California Events
Healsdburg, CA: Russian River Roses, 3 weekends in May
Saturday, May 9, 2026
ALBANY: Garden Conservancy Open Days at Architect’s Home + Garden May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. California Participating Gardens require visiting this website and reserving tickets: gardenconservancy.org | garden tours
ANDERSON: Redding Fire Festival May 9, 2026, 3-9:30 p.m. at Shasta District Fair & Event Center. Cirque show, vendors, cosplay, beer & wine sales, all sorts of art and more. Location: 1890 Briggs Street, Anderson, CA. $, firefestivals.com
ANTIOCH: Jazz & Blues Festival May 9, 2026, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park. Vendors, Food trucks, beer & wine and great jazz line up. celebrateantioch.org
ARCATA: Hobohemia band performs at Arcata Plaza Summer Concerts & Farmers' Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: Arcata Plaza surrounded by 8th, 9th, G, and H Street, Arcata, CA. Free, northcoastgrowersassociation.org
ARTESIA: Mariachi Festival May 9, 2026, 5-10 p.m. in Artesia Park. Food trucks, beer garden and live Mariachi performances. Location: Clarkdale lot open green space, 18750 Clarkdale Ave., Artesia, CA. Free, cityofartesia.us
BERKELEY: Garden Conservancy Open Days at Aging Gracefully Open Day and also North Oakland Hillside Botanical Retreat May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. California Participating Gardens require visiting this website and reserving tickets: gardenconservancy.org | garden tours
BROWNS VALLEY: Untz Festival, May 8-10, 2026 at Sycamore Ranch 5390 Highway 20 Browns Valley, CA $90-700, theuntzfestival.com
CARLSBAD: Hot Rods & Cool Treats carnival and classic car show May 9, 2026, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Pine Avenue Community Park. Games, crafts, face painting, Fun Zone, Build your own sundae ice cream bar, live music. Carnival tickets, food, and drinks sold at the event. Location: 3333 Harding Street, Carlsbad, CA. Free admission, carlsbadca.gov
CARLSBAD: Fiesta at the Rancho May 9, 2026, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Live entertainment, hosted bar and meal outdoors at fundraiser. Location: 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Carlsbad, CA. Tickets: carlsbadca.gov
CARMICHAEL: Group Therapy, classic rock and roll and old school, R&B, 5:15-8 p.m. at Concerts in the Park, Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion in Carmichael Park. Location: 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael, CA. Free, carmichaelpark.com
CARSON: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show May 9, 2026, 6-9 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Carson / Long Beach. The culprit is hiding in plain sight, and before the night is over, you could find yourself named a Prime Suspect at the award-winning true crime dinner show. Location: 2 Civic Plaza Dr., Carson, CA. $94.34, thedinnerdetective.com
CHOWCHILLA: Armed Forces Day Parade with Marching Bands, Floats & Unique Automobiles, Dance Teams , Equestrian Groups and more. Info: Kevin Pettitt, (559) 479-2753
COTTONWOOD: Cottonwood Mother's Day Rodeo May 9-10, 2026, gates 11 a.m. | Rodeo 1 p.m. both days at Bobby Jones Arena. Location: 3917 Main Street, Cottonwood, CA. $, facebook.com/CottonwoodRodeo/ | rodeos
COTTONWOOD: Mother's Day Rodeo Parade, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Front & Main St. is part of Cottonwood Mother's Day Rodeo, cottonwoodchamberofcommerce.com | rodeo
DANVILLE: Garden Tour May 8-9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Self-guided stroll through five private gardens in Danville and Alamo. It's Mother's Day Weekend - so bring your Mom or a Friend for the 24th annual Garden Tour. $45-50, daw-ca.aauw.net
DIXON: Dixon May Fair May 7-10, 2026. Powersports Tractor Pull Competition, Demolition Derby and Rodeo are grandstand events at this annual fair which includes a carnival livestock and home arts competitions. Location: 655 South First St., Dixon, CA 95620 $, dixonmayfair.com | May Fairs
ENCINITAS: Mother's Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour May 9-10, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Self-guided, driving tour. Free refreshments served at every stop. $, sandieguitoartguild.com | garden tours
FAIRFIELD: Junk in the Trunk community garage sale May 9, 2026, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Laurel Creek Community Park Parking Lot. Sell household goods out of the trunk of your car for $30. Buyers are free admission. Location: 2986 Gulf Drive, Fairfield, CA. fairfield.ca.gov
FALLBROOK: Green Go Fashion Show May 9, 2026, 1-3 p.m. at Fallbrook Art Center, in the Janice Griffiths Gallery. Mother's Day fashion show for a greener Mother Earth is led by San Diego County Arts and Culture Commissioner, Renee Richetts. Location: 103 S. Main Ave., Fallbrook, CA. $51.25, fallbrookartcenter.org
FOLSOM: The City of Folsom 80th Birthday May 9, 2026 in Lions City Park. Dance, music, martial arts, and cultural performances at this family-friendly event. Free, facebook.com/ FolsomParksandRec
FONTANA: Free Outdoor Jazz Concert featuring Jurupa Hills Jazz Ensemble 6-9 p.m. at Mary Vagle Nature Center. Location: 11501 Cypress Avenue E., Fontana, CA. Free, fontanaca.gov
GILROY: Impressions Home and Garden Tour and Boutique May 8-9, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Walking Tour of a diverse group of homes in terms of decor, age, and style. $, gilroyassistanceleague.org
HEALDSBURG: Perfume Rose Harvest May 2-17, 2026 at Russian River Rose Company. First 3 weekends in May visit California's only perfume rose fields. Location: 1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg, CA. $ russian-river-rose.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH: SeaLegs Concerts at the Beach with Strange Days, tribute to The Doors, 2-6 p.m. at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Free concerts every Saturday during summer months. Location: Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint & Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. Free, but this California state beach charges parking, sealegsatthebeach.com
INDIO: Asada Fest! in Downtown Indio. Local restaurant & food trucks serve asada dishes, Face painting, Obstacle Course, Bounce house, Live Entertainment with La Sonora Dinamita, Calmala, La Maestria, Mariachi Del Ayer, Ballet Folklórico Sol del Desierto. Location: Center Stage, 82881 Miles Ave., Indio, CA. Free admission, indio.org
IRWINDALE: The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire Saturdays and Sundays April 4-May 17, 2026, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area. 12 Performance Areas with so many acts, you'll have to come back! General admission $40-50 approx. + $12 parking, renfair.com
LAKEWOOD: Pan American Fiesta May 8-10, 2026 at Mayfair Park. It's back and the City of Lakewood couldn't be more excited! Carnival rides, live music, pageantry, cultural booths, arts & crafts, food trucks and vendors selling food and gifts to celebrate Mother's Day Weekend. Free concerts. Location: 5720 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA. Free, lakewoodcity.org
LIVERMORE: Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival 1-5 p.m. at Las Positas College Athletic Field Enjoy music from the bands IrieFuse, The Last Decade, Sugar Bear Band and Captain Kitten's Chicken Fried Cats while tasting craft brews from Northern California, and food is available. Location: 3000 Campus Hill Dr, Livermore, CA. $65-95, lvcbf.com
MARIN: Marin Open Studios May 2-3 & 9-10, 2026, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Marin County, California Over 270 artists open their doors one or both weekends. Free self-guided tour, marinopenstudios.org
MONTEREY PARK: Monterey Park Play Days Birthday Celebration Concerts May 7-10, 2026 at Barnes Park. Location: 350 S. McPherrin, Monterey Park, CA. montereypark.ca.gov
MOORPARK: Moorpark Apricot Festival & Art Fair at Arroyo Vista Community Park. Craft vendors, food trucks, beer, wine, apricot offerings, live music, dance performances, animal shows, art demos, interactive community art project and more! Location: 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark, CA. Free, moorparkapricotfestival.com
MOUNTAIN HOUSE: Kite Festival May 9, 2026, 6-9 p.m. at Central Community Park. Presented by the City of Mountain House Parks & Recreation Department. Location: 25 Main Street, Mountain House, CA. Free, mountainhouseca.gov
OAK GLEN: Strawberry Days May 2-17, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Los Rios Rancho. All you can eat strawberries right off the vine! Location: 12253 Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA. $, losriosrancho.com
OAKLAND: Garden Conservancy Open Days at El Jardin De las Ranas May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. California Participating Gardens require visiting this website and reserving tickets: gardenconservancy.org | garden tours
OROVILLE: Feather Fiesta Days May 9, 2026 Parade (10a), Crafts Faire and Chili Cookoff. Concerts all day include: Van Hagar, Chico, The Sun Followers and Flearoy. Most events free, orovillechamber.com
PARADISE: Paradise Chocolate Fest 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Terry Ashe Park 6626 Skyway. chocolatefest.us
PARKFIELD: Parkfield Bluegrass Festival May 7-10, 2026 Parkfield Cafe & Community Center - Parkfield, CA $, parkfieldbluegrass.org
PASADENA: House of Design April 19-May 17, 2026 Tuesday-Sunday at Bauer Estate & Gardens. $38-58, pasadenashowcase.org
PASO ROBLES: Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Festival May 9, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm Downtown Paso Robles City Park. The annual Paso Robles Main Street Association event is free admission. Location: 12th and Park Streets, Paso Robles, CA. pasoroblesdowntown.org
POMONA: Los Angeles County Fair May 7-31, 2026, open Thurs-Sun. Location: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA. $, lacountyfair.com
SACRAMENTO: East Sacramento Garden Tour May 9-10, 2026. In Sacramento's Fabulous 40s neighborhood stroll along the tree-lined streets and beautiful homes to view a variety of lush and creative gardens. $25-30, eastsacgardentour.com | garden tours
SAN DIEGO: Gator By The Bay May 7-10, 2026 at Spanish Landing. It's a Mardi Gras in May Festival with Zydeco, Cajun, Rockabilly, Swing, Salsa and New Orleans Jazz and food. Location: 3900 North Harbor Dr. $30-210, gatorbythebay.com
SAN FRANCISCO: KQED Fest 2026 May 9, 2026, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at The Commons at KQED. Block party and open house its Mission District headquarters with bites from local food trucks and live music on Noise Pop's Homegrown Stage. On-stage moments from KQED, NPR, and PBS programs, fireside chats with reporters, guided studio tours and crafts & games. Location: 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco CA. Free, kqed.org/about/visit
SAN JOSE: Makers Market's Local Artist Street Fair May 9, 2026, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Santana Row. 60+Artists, Crafters, Designers, and Makers gather on the second Saturday of every month to sell handmade jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, apparel, leather goods, glass art, candles, local honey, apothecary, art, crochet, pet treats, handbags, plants, and more. Location: 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA. Free, santanarow.com
SONORA: Mother Lode Round Up Main Rodeo May 9-10, 2026 (Mother's Day Weekend) at Mother Lode Fairgrounds. 7 a.m. Mothers Day Breakfast, 10 a.m. Cowboy Church, 12:30 p.m. Kidddie Rodeo at 2:30 p.m. Location: 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora, CA. $, motherloderoundup.com | rodeos
SUNSET BEACH: Mother's Day Art Festival May 9-10, 2026, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 12th Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach, CA Held along the greenbelt between N. Pacific and S. Pacific from Broadway to 7th street, the Art Festival held each year on Mother's Day weekend features over 150 vendor arts & crafts booths. Free, sunsetbeachartfestival.net
WOODLAKE: Lions Rodeo May 9-10, 2026. A Central Valley tradition for more than a half century. Location: 19400 Avenue 398, Woodlake, CA. $, woodlakelionsclub.com | rodeos
WOODLAND: BerryFest May 9-10, 2026, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Yolo County Fairgrounds. New location with old time favorite strawberry treats. Location: 1250 E Gum Ave., Woodland, CA. $14, thestrawberryfest.com
YERMO: Calico Ghost Town Bluegrass Festival Mother's Day Weekend, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Calico Ghost Town 36600 Ghost Town Road Yermo, CA 92398 Camping call 800-TO-CALICO. $15, parks.sbcounty.gov
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.