October is one of the best months to explore California. Warm days continue along much of the coast while fall colors begin appearing in the mountains, wineries celebrate harvest season, pumpkin patches open across the state, and Halloween festivities take over theme parks and historic towns.
Whether you want to go leaf-peeping in the Eastern Sierra, stomp grapes in wine country, visit a pumpkin festival, listen to live music, or spend Halloween by the coast, there are plenty of things to do in California in October.
1. Pumpkin Patch Festivities, Statewide: Throughout October
Celebrate fall at one of California’s many pumpkin patches. Farms throughout the state add corn mazes, tractor rides, petting zoos, hayrides, U-pick opportunities, and other seasonal activities throughout October.
Some of the best areas for pumpkin patches include Butte County, Sonoma County, San Mateo County, Half Moon Bay, Fresno County, San Luis Obispo County, Temecula Valley, and San Diego County.
2. Vegan Chef Challenge, Sacramento: Throughout October
Try creative plant-based dishes during Sacramento’s monthlong Vegan Chef Challenge. Participating restaurants create special vegan menu items throughout October, and diners can taste the dishes before voting for their favorites.
3. Halloween at Inn Town Campground, Nevada City: Throughout October
Go camping beneath towering pine trees decorated for spooky season during Halloween at Inn Town Campground. Skeletons, zombies, and other decorations appear throughout the campground, while guests are encouraged to decorate their own tents and RVs. Kid-friendly Halloween movies are also shown on select weekends.
4. Cambria Scarecrow Festival, Cambria: Throughout October
Hundreds of imaginative scarecrows appear throughout Cambria during the Cambria Scarecrow Festival. Walk through the East and West Villages, Moonstone Beach area, and nearby San Simeon to spot everything from traditional scarecrows to elaborate characters, zombies, and humorous displays.
5. Los Olivos Scarecrow Fest & Contest, Los Olivos: Throughout October
Explore downtown Los Olivos while searching for the creative entries in the Scarecrow Fest and Contest. Local businesses compete for awards such as Most Humorous and Best Natural Materials, turning this small Santa Ynez Valley town into an outdoor fall exhibit.
Visit on October 10 and you can also experience Los Olivos’ Day in the Country celebration with a parade, local vendors, and community activities.
6. Kids Free San Diego, San Diego County: Throughout October
October is an especially good month for a family getaway thanks to Kids Free San Diego. Children can receive free admission, discounted tickets, meals, and other perks at participating attractions, hotels, museums, and restaurants throughout San Diego County.
Offers typically include major attractions such as LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego, although individual age limits and promotions vary.
7. Mexican Marigolds at Sanchez Produce, Santa Clarita: Select Dates in October
Pick up vibrant Mexican marigolds for Día de los Muertos at Sanchez Produce in Santa Clarita. The family-owned farm grows a large field of golden and orange cempasúchil along with pink celosia flowers.
Check the farm’s updates before visiting since flower availability and opening dates vary throughout the month.
8. Día de los Muertos, San Diego: October 1–November 2
Old Town San Diego begins celebrating Día de los Muertos at the beginning of October. Walk through the historic district to see colorful altars, listen to live music, browse artisan booths, and learn about Day of the Dead traditions.
The celebration culminates November 1–2 with additional altars and hands-on activities such as sugar-skull decorating.
9. Aftershock Festival, Sacramento: October 1–4
Some of the biggest names in rock take over Sacramento’s Discovery Park during the Aftershock Festival. The four-day festival showcases heavy metal, alternative rock, punk, and other genres across multiple stages.
This year’s headliners include My Chemical Romance, Sublime, Limp Bizkit, and Wu-Tang Clan.
10. Redwood Coast Music Festival, Eureka: October 1–4
Listen to jazz, blues, swing, zydeco, rockabilly, Western swing, and other styles during the Redwood Coast Music Festival in Eureka. More than 50 acts perform at several venues throughout town during the four-day celebration of American roots music.
11. Mill Valley Film Festival, Marin County: October 1–11
Discover new movies and potential future award winners during the Mill Valley Film Festival. Screenings and special events take place at venues throughout Marin County and nearby Bay Area communities, including Mill Valley, San Rafael, Larkspur, Berkeley, and San Francisco.
12. Buccaneer Days, Catalina Island: October 1–3
Dress like a pirate and head to Two Harbors for Buccaneer Days, a 21-and-over festival featuring live music, DJs, treasure hunts, dancing, and pirate costume contests.
Visitors can camp at Two Harbors or arrive by boat, but accommodations and moorings can fill quickly during the festival.
13. Floating Features, San Francisco: October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Watch a movie while cruising San Francisco Bay during Red and White Fleet’s Floating Features. Evening sailings combine views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge with movies shown aboard the boat.
October’s lineup includes Jaws on October 2, Top Gun on October 9, The Game on October 16, Hocus Pocus on October 23, and Us on October 30.
14. Sea Cruise Classic Car Show, Crescent City: October 2–3
See vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles, and other classic vehicles beside the Northern California coast during the Sea Cruise Classic Car Show.
Friday features a show-and-shine and evening cruise, while Saturday brings live music, vendors, dozens of vehicle classes, and the popular Rumble at Noon when participants rev their engines together.
15. St. Helena Annual Sidewalk Sale, St. Helena: October 2–4
Spend the weekend shopping in downtown Napa Valley during the St. Helena Annual Sidewalk Sale. Main Street businesses offer discounts on clothing, artwork, home goods, accessories, and other items while the town takes on a festive fall atmosphere.
16. Stillwater Pow Wow, Redding: October 2–4
Experience traditional singing, dancing, drumming, competitions, and Native American arts during Redding Rancheria’s Stillwater Pow Wow.
The free event at the Redding Rodeo Grounds welcomes tribes from throughout North America and includes opportunities to shop for handmade crafts and other goods.
17. California Avocado Festival, Carpinteria: October 2–4
Celebrate one of California’s signature crops during the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria. The free festival features live music, avocado-inspired dishes, food vendors, and an enormous serving of guacamole.
You can also watch competitors battle for bragging rights during the festival’s guacamole-making contest.
18. San Benito County Fair, Tres Pinos: October 2–4
Enjoy carnival rides, fair food, livestock exhibits, horse shows, and live entertainment during the San Benito County Fair in Tres Pinos.
Friday night’s Bucking Bash adds bull riding, saddle bronc riding, and wild horse racing to this classic Central California fall fair.
19. Pacific Airshow, Huntington Beach: October 2–4
Look to the skies above Huntington Beach during the Pacific Airshow, one of the country’s biggest aviation events.
Watch military and civilian pilots perform above the Pacific Ocean, including appearances from international aviation teams. Families can also explore STEM activities and interactive exhibits near the beach.
20. Carved at Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge: October 2–November 1
Walk through a glowing landscape of carved pumpkins during Carved at Descanso Gardens. The approximately one-mile nighttime trail winds through illuminated trees and elaborate pumpkin displays, with carving demonstrations adding to the seasonal atmosphere.
21. Viking Classic Car Show, Solvang: October 3
Classic cars meet Danish charm during the Viking Classic Car Show in downtown Solvang. Admire vintage automobiles, sports cars, muscle cars, and hot rods before visiting the event’s beer and wine garden and Viking burger bar.
22. Many Moons Festival, Sebastopol: October 3
Celebrate Asian American, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander cultures during the Many Moons Festival in Sebastopol.
The festival combines live music, cooking demonstrations, fashion, cultural activities, and plenty of food, wine, beer, and sake before ending with a lantern-lighting celebration at dusk.
23. Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival, Amador County: October 3–4
Celebrate harvest season at Amador County wineries during the Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival. Participating wineries offer harvest-themed experiences such as barrel tastings, winery tours, food pairings, live music, and opportunities to see the crush season in action.
Reservations are required for participating winery experiences during the 2026 festival.
24. Johnny Appleseed Days, Paradise: October 3–4
Celebrate apple season during Johnny Appleseed Days, a Butte County tradition dating back to 1888. Enjoy locally grown apples, fresh apple pie, vendors, entertainment, and appearances from Johnny Appleseed himself.
25. Oxnard Multicultural Festival, Oxnard: October 3
Experience cultures from around the world during the Oxnard Multicultural Festival. Browse community booths, enjoy performances, and sample food representing cultures and countries including Belize, China, Guatemala, Kenya, and more.
26. HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours, Joshua Tree Area: October 3–4, 10–11 & 17–18
Meet artists throughout California’s high desert during the HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours. More than 100 participating artists open their working studios to visitors across communities including Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.
Use the event map to create a self-guided route and meet local artists where they create their work.
27. Fleet Week San Francisco, San Francisco: October 4–12
Watch ships and aircraft take over the San Francisco waterfront during Fleet Week San Francisco.
Highlights include the Parade of Ships, ship tours, aviation demonstrations over San Francisco Bay, and a free Marine Band concert.
28. Joshua Tree Music Festival, Joshua Tree: October 8–11
Camp beneath the desert sky while listening to an eclectic mix of performers during the Joshua Tree Music Festival. The festival brings together music, art, community activities, and the unique scenery surrounding Joshua Tree National Park.
29. JazzTrax Festival, Catalina Island: October 8–11 & 15–18
Spend two weekends listening to smooth jazz on Catalina Island during the JazzTrax Festival. Concerts take place around Descanso Beach Club and the historic Casino Ballroom, with this year’s lineup including Kirk Whalum, David Benoit, Acoustic Alchemy, and a tribute to David Sanborn.
30. Leaves in the Loop, June Lake: October 9–11
Experience the Eastern Sierra at peak fall color during Leaves in the Loop along the June Lake Loop.
Admire golden aspens while joining photography and painting activities or learning about the area’s history during guided experiences.
31. Oakhurst Fall Festival, Oakhurst: October 9–11
Celebrate fall near Yosemite during the Oakhurst Fall Festival. This small-town fair features carnival rides, food trucks, character meet-and-greets, live entertainment, and opportunities to discover the surrounding Madera County region.
32. Night Sky Festival, Twentynine Palms: October 9–10
Head to the desert for exceptional stargazing during the Night Sky Festival in Twentynine Palms. Activities include telescope clinics, guided constellation tours, nighttime viewing, and a family-friendly glow party near Joshua Tree National Park.
33. Auburn Wine, Ale & Food Festival, Auburn: October 10
Explore historic Auburn while tasting local food and drinks during the Auburn Wine, Ale & Food Festival.
Participating locations throughout Old Town and Downtown Auburn serve samples from Sierra Foothill wineries, craft breweries, and local restaurants.
34. McCloud Apple Harvest Festival, McCloud: October 10
Welcome fall in Siskiyou County during the McCloud Apple Harvest Festival. Watch an apple pie-baking competition, taste fresh-pressed apple drinks, listen to live music, take a wagon ride, and visit the pumpkin patch.
35. Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa: October 10
Celebrate Sonoma County wine and food during the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. The 2026 event features a one-night celebration where guests can taste medal-winning wines from local wineries along with culinary creations from Sonoma County restaurants and food producers.
The event also reveals winners from the Harvest Fair’s prestigious professional wine competition.
36. Corning Olive Festival & Car Show, Corning: October 10
Celebrate Tehama County’s olive-growing heritage during the Corning Olive Festival & Car Show. Sample olives, oils, and other locally made products before checking out the classic vehicles on display.
37. Paso Robles Pioneer Day, Paso Robles: October 10
Discover the farming and ranching roots of Paso Robles during Pioneer Day. The nearly century-old tradition includes a free downtown parade with antique tractors, horse-drawn wagons, marching bands, equestrian groups, and colorful floats.
38. CatCon, Pasadena: October 10–11
Cat lovers take over the Pasadena Convention Center during CatCon. Meet adoptable cats, shop for feline-themed merchandise, see special guests and social media personalities, and learn more about cat care and rescue organizations.
39. Harvest FestiFall at Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia: October 10–11
Experience fall as Californians might have in the 1850s during Harvest FestiFall.
Vendors dressed in period clothing sell crafts, jewelry, and baked goods while demonstrations showcase traditional skills such as weaving and spinning. Live music and dancing complete the historic celebration.
40. Old West Days, Groveland: October 10–11
Step into Gold Country’s past during Old West Days in Groveland. Walk through a half-scale Old West town complete with a saloon, bank, and post office while watching historical reenactments and live entertainment.
Food vendors serve barbecue, chili, and other hearty favorites throughout the weekend.
41. Sierra Oro Farm-to-Fork Dinner, Chico: October 11
Celebrate Northern California agriculture during the Sierra Oro Farm-to-Fork Experience & Dinner at the Chico State University Farm.
The afternoon includes farm tours, local vendors, and a charcuterie tasting before guests sit down for a farm-to-fork dinner highlighting ingredients from regional farms, ranches, wineries, and other producers.
42. Humboldt Redwoods Marathon, Humboldt County: October 11
Run beneath some of the world’s tallest trees during the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon.
Choose from a 5K, half marathon, or full marathon along routes surrounded by towering trees in and around Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
43. Farm & Barn Tour, Placer County: October 11
Visit local farms during the free Placer County Farm & Barn Tour. Participating farms offer guided or self-guided tours, agricultural demonstrations, activities for children, local vendors, and opportunities to shop for fresh fall produce.
44. Monterey Wharf Birthday Party, Monterey: October 11
Help celebrate 181 years of Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf during the Wharf Birthday Party.
Enjoy guided walks, live music, giveaways, face painting, and a slice of themed birthday cake at the historic waterfront landmark, which dates back to 1845.
45. World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Half Moon Bay: October 12
See some unbelievably large pumpkins compete during the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay.
Growers bring gigantic pumpkins from across the region to compete for prizes just days before the city’s famous Art & Pumpkin Festival.
46. Taste: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience, Livermore: October 15–18
Spend a long weekend exploring Livermore Valley Wine Country during Taste: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience.
Events include wine tastings, vineyard experiences, winemaker dinners, and food-and-wine pairing events involving wineries throughout the region.
47. Fall Modernism Week, Greater Palm Springs: October 15–18
Celebrate Palm Springs’ world-famous midcentury architecture during Fall Modernism Week.
The smaller autumn version of the area’s popular February event includes guided architectural tours, home tours, films, lectures, parties, and other experiences highlighting Greater Palm Springs’ modernist style.
48. Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp, Paso Robles: October 16–17
Get your feet into the harvest during the Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp at Opolo Winery.
The three-day Paso Robles celebration combines wine tasting with Balkan-inspired cuisine, traditional dancing, and the chance to stomp grapes inside large bins.
49. Silverado Days, Buena Park: October 16–18
Experience an old-fashioned Western fair during Silverado Days at William Peak Park in Buena Park.
The free festival includes carnival rides, fair food, entertainment, a pie-eating competition, and a dog show. Free parking makes it an easy addition to a Southern California fall getaway.
50. A Toast to Sausalito, Sausalito: October 17
Sample drinks from local wineries, breweries, and distilleries during A Toast to Sausalito.
More than 100 vendors participate in the waterfront event, which also offers live music, children’s activities, and free festivities for visitors who don’t purchase a tasting wristband.
51. Mountain Harvest Beer Festival, Quincy: October 17
Taste more than 20 craft beers during the Mountain Harvest Beer Festival at the Plumas County Fairgrounds.
Wine, hard cider, local food, and mountain scenery round out this afternoon fall festival in Quincy.
52. Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, Oakhurst: October 17–18
Celebrate Celtic culture in the Sierra Nevada foothills during the Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games.
Watch traditional Highland athletic competitions such as the stone put and hammer throw alongside bagpiping, dancing, live music, beard contests, and Scottish-inspired food.
53. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay: October 17–18
Celebrate fall in California’s self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital during the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
Downtown fills with enormous pumpkins, carved jack-o’-lanterns, arts and crafts, seasonal drinks, pie-eating contests, entertainment, and the Great Pumpkin Parade.
54. Santa Cruz Band Review, Santa Cruz: October 17
Watch dozens of Northern California school marching bands perform beside the ocean during the Santa Cruz Band Review.
Around 55 high school and junior high bands compete along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk during this long-running musical tradition.
55. Atascadero Colony Days, Atascadero: October 17
Celebrate the history of Atascadero during Colony Days. The community festival honors the town’s early-20th-century beginnings with a parade, live entertainment, local activities, and its famously entertaining small-dog races.
56. Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, Santa Ynez: October 17
Taste wine from more than 70 Santa Barbara County wineries during Santa Barbara Vintners Weekend at Firestone Estate.
Meet local winemakers while pairing wines with dishes from more than 25 restaurants throughout the region.
57. Pismo Beach Clam Festival, Pismo Beach: October 17–18
Celebrate Pismo Beach’s coastal heritage during the Pismo Beach Clam Festival.
The weekend includes the annual parade, clam-themed activities, a chowder competition, beer and wine garden, and plenty of coastal food and entertainment.
58. Borrego Days Desert Festival, Borrego Springs: October 17–18
Enjoy warm fall days and clear desert nights during the Borrego Days Desert Festival in Borrego Springs.
The weekend features a parade, car show, children’s activities, beer garden, food vendors, and easy access to the dramatic landscapes of nearby Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
59. Truckee River Day, Truckee: October 18
Spend a morning helping restore the environment around Truckee during Truckee River Day.
Volunteers work on projects such as planting native vegetation, restoring meadows, and protecting sensitive areas before gathering for afternoon entertainment and activities.
60. Celebrate the Craft, La Jolla: October 18
Taste food and drinks from Southern California chefs, farms, wineries, and breweries during Celebrate the Craft at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Your admission includes small plates and beverages served on the resort grounds with views toward the Pacific Ocean and Torrey Pines Golf Course.
61. Old Towne Orange Film Festival, Orange: October 23–25
Watch independent movies and meet filmmakers during the Old Towne Orange Film Festival.
Screenings take place inside the historic Orange Grove Lodge alongside filmmaker Q&As, storytelling events, and an awards celebration.
62. Murder Mystery Weekend at Grey Whale Inn, Fort Bragg: October 23–25
Become part of an interactive mystery during Murder Mystery Weekend at Grey Whale Inn.
The weekend package includes two nights at the historic Fort Bragg inn along with meals, drinks, transportation, and a ride aboard the Skunk Train’s Presidential Car while guests attempt to solve the mystery.
63. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off, Santa Cruz: October 24
Taste chili beside the Pacific Ocean during the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off.
Purchase a tasting ticket to sample entries from competing cooks before casting your vote for your favorite chili.
64. Whole Vine Festival, Fresno: October 24
Celebrate the San Joaquin Valley’s grape-growing heritage during the Whole Vine Festival at Fresno State.
The free festival highlights table grapes, wine grapes, and raisin grapes with tastings, educational exhibits, children’s activities, live country music, and a wine and beer garden.
65. Tarantula Awareness Festival, Coarsegold: October 24
Learn to appreciate one of California’s most misunderstood creatures during the Tarantula Awareness Festival in Coarsegold.
The quirky Yosemite-area celebration combines tarantula education with spider races, hairy-leg competitions, poetry contests, pumpkin cheesecake, and other creepy-crawly fall fun.
66. Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, Palm Desert: October 25
Watch creatively decorated golf carts roll along El Paseo during the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade.
The quirky Greater Palm Springs tradition also features food vendors, local shopping, entertainment, and golf cart displays along one of Palm Desert’s best-known streets.
67. Carmel Halloween Parade & 110th Birthday Bash, Carmel-by-the-Sea: October 30–31
Celebrate Halloween and Carmel-by-the-Sea’s 110th birthday during two days of festivities downtown.
The City Halloween Parade takes place on October 30 with costumed participants making their way through town before trick-or-treating in Devendorf Park.
On October 31, the City’s 110th Birthday Bash continues the celebration at Devendorf Park with live music, face painting, free hot dogs while supplies last, and other family-friendly activities.
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