Capitola Art & Wine Festival Turns 43 🎨🍷
Capitola Village hosts its 43rd annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival on Saturday, September 12 (10am–6pm) and Sunday, September 13, 2026 (10am–5pm). Admission is free, and the event fills the village with art, wine, food, and live entertainment. More than 150 fine artists and 20+ Santa Cruz Mountains wineries will be on hand. Wine tasting is 21+ with ID, and a commemorative festival wine glass will cost $20 (tasting tokens sold separately). Organizers request that visitors leave pets at home due to heavy foot traffic. The festival is hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce and funds the Chamber, plus local schools and community groups.
The festival's roots trace back to 1982, when Carrie Jacobson May, Barbara Reding, and Eric Johnson started it with just 50 artists on the Esplanade; wine tasting was added in 1983 when the Chamber joined in. Today it draws over 30,000 visitors and 400 volunteers annually, remaining entirely community-run.
Artist Spotlight and Logistics 🧑🎨
Among this year's artists, take a look at Follow the Sun Art, the booth of Santa Cruz painter Anastasiya "Ana" Bachmanova, known for ocean and coast-inspired acrylic and watercolor work. See her collection anytime at Follow the Sun Art.
Parking, Shuttle, and a Detour to Know About 🚗
For getting there: park free at Capitola Mall (41st Avenue) and ride the ADA-accessible shuttle (Sat 9:30am–8pm, Sun 9:30am–7pm), or use the free bike valet at the David Lyng Real Estate lot (Capitola & Stockton Ave), hosted by Harbor High Leadership. Note that the southbound Highway 1 off-ramp at Bay Avenue is projected to be closed for construction through December 2026 - use the 41st Avenue exit as a detour route or loop back via Soquel Drive from Park Avenue to get there.
Alongside the art and wine that will be available, there will be tons of live music, dance performances, street entertainment, and food vendors throughout the village - a walkable, two-day outdoor gallery by the beach.
Co-Authored by Pete Cullen and Lucas Bargetto
Bailey Properties Inc.
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