California Scarecrow Festivals & Events

Greetings to scarecrow lovers everywhere! Scarecrows have long been used to to scare away the crows and birds in fields where valuable crops grow. Though not as prevalent today, you'll still see a lively scarecrow from time to time and you'll see some pretty amazing ones around Halloween. 

2025 Scarecrows

ARROYO GRANDE:  Harvest Festival Scarecrow Contest September 26-27, 2025 agharvestfestival.com

AUBURN: Auburn Community Festival Scarecrow Contest  October 18, 2025, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Scarecrow Check-in is usually before event opens to the public in Recreation Park

BENICIA: Frightfully First Street Annual Scarecrow Contest October 1-31, 2025
Scarecrows are on display starting throughout the month of October. Businesses on First Street and throughout Benicia will show off imaginatively created scarecrows.  beniciamainstreet.org

CAMBRIA:  Cambria Scarecrow Festival October 1-31, 2025
cambriascarecrows.com
Free public display throughout October.
Close to 500 unique creations are expected to line the main streets of these two towns, including a variety of traditional, animated and unique scarecrows. 

CHESTER:  October 1-31, 2025 | Voting is October 26-27, 2025  Lake Almanor Merchant's Scarecrow Competition, Scarecrows are judged on Facebook by members of the community! Judging closes at midnight October 31st. The winner receives award recognition for community participation and spirit   If you do not have a business or storefront and wish to participate to support the youth or this community please contact us and we will find accommodations for your scarecrow. more info... lakealmanorarea.com

COSTA MESA: Scarecrow Festival October 11, 2025, 2-6 p.m. in Lions Park.  costamesaca.gov

DANVILLE: The Scarecrow Stroll display October 10-November 10, 2025. The Town of Danville is excited for the second annual Scarecrow Stroll coming this fall. Danville businesses are currently busy creating their scarecrows and adding personality to their festive figure to show off their fall spirit.  Danville visitors and residents will be able to join the Scarecrow Stroll and follow the map to discover all the creative scarecrows while rediscovering and supporting local businesses. The community will also be able to share photos of their favorite scarecrows on social media and tag the Town for a chance to win prizes. danville.ca.gov / 851/Scarecrow-Stroll

DIXON:  Scarecrow Festival  October 18, 2025, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Dixon. discoverdixon.com/ events/ scarecrow-festival/
More than 100+ booths and activities on 6 city blocks, including crafters, pumpkin painting, street performers, games, donut eating contests, a petting zoo, face painting, flower pot decorating, and pumpkin bowling. Pumpkin races on Hennepin Avenue  returns at 1 p.m. between First and Second Street.  The Dixon Municipal Band  performs along the Riverfront.  Creativity is on display, as scarecrows decorated by local businesses and organizations can be seen throughout the festival and beyond in the downtown area.

ELK GROVE: Giant Pumpkin Festival October 4-5, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. "Colors of Autumn" is 2025 theme
Elk Grove Regional Park
9950 Elk Grove- Florin Rd
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Free, $10  parking, yourcsd.com
Scarecrow Contest application due early, see yourcsd.com
People's Choice
Best Theme Scarecrow
A cash award will be presented to the entry which most accurately captures the spirit of this year's theme.

EXETER: Scarecrow Annual Contest "Harvest to Bloom" and Displays October 1-31, 2025 exeterchamber.com
Every October  the Exeter Chamber of Commerce hosts the Scarecrow Contest and the businesses and organizations of Exeter compete for votes. This Annual Event has become a town favorite.

FAIR OAKS: Village Scarecrow Contest on display October 27-31, 2025 in the Village of Fair Oaks
Fair Oaks, CA
forpd.org/458/ Fair-Oaks-Village -Scarecrow-Spectacular
Join in on the all new Scarecrow Contest presented by the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District and Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce.  Businesses, individuals, groups, and families are invited to enter. 

FALLBROOK Scarecrow on Display October 1-31, 2025
Fallbrook Fall Faire October 19, 2025, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Main Ave. & Alvarado
Scarecrow Contest
You will be able to Vote for your favorite Scarecrow!
fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
CATEGORIES: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Wow Factor, Artistic Merit, Mechanical / Technical Merit, Funniest / Humor, Promoting Business,
Pop Culture, Kids - individual, family or group

PATTERSON: Fantozzi Farms Scarecrow Contest and Display | Set up September 20, 2025, between 9 am and 5 pm 
Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, 2665 Sperry Ave., Patterson, CA
fantozzifarms.com/ scarecrow-contest/
 Delivery, Set up, and Removal of Entries: Fantozzi Farms will place a 5 ft. metal post in the ground for attaching the scarecrow. The entrant MUST provide a method for attaching the scarecrow to the post. We recommend using a 2 inch diameter PVC pipe placed through the center of the scarecrow body. All entries must be picked up between Nov.3-Nov.8, 2025. 

RIPON : Scarecrow Fest Displayed outside businesses during the month of October, October 1-31, 2025 with voting on facebook. The 2025 theme is Happy Haunts. Event is produced by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce: riponchamber.org or facebook.com/  RiponChamberofCommerce

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY: Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Festival October 1-31, 2025
syvscarecrows.com
Scarecrows from Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang are judged by the public in the following categories:
· Most Danish
· Best Photo Op Scarecrow
· Best Use of Recycled Materials
· Spookiest
· Best Use of Business Theme
· Most Humorous

SIERRA MADRE: Scarecrows on Display October 1-31, 2025 | voting is October 5-21, 2025. The event celebrates its 14th year in 2025. It is organized by Creative Arts Group. creativeartsgroup.org

WINTERS: Winters Chamber Scarecrow Contest October 1-November 1  to be announced 2025
It may still be summer but it's TIME to start planning and building Scarecrows!! The competition was tough last year and there will be plenty of outstanding scarecrows celebrating fall all over Winters again this year! Date: The Winters Scarecrow Fest starts October 1st and ends November 1st. Don't want to actually build a Scarecrow but want to be  phone 530-795-2329 or by email sue@winterschamber.com.

UKIAH: Scarecrow City at Ukiah Pumpkin Festival October 18-19, 2025
Ukiah Valley Conference Center
200 S. School Street
Ukiah, CA
Free to see, cityofukiah.com
Local students (age 18 years and younger) create scarecrows which they display for two days during Ukiah Country PumpkinFest. Every year Savings Bank pairs local merchants and classrooms together to compete. Scarecrow City is on display during PumpkinFest, with prizes awarded for best designs and dressed scarecrows. The public is invited to check out these creative works of art.

VALLEY CENTER: 34th Annual Scarecrow Contest October 11, 2025, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Judging 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Results 1 p.m.
Bates Nut Farm
15954 Woods Valley Rd.
Valley Center, CA
$10 parking, free admission, batesnutfarm.biz
Bring your scarecrow and completed registration form to the pumpkin patch Friday or before 10 am on Saturday
Join in the fun by designing and building a scarecrow to exhibit in the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Keep the lost art of scarecrow making alive! Your scarecrow will be on display in the Pumpkin Patch thru October 31. Individuals, groups and clubs are invited to enter; each entry will receive a free jack-o-lantern pumpkin and certificate of participation. All winning scarecrows become the property of Bates Nut Farm and will be added to its famous scarecrow collection.

WINDSOR: Harvest Pumpkin Jamboree Scarecrow Building October 26, 2025
Free admission, windsorfarmersmarket.com
The Windsor Pumpkin Festival takes place every year on the Windsor Town Green. This is very much a family oriented affair as there are many things for young children to do. The day starts off with a parade marching through the Town Green and into the market. From there the festival goes into full force with face painting, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, biggest pumpkin contest, pumpkin bowling, and of course the awesome Pumpkin Car Races! 

No info

IRWINDALE: Scarecrow Alley - November  2025 to be announced.
Residents, Businesses and City Departments are invited to show off their creativity by designing their very own scarecrow that will be on display at our 2nd Annual Scarecrow Alley event hosted by the Irwindale Recreation and Public Works Departments. irwindaleca.gov

LATHROP: Scarecrow Contest Display at Pumpkin Maze, Dell'Osso Family Farm, September -October
Dell'Osso Family Farm Scarecrow Contest theme: "Super Heroes"
26 Stewart Road
Lathrop, CA 95330
pumpkinmaze.com/ scarecrow-contest/
Dell'Osso Family Farm Attraction with Pumpkin Patch, Mazes, Rides, Pumpkin Blaster and Scarecrow Ride.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.