2026 Festival of Fruit - Fullerton

The CRFG Festival of Fruit is an annual celebration of rare, unusual, and exotic fruits. Organized by the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG), the festival unites backyard gardeners, commercial growers, horticulture experts, and fruit enthusiasts. It serves as both an educational conference and a community gathering for all attendees.

Typically, CRFG’s regional chapters host the festival, rotating locations throughout the organization each year. This year, the Orange County Chapter is hosting. Festival Day will take place on Saturday, June 13, with a lineup of activities and social events running from June 9 through June 14.

A major highlight of the festival is its lineup of expert speakers sharing practical guidance. Topics often include tropical and subtropical fruit cultivation, grafting techniques, soil health, pest management, irrigation, and climate-adapted growing methods. CRFG members, university researchers, nursery professionals, and commercial orchardists lead presentations offering science-based guidance for attendees.

The early bird registration rate is $75 per person, available until April 19, after which the standard rate of $85 will apply.

During registration, attendees can also:

• Pre-order a Saturday box lunch

• Reserve a seat for the Saturday evening dinner and guest speaker

• Purchase a Festival t-shirt featuring this year’s “Fruit of the Year,” Eugenia and her Sisters

After registering, participants will receive a form to select tours and activities scheduled before and after Festival Day.

Festival Day (Saturday) will be held at the Titan Student Union on the California State University, Fullerton campus. Tours, garden visits, and social activities in nearby communities are included at no additional cost; however, space is limited, so early sign-up is strongly recommended.

In addition to lectures and workshops, the festival provides fruit tastings showcasing rare and hard-to-find varieties. Vendor and exhibit booths offer fruit trees, seeds, tools, books, and gardening supplies to attendees. These opportunities allow visitors to purchase new varieties and connect directly with local nurseries and growers.

We have also secured a special Festival rate of $169 per night for king or double rooms at the on-campus Marriott Hotel. Rooms are limited; please mention "CRFG Festival of Fruit 2026" when booking. Due to concurrent regional soccer tournaments, rooms are expected to fill quickly, so we encourage attendees to book as soon as possible.

Transit is possible via Metrolink or Amtrak train service from Oceanside to Fullerton Station, with buses or rideshare for the 3 miles to the CSU Fullerton campus.

If you want to represent our chapter there, please contact chair@growrarefruit.org and sign up for a slot to be at our booth. Looking forward to seeing you!