LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — For one weekend each September, downtown Lafayette suddenly transforms into one big, open-air party.
That weekend is almost here.
The 29th annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival returns Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, bringing more than 200 art and craft booths, four stages of entertainment, food from dozens of vendors and downtown restaurants, wine, beer and family attractions into the heart of the city.
We’ve got a nearly-finalized list of details about the festival, thanks to info sent by The Lafayette Chamber.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, as is the live music. Organizers say more than 65,000 people attended last year’s event, making this not only Lafayette’s flagship celebration but one of the biggest annual gatherings anywhere in Contra Costa County.
The art remains a major part of the weekend. Booths will stretch along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette Circle and La Fiesta Lane, with vendors offering paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry, clothing, woodworking, fabric art, mosaics, metalwork and other handmade pieces. A group of local artists from Lafayette and the surrounding area will also be featured.
The music lineup is big enough to make the event feel like a mini version of Bottlerock or some other giant music festival.
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Three main stages will host Bay Area cover bands playing rock, jazz, blues and country, while the Community Stage will focus on local performers and family-friendly entertainment.
Saturday’s scheduled acts include the Kyle Athayde Dance Party, ZEBOP!, The Spazmatics, Bay Bridge Beat and The Bell Brothers Band. Sunday’s lineup includes Charged Particles, Freestone Peaches, The Big Jangle and East Bay Mudd.
The Community Stage will add performances from groups including the Peter Pan Foundation, Acalanes High School Choir, 925 Dance Collective, Town Hall Theatre Company, Lamorinda Idol, Acalanes High School Jazz Ensemble and Campolindo Jazz Band.
There will be plenty to eat, too. Festival organizers say more than 30 food vendors and 20 downtown restaurants are located within the event footprint. The current food-truck lineup includes Cousins Maine Lobster, Forge Wood Fired Pizza, Halal Bites of Chicago, Ofie’s Kitchen and Twisted K’s, alongside dessert, snack and specialty-food booths.
Wine and beer require the current year’s festival glass and drink tickets, which are sold only at on-site booths during the weekend. Guests must be at least 21, show identification and wear a festival wristband to be served. Pouring is scheduled to end at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Despite the wine in the name, the festival is designed as a family event. Kid Zones at La Fiesta Square and North Thompson will feature rides and activities including a pirate ship, miniature golf, gemstone mining, themed play spaces, a fun slide, swings, a train and a bungee trampoline. Those attractions cost extra, with ride tickets sold at designated booths.
The easiest way to reach the festival may be to avoid driving into the downtown core altogether–especially with the wine aspect. Lafayette BART is about one block from the grounds, and free continuous shuttles will connect the station and parking lots with the festival entrance at Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Oak Hill Road. Shuttle service begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues until 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
A wheelchair-accessible Lamorinda Spirit Van will also operate, and a free secured bike valet will be available at 81 Lafayette Circle. Remember to designate a driver if you do drive.
To put it simply, this is one of the 925’s biggest festivals. And it’s less than 3 weeks away!
