California Events
Sunday, September 13, 2026
LAKEWOOD: The Hollow Awakens September 12-October 31, 2026 (Wednesday-Sunday evenings) at Lakewood Center Mall. Check out Imaginarium's new Halloween themed attraction with nine haunt zones, circus entertainment and trick or treats. Location: 326 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, CA. $22-24, thehollowawakens.com
ANAHEIM: PBR Team Series September 11-13, 2026 at Honda Center. Professional Bull Riders top action. Location: 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA. $, pbr.com | rodeos
ALBANY/BERKELEY: 50th Annual Solano Avenue Stroll September 13, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Held the 2nd Sunday in September, the event is billed as the "Mile Long Party." There are 26 blocks of free fun, over 500 vendors, food booths and entertainers. solanoavenueassn.org
AUBURN: Gold Country Fair September 10-13, 2026 at Gold Country Fairgrounds. Carnival and Midway, concerts, contests, livestock, reptiles, food, food, food! Location: 1273 High Street, Auburn, CA. $12-15 approx., goldcountryfair.com
AVALON: Annual Catalina Festival of Art, September 18-20, 2026, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily One of the longest running and most acclaimed art festivals in California! Artists from all over the country exhibit along Crescent Avenue and sell their works of fine art, sculpture, fine crafts & photography. catalinaartassociation.org
AVALON: Oktoberflx September 12-13, 2026, Saturday 12-8 p.m.; Sunday 12-3 p.m. at Flx Biergarten. German food favorites, beer, dancing and contests. Live polka band music mixed with pop culture hits from the Sauer Sam band. Location: 301 Crescent
BELMONT SHORE: Belmont Shore Car Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on 2nd Street. Annual festival of cars spans 14 blocks of Downtown Belmont Shore with vendors, a street fair and 2nd Street closed to traffic for the event. Free, belmontshorecarshow.com
BIG BEAR LAKE: Oktoberfest September 12-November 14, 2026 at Big Bear Lake Convention Center. Log Sawing, Stein Holding, German bands, beers & food, dancing, cool merch and more! $, bigbearevents.com
CAPITOLA: Capitola Art & Wine Festival September 12-13, 2026. More than 20 wineries, gourmet food, fine art, entertainment, children's art area. Hours: Sept. 12, 10a-6p; Sept.13, 10a-5p. Location: Capitola Village, Monterey and Capitola Avenues with free parking & shuttles from Capitola Mall. Free admission | $ festival tasting glass & $ tasting tokens, capitolachamber.com
CASTRO VALLEY: Castro Valley Fall Festival, September 12-13, 2026, 10a-6p on Castro Valley Blvd. Great food, awesome vendors and fun for the whole family! Location: Castro Valley Boulevard, Castro Valley, CA. Free, edenareachamber.com
CHULA VISTA: El Grito September 13, 2026, 4-8 p.m. at the Memorial Bowl in Downtown Chula Vista. Be a part of San Diego County official celebration of Mexican Independence Day - El Grito! This family-friendly event is open to the public. Enjoy traditional Mexican live entertainment and performances, food and beverages, and the official Grito. Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Free, chulavistaca.gov | Fiestas Patrias
CHULA VISTA: Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular September 12-November 1, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Special Halloween Shows, music, character photo ops, Trick or Treating in the theme park and Sesame Street's classic kids' rides. Location: Sesame Place, 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA. Tickets, sesameplace.com
COLFAX: Colfax Railroad Days September 12-13, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Street Dance Saturday 5:30-9 p.m. Celebrate railroad history with Blacksmith demos; Grizzly Mountain Minis Highland Cows; Sunny Days Farms baby goats; Black Flag Gang gunslingers; Morman Battalion 1840s Pioneer Camp; train displays and free train rides; Food, Refreshment, live music. Festival Location: Main Street, Downtown Colfax, Free admission, colfaxrailroaddays.com
DANA POINT: Maritime Festival September 11-13, 2026 at Ocean Institute. California's rich maritime history celebrated with visiting Tall Ships, Cannon Battles, Pirate and Mermaid Ball, Beer Garden, Seadog Saloon, Lil' Lads Landing, Sailor Camp, local marine life, Vendors, Food Trucks and more! Location: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA. Free areas at festival include Pirate Show, Sailor Camp, Beer Garden & Vendors Village on Saturday & Sunday; paid tickets for experiences include Cannon Battle on board a ship, Beer Tasting Festival, Pirate & Mermaid Ball on Saturday, Mermaid Shows, School for Scallywags and Adventure Pass, Free - $, oceaninstitute.org
DEL MAR: Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon September 13, 2026, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Del Mar Dog Beach. 20+ vendors, doggie costume contest, surfing contest. Dogs, with human help, participate in 10-minute heats based on weight class, judged on their ability to ride the waves, stay on the board, and fun-factor. 1st through 3rd place winners for each weight class and move onto the finals. Location: 3200 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA. $, animalcenter.org/ surf-dog-surf-a-thon
DUNCANS MILLS: Bay Area Rodeo Best Buck in the Bay September 12-13, 2026 at Rodeo grounds. Golden State Gay Rodeo Association annual event to benefit local charities. Duncan Mills, CA. $, bayarearodeo.com | rodeos
EAST LOS ANGELES: Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival September 13, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parade 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Parade is one of the largest and longest-running Mexican Independence Day Parades with elaborate floats, costumes, and live music representing different Mexican states. Parade route: E. Cesar Chávez Blvd. starting at Mednik St. and ending at Gage Ave. Free, facebook.com/CMCPLA | Fiestas Patrias
ELK GROVE: Butterfly Fest Weekends September 12-13, 19-20, 2026, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate beautiful, orange-winged Gulf Fritillary butterflies returning each year to lay their eggs on passionvine at The Secret Garden. Guided Life Cycle Tours at 11 a.m., help with starting your own butterfly garden, face painting, coffee cart serving drinks & treats and 15% off all perennials during the event! Location: 8450 W Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove, CA. Free, secretgarden-online.com
EL SESGUNDO: Go Fly a Kite! September 13, 2026, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Recreation Park. Sponsored by the City of El Segundo. Free kites while supplies last, or bring your own. Free, elsegundorecparks.org
ESCONDIDO: Fiestas Patrias September 12-13, 2026, Fri. 5-10; Sat. 11a-5p. at Grape Day Park. Live performances with Mariachi, Folklorico & Banda music, food vendors, artisan crafts, games & giveaways, kids zone, beer & spirit garden, El Grito de Independencia Ceremony, Catrinas & Charros roaming the park! Location: 321 North Broadway, Escondido, CA. Free, facebook.com/ FiestasPatriasEscondido/ | Fiestas Patrias
FERNDALE: Bargain Lovers' Weekend September 11-13, 2026. Town-wide garage sale takes place from Main Street to side streets and throughout the entire Victorian Village. Dozens of locations to check out, offering everything from antiques and collectibles to household items, tools, toys, electronics, clothing and more. visitferndale.com
FORT BRAGG: Shoreline Rodeo September 12-13, 2026. Junior Local Event each day. Tri-Tip BBQ Saturday 5 p.m. $25; Cowboy Breakfast 8-10 a.m. both days. Sunday ACTRA Roping at 9:30 a.m.; Location: 30601 Turner Road, Fort Bragg, CA. shorelineriders.com | rodeo
FOUNTAIN VALLEY: The Original Lobster Festival September 11-13, 2026 at Fountain Valley Sports Complex. Music, entertainment and delicious, fresh, flown-in-daily lobster that's steamed, not boiled! $5-70, originallobsterfestival.com
FULLERTON: Ghost Walking Tour September-October 2026, select nights. Stroll the streets of Fullerton learning about its dark side and haunted past in this 90-minute walking tour. $34.24, fullertonmuseum.com
GRASS VALLEY: Magical Evening on Mill Street Dinner, Dancing & Entertainment. No-host bar. Farm-to-table cuisine, artfully crafted, with a symphony of locally sourced ingredients, all within an atmosphere dripping with elegance and historic charm. $150, downtowngrassvalley.com
HOLLYWOOD: Lucy Dacus with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, 8 p.m. at Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Season. Location: 2301 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA. $, hollywoodbowl.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Oktoberfest September 12-November 8, 2026 at Old World Village. German Beers & Bands, Brats & Kraut, Shot Girls, and the Chicken Dance at every event! Hosting SoCal's biggest party since 1978, the indoor/outdoor Bavarian Biergarten features free admission nights Wed & Thu; adult nights Fri-Sat; and daytime family Sundays. oldworldhb.com
KELSEYVILLE: Dia de la Independencia! September 13, 2026, 1-8 p.m. Main Street, Kelseyville, CA Free, visitkelseyville.com | Fiestas Patrias
MADERA: Madera District Fair September 10-13, 2026. Entertainment and concerts, Drone Show nights, Pig Races, Clown, Magician, Whiskerino contest. Location: 1850 West Cleveland Ave., Madera, CA. $10-15, maderafair.com | Sept. Fairs
MARYSVILLE: Marysville Stampede PRCA Rodeo September 12-13, 2026 at Riverfront Park / Cotton Rosser Pavilion. Sunday is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day. Gates open 1 p.m. Rodeo at 3 p.m. Includes Mutton Bustin for the kids. Location: 600 Biz Johnson Drive, Marysville, CA. $35, marysvillestampede.com | rodeo
MENDOCINO: Mendocino Open Paint Out (MOPO) September 7-13, 2026. Mendocino Art Center The annual Mendocino Open Paint Out includes paint sales each day in the Art Center, daily demonstrations and presentations. Find painters at beaches, bays, wineries, mountain landscapes, redwoods and more. All events are free and open to the public, including watching the artists paint. mendocinoartcenter.org
MONTEREY: Festa Italia September 11-13, 2026 at Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. Opening Ceremonies and Procession to Old Fisherman's Wharf for blessing of the fishing fleet followed by entertainment, food, vino and Bocce tournament. Free admission, FestaItaliaMonterey.org
MOUNTAIN VIEW: Mountain View Art & Wine Festival September 12-13, 2026 in Downtown Mountain View. Location: Castro Street at Church Street, Mountain View, CA. Free admission, mvartwine.com
NAPLES: Street Dance with King Salmon band, September 13, 2026, 5 p.m. Naples Summer Concerts at Colonnade Park. Location: South end of The Colonnade, Naples, CA. Free, naplesislands.org
NEWPORT BEACH: Flashback Heart Attack band performs hits of the 80s at Summer Concerts on the Green 6-7:30 p.m., at Civic Plaza, City Hall. Location: 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA. Free, newportbeachca.gov
ORANGE: Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch September 12-October 31, 2026. Annual attraction and popular place to take children for pumpkin pictures, crafts, kiddie rides, food and wholesome fun! Location: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA. Free admission on weekdays; $, weekends - reservations required, IrvineParkRailroad.com
PASADENA: Kidspace Halloween September 18-October 31, 2026, includes a Halloween Parade every day, costumes encouraged, plus Pumpkin bowling, Adopt-a-Monster workshop and Witch's Kitchen. Location: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA. $17, kidspacemuseum.org
REDWOOD CITY: Fiestas Patrias A Celebration of Many Latin Countries and Mexican Independence September 13, 2026, 2-8 p.m. at Courthouse Square. Mexican Flag Raising for Hispanic Heritage Month, Colibri, Mexico Vivo Folkloric Dancing, Mariachi Mexicanisimo and Casa Circulo Cultural. Location: 2200 Broadway St. Redwood City, CA redwoodcity.org | Fiestas Patrias
ROCKLIN: Patriot Day September 13, 2026, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Johnson-Springview Park. Honor police officers, firefighters, first responders, and members of the military with neighbors and friends. Food & dessert trucks, high school jazz band, petting zoo, Kids Zone with rock climbing, bounce house and more. Location: 5480 5th Street, Rocklin, CA. Free, rocklin.ca.gov
SALINAS: Touch-A-Truck Salinas September 13, 2026, 12-4 p.m. at Salinas Rodeo Grounds. Kids of ALL ages (including adults) can climb into a fire engine, explore a bulldozer and climb behind the wheel a big rig. They can learn about CPR, build a toy vehicle, play carnival games and buy tasty treats. Proceeds benefit Coastal Kids Home Care. Location: 1034 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA. $5, coastalkidshomecare.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Viva Mexico! Bailamos conla Musica + Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, 1 p.m. at Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts. Location: Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA. Free, goldengateparkband.org
SAN JOSE: Assyrian Food Festival September 12-13, 2026 at Assyrian Church of the East. traditional Assyrian food, live music, dancing, and entertainment; a wine bar; the original Samovar Alley, featuring exotic teas, coffee, and pastries; arts, crafts, and exhibits; various vendors; and a Kidzone. Location: 680 Minnesota Ave. San Jose, CA Free admission, assyrianfestival.com
SAN JOSE: Viva Calle SJ September 13, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. celebrating 10 years of open street events. Bring your bikes, your roller blades, skates and yourself to enjoy car-free street temporarily closed to motorized vehicles. Concerts, food trucks, BMX Freestyle shows and more! vivacallesj.org
SANTA ANA: Fiestas Patrias Santa Ana Festival,
Parade and El Grito September 12-13, 2026. The huge, 2-day event
returns to the popular historic district of Downtown, situated along 4th Street.
The parade takes place along Main Street.
Santa Ana, CA
Free, santa-ana.org/fiestas-patrias/
SANTA BARBARA: Legendary band, Santana at Santa Barbara Bowl Concerts. Location: Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA. Tickets $67.50-up, sbbowl.com
SANTA ROSA: Fiesta De Independencia September 13, 2026, 1-7 p.m. at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Enjoy authentic food, music, games, and activities for the entire family. Location: 50 Mark West Springs Road Santa Rosa, CA Free admission, lutherburbankcenter.org | Fiestas Patrias
SEAL BEACH: Seal Beach Arts & Crafts Faire September 12-13, 2026, 9 a.m. both day at Eisenhower Park, foot of the Seal Beach Pier. Features over 100 arts & crafts vendors. Location: 820 Ocean Avenue, Seal Beach, CA. Free, sealbeachlions.org
SEBASTOPOL: Pinot & Paella September 13, 2026, 3-5 p.m. at Lynmar Estate. Gerard's Paella, a local favorite, paired with Lynmar Estate wines in the majestic outdoor setting. Location: Lynmar Estate Redwood Grove, 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol, CA $100, lynmarestate.com
TUOLUMNE: Heat Street Showdown Car Show + Chili Cook-Off + Cornhole Tournament, September 13, 2026, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at West Side Memorial Park. Classic cars, chili, cornhole, music, food trucks, beer & wine, a silent auction with proceeds supporting the Youth Sports Foundation of Tuolumne County.
TULELAKE: Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair September 10-13, 2026 at Tulelake Butte Valley Fairgrounds. Greased Pig Contest & Barnyard Kids Rodeo, Gymkhana, Destruction Derby, Concerts and Parade on Saturday 10 a.m. at Main & Modoc. Location: 800 South Main St., Tulelake, CA. $, tbvfair.com
UNIVERSAL CITY: Halloween Horror Nights September 3-November 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Hollywood is back. New this year is Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness at Southern California's scariest Halloween event with terrifying haunted houses, the Terror Tram, sinister scare zones, live entertainment and attractions. halloweenhorrornights.com
VALLEJO: Oktoberfest September 12-November 1, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays, at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Premium beers, authentic German food, live entertainment. $, sixflags.com/discoverykingdom | Oktoberfest
VENTURA: Art and Street Painting Festivals September 12-13, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Free Where: Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001 Parking: Free parking for the festival is available on Spinnaker Drive, and Ventura Harbor Village parking lots. Event information: venturaartfestival.com
VISALIA: Home Expo Remodeling & Decorating Show September 12-13, 2026 at Visalia Convention Center. Over 200 Exhibit including Tiny Homes, ADUs, Modern Sheds Remodeling, Redecorating, Energy Efficiency, Smart Home Security, Spooky Halloween Decor & Signature Christmas ornaments. $3-7, visaliahomeshows.com
VISTA: Fiestas Patrias September 13, 2026, 12-4 p.m. Location: Linda Rhoades Recreation Center, 600 North Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA. Celebrate Hispanic heritage in Vista through music, dance, food, and history. Location: 600 N Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA. Free, vistachamber.org | Fiestas Patrias
WASCO: Festival and Rose Parade September 10-13, 2026. Celebrate "The Rose Capital of the World" with a themed parade and grand marshals, marching bands, floats, queen coronation, vendor faire, car show, deep pit BBQ, pancake breakfast, fun run and basketball tournament. Most events are free admission.
WHEATLAND: Bishop's Pumpkin Farm open daily September 4-November 15, 2026. It's like going to a fair with fun foods and drinks, barnyard animals, carnival rides, hayrides, firepits, entertainment and free admission! Location: 1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA. Free, parking fees select days, bishopspumpkinfarm.com
WILLITS: Flynn Creek Circus September 11-27, 2026 at The Skunk Train. Aerialists, jugglers, knife throwers, circus acts, and laugh out loud comedy, this circus blends classic storybook archetypes with imaginative new heroes in The Cricket & the Wren. Location: 299 E. Commercial, St. Willits, CA. $$136.50 Big Top Includes a train ride through the redwoods, circus admission, and general seating, skunktrain.com flynncreekcircus.com
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.