Summer in Walnut Creek officially begins the first weekend of June — and it starts with 30,000 of your closest friends filling Civic Park. The 43rd annual Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival returns Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, bringing two full days of live music, artisan crafts, award-winning wine, craft beer, and family entertainment to the heart of downtown.
The festival, presented by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Visit Walnut Creek, has been a Bay Area institution for more than four decades. It has been recognized by the Contra Costa Times as the East Bay’s Best Outdoor Festival and has won Walnut Creek Magazine’s Best Community Event award five times. For many longtime residents, the festival is the true start of summer — a tradition that has seen Walnut Creek grow from a quiet suburb into a regional destination while keeping the same community-first spirit.
The Essentials: Dates, Hours, and Location
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Civic Park, 1395 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek |
| Saturday, June 6 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 7 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| BART Access | Yes — free shuttle from Walnut Creek BART to Civic Park |
Pro tip: Take BART and use the free shuttle. Parking downtown on festival weekend is famously tight, and the shuttle drops you right at the entrance. Check schedules at bartable.bart.gov. If you must drive, arrive early — the Civic Park neighborhood fills up by early afternoon, and street parking is limited to two hours in most surrounding areas.
The Music: 15 Bands Across Two Stages
Live music anchors the Art & Wine Festival experience, with two stages running simultaneously each day. Here’s the full lineup:
| Time | East Stage | West Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 6 | ||
| 12:00 – 1:30 PM | Michelle Lambert | Spencer James |
| 2:00 – 3:30 PM | Tom Rigney & Flambeau | Aidan Moore |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Aja Vu | Chris Estes |
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Pride & Joy | Jinx Jones |
| Sunday, June 7 | ||
| 12:00 – 1:30 PM | Mercy & the Heartbeats | Chris Estes |
| 2:00 – 3:30 PM | Touch of Class | Matt Bolton |
| 4:00 – 6:00 PM | Neon Velvet | Spencer James |
Saturday’s headliner, Pride & Joy, is a Bay Area institution in its own right — one of the region’s most popular party bands, known for high-energy sets that fill dance floors. Sunday closes with Neon Velvet on the East Stage, capping the weekend with a polished pop and dance set.
Beyond the Music: Art, Wine, Food & Family Fun
The festival isn’t just about music. With two full days to explore, here’s what else awaits you in Civic Park:
Artisan Marketplace: More than 200 artists and craftspeople set up booths with everything from jewelry and ceramics to paintings, photography, and handcrafted home goods. Arts & crafts vendor slots are already sold out for 2026, which speaks to the festival’s reputation among makers.
Wine & Craft Beer: The “Wine” in Art & Wine is serious business. The festival pours award-winning local and regional wines alongside a dedicated craft beer garden. Tastings are pay-as-you-go, and the Chamber encourages local businesses to get involved as pouring booth sponsors.
Food Vendors: From classic festival fare like burgers and corn dogs to ethnic and traditional food options representing cuisines from across the Bay Area, the lineup is designed to keep you fueled across both days. Food concessionaire slots are sold out, so expect a full spread with plenty of variety. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are typically available, though specific vendors vary year to year.
Kids’ Zone & Festival Train: Families return year after year for the Kids’ Zone activities and the beloved Festival Train, a longtime favorite that winds through the park. The entire festival is designed to be family-friendly — and with free admission, it’s one of the most accessible summer events in the East Bay.
Getting There and What to Know
Planning ahead makes the difference between a smooth festival day and a frustrating one. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Take BART if you can. The Walnut Creek BART station is a short walk from Civic Park, and the festival runs a free shuttle. Parking around Civic Park fills up quickly, and surrounding streets can get congested by early afternoon.
- Bring sun protection. Civic Park has shade trees, but June afternoons in Walnut Creek can push into the 80s. Hats, sunscreen, and water bottles are smart moves.
- Leave the cooler at home. Outside food and drink policies apply. Part of the fun is sampling what’s on offer — and there’s plenty.
- Cash and cards are both accepted at most booths, but having cash on hand speeds things up at busy food and drink stations.
A Festival With Deep Roots
The Art & Wine Festival isn’t just a weekend event — it’s a Walnut Creek institution. Now in its 43rd year, the festival has grown from a modest community gathering into a marquee Bay Area summer event that draws attendees from across the region. It routinely ranks among the top outdoor festivals in Contra Costa County and serves as the unofficial kickoff to Walnut Creek’s summer season.
The 2026 edition is presented with support from major sponsors including Sutter Health, Republic Services, BART, The Home Depot, Mechanics Bank, Heffernan Insurance Brokers, and Diablo Magazine, among others. Their backing helps keep admission free — a rarity for a festival of this scale and a deliberate choice by the Chamber to ensure the event remains accessible to all Walnut Creek families regardless of budget.
For more information, including vendor inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, visit the official Art & Wine Festival page or contact the Chamber at artandwine@walnut-creek.com. You can also follow updates on the Walnut Creek Downtown events calendar.
See you at Civic Park. Summer starts here.
