Join Berkeley’s Harvest Festival on October 18

Come out for our annual Harvest Festival, a showcase of food grown, harvested, and prepared by our community members – alongside live music and kids’ activities.

Register your best pesto or pie for a chance to be crowned champion in food categories such as best cucumber pickle, sweet bread, or homegrown fruit. Swap crops and seeds. Pick up tips from fellow gardeners.

You can also meet City staff from departments such as 311 Customer Service, Civic Arts, Fire, Mental Health, Planning, Police, Public Works, Rent Board, and Library. Ask questions and learn about services the City of Berkeley offers.

The festival will also have chances for you to volunteer, food vendors, and more.

Enter food contests, swap crops and seeds

The Food and Garden Exhibitions will promote urban farming, homemade food, and healthier eating through the following activities:

• Food Contests: Participants can submit entries in categories including homegrown fruits and vegetables, cucumber pickles, cookies, pies, savory breads, gluten-free baked goods, jams and jellies, pesto and sauces, and salsas. Winners will get their photo in the Berkeley Times, a ribbon, and bragging rights.
  • Contestants of all ages can register online for free using the Harvest Festival Food Contest 2025 in our recreation portal.
  • Bring food submissions to the judging area between 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Judging occurs at noon.
  • All participants will receive recognition, and ribbons will be awarded in each category.
  • Food entries must feature a main ingredient that can realistically be cultivated in Berkeley, even if it wasn’t grown here.
• Crop Swap: Exchange surplus fruits and vegetables with other gardeners. All types of produce are welcome.
• Seed Swap: Share garden seeds and tips with others. No seeds to swap? Come learn from fellow gardeners.

Volunteers help make Harvest Festival possible by assisting with setup, carnival games, Tot zone, and cleanup. Register to volunteer by October 14. Open to ages 12 and older.

Family-friendly activities, food, and live music

Join us in the “Kids Zone” where children can ride a zipline, bounce on inflatables, make scarecrows, decorate pumpkins, play in the Tot Zone, get their face painted, and win prizes from carnival games. Use the photo booth to capture yourself with friends and family at the festival.

Live music will include Caribbean-inspired beats from Brilliance of Baycoin Beats; Louisiana dance music from Andre Thierry; West African drumming and songs from Soucano; and R&B, hip hop, and party mixes from DJ Disfunkshun between each set. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to relax and enjoy the show.

Food trucks and vendors will cook a diverse array of options such as Southern cuisine, lobster, hot dogs, BBQ, desserts, and more.

Consider biking over using the Ohlone Greenway or one of our bike boulevards. Our free bike valet makes parking your bike a breeze. Alternatively, take AC transit line #52, BART, borrow an e-bike or scooter, or carpool with friends.

Organized by the City's Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department, this event is just one of a variety of camps, classes, and activities for all ages and backgrounds offered through our online recreation portal.

Come out on October 18 for live music, kids’ activities, and a celebration of our city’s sustainable living and local food culture.

Links

• Harvest Festival
  • Submit Food Contest Entry by Oct. 17
  • Sign up to volunteer by Oct. 14
• Online recreation portal