TO: Development Services Management Group
FROM: Allie Behrman, CPRP, Special Events Manager
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: August 27, 2026
Title
28th DELRAY BEACH GARLIC FESTIVAL : RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MANAGEMENT GROUP OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR AN IMPACT EVENT KNOWN AS "28TH DELRAY BEACH GARLIC FESTIVAL" TO BE HELD ON MARCH 20-21, 2027. AT THE OLD SCHOOL SQUARE CAMPUS.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
The Development Services Management Group (DSMG) is asked to make a recommendation to the City Commission regarding the Impact Event known as 28th Delray Beach Garlic Festival to be held on Saturday through Sunday, March 20-21, 2027. This event is deemed an Impact Event due to attendance of over 3,500 people per day for an impact event.
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Background:
Delray Beach Arts, Inc. submitted a Special Event Application on July 27, 2026 for the 28th Delray Beach Garlic Festival at the Old School Square. This will be the 28th year of the Garlic Festival. It was held in Delray Beach for 17 years. Garlic Festival outgrew the downtown area and left Delray Beach for several years. The event returned to Delray Beach in 2026 and it was held with no issues, except for bad weather for a portion of the event. Garlic festival is an event that features both national and local music talents, local artists and culinary arts with a focus on garlic. Garlic Festival is also a fundraising source for local small non-profits that focus most of their attention toward educational programs for under served, minority youth in Palm Beach County with a secondary focus on the arts.
The application was reviewed by the Special Event Technical Advisory Committee on August 13, 2026 and was recommended for approval.
This is a scaled down version of the event that was in Delray Beach in the past. There will be no road closures for this event. It will take place only on the Old School Square campus. This event too...
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