There’s something magical about a September weekend in Capitola Village, the sound of the ocean, colorful art along the streets, music drifting through the air, and friends and neighbors gathering to enjoy it all.
Best of all, admission is free.
A Weekend of Art, Music and Dance
Stroll through the Village and explore the work of more than 150 talented fine artists, enjoy food and wine, and settle in for a full lineup of live entertainment at the Bandstand Stage at Esplanade Park.
Saturday, September 12
- 10:30–11 am – Joy Smith & Pleasure Point Dance
- 11:30 am–12pm – Crescendo Dance Academy
- 12:30-1 pm – Te Hau Nui Hula & Tahitian Dance
- 1:30-2 pm – Pacific Arts Complex
- 2:20–4 pm – Extra Large
- 5–7 pm – Life in the Fast Lane – Eagles Tribute
Sunday, September 13
- 10:30-11am – Dancenter
- 11:30 am – 12pm – Elaine’s Dance Studio
- 12:30-1:30 pm – Extra Medium
- 2:30–4:30 pm – James Durbin and The Lost Boys
Street performers will add another element of surprise and fun at the intersection of Capitola and Monterey Avenues on both days:
- 12–1 pm – Cirque, Tumble, Cheer – Aerial Arts
- 2–4 pm – Cement Ship
Wine, Art and Coastal Charm
Wine tasting is a favorite festival tradition, with exceptional wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains available to sip and savor. A 2026 festival wine glass is $20, with tasting tokens available at Glass & Token booths throughout the festival.
Wine tasting is for guests 21 and older, and a valid ID is required.
Of course, you don’t have to drink wine to enjoy the festival. Admission to the festival itself is free, making it easy to spend the day browsing art, listening to music, watching performers, enjoying the Village, and taking in the beautiful coastal setting.
Getting to the Festival
Free Parking & Shuttle
Visitors can park in the designated guest parking area at Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue and ride the free festival shuttle into Capitola Village.
Follow the festival signs to the designated parking area. Shuttles run approximately every 30 minutes and drop passengers at the festival entrance.
Shuttle hours:
- Saturday, September 12: 9:30 am – 8 pm
- Sunday, September 13: 9:30 am – 7 pm
Free Bike Valet
Prefer to ride? Free Bike Valet Parking, hosted by Harbor High Leadership, will be available at the David Lyng Real Estate parking lot at the corner of Capitola and Stockton Avenues in Capitola Village.
Ride in, leave your bike with the valet, and enjoy the festival on foot.
A Festival That Supports the Community
The Capitola Art & Wine Festival is more than a weekend celebration. It is a community tradition and an important fundraiser for the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, as well as local schools and community groups that help make the event possible.
The Capitola-Soquel Chamber leads the effort to bring this beloved tradition to life, working alongside hundreds of dedicated volunteers and a vibrant network of artists, wineries, performers, businesses, schools, and community organizations. Together, they create a weekend that celebrates the creativity, generosity, and community spirit that make Capitola such a special place.
The festival began in 1982 with just 50 artists lining the Esplanade. More than four decades later, that original vision continues: bring people together, celebrate local talent, and enjoy the unique beauty and character of Capitola Village.
Wander, listen, taste, discover, and enjoy time in Capitola by the Sea.
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Jacqué Price
2026 Capitola Art & Wine Poster Artist
Jacqué Price creates vibrant expressionistic and abstract paintings featuring wildlife, figures and landscapes in her Soquel studio. Her work, celebrated for its playful, elegant, and emotive style, is highly sought after by collectors and designers both locally and internationally.
Jacqué Price and the 2026 Capitola Art & Wine Poster
Through her art, Price fosters a sense of belonging and compassion, reflecting the human experience with depth, sincerity and a sense of humor.
Committed to promoting wellbeing through creativity, she teaches a holistic approach to the basics of painting as well as how to develop your own process and style.
Explore Price current collection on her website, jacquepriceart.com, where you can inquire about original works, purchase prints, and subscribe for weekly inspiration and exclusive offers, including invitations to live and online classes and special events.