Garlic City Car Show & Harvest Festival

Cars, Community and the Best of Fall — All in One Afternoon

Saturday, September 19, 2026 · 2:30–6:30 p.m.
Hecker Pass Outdoor Event Center at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park · 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce presents the 26th Annual Garlic City Car Show & Harvest Festival — a full afternoon of classic and custom cars, a family harvest celebration, local food, beer and wine, and live music, all in an expanded new home at Gilroy Gardens. Get your tickets, register your vehicle, or join as a vendor or sponsor below.

Get Tickets Register Your Vehicle Become a Vendor Sponsor the Event

What to Expect

This is the South Valley's signature fall celebration, built for car lovers and families alike. Here is what is waiting for you at Hecker Pass:

250 standout vehicles. Classic, custom, muscle, hot rods, trucks, imports and motorcycles, including a premium VIP Showcase Row.
A family harvest celebration. The first 300 families through the gate receive a ticket for a complimentary pumpkin, plus pumpkin activities, a slot car racing track, a petting zoo and a festival raffle.
Local food, beer and wine. A relaxed, open-air setting with favorite local food vendors and a place to gather.
DJ all afternoon. A soundtrack to keep the energy going from open to close.
Awards worth showing up for. Best in Show, People's Choice and Best Custom/Modified, with the Best in Show winner featured on next year's official event T-shirt.
An easy yes for the whole family. Adult admission is just $10, children under 18 are free, and parking is free for everyone.

Get Your Tickets

Admission is on sale now. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of cars, harvest fun, food and music.

Adult admission — $10 (purchased on gilroy.org)
Children under 18 — free
Parking — free for all guests

Holders of a valid Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park Premium Pass do not need a separate purchased ticket.

Get Tickets

Date & time:
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2:30–6:30 p.m.

Location:
Hecker Pass Outdoor Event Center at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy

Parking:
Free for all guests

Register Your Vehicle

The field is limited to 225 vehicles plus 25 VIP Showcase Row placements and is expected to sell out. Reserve your spot before it is gone.

Whether you have restored it, customized it, or preserved it for years, this is your chance to put your vehicle in front of an engaged, appreciative crowd. Vehicle registration is open now on Eventbrite, and each registration includes admission for the driver and one guest.

        Classic Car Entry — $39.99
        Entry into the show with one registered vehicle
Includes the official event T-shirt
A place in the curated car show lineup, eligible for judging and awards
Limited to 225 vehicles — and filling fast

      

VIP Showcase Row — $70 SOLD OUT

Premium, assigned placement in the highest-visibility area of the show
Ideal for standout builds, restorations and featured vehicles, eligible for judging and awards
Only 25 VIP Showcase Row spaces — SOLD OUT Contact mbracco@gilroy.org to be placed on a wait list.

        Motorcycle Entry — $25
        Designated motorcycle display area and a place in the curated layout, eligible for judging and awards

Judging & Awards

Every registered vehicle is eligible for judging and awards. Categories and details will be announced ahead of the event, with recognition for standout vehicles across a range of styles and classes.

Best in Show
People's Choice — voted on by more than 140 guests
Best Custom/Modified Car

Become a Vendor

Put your business in front of thousands of local families in one high-energy afternoon. Vendor space is moving quickly — our premium member tables and food and beverage spots are already sold out, with a limited number of tables still open.

Premium Member Table — $150 Sold Out

Food & Beverage, Chamber members — $150–$175 Sold Out

6-Foot Table, Chamber member — $100 Open

6-Foot Table, non-member — $200 Open

Non-Profit — $50 Open

Become a Vendor

Sponsor the Event

Sponsorship puts your brand at the heart of the community's favorite fall event. Join sponsors like Acme Roofing Services and Floor & Decor, with featured areas available now, including the pumpkin patch, kids zone, harvest displays, family activities and the Car Showcase Lane, along with award sponsorships and Business Expo Pavilion booths.

For early access, sponsorship questions, or more information, email cristina@gilroy.org.

Sponsor the Event

Important Reminders

This is not the Show & Shine. This is the official 26th Annual Garlic City Car Show & Harvest Festival.
Vehicle registration includes admission for the driver and one guest only; additional family members or guests must purchase separate admission tickets.
Car placement inside the Hecker Pass Outdoor Event Center is not guaranteed, except for VIP Showcase Row, which includes assigned placement.
All attendees must have a purchased ticket unless they hold a valid Premium Pass from Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park.
Space is limited and expected to sell out. Event logistics, including load-in times and vehicle placement, will be shared in advance, and all vehicles are subject to event guidelines and approval.

Plan Your Visit

Date & time: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2:30–6:30 p.m.

Location: Hecker Pass Outdoor Event Center at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy

Parking: Free for all guests

Car show registration questions: Marci Bracco, (831) 747-7455

Sponsorship: cristina@gilroy.org

About the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce works to make Gilroy the best place to live, work and play by connecting people, supporting local businesses, encouraging community engagement and helping build a strong local economy. Through events, partnerships, advocacy and business support, the Chamber champions Gilroy's economic vitality while celebrating the people, organizations and traditions that make the community unique.

Thank You to our 2026 Sponsors

What is the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce?

We aim to make Gilroy the best place to live, work, and play by:

Connecting people, businesses, and customers.
Making Gilroy a world-class recreation destination.
Helping businesses achieve economic success through technology.
Being kick-a** problem solvers.
Representing the business community’s interests at all levels of government.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce is credited with creating cutting-edge initiatives that help the community of Gilroy thrive. We have been the go-to organization for the initial structure and support of key agencies including:

Our focus is on building strong alliances to keep Gilroy one step ahead.

Business is the key driver to building community, and the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to ensuring Gilroy’s economic vitality encouraging, supporting and promoting policies that create a business-friendly environment.

BECOME A MEMBER