As the 2026 summer season comes to a close, Santa Cruz County is gearing up to host one of its most beloved late-summer traditions this weekend.
The 43rd annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival takes over Capitola Village on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, turning the colorful beachside streets into a free two-day celebration of art, regional wine, food, and live entertainment.
Visitors can browse work from more than 150 artists while sampling wines from more than 20 local wineries, watching performances from local dance groups, and enjoying the beach. Admission is free, although wine tasting is reserved for guests 21+ who purchase a commemorative festival glass and tasting tokens.
Here’s a closer look…
A Capitola tradition born in 1982
Today’s Capitola Art & Wine Festival began with 50 artists lining the Esplanade in 1982 for a celebration of local art. The following year, the Capitola Chamber of Commerce became involved and added wine tasting, and the festival then grew to include custom glasses, live entertainment, and fantastic food vendors.
These days, the festival also serves as a fundraiser for the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce as well as participating local schools and community groups. The event is known to draw more than 30,000 visitors throughout the weekend.
Capitola has long drawn comparisons to the Italian Riviera on social media, thanks to the rows of pastel-colored cottages climbing the edge of Soquel Creek. That postcard appeal creates a memorable environment for the charming summer festival, offering a European-style escape less than 2 hours from SF.
Capitola Art & Wine Festival 2026 at a glance
📍 Location: Capitola Village, Capitola, CA 95010
📅 Dates: Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026
⏰ Festival hours: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🎟️ Admission: Free
🍷 Wine tasting: Guests must be 21 or older and show ID. A 2026 festival glass costs $20, with tasting tokens sold separately; the number of tokens needed varies by wine.
🚌 Parking and shuttle: Free, accessible shuttle service runs from designated guest parking at Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue about every 20 minutes. It operates Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
🚗 Bay Avenue exit closure: The southbound Highway 1 off-ramp at Bay Avenue is closed for reconstruction through approximately December 2026. Drivers can use the 41st Avenue exit or continue south to Park Avenue and loop back via Soquel Drive.
🐕 Pets: Organizers request that guests leave dogs and other pets at home due to the festival’s high pedestrian volume.
🌐 More information: Capitola Art & Wine Festival