La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns the weekend of Oct. 10-11 for its 18th year, showcasing juried artists, live music, entertainment, and fun for all, including an age 21-plus Wine & Beer Garden.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, guests can experience world-class art, curated libations, live entertainment, and community connection along the iconic streets of La Jolla.
Spanning Girard Avenue from Prospect Street to Torrey Pines Road, the festival draws 45,000 guests annually and will showcase more than 170 juried artists from across the U.S. and Mexico.
Event attendees can explore an expansive collection of fine art including painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, glasswork, and more, offering something for seasoned collectors and casual browsers alike.
The free, two-day, open-air festival is sponsored by nonprofit La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Foundation to bring needed funds to local public schools and art to the community while promoting La Jolla merchants.
The event promises to have something for everyone, including hands-on activities for kids under the guidance of Geppetto’s Toys Family Art Center.
Beyond a weekend of art, food, wine and entertainment, money raised supports the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Foundation. Since its founding, more than $1.7 million has gone to support arts, music, science and technology programs at five La Jolla public schools, reaching more than 4,000 students each year.
The event’s popular Wine & Beer Garden features a curated lineup of premier wineries, local craft breweries, and select spirits. New this year, guests can also upgrade their experience with an exclusive VIP area, offering an elevated tasting experience. Additional highlights include live music and entertainment, a two-day silent auction, interactive experiences and pet adoption stations.
Sherry Ahern, who founded the art & wine festival in 2008, was no newcomer to successfully promoting fundraising events. She had previously co-founded the La Jolla Open Aire (Farmers) Market in 1996 along with others.
Ahern drew inspiration from La Jolla’s Green Dragon Colony site, a famous turn-of-the-century bohemian artist enclave overlooking La Jolla Cove, in creating a modern-day art festival supporting funding for local schools.
“I started seeing that every other window on Girard Avenue and Prospect Street had a for-lease sign in 2008, and I thought, ‘What can I do that will help this community?” she recalled. “Schools needed money, and I needed to get them involved. Not being afraid to try anything, I asked, ‘What do I have to lose?’”
On what to expect from 2026’s La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, Ahern noted, “We’ll have one of the most amazing silent auctions ever as well as a high-end food court. There will also be a petting zoo, pet adoptions, robotics from the schools and 40 sponsor booths. We’ll have food, drink, dancing, art, wine cars and animals.”
Asked her secret to promoting a major event successfully, Ahern answered. “Keeping your eye on the ball and being a good ‘connector.’ When I first put these La Jolla schools together, none of them were united.”
Ahern added the situation is the same now with the art and wine fest, pointing out 475 volunteers now do everything imaginable to facilitate the two-day annual event, which includes having 16 food vendors on hand.
“We try to go with locals if we can,” Ahern added.
Asked what advice she’d give to would-be fundraising event promoters, Ahern said: “Don’t underestimate someone who never gives up. You have hurdles in life. Period. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don’t be afraid to try.”
