Sweet Success: Escondido's Grape Day Festival 2025 Brings Community, Culture, and Fun Together

The  Grape Day Festival once again transformed Escondido's historic Grape Day Park into a playground of music, flavor, and community spirit. On a perfect late-summer Saturday, Escondido's  historic Grape Day Park welcomed than 10,000 visitors, pouring in from across the region to share a day where every corner offered something to delight every age, taste, and background.

From the moment the event opened, the park buzzed with energy. The Kids Zone brimmed with families, laughter echoing from the monkey bridge, face-painting booths, and interactive games. Barefoot festival-goers jumped into the grape stomp, kicking and splashing their way through tradition as encouragement erupted from onlookers. Food lovers wandered through a global marketplace of flavors from around the world, savoring everything from smoky barbecue to hot steaming bao, while anyone with a sweet tooth found satisfaction in Dessert Lane.

Art and history were alive at every turn. Over 100 artisan vendors showcased their handmade wears of jewelry, carpentry, and unique gifts, while historic displays of handcrafts brought the past to life with weaving, woodwork, and other old-world skills. Children giggled as they participated in a hands-on milking experience hosted by Hollandia Dairy, and crowds gathered to watch master artists shape molten glass during live glass-blowing demonstrations. Classic car enthusiasts swapped stories as vintage engines purred, giving festival-goers a chance to peek under the hoods of beautifully restored automobiles. The rumble of tractor motors filled the air as the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum related to festival goers the agricultural practices of a time gone by.  

The soundtrack to the day came from performers across the county, with everything from lively folk bands to stirring mariachi musicians filling the air. Whether you were dancing in the sun or simply soaking in the sights, the festival offered a joyful rhythm that welcomed everyone.

Of course, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without a toast to Escondido's grape-growing roots. Local wineries, such as Orfila Winery, poured crisp whites and bold reds, each sip honoring the valley’s rich agricultural history and the vintners keeping that legacy alive.

Best of all, the fun served a purpose.

Proceeds from the festival are shared by two local non-profits: Brothers of 6 untilize their share to provide gifts for under-privileged families during the holidays, while the Escondido History Center channels its portion into maintaining a free community history museum that keeps the city’s stories alive for future generations.

Whether you came for the food, the music, the crafts, or the simple pleasure of a sunny afternoon, the Grape Day Festival  proved once again that it’s more than just a event, it’s a day of heritage and creativity, of generosity and joy, and a shining reminder of what happens when a community gathers to celebrate the things that make life sweet.

Blog post written by: Hannah Ramirez Assistant Director at the Escondido History Center

Contact Hannah at hramirez@escondidohistory.org or follow the Escondido History Center on Instagram Facebook TikTok

The Escondido History Center is the current custodian of many historic buildings in Grape Day Park. If you would like to tour our historic buildings, you can call the Escondido History Center at (760) 743-8207 to schedule a private tour.

Escondido History Center Address:

321 N. Broadway Escondido, CA 92025