2026 Lodi Grape Festival Visitor Guide
Updated August 2026
Each September, the Lodi Grape Festival gathers the community around the grape harvest, local agriculture and nearly 90 years of Lodi tradition. From September 17 through 20, the 2026 festival will fill the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds with concerts, carnival attractions, food, wine tasting, exhibits and family entertainment.
Four Days of Harvest Celebration in America’s Favorite Small Town
The 2026 festival comes at a particularly memorable moment for Lodi. Parade and Steller recently named Lodi America’s Favorite Small Town 2026. The Grape Festival gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy the hometown pride, agricultural heritage and welcoming character associated with that national title.
The information below covers the essential details for planning a 2026 visit.
2026 Festival Essentials
- Dates: Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Location: Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford Street, Lodi
- Regular admission: $15 for adults, $10 for youth and free for children ages 5 and under
- Advance admission: $8 per person, plus applicable online fees
- Parking: $12 in official festival lots; credit or debit card only
- What to expect: Concerts, carnival rides, food, wine tasting, exhibits, vendors and family entertainment
Complete event details, ticket information and current policies are available through the Visit Lodi event listing and the official Lodi Grape Festival website.
New for 2026: “Out of This World”
“Out of This World” is the 2026 Lodi Grape Festival theme, and corn is the year’s featured agricultural commodity. As one of San Joaquin County’s most versatile crops, corn is used for fresh food, livestock feed, flour, starch and fuel. Exhibits, displays and competitions will incorporate the theme and featured crop while highlighting regional agricultural heritage and creativity.
Competitive exhibits for 2026 add expanded baking categories, new table-setting themes, distinct amateur and professional fine arts divisions, revised quilt and afghan specifications and a junior division for interlocking building toys.
Main Stage Performances
The Main Stage offers a different musical experience each evening:
- Thursday, September 17: A Flock of Seagulls
- Friday, September 18: Dream Like Taylor, a Taylor Swift tribute
- Saturday, September 19: Rodney Atkins
- Sunday, September 20: Grupo Bryndis with co-headliners Ezequiel Peña Jr. and Banda Vallarta Show
Local performers, cultural groups, circus acts, magic shows and family entertainment will also appear around the festival grounds.
Schedules may change, so review the official 2026 entertainment schedule before arriving.
Familiar Festival Attractions
The Lodi Grape Festival brings together the atmosphere of a hometown fair with Lodi’s food, wine and agricultural traditions.
Visitors can find:
- Main Stage concerts and local entertainment
- Carnival rides and midway games
- Food and commercial vendors
- Grape and commodity murals
- Competitive exhibits
- Lodi wine tasting
- Petting zoo and reptile exhibits
- Tractor Town
- Art, photography, quilts and floriculture
- Family activities and strolling entertainment
Carnival Rides and Midway Games
Unlimited-ride wristbands can be purchased in advance or onsite:
- Advance unlimited-ride wristband: $30, valid for any one festival day
- Thursday onsite wristband: $25, available Thursday only at carnival ticket booths
- Friday through Sunday onsite wristband: $38
- Individual ride tickets: $1 per ticket
Most rides use four to seven tickets, while games generally require five to 10 tickets. Onsite carnival tickets and wristbands may include a convenience fee.
Advance wristbands are sold online, at the Lodi Grape Festival office and at participating Food 4 Less and Rancho San Miguel locations through September 16, 2026, or while supplies last.
Choosing the Best Festival Day
Every day combines its own admission offer with a distinct entertainment lineup.
Thursday: Family Value Day
Visitors age 16 and under receive free admission throughout Thursday. Onsite unlimited carnival ride wristbands cost $25, making Thursday a strong value for families and carnival fans.
A Flock of Seagulls leads the Thursday evening Main Stage program.
Friday: Free Admission Before 5
Free ’til 5 Day provides free admission for everyone from noon to 5 p.m. Arrive early to see the exhibits and enjoy the carnival before Dream Like Taylor performs on the Main Stage.
Saturday: Country Music and Community Giving
From noon to 2 p.m., guests who bring two cans of food can enter for $2. Lodi Building Blocks receives the Saturday food donations.
Rodney Atkins headlines the Main Stage on Saturday evening.
Sunday: Latin Music and the Festival Finale
Sunday’s $2 admission offer runs from noon to 2 p.m. for visitors who bring two cans of food. The Sunday donations benefit the Lodi Salvation Army.
Grupo Bryndis, Ezequiel Peña Jr. and Banda Vallarta Show bring the festival to a close.
Hours and Admission
Festival Schedule
- Thursday, September 17: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday, September 18: Noon to midnight
- Saturday, September 19: Noon to midnight
- Sunday, September 20: Noon to 11 p.m.
Regular Admission Prices
- Adults, ages 13 and older: $15
- Youth, ages 6 to 12: $10
- Children ages 5 and under: Free
Advance Tickets
Advance admission costs $8 per person, plus applicable online fees.
Online sales begin July 1, 2026. In-person advance tickets are scheduled to be available beginning August 1 at the Lodi Grape Festival office and participating Food 4 Less and Rancho San Miguel locations in Lodi and Stockton.
The advance price remains available through September 16, 2026, or while supplies last.
Daily Admission Offers
- Thursday: Free admission all day for everyone age 16 and under
- Friday: Free admission for everyone from noon to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: Two cans of food provide $2 admission from noon to 2 p.m.
- Sunday: Two cans of food provide $2 admission from noon to 2 p.m.
Check the official Lodi Grape Festival website for ticket purchases and current pricing.
Arriving at the Festival
The festival address is:
Lodi Grape Festival Grounds
413 E. Lockeford Street
Lodi, CA 95240
The grounds are convenient to Highway 99 and Interstate 5. Amtrak stops at the Downtown Lodi Transit Station, and local transit and rideshare services provide options for continuing to the festival. Confirm current train and transit schedules before setting out.
Parking Information
Official Lodi Grape Festival parking lots charge $12. Payment is limited to credit or debit cards; cash and cash apps are not accepted.
Important Visitor Information
Planning ahead can help make entry and the festival experience smoother:
- Re-entry is not allowed once a guest leaves the festival grounds.
- Guests may undergo security screening or a search when entering.
- Pets are not permitted.
- Coolers and ice chests are prohibited.
- Outside alcohol, glass bottles and cans cannot be brought onto the grounds.
- Weapons, including knives of any size, are prohibited.
- Bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades and similar items cannot be brought inside.
- Festival schedules, prices, promotions and policies may change.
Review the complete Lodi Grape Festival event listing before visiting.
Turn the Festival Into a Lodi Getaway
Visitors traveling from Sacramento, the Bay Area or elsewhere in Northern California can make the festival part of a longer Lodi trip. Begin with breakfast or shopping in Downtown Lodi, spend the afternoon and evening at the festival, then stay locally and discover more of Lodi the next day.
More than 85 wineries, locally owned restaurants, outdoor recreation and family-friendly attractions offer plenty to do beyond the festival grounds. Lodi also provides places to stay, restaurants to explore and a broader Lodi wine country experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Lodi Grape Festival in 2026?
The 2026 Lodi Grape Festival runs Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20 at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds.
What are the festival hours?
The festival operates from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
What is the admission price?
Adults ages 13 and older pay $15, youth ages 6 to 12 pay $10, and children ages 5 and under enter free. Advance admission costs $8 per person, plus applicable online fees, while supplies last.
Are discounted or free admission opportunities available?
Yes. Everyone age 16 and under enters free on Thursday. Friday admission is free for everyone from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, bringing two cans of food provides $2 admission from noon to 2 p.m.
Which performers are scheduled for 2026?
The Main Stage schedule features A Flock of Seagulls on Thursday, Dream Like Taylor on Friday, Rodney Atkins on Saturday, and Grupo Bryndis with Ezequiel Peña Jr. and Banda Vallarta Show on Sunday.
What activities are available?
The festival includes concerts, carnival rides, midway games, food vendors, wine tasting, agricultural exhibits, grape murals, competitive displays, a petting zoo, family activities and strolling entertainment.
Is the event suitable for families?
Yes. Visitors of all ages can enjoy rides, games, exhibits, animals and entertainment. Thursday is especially appealing to families because everyone age 16 and under receives free admission.
Can guests participate in wine tasting?
Yes. Lodi wine country wine tasting is part of the festival. Consult the official schedule for current hours, participating wineries and pricing.
What does parking cost?
Parking in official festival lots is $12. Credit and debit cards are accepted, while cash and cash apps are not accepted.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed at the Lodi Grape Festival.
Can I leave and come back?
No. Guests may not re-enter after leaving the festival grounds.
Where is the most current information available?
The Visit Lodi event listing and the official Lodi Grape Festival website provide schedule updates, ticket details and current policies.
Author
Wes Rhea
President & CEO @ Visit Lodi
As CEO of Visit Lodi, Wes Rhea focuses on helping people have great trips—and sometimes takes one himself. A lifelong traveler at heart, he enjoys wine tasting, quirky museums and unexpected drives along country roads. After nearly two decades guiding destination marketing in California, he remains most energized by what comes next. His current obsession is Lodi-grown Cinsault.
Related Destination Information
Lodi Grape Festival Fairgrounds
413 E Lockeford St,
Lodi, California 95240-2334
(209) 369-2771