Lavender farms exist all over the U.S., from Virginia to Massachusetts to Colorado to Washington. But we especially love the California lavender festivals. Whether it’s a one-day event or an every weekend occurrence in the summer, we have a list of the best California lavender festivals where you can spend a few hours celebrating this herb’s beauty, scents, and variety of uses. You don’t have to go to France to enjoy this purple flower. Let’s dive in and look closer at the lavender festivals in the Golden State!
Unlike some plants that require lots of water, lavender is drought-tolerant. It grows in dry places like California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, thriving in soils of sand or gravel. Lavender is used in multiple products, from essential oils to medicine to cosmetics. It’s also used as a culinary herb.
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Lavender blooms when the conditions are right and not necessarily at the same time each year. The soil must be dry, and the plant must receive full sunlight. Whenever these conditions are met, lavender blooms. This is usually late spring to early summer in California. However, if the winter or spring was exceptionally wet, the blooming season might occur later.
A lavender festival celebrates this beautiful purple plant. You’ll find vendors selling all types of lavender products, including teas, soaps, lotions, and ice cream. There’s usually live entertainment or demonstrations as well.
Farms that grow lavender promote their amenities and products and encourage visitors to support local small agricultural businesses. You’ll probably also find u-pick opportunities to take home bundles of lavender.
You’ll find lavender farms all over the U.S. But if you’re headed to the West Coast this spring or summer, consider timing your visit with one of these California lavender festivals.
Location: 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223
Cost: vary based on day
Visitors can taste lavender-inspired food, drinks, and desserts and walk through the illuminated farm from 5-10 p.m. each night. Tractor tours are offered for a small fee. There are also live musical performances nightly. The 123 Farm Lavender Festival is a beautiful sight of purple fields with 100,000 lights, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for an evening out.
Location: 3430 Madrone Street, Rumsey, CA 95679
Cost: free admission
During the Cache Creek Lavender Festival, guests can harvest their own lavender, taste local wines and lavender ice cream, listen to live music, participate in arts and crafts, and more. The farm also sells its line of organic handmade lavender products and gifts. This one-day event is free to attend and fun for the whole family.
Location: 721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Cost: free admission
The Santa Barbara Lavender Festival celebrates creativity with lavender. Vendors, artisans, local farms, and other small businesses incorporate lavender into their products and artistic expression. There’s also live entertainment, from hula dances to jazz musicians to painters. This one-day event is held at the Great Meadow at Santa Barbara City College West Campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs, CA 92021
Cost: free admission
Another California lavender festival takes place on a Saturday in June at Summers Past Farms. The beautiful gardens is a Certified Wildlife Habitat recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. Browse the fairy or flower gardens, shop the 40+ artisans and vendors, or pick out the perfect plants for your landscaping in the nursery. This one-day event also has live entertainment.
Location: Spring St & 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Cost: free admission
The earliest California lavender festival on our list is the Paso Robles Olive and Lavender Festival at Paso Robles City Park. This one-day event features tastings, demonstrations, and culinary delights. The vendors invite visitors to enjoy this region’s unique flavors and scents. Guests learn first-hand what it takes to create olive oil and lavender products. This festival is entertaining, educational, and enjoyable for the whole family.
Since you’ll be spending most of your time outdoors, bring a sunhat and wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Since most of these California lavender festivals are during the summer, temperatures will be hot, so bring plenty of water.
If you’re allergic to bees, pack allergy medicine or an EpiPen since bees love lavender farms. If you’re attending a festival at a farm and plan to pick your lavender, bring a basket, cutting shears, and gardening gloves.
Early summer is a beautiful time to experience the lavender fields of California. The purple hues provide a stunning backdrop for photography and a whimsical atmosphere to enjoy a family outing. The vendors have all the lavender products you could imagine and offer opportunities to enjoy lavender in a new way. Although the farms are open year-round, attending a California lavender festival elevates your experience.
Have you ever attended a lavender festival?
