Strawberry Festival Garden Grove in California – Free strawberry shortcakes, rides and music!

If you’re looking to delight in some of the freshest and sweetest strawberries around, a visit to Garden Grove is a must! From tasting contests to all you can pick events, these festivals are sure to provide a memorable experience for all. With live music, games, vendors, and more, the Strawberry Festivals of Garden Grove are the perfect way to celebrate the season. Whether you’re looking for a fun day out with the family, or a delicious way to get your hands on some of the best berries around, these festivals have something for everyone. So don’t miss out on the chance to take part in one of the most popular Strawberry Festivals in Garden Grove, California!

Festival Summary

Th Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is held every Memorial Day weekend in Garden Grove, California. It is a four-day celebration that includes parades, rides, entertainment, contests, and more. This year, the 63rd anniversary of the festival will take place from May 26-29, 2023 at the Village Green between Euclid and Main Streets in downtown Garden Grove. Admission to the festival is free and no tickets are required.

The festival features delicious strawberry themed food such as strawberry shortcake, strawberry funnel cakes, and strawberry crepes. There are also plenty of rides to enjoy for all ages, from Kiddie rides to Spectacular rides. Additionally, there are contests such as the Tiny Tots King & Queen Contest, Design-A-Float Contest, Berry, Berry, Beautiful Baby Contest, and Redhead Round Up.

The festival also features live music performances and entertainment on the Showmobile, and in the Garden Amphitheater. Celebrities can be seen at the parade, and later autograph programs at the Autograph Booth. And don’t miss the VIP Breakfast at the Garden Grove Community Center, or the Welcome & Strawberry Cake Cutting Ceremony! So come down to the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival and experience a unique and fun-filled event!

History of this event

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is organized by the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce and the City of Garden Grove. The festival celebrates the agricultural history of the region with a four-day celebration of family fun and entertainment. Every year, the festival includes a parade, live music, carnival rides and attractions, contests, and plenty more. This year, the Strawberry Festival will be held from May 26th to 29th at the Village Green in downtown Garden Grove.

Admission to the festival is free but tickets are needed for rides. Visitors can enjoy dozens of carnival rides for a single all-day wristband, or purchase individual tickets. Throughout the festival, visitors can also take part in contests like the Tiny Tots King & Queen Contest and the Redhead Round Up. The festival also features performances by local entertainers, live music and dance performances, and ample opportunities to sample the area’s delicious strawberry-inspired cuisine. With so much to do, the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is sure to be a highlight of the summer!

Discovering the Basics: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

The festival will take place over four days from May 26th-29th, 2023 at the Village Green between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, CA.

The festival is free to the public, however tickets may be required for certain activities, such as ride wristbands, that cost $35 on Fridays and $40 on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The festival opens at 1:00 pm on Fridays and at 11:00 am on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

The festival features a variety of activities for all ages, including a parade, rides, live entertainment, contests, and food. The parade kicks off at 10:00 am on Saturday morning. A VIP breakfast will be held at 8:00 am at the Garden Grove Community Center, where celebrities, dignitaries, and Miss Garden Grove and Miss Outstanding Teen and their courts will be introduced. The breakfast is open to the public and costs $10.50 per person. After the parade, celebrities will sign autographs at the Autograph Booth adjacent to the Courtyard Center.

The festival also features a variety of contests, including the Tiny Tots King and Queen Contest, Design-a-Float Contest, Berry Berry Beautiful Baby Contest, and Redhead Roundup. Each contest requires sign-up prior to attending, either online or at the festival. In addition, there are plenty of rides and games, live entertainment at the Showmobile and Ampitheater, and lots of food and vendors. Please note that sorry, no animals are allowed on the Festival grounds.

Best Time to Visit

When planning to visit the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, parking close to the venue is available. However, carpooling is recommended since the parking lots fill up quickly. Pre-sale tickets are available and can offer discounts at the ticket booths. The Festival is usually busiest during the weekend, so the best time to visit is during the weekdays to avoid the crowds. On Friday, ride tickets are available for a discounted price at $35 instead of $40 on the weekend. 

Where to bring strawberry back home

To bring fruit home from the Strawberry Festival, visitors are encouraged to purchase strawberry products from local vendors. A variety of strawberry-flavored treats can be found, including pies, jams, syrups, and ice cream. Visitors should also look out for fresh strawberries, which are sometimes available to purchase directly from the growers. If a visitor does purchase fresh strawberries, it is important to keep them cool and out of direct sunlight. The best way to bring fresh strawberries home is to place them in an insulated cooler bag and add some ice packs to keep them cool. Whatever one chooses to take home from the Festival, enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries all year long!

Performance and activity

The Strawberry Parade is a highlight of the festival, with marching bands, floats, equestrians, and cartoon characters all taking part in the procession. The parade is also a chance to see local celebrities, dignitaries, and Miss Garden Grove and her court. After the parade, a VIP breakfast is held at the Garden Grove Community Center, where Miss Garden Grove and her court are introduced.

For more entertainment, the Showmobile is parked in the center of the festival and will be hosting music performances throughout the weekend. The Amphitheater is also the site of many events, including a Tiny Tots King & Queen Contest and a Design-A-Float Contest. There are also several other contests, including a Berry, Berry, Beautiful Baby Contest and a Redhead Round Up.

On top of that, free strawberry shortcake is served to all who attend the Welcome & Strawberry Cake Cutting Ceremony, how exciting it is!

Of course, no festival would be complete without rides! Visitors can choose from Major Rides, Spectacular Rides, and Kiddie & Family Rides, and there are special one-price ride-all-day wristbands available for each day of the festival. New this year, the festival will offer a cashless midway and a Fast Pass option at the carnival ticket kiosks.

For a weekend of delicious food and family-friendly fun, make sure to mark your calendars for the 63rd annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival in May 2023!

A Few Things you should know before you go!

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival usually happens in late May, this year it will be on May 26-29, 2023. It is held at the Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, CA. Entrance is free, but passengers have to pay for the rides.

All forms of payment are accepted for the rides, including cash, credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Paypal.

Special one-price ride-all-day wristbands are offered for all festival days at $35 per wristband on Friday and $40 each on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For more information, please visit the official event website.