Things to Do in California in November

November is a fun time to explore California because fall and the holiday season overlap across the state. Harvest festivals and food events continue into the month, ski resorts begin opening in the mountains, and holiday lights start appearing at theme parks, gardens, and historic attractions.

Here are some of the best festivals, events, and seasonal activities happening around California in November.

Table Of Contents

1. Mushroom Season in Mendocino County: Select Dates Throughout November

November is mushroom season along the Mendocino Coast, and several events offer opportunities to learn about the fungi growing throughout the region.

Check out Mendocino County’s mushroom festivities, join mushroom-identification walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens beginning November 16, take a mushroom-themed excursion on the Skunk Train on November 7, or attend the Mendocino Mushroom Club’s Fungi Festival November 14–15.

2. Día de los Muertos at Sterling Vineyards, Calistoga: November 1

Celebrate Día de los Muertos surrounded by Napa Valley vineyards during the Día de los Muertos celebration at Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga.

The winery’s Day of the Dead celebration includes mariachi music, an activity honoring ancestors, and food-and-wine tasting stations throughout the property.

3. Día de Muertos at Arte Américas, Fresno: November 1

Celebrate Día de Muertos at Arte Américas’ Cala Gala in Fresno’s arts district.

The cultural center’s long-running celebration includes a procession, traditional danza and folklórico performances, live music, art activities, food vendors, and artisans.

Admission is free, making this an accessible Día de Muertos celebration for families and visitors of all ages.

4. Mission San Juan Capistrano 250th Birthday Celebration, San Juan Capistrano: November 1

Help celebrate a major milestone during Mission San Juan Capistrano’s 250th Anniversary as the historic landmark marks its 250th birthday.

You can enjoy a birthday cupcake while exploring the mission’s Día de los Muertos altar, photography exhibit, and Artifact of the Month. The rotating artifact display offers an opportunity to see pieces from the mission’s archives that may not always be on view.

5. Día de los Muertos, Oxnard: November 1–2

Oxnard celebrates Día de los Muertos with altars, art, music, and food at several locations around the city.

See a giant altar decorated with marigolds, sugar skulls, and candles at the Carnegie Art Museum and The Collection at RiverPark.

On November 2, festivities continue at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center with decorations, music, and Mexican and Filipino cuisine.

6. Día de los Muertos Festival on Olvera Street, Los Angeles: Through November 2

Celebrate the Día de los Muertos Festival on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Festivities begin in late October and continue through November 2 with nightly processions, blessings, traditional dances, treats, and face painting.

The celebration honors departed ancestors while highlighting traditions with roots in pre-Columbian cultures.

7. Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego, San Diego: October 31–November 2

Spend Día de los Muertos weekend at the Old Town San Diego Día de los Muertos celebration.

Community altars appear throughout the state historic park, while museums showcase additional altars created by local artists.

You can listen to live music, shop for arts and crafts, participate in hands-on activities, watch the Catrina contest on November 1, and join a candlelit procession after sunset on November 2.

8. San Diego Food + Wine Festival, San Diego: November 1–8

Taste your way through San Diego during the San Diego Food + Wine Festival.

The waterfront event highlights chefs, sommeliers, California ingredients, and wines from both domestic and international producers.

Major events include Icons & Legends on November 6, the Grand Tasting on November 7 with more than 200 wines and food from over 80 West Coast and Baja chefs, and the Grand Fiesta on November 8 celebrating Latin American influences on Southern California cuisine.

9. Big Sur Food & Wine Festival, Big Sur: November 5–7

Enjoy food and wine surrounded by some of California’s most dramatic coastal scenery during the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival.

The weekend features several individually ticketed experiences, including the Wine Walkabout at Post Ranch Inn and Bubbles & Brushes at Big Sur Lodge.

Other special excursions give festivalgoers opportunities to experience locations around Big Sur that aren’t part of the typical visitor itinerary.

10. Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival, Lodi: November 6–8

See thousands of migrating sandhill cranes during the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival in California’s Central Valley.

Join guided wildlife-viewing tours in surrounding habitats, attend presentations from experts, explore interactive exhibits, and learn more about the annual crane migration through the California Delta. The weekend also includes special activities in downtown Lodi.

11. Placer Artists Tour, Placer County: November 6–8 & 13–15

Spend two November weekends exploring art studios and galleries during the Annual Placer Artists Tour.

Artists throughout Placer County open their studios, giving you a chance to see their work, meet the people behind it, and purchase pieces directly from local creators.

Stops around Gold Country communities such as Auburn and Colfax can also be combined with visits to local wineries, shops, and cheese producers.

12. Palm Springs Pride, Greater Palm Springs: November 6–8

November brings one of California’s later Pride celebrations to the desert during Palm Springs Pride.

Events throughout the weekend include a parade, street festival, 5K fun run, and live music. The celebration coincides with the beginning of the desert’s popular fall and winter travel season.

13. Exposure 2026, Encinitas: November 6–8

Watch professional and Olympic-level skateboarders compete during Exposure 2026 in Encinitas.

Held at Poods Park, the free event is focused on women’s skateboarding and combines high-level competition with activities for spectators. Food trucks, vendors, interactive games, and skate lessons for different ages round out the weekend.

14. Holiday Celebrations at California Theme Parks, Statewide: Beginning November 7

Get an early start on the holiday season as theme parks throughout California transform with festive decorations, seasonal food, Christmas entertainment, and special events beginning in November.

The holiday calendar includes A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place San Diego from November 7–January 3, Holidays at the Disneyland Resort from November 13–January 6, SeaWorld Christmas Celebration from November 13–January 3, and Knott’s Merry Farm from November 20–January 3.

Northern California joins the festivities with North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens from November 21–December 31 and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom WinterFest beginning November 27. Southern California’s Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park also begins November 27.

15. Wild West Film Festival, Vacaville: November 7

Explore stories about the American West during the Wild West Film Festival in Vacaville.

The event brings together short films, visual art, music, poetry, and other creative works exploring the people and cultures that shaped the West. Between screenings, you can also see cowboy reenactors, browse food and drink vendors, and enjoy activities designed for different ages.

16. Hot Rods at the Beach & Sea Glass and Ocean Art Festival, Santa Cruz: November 7–8

Two events take over the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk during the same November weekend.

On November 7, Hot Rods at the Beach brings a collection of vintage vehicles to the famous seaside amusement park.

The Sea Glass and Ocean Art Festival runs November 7–8 with dozens of vendors selling sea-glass creations and ocean-inspired artwork along the Boardwalk.

Since admission to the Boardwalk itself is free, you can easily walk through both events while enjoying a fall day on the Santa Cruz coast.

17. Madera Pomegranate, Fruit, and Nut Festival, Madera: November 7

Celebrate Central Valley agriculture during the Madera Pomegranate, Fruit, and Nut Festival.

The festival highlights locally grown pomegranates along with almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and other agricultural products from the farm-rich region surrounding Madera.

Sample local foods, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy additional entertainment taking place throughout the weekend.

18. Spartan Trifecta Weekend, San Luis Obispo County: November 7–8

Challenge yourself to an obstacle-course race during Spartan Trifecta Weekend at Santa Margarita Ranch.

Participants can choose from several distances and difficulty levels while running through vineyard scenery and tackling significant elevation changes.

Those looking for an extra challenge can attempt three separate races – the Sprint 5K, Super 10K, and Beast 21K – over the course of the weekend.

19. West Coast Hoop Dance Championship, Ridgecrest: November 7

Learn about Native American hoop dance during the West Coast Hoop Dance Championship in Ridgecrest.

Competitors showcase the artistry, heritage, and athleticism involved in hoop dancing while competing for prizes and the opportunity to advance to a national championship.

You can also try hoop dance lessons and browse artisan vendors throughout the event.

20. Vintner’s Holidays at Yosemite, Yosemite National Park: Beginning November 8

Combine Yosemite scenery with California wine during Vintner’s Holidays at The Ahwahnee.

Each three-day session features wine tastings, opportunities to meet vintners, and a five-course dinner paired with wines.

Sessions begin November 8, 11, 15, and 18, making this the perfect time for wine lovers to plan a quieter late-fall Yosemite getaway.

21. De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival, Temecula Valley: November 8

Spend a day exploring Temecula Valley Wine Country during the De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival.

The five-mile wine trail connects a collection of wineries where festival tickets include wine tastings paired with food.

Eleven wineries participate in the event, including Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Somerset Vineyard & Winery, and Leoness Cellars.

22. California Ski Resort Opening Days, Statewide: Beginning November 13

November marks the unofficial beginning of ski season in California as mountain resorts begin opening their slopes for winter.

Mammoth Mountain currently plans to open November 13, followed by Northstar and Heavenly on November 20 and Palisades Tahoe on November 25. Opening dates depend on snow and weather conditions, so check directly with each resort before planning your trip.

23. Goat Hill Fair, Watsonville: November 13–14

Shop for vintage finds and repurposed treasures at Goat Hill Fair in Watsonville.

More than 100 juried vendors gather at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds to sell antiques, vintage pieces, and creative upcycled items. The fair places a strong emphasis on repurposed and secondhand merchandise.

24. Holiday Lights at Filoli, Woodside: Beginning November 14

Step into the holiday season during Holiday Lights at Filoli in Woodside.

Inside the historic estate, you’ll find Christmas trees and thousands of ornaments, while the surrounding 16-acre garden glows with miles of holiday lights. The celebration begins November 14 and continues into January.

25. Anniversary Party at The Hive, Woodland: November 14

Celebrate honey, mead, and local food during The Hive’s Anniversary Party in Woodland.

The Yolo County tasting room is operated by Z Specialty Food, a longtime family business specializing in honey and mead.

The celebration includes live music, tours of the honey-making operation, holiday shopping, tastings, and even a spelling bee testing your knowledge of honey, bees, and mead.

26. Autumn Soirée: The SLO Way, San Luis Obispo: November 14

Celebrate San Luis Obispo’s food, wine, and arts scene during Autumn Soirée: The SLO Way at Hotel San Luis Obispo.

The event spotlights local chefs, winemakers, and produce alongside live music, a wine wall, fire dancing, and a silent auction.

An art installation curated by the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art adds another local touch to the evening.

27. LA Skins Fest, Hollywood: November 18–22

Watch films created by Indigenous storytellers during LA Skins Fest in Hollywood.

The Native American film festival takes place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and showcases feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation, television projects, and emerging media.

It’s an opportunity to discover established and emerging Native filmmakers while experiencing one of Hollywood’s landmark theaters.

28. Redding Garden of Lights, Redding: Beginning November 20

Walk through a glowing botanical garden during the Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Ten acres of pathways and nature-inspired displays throughout the McConnell Botanical Gardens are illuminated for the holiday season.

Along the route, stop for hot cocoa or warm up beside firepits while making s’mores. The event begins November 20 and continues on select dates into January.

29. Mountain Mandarin Festival, Roseville: November 20–22

Celebrate the beginning of mandarin season during the Mountain Mandarin Festival in Roseville.

Placer County is known for its Satsuma mandarins, and this annual festival gives you plenty of opportunities to buy bags of locally grown fruit.

You’ll also find mandarin-inspired dishes and recipe competitions showcasing creative ways to use one of the region’s signature winter crops.

30. Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas: Beginning November 20

Walk through more than a million holiday lights during Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden.

The approximately one-mile nighttime trail winds through the 37-acre garden with illuminated installations created by artists from around the world.

Twenty new displays join returning favorites for the 2026 season, with treats and hot cocoa available along the route.

Lightscape begins November 20 and continues into January.

31. Sawdust Winter Fantasy Art Festival, Laguna Beach: Beginning November 20

Shop for locally made holiday gifts during the Sawdust Winter Fantasy Art Festival in Laguna Beach.

The winter version of the long-running arts festival brings together artists, seasonal entertainment, and hands-on experiences in one of Southern California’s best-known art communities.

Browse holiday pieces, watch marionette performances, take free art and pottery classes, and stop for a visit with Santa.

The festival begins November 20 and continues through December 21.

32. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Daly City: Beginning November 21

Step into Victorian London without leaving California during The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace in Daly City.

Costumed characters roam the venue while visitors explore shops, pubs, dance floors, entertainment, and handmade gifts inspired by Charles Dickens’ era.

The immersive Christmas celebration begins November 21 and continues for five weekends through December 20.

33. Mission Inn Festival of Lights, Riverside: Beginning November 21

See one of Southern California’s most elaborate holiday displays during the Mission Inn Festival of Lights in Riverside.

The historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is decorated with approximately five million lights along with hundreds of animated figures, decorated Christmas trees, and an enormous mistletoe display.

The festivities begin November 21 and continue into early January, giving you plenty of opportunities to experience the lights throughout the holiday season.

34. Thanksgiving Turkey Trots, Statewide: Thanksgiving Week

Start Thanksgiving with a run or walk at one of California’s many Turkey Trots.

The first event is the Davis Turkey Trot on November 21. Thanksgiving-week races also include:

Most take place on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

35. Festival of Lights, Fort Bragg: Beginning November 27

Celebrate the holidays on the Mendocino Coast during the Festival of Lights at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Walk along pathways filled with twinkling lights while enjoying music, hot cocoa, cider, and locally made treats.

The festival begins November 27 and continues through December 20.

36. Illuminate SF Festival of Light, San Francisco: Beginning November 27

Explore San Francisco after dark during the Illuminate SF Festival of Light.

More than 40 light installations are located throughout neighborhoods around the city, from the Castro to Yerba Buena.

Some installations appear specifically for the holiday season while others are permanent public artworks, making it easy to create your own self-guided light tour through San Francisco.

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