Taste of Carmel 2026 Photos at the Carmel Mission

Name: 2026 Taste of Carmel: Fiesta at the Mission
Start: 2026-10-01T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-10-01T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Carmel Mission Basilica

Taste of Carmel 2026, at a glance

Event: 38th annual Taste of Carmel, "Fiesta at the Mission"

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026 · 6 to 9 PM · VIP early entry at 5 PM

Venue: Carmel Mission Basilica courtyard, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Host: Carmel Chamber of Commerce

On the menu: more than 60 local restaurants, wineries and craft beverage makers, live music, silent auction

This gallery: 138 photos, 5:24 PM to 8:54 PM, in the order taken

Photography: Manny Espinoza · Fujifilm GFX 100 II

All 138 photos, in the order taken

From the 5 PM VIP arrivals to the last dance floor frames, each photo has a number and the time it was captured, shown when you open it. Tap a photo to enlarge it, then swipe or use the arrow keys. Looking for yourself? Start near the time you remember arriving.

The FIESTA CARMEL marquee sign wrapped in colorful balloons at the Carmel Mission at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 001 · 5:24 PM

Guests posing for a portrait in the Carmel Mission courtyard at golden hour at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 002 · 5:26 PM

Two women in flower crowns taking a selfie at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 004 · 5:29 PM

Two women in flower crowns posing together at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 005 · 5:29 PM

Women in embroidered Mexican dresses beside a wooden wagon at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 007 · 5:30 PM

Carmel Chamber volunteers at the check-in table in front of the Carmel Mission at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 008 · 5:33 PM

Large group of guests in colorful Fiesta outfits in front of the Carmel Mission doors at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 009 · 5:34 PM

Women in traditional Mexican dresses beside a wooden wagon in the Carmel Mission courtyard at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 011 · 5:36 PM

Chefs and cooks behind a food station with sliders in the Carmel Mission courtyard at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 013 · 5:41 PM

Guitarist performing in the Carmel Mission courtyard at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 014 · 5:42 PM

Winemakers holding bottles at their tasting table at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 016 · 5:45 PM

Four guests in ponchos and hats holding wine and small plates at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 018 · 5:47 PM

Guests laughing and pouring wine straight from the bottle at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 019 · 5:47 PM

Pizza truck chef holding a freshly baked pizza at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 022 · 5:54 PM

Three people from a winery pouring and holding bottles at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 023 · 5:56 PM

Three people from a winery pouring bottles at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 024 · 5:56 PM

Two guests holding bottles of spirits at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 028 · 6:04 PM

Couple in cowboy hats at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 029 · 6:05 PM

Woman in a purple floral kimono and Chamber lanyard smiling at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 030 · 6:05 PM

A guest photographing friends on a phone while holding a wine glass at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 032 · 6:06 PM

Restaurant team behind a seafood and oyster display at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 035 · 6:08 PM

Restaurant team cheering behind a seafood and oyster display at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 036 · 6:08 PM

Guests in sun hats sampling a bite of food at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 037 · 6:12 PM

Three guests holding magnum bottles of wine in front of the Carmel Mission courtyard fountain at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 048 · 6:25 PM

Chefs and a guest beside a bouquet of orange flowers at a food station at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 050 · 6:27 PM

Two guests in front of the balloon-wrapped Fiesta sign at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 051 · 6:28 PM

Chefs and event staff posing together at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 052 · 6:31 PM

Guests posing for a portrait in the Carmel Mission courtyard at dusk at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 053 · 6:39 PM

Large group photo in front of a draped stage tent at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 054 · 6:43 PM

Three women toasting with wine glasses at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 058 · 6:47 PM

A chef in whites joking with a guest at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 061 · 6:47 PM

Woman in a red flower headpiece waving at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 062 · 6:48 PM

Guitarist playing electric guitar on stage at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 064 · 6:50 PM

Vocalist at the microphone on stage at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 065 · 6:51 PM

Drummer performing on stage at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 066 · 6:51 PM

Singer and band performing on stage at night during Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 067 · 7:32 PM

Guests dancing on the lawn under string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 068 · 7:32 PM

Guests posing for a portrait in the Carmel Mission courtyard at night at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 070 · 7:35 PM

Guests posing at night with the Carmel Mission bell tower behind them at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 071 · 7:42 PM

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Guests posing in front of the lit FIESTA CARMEL sign and balloons at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 074 · 7:44 PM

Couple posing at night, the woman wearing a flower crown, at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 077 · 7:50 PM

The band on stage under purple and red lights, seen from behind the drum kit, at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 078 · 7:52 PM

Elevated view of the crowd dancing in front of the stage at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 081 · 7:54 PM

Elevated view of the packed Carmel Mission courtyard at night during Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 083 · 7:55 PM

Couple sharing a kiss among string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 085 · 7:56 PM

Couple posing among string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 086 · 7:56 PM

The Carmel Mission bell tower lit with patterned light above a red-draped tent and guests at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 087 · 7:58 PM

Elevated view of the crowd, vendor booths and string lights in the Carmel Mission courtyard at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 088 · 7:59 PM

The Carmel Mission Basilica dome and bell tower illuminated at night during Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 091 · 8:06 PM

Guests at an outdoor bar glowing in red light at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 092 · 8:06 PM

Guests gathered around a tasting table under string lights at night at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 093 · 8:06 PM

Couple in a striped serape and sombrero at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 094 · 8:09 PM

Couple in cowboy hats under string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 095 · 8:13 PM

Two women holding wine bottles in front of a white wood backdrop with greenery at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 097 · 8:19 PM

Two men in cowboy hats at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 098 · 8:20 PM

A child on his father's shoulders with his mother beside them under string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 103 · 8:25 PM

Guests holding a large wine bottle beside the courtyard fountain at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 105 · 8:27 PM

Guests sampling wine at a tasting table at night at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 106 · 8:27 PM

A guest in a striped serape at night at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 107 · 8:28 PM

A guest dancing under string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 108 · 8:28 PM

Guests dancing under string lights at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 109 · 8:28 PM

Woman in an ornate white headdress and ruffled blouse at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 111 · 8:28 PM

Guest in a wide-brimmed black hat at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 113 · 8:29 PM

A guest laughing while dancing at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 114 · 8:29 PM

Couple dancing close together, holding a wine glass, at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 115 · 8:29 PM

Man in a black cowboy hat cheering while dancing at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 117 · 8:29 PM

Couple in cowboy hats dancing at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 120 · 8:29 PM

Woman in a black cowboy hat dancing at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 122 · 8:29 PM

Guests dancing in the crowd at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 123 · 8:29 PM

Woman in an orange dress dancing in the crowd at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 125 · 8:30 PM

Guests laughing together at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 127 · 8:30 PM

Two women laughing over a phone at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 128 · 8:31 PM

Group of friends posing together at night at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 129 · 8:37 PM

Man waving a bottle from the window of a catering truck while a colleague cheers at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 131 · 8:45 PM

Four guests in western wear posing at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 132 · 8:50 PM

Group of four guests posing under the stage truss at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 133 · 8:50 PM

Three guests posing, one holding up a black hat, at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 136 · 8:51 PM

Chef in whites posing with two guests at Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 137 · 8:53 PM

Three guests crouching in front of the glowing FIESTA CARMEL sign at the end of Taste of Carmel 2026 — No. 138 · 8:54 PM

The evening

Taste of Carmel is the Chamber's signature food and wine night, and the 2026 edition turned the Carmel Mission courtyard into a fiesta: a balloon-wrapped FIESTA CARMEL marquee, red-draped tents, serapes and sombreros, and the Mission bell tower lit in patterned light. Chefs and winemakers worked their tables while the live band kept the lawn dancing into the night.

Participants named in the Chamber's lineup included Nora's Carmel, Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse, Anton & Michel, Il Fornaio Carmel, Hog's Breath Inn, Flaherty's Seafood, Rio Grill, Village Corner and Gelato by the Sea, with wineries and beverage makers such as Wrath Wines, Scheid Vineyards, Galante Vineyards, Folktale Winery, Blair Estate, Windy Oaks Estate, Fog's End Distillery and Carmel Coffee Roasters. Thank you to the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and everyone who worked the courtyard that night.

I photograph corporate events, galas and festivals across the Monterey Peninsula, shooting on the Fujifilm GFX 100 II. If you are planning one, I would love to help.

Common questions

When and where was Taste of Carmel 2026?

Taste of Carmel 2026 was held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM, with VIP early entry at 5 PM, in the courtyard of the Carmel Mission Basilica in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was hosted by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

What was the theme of Taste of Carmel 2026?

The theme was "Fiesta at the Mission" for the 38th annual Taste of Carmel. More than 60 local restaurants, wineries and craft beverage makers served guests, with live music, dancing and a silent auction.

Who photographed Taste of Carmel 2026?

Manny Espinoza, a commercial and event photographer based in Carmel-by-the-Sea, photographed the evening on the Fujifilm GFX 100 II. This gallery has 138 photos taken between 5:24 PM and 8:54 PM, shown in the order they were captured.

How can I get a full-resolution copy of my photo?

Email manny@mannyespinoza.com with the photo number shown in the viewer, or the time it was taken, and Manny will send a download copy.

Can I share these photos on social media?

Yes. Share them with credit ("Photo: Manny Espinoza") and a link back to this page. For commercial, advertising or print use, email manny@mannyespinoza.com for a license.

Do you photograph events like this one?

Yes. Manny Espinoza photographs corporate events, galas, fundraisers and festivals on the Monterey Peninsula and beyond, with a retouched gallery delivered in 48 to 72 hours and same-night selects available for social media.

Taste of Carmel 2026 at the Carmel Mission: Event Photos

Taste of Carmel 2026, at a glance

All 138 photos, in the order taken

The evening

Common questions