Gilroy Garlic Festival Returns After Six-Year Hiatus

The Gilroy Garlic Festival returned in 2025 after a six-year hiatus, marking a symbolic revival for the community still healing from the 2019 mass shooting that killed three people and injured many others. The event has relocated to Gilroy Gardens and been reduced in scale to 9,000 attendees over three days, far fewer than the pre-2019 crowds of up to 100,000. Classic garlic dishes remain, joined by new offerings such as a garlic-infused IPA, and organizers implemented robust security measures. Livestreaming and limited ticket exchanges have broadened access despite the event's smaller size. The festival continues to support local charities and aims for gradual, responsible growth in future years. Community members and organizers emphasized remembrance of the tragedy's victims, resilience, and a renewed focus on moving forward together.