will be hosted by Catherine Remak of K-LITE 101.7 and Olivia Sorgman, festival director.

Contestants will mix, mash and create their signature recipes, and find out who takes home the title of the festival’s best guacamole. Register online; space is limited.

Future Farmers of America (FFA) will hold its auction at noon Sunday at the Grotto Tent. Visitors to the FFA Auction can bid on avocado-themed items while supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Auction items include avocado trees from Brokaw Nursery, the festival’s largest avocados, AvoFest merchandise gift bags featuring avocados, Brander wine and festival merchandise, and an AvoFest Gift Basket featuring local and festival favorites.

And, don’t forget, avocado ice cream. One of the festival’s most unexpected offerings is Rori’s Avocado Ice Cream.

Attendees looking to support local nonprofits while they eat can stop by Carpinteria High School Cheerleaders for guacamole, the Lions Club for tri-tip sandwiches, Carpinteria Surf Club for root beer floats, and Rotary Club for snow cones.

Other food highlights include deep-fried avocado; avocado sushi burritos; and Dave’s Dogs’ SB Dog topped with avocado.

The Story Behind Carpinteria’s Avocados

The Bliss Family Expo Tent will take visitors beyond the guacamole and into the history of the crop that helped shape Carpinteria.

Sponsored by the Bliss Family, the Expo Tent celebrates the culture, history and heritage of avocado growing in Carpinteria, with agricultural education, grafting demonstrations and opportunities to learn more about the farmers, families and traditions that have shaped the community.

For the Kids

Kids can burn off some energy at the festival with free games and a Parkour Experience presented by SB Trapeze. Youngsters can climb, jump, balance and test their skills in an active environment.

Festival Shuttle

Free parking is available at Carpinteria High School, with a $5 round-trip shuttle to and from the festival. Saturday: noon–10:15 p.m.; Sunday: noon–6:15 p.m.

Festival sponsors who make the event possible are: City of Carpinteria; The Bliss Family; Endwell Hospitality; Kona Big Wave; California Avocado Commission; Ann Jackson Family Foundation; EJ Harrison; Mission Avocados; Santa Barbara Bowl; U.S. Bank.

Also, Rori’s Ice Cream; CarpEvents, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions, Brander Vineyards, MarBorg Industries, Montecito Bank & Trust, Shade Farm Management, APG Inc., Rincon Farms Produce, Chrisman Island Center, Lindmar Building, Roger Perry Insurance.

CalPrivate Bank, West Pak Avocados, Bailard Citrus Co., Del Rey Avocados, Maximum Nursery, Santa Barbara Exotics, Inc., Serigraph Resortwear, Inc., Carpinteria Masons, Carpinteria Lions Club, Brokaw Nursery, E-Rentals & Tents, Suncoast Rentals, Wiggy Ranch, STP Printing, Smart & Final, Roll N Rock 805, and SB Trapeze.

Visitors can make additional donations during the festival or through the festival website.

“While admission is free, the festival has a significant impact on the community,” organizers said. “Every time visitors purchase a meal from a nonprofit, shop with a local vendor, make a donation or spend the weekend enjoying Carpinteria, they are helping support the local community.