South Florida Garlic Fest 2025

South Florida Garlic Fest, often dubbed "The Best Stinkin' Party in South Florida," returns for its 26th edition in 2025. This renowned festival promises a weekend filled with garlicky delights, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, offering visitors a unique blend of culinary and cultural experiences.

Activities and Attractions

The festival’s centerpiece is the famous Gourmet Alley, where over 100 garlic-infused dishes are served. From garlic crab cakes and shrimp scampi to garlic pizza and even garlic ice cream, there’s no shortage of culinary creativity. Full liquor bars and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages are also available to complement the garlicky fare.

Families can enjoy a large children’s amusement area with carnival rides, games, and interactive activities. Art enthusiasts will find an array of unique creations at the arts and crafts fair, showcasing the works of talented local and regional artists.

Lineup

For those seeking entertainment, the event features live performances across multiple stages. On February 1, get ready to groove with the Fabulous Fleetwoods from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, followed by the vibrant sounds of XPERIMENTO from 3:30 pm to 5 pm. SERANATION takes over from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, and the evening wraps up with an unforgettable performance by THE HEAVY PETS from 7:30 pm to 9 pm.

The festivities continue on February 2, the SANTANA TRIBUTE band will play from 12:30 pm to 2 pm, followed by the Daniel Childs Band from 2:30 pm to 4 pm, and closing with the Andrew Morris Band from 4:30 pm to 6 pm.

Schedule

The festival is set to take place on February 1-2, 2025, at the Village of Wellington Town Center. The event hours are from 11 am to 9 pm on February 1 and from 11 am to 6 pm on February 2. A special salute to Armed Forces personnel is scheduled for Sunday, with free admission for active and retired military members and one guest, upon presenting valid identification.

Tickets and Parking

General admission tickets are priced at $15, with additional taxes and processing fees. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate.

Parking options include free general parking near the venue and premium paid parking for those seeking added convenience. Shuttle services and pedicabs will also be available to assist visitors in reaching the festival grounds. Organizers advise against parking in nearby commercial lots, such as Shoppes at Chancellor or Publix, to avoid vehicles being booted.

Location and Accessibility

The event is set to take place at the Village of Wellington Town Center. This venue is conveniently accessible from several major airports. West Palm Beach Airport is just 13 miles (21 km) away, a journey of about 24 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale Airport is 51 miles (82 km) away, approximately a 56-minute drive, and Miami Airport is 70 miles (112 km) distant, roughly an hour and 16 minutes by car.

Visitors planning to extend their stay will find a variety of accommodations and dining options available in Wellington.

History

The South Florida Garlic Fest began in 1998 in Downtown Delray Beach as a small community gathering aimed at raising funds for local nonprofit organizations. Over the years, it has grown into a signature event, drawing over 30,000 attendees annually and earning international recognition. Notably, the festival was featured on the Food Network’s Carnival Eats and The Cooking Channel.

The event has remained a vital fundraiser, distributing over $696,000 to community organizations to date. In 2020, it even gained attention on Jeopardy! as a featured question, highlighting its cultural significance.