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Commission Approves Garlic Festival at Old School Square; Event to Be Ticketed and Fenced

City Commission of the City of Delray Beach · November 18, 2025
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Summary

The commission unanimously approved Resolution 209-25 authorizing the 27th annual Delray Beach Garlic Festival (Feb. 28–Mar. 1, 2026) to be held on the Old School Square campus; the event will be fenced, ticketed, have no road closures, and is expected to draw about 4,000 people per day.

The Delray Beach City Commission unanimously approved Resolution 209-25 Nov. 18 to permit the 27th annual Delray Beach Garlic Festival on the Old School Square campus from Feb. 28 through Mar. 1, 2026.

Special Events Manager Ally Berman told the commission the event will be fenced and ticketed and will not require road closures as in some previous iterations; the applicant expects about 4,000 attendees per day, which places the event over the city—s 3,500-per-day threshold that defines an impact event and requires formal commission approval. She also said there is no financial impact to the city and the producer will be billed for event costs.

Jennifer Costello, representing the event applicant, explained the location for vendors (front lawn and east side) while leaving the amphitheater open for concurrent concert programming. Costello confirmed the amphitheater will host concerts from national acts while the festival operates on the lawn and adjacent areas. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about vendor placement and concurrency with the amphitheater program; applicant confirmed arrangements to prevent conflicts.

Following the presentation, Commissioner Cassell, Burns, Markert and others expressed support for the event returning to Old School Square. A motion to approve Resolution 209-25 passed by unanimous voice vote.

The manager was authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the resolution. Staff said the event will proceed as an impact event and any logistical details will be coordinated with special events staff and the Old School Square campus team in the lead-up to the festival.