Ahoy, Garlic Lovers! The 44th Northwest Garlic Festival Returns to Ocean Park

There are plenty of reasons to love fall on Washington’s Evergreen Coast.

Cooler days. Quiet beaches. Coastal road trips. And, every September, the unmistakable aroma of garlic drifting through Ocean Park.

The 44th Northwest Garlic Festival returns to Sheldon Park in Ocean Park on September 19–20, 2026, bringing two days of delicious food, unique vendors, entertainment, contests, and plenty of garlic to the north end of the Long Beach Peninsula.

And this year, you might want to bring your best pirate impression.

With the theme “Ahoy! The Bounty of Garlic,” the 2026 festival is adding a little swashbuckling fun to one of the Peninsula’s favorite fall traditions.

Whether you’re coming for the garlic, the shopping, the quirky contests, or simply an excuse for a September weekend at the beach, here’s what to know before you go.

Northwest Garlic Festival 2026

Saturday, September 19: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, September 20: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Sheldon Park, Ocean Park, Washington
Admission: FREE

The festival takes place right in the heart of Ocean Park and is free to attend, making it an easy addition to a fall getaway on Washington’s Evergreen Coast.

Come Hungry

Let’s get the obvious part out of the way.

This is a festival dedicated to garlic.

So yes, you’re going to want to arrive hungry.

Nearly 60 vendors are expected for the 2026 festival, giving you plenty to eat, sip, browse, and discover throughout the weekend.

And then there’s the festival treat everyone has to try at least once:

Garlic ice cream.

We know what you’re thinking.

But this is the Northwest Garlic Festival. If there’s ever a time and place to give garlic ice cream a chance, this is it.

Part of the fun of the weekend is discovering just how creative people can get with the humble bulb. After all, this isn’t a festival where garlic is simply an ingredient.

Garlic is the star of the show.

A Little Pirate Fun for 2026

The Garlic Festival is leaning into its playful side this year with a pirate-inspired theme and new activities throughout the weekend.

Festival organizers have announced several contests and activities, including a garlic eating contest, garlic shucking contest, garlic costume contest, and Guess the Garlic Bounty contest.

Some of the new activities are planned for Sunday afternoon, giving visitors another reason to make a full weekend of it.

So if you’ve ever wondered how quickly you could eat garlic—or whether your closet is missing a garlic-inspired pirate costume—this may finally be your moment.

Shop Local While You’re Here

Food may get top billing, but there’s much more to explore than what’s on your plate.

Take some time to wander the festival grounds and see what catches your eye. From handcrafted finds and unique treasures to tasty treats and unexpected discoveries, there’s plenty to browse between bites of garlic.

September also happens to be a great time to start thinking about holiday gifts. Instead of waiting until December, see what you can find from local and regional makers while you’re here.

It’s a chance to go home with something memorable while supporting the small businesses, artists, and makers that help make festivals like this so much fun.

Don’t Miss the Pom Pom Map

One of our favorite little Garlic Festival traditions doesn’t involve eating anything at all.

Stop by the entry tent and look for the Pom Pom Map.

Visitors find their home region on a large color-coded map and add the corresponding pom pom to show where they traveled from.

By the end of the festival, it becomes a colorful snapshot of just how far people have traveled for a weekend dedicated to garlic.

If you’re visiting from outside Pacific County, make sure you add yours!

More Than 40 Years of Garlic

The Northwest Garlic Festival has roots that stretch back more than four decades.

The celebration began in 1982 with chefs Jimella Lucas and Nanci Main, owners of the acclaimed Ark Restaurant in Nahcotta.

What began as a smaller celebration of great food and garlic eventually grew into the festival visitors know today. The Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce now produces the event, carrying on a tradition that has become part of September on the Washington’s Evergreen Coast.

There’s something we love about that story.

A celebration started by two local chefs more than 40 years ago is still bringing people together around food, community, and a shared appreciation for one particularly pungent ingredient.

Make It a North Peninsula Weekend

Here’s our recommendation: don’t come north just for the festival and immediately turn around.

September is a fantastic time to explore the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula.

After you’ve had your fill of garlic, spend some time wandering around Ocean Park, head toward Nahcotta and Willapa Bay, explore historic Oysterville, or make your way out to the Pacific.

Take a beach walk. Go beachcombing. Browse local shops. Grab dinner. Watch the sunset.

The communities at the north end of the Peninsula move at their own pace, and that’s part of what makes exploring them so enjoyable.

You could easily turn a few hours at the Garlic Festival into an entire fall weekend on Washington’s Evergreen Coast.

Know Before You Go

Admission to the Northwest Garlic Festival is free.

Street parking is available around Sheldon Park, with accessible parking available closer to the festival grounds. Visitors are asked to be considerate of neighboring homes and follow festival signage when parking.

Dogs are welcome, but they must remain leashed, and owners should make use of the bag stations available on the festival field.

The festival is also a smoke-free event.

For the latest schedule, announcements, and festival information, check with the Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce before your visit.

Come and Celebrate with Us

Some festivals celebrate music.

Some celebrate art.

Some celebrate the harvest.

Ocean Park dedicates an entire weekend to garlic.

And after more than four decades, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Come hungry, browse the booths, embrace the pirate theme, try something new, explore the north end of the Peninsula, and maybe even work up the courage to taste that garlic ice cream.

The 44th Northwest Garlic Festival takes place September 19–20, 2026, at Sheldon Park in Ocean Park, Washington.