The Gilroy Garlic Festival is sold out for its July 24–26 run at Hecker Pass in Gilroy. Here's what ticket holders need to know about cashless payments, parking, bag rules, and how to make the most of the day.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival sold out before it opened, NBC Bay Area reported July 23. The three-day run continues through Sunday, July 26, at the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. If you're holding a ticket, here's what you need straight before you make the drive.

Your ticket works one day only. The festival is explicit: the day printed on your ticket is the only day you get in. A Friday ticket does not open the Saturday gate.

Official booths are cashless. Every festival-operated vendor — Gourmet Alley, the Wine Tent, the Beer Garden, the Garlic Mercantile — accepts credit cards, debit cards, or FastBar wristbands only. The festival FAQ is unambiguous: "Cash will not be accepted at official Garlic Festival booths." Pre-register for FastBar at gilroygarlicfestival.com before you leave home to skip the setup queue on arrival; you'll still pick up the physical wristband on-site. Guests 21 and over planning to drink get ID-checked at the same wristband station — one stop. Independent vendors outside the official booths set their own payment rules.

Parking is $26.88, and the lot is dirt. On-site parking is available at the venue — no shuttle required. Rideshare (Lyft/Uber) drop-off and pickup is allowed. Wear shoes you're willing to get dusty.

Clear bags only. The festival allows clear plastic bags up to 12" x 6" x 12", small clutches up to 4.5" x 6.5", or a 1-gallon clear freezer bag. No coolers, no glass, no outside alcohol. All bags are searched at entry.

The insider move: Arrive near the 10 a.m. open. July heat in Gilroy is serious by afternoon, and the Gourmet Alley lines — where the Pyro Chefs fire up giant skillets of garlic scampi and calamari — build fast. Pepper steak sandwiches and garlic fries are in the same alley; garlic ice cream is on the grounds if you want to end on a weird note.

Two hours? Straight to Gourmet Alley, eat something, leave by noon.