California September Festivals

September festival in California include harvest festivals with focus on food and drinks, Halloween events seeping into the September calendar, Hispanic celebrations, film fests and thousands of things to see and do, primarily on weekends.

OAKLAND: Art & Soul Festival  September 17, 2023
ArtandSoulOakland.com

MILL VALLEY: Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival September 17-18, 2022, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Old Mill Park 352 Throckmorton Ave. Mill Valley, CA $10-20 admission (Free for students, children under 12, teachers & active-duty military), mvfaf.org mvfaf.org

AUBURN: Ain't Necessarily Dead Festival September 17, 2022 auburnrec.com Regional Park 3770 Richardson Drive Auburn, CA Grateful Dead Tribute Concert This is a free show! Live Music, Craft Beer Garden, Kid Fun Zone, and Crafts

CYPRESS: Cypress Community Festival September 30-October 1, 2022. Oak Knoll Park 5700 Orange Ave. cypressfestival.com City of Cypress community festival includes the Annual Cypress Car Show, Chili Cookoff, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7-11 a.m., Family Games, Food Booths, Chamber Business Expo, Children's Rides, Arts, Crafts & Continuous Entertainment

LOS ANGELES: Chinatown Mid-Autumn Moon Festival September 17, 2022, 5 p.m.-Midnight. Free event, chinatownla.com

McARTHUR: Mountain Jubilee - Carnival Lights and Country Nights
Barrel Racing, ACTRA Team Roping, Small Animal Show, CountrIntMtn Valley Trail Rides, FRVCC Farmers Market, BBQ Dinner, Horseshoe Tournament, Music Series Kick-off, Big Ball Tournament, Crafts Store, Antique Car Show, Pony Plop Bingo, Mud Run Races, Trike Races, Blow Fish Races, BBQ Dinner, Beer Garden, Egg Roulette, Live Music inter-mountainfair.com

SANTA CRUZ: Aloha Races
Municipal Wharf
Beach Street and Pacific Avenue
Free, cityofsantacruz.com
Exciting outrigger canoe races, food, fresh flower leis, shave ice, and dance performances

LA JOLLA:  San Diego Spirits Festival
 at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Fueled by top spirits & magnificent works of art, the world-class cocktail and cultural event, is shaking things up with unlimited cocktails from over 65 brands (including High end Spirits, ready to drink cocktails and seltzers,) live music and entertainment, access to galleries and more. Hours: Sat 3-7 p.m. and Sun 1-5 p.m. Location: 700 Prospect Street, La Jolla CA 92037  Tickets: $65-95 eventbrite.com

ALHAMBRA: Fiesta Alhambra September 19, 2021
 Latino Heritage Festival, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: 100 S. 2nd St. Alhambra, CA cityofalhambra.org | Fiestas Patrias

CALIFORNIA: Oktoberfest Festivals throughout the State

MILLBRAE: Millbrae Art & Wine Festival September 3-4, 2022, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. free admission
Caltrain Lot on West Evelyn
miramarevents.com

VENTURA: Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival
Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
venturaartfestival.com
Artists show their work on the lawn and street painters  create colorful chalk murals on the sidewalks along the docks.  Children's Chalk Area invites kids to create a 2x2' mural for $. The fee includes a small box of chalk pastels. This event raises funds for two local charities. 

WOODSIDE: Orchard Days at Filoli Weekends, September 25 - October 31, 2021, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Autumn leaves change color from green to red and gold, fruit ripens to its harvest peak, and nature preparies for winter. The Gentleman's Orchard opens every weekend
Filoli 86 Canada Road Woodside, CA $, filoli.org

ANAHEIM: Anaheim Craft & Vintage Fair September 17, 2022, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Great food sold all day! | Local crafters and artists | No multi-level marketing vendors | Food sale including Eastern European favorites, homemade jam & bake sale | Church talks at 11a & 2p | Convenient parking | Handicapped accessible | Stop on by and have a great time! Location: Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church, 995 N. West St., Anaheim, CA 92801

MENLO PARK:  Menlo Park Sidewalk Fine Arts & Crafts Fall Fest    Santa Cruz Avenue between El Camino Real and University Drive. pacificfinearts.com

REDWOOD CITY: Redwood City Salsa Festival 2022 Location: Courthouse Square, Redwood City, CA
redwoodcityevents.com

VISTA: Viking Festival September 16-17, 2023
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 North Santa Fe Avenue
Vista, California 92083
 $5-25,  vistavikingfestival.com
Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Axe throwing, spear throwing, archery, Viking log toss, horn blowing competition, vendor row, craft beer & mead, ethnic foods, Viking encampment, more. Vista Viking Festival is hosted by Norway Hall Foundation and presented by Norwegian Fish Club Odin and Norge Lodge of Sons of Norway.

Past Events

PASADENA: A Taste of Old Pasadena 

LIVERMORE: Taste of Downtown
Downtown Livermore
livermoredowntown.com
Sample from a bounty of local Wines & culinary treats, live music, free Horse-drawn Carriage Rides and more as you explore Downtown Livermore!  Stroll Downtown restaurants tasting culinary creations from our brilliant Downtown chefs. Our Downtown shops will be host to a tasting of our award winning Livermore Valley Wines. Live entertainment and shopping specials will be found throughout the Downtown.

SAN FRANCISCO: Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival September 
Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square and on Beach Street
Ghirardelli.com
ghirardelli.com
 

AUBURN: Gold Country Fair   Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, CA

WILMINGTON: Fiestas Patrias 
fiestadecarnival.com

POWAY: Poway Days Fest
Poway Road, Poway, CA powaydays.com

SAN FRANCISCO: Japan Film Festival Pop Summit 
jffsf.org
See contemporary Japanese cinema at the Japan Film Festival at New People Cinema.

TUOLUMNE: Tuolumne Acorn Festival 
Cost: Free Location: Tuolumne Rancheria Tuolumne, CA
blackoakcasino.com

BAKERSFIELD: Bridal Show at Bakersfield Marriott
$15-25, kerncountybridalassociation.com

STOCKTON: El Grito Festival 
Water Front Amphitheater
445 W. Weber St
Stockton, CA 95203
$10, facebook.com/figueroaent209/
Celebrating Hispanic heritage with an outdoor concert, mariachi, balie folklorico, kids activities, contents, food and more!

CHICO: Summerfest Chico Location: Chico, CA

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Timeless Treasures Boutique  timelesstreasuresboutiques.com 100+ artisans at Fall and Halloween craft festival boutique. Free admission, live music, free cup of coffee, ample free parking. New items daily.

PLYMOUTH:  Barbera Festival   Location: Terra d'Oro Winery 20680 Shenandoah School Rd Plymouth, CA. barberafestival.com

SOLVANG: Solvang Danish Days 

MONTEREY: Monterey Jazz Festival 

BOONVILLE: Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show  Location: 14400 Highway 128, Boonville, California. mendocountyfair.com

CAMINO: Fall Harvest Festival  open every weekend through apple season. Location: El Dorado Orchards, 2948 North Canyon Rd., Camino, CA, eldoradoorchards.com

LAFAYETTE: Lafayette Art and Wine Festival   Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA

LONG BEACH: Moompetam: Native American Festival
In celebration of local Native American cultures, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its  annual Moompetam Festival, featuring traditional music, dance, cultural craft demonstrations, storytelling, and educational programs. The festival will celebrate California's indigenous maritime cultures, including the Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseņo, and Kumeyaay.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach  , aquariumofpacific.org

CARMEL: Annual Sandcastle   Carmel Beach Scenic, south of 10th Carmel-by-the-Sea, California ci.carmel.ca.us or aiamontereybay.org | sandcastles

FAIR OAKS: Fair Oaks Chicken Festival 
 10219 Fair Oaks Boulevard Fair Oaks, CA
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. fairoakspark.org

FERNDALE: Bargain Lovers' Weekend   visitferndale.com

FIDDLETOWN: Fiddletown Fiddlers' Jam Saturday, Musician sign-ups begin at 9 a.m. fiddletownca.org

GROVELAND: 49er Festival, Chili & Salsa Cook-Off!  Location: Mary Laveroni Community Park   Groveland, California  groveland.org

CHULA VISTA: Bonitafest 
Twilight Parade  in Rohr Park, chulavistaca.gov
Annual Bonitafest Street Fair and Performing Arts Festival takes place at 751 Otay Lakes Road. Admission and parking are free. Food, art and diverse South County vendors such as City of Chula Vista Conservation Section booth offers tips to save energy and water in your home. Bonita Vista High School, Chula Vista, CA.

CLEAR LAKE: Seaplane Splash In   lakecochamber.com/clear-lake-seaplane-splash-in/ | clearlakesplashin.com

CRESTON: Creston, CA Classic Rodeo  Location: 6180 Webster Road Creston, CA. crestonclassicrodeo.org | rodeos

LIVE OAK: Live Oak Festival  Memorial Park, Live Oak, CA

RANDSBURG: Randsburg Old West Days Rand Desert Museum, Randsburg, CA

KERMAN: Kerman Harvest Festival & Parade 
kermanchamber.org
Annual community celebration 70+ years and still going! Four day event opens on Thursday   Food, vendors, Paul Maurer Shows Carnival, entertainment and music nightly, dance outdoors under the stars!
PARADE Saturday the   Kerman Harvest Festival Parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Kerman. Parade procession on Madera Avenue; A Street to G Street. 2017 Parade and

RED BLUFF: Ide Adobe Day 
William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
21659 Adobe Road
Red Bluff, CA 96080
parks.ca.gov
Listen to period music of the Ide Adobe Players and experience hands-on pioneer crafts and period activities. This event is located at the historic ranch and ferry crossing.

DURHAM: Durham Harvest Festival Durham Community Park Durham-Dayton Highway Car Show Arts and Craft Fair durhamrotary.org

ONTARIO: Route 66 Reunion 
Euclid Avenue
Ontario, CA
Route66CruisinReunion.com
Vintage Metal Road Show attracts car enthusiasts, hot rodders, musicians, vendors and sponsors to the car festival along historic tree-lined Euclid Avenue during the third weekend of September.

OAKHURST:  Mountain Heritage Days  Parade Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park
Oakhurst, CA  fresnoflatsmuseum.org 

NEWARK: Newark Days
newarkdays.org
Family fun, entertainment and Arts and Crafts. Micro-Brews, music, a Car Show (Saturday), Farmers Market (Sunday), Arts and Craft Vendors, Food Vendors and local Commercial Vendors along with a Kids Zone Park.

BERKELEY: Berkeley Old Time Music Convention | music

DINUBA: Raisin Day Festival
Celebrate the raisin harvest, a 100 year tradition with a parade, carnival and fun.

FRESNO: Reel Pride Film Festival

GRASS VALLEY: Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair 
Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA. nevadacountyfair.com

KERNVILLE: Kern River Rock N Blues Festival

WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek Walnut Festival  Twilight Parade   Events include a carnival, live music and entertainment throughout the weekend at this annual festival with a name paying tribute to the city's namesake and former walnut groves prominently dotting this East Bay destination.

ARROYO GRANDE: Harvest Festival  A parade, scarecrow decorating, pie eating contest, diaper derby, wheelbarrow races and spelling bee are among the family-friendly events.

BIG BEAR LAKE: Oktoberfest The Convention Center at Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake, CA

BISHOP: Paiute Pabanamanina Gathering, Parade and Pow Wow   | pow pow

CABAZON: Morongo Thunder & Lightning Pow Wow  t Morongo Casino Resort, Free | pow pow

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Oktoberfest September-October, Old World Festival Hall, Huntington Beach, CA oldworld.ws

LOS ALAMOS: Los Alamos Old Days Festival 

LOS ANGELES: Latin American Heritage Celebration. Angelus Plaza, 255 S. Hill St., Free, Donations Accepted. angelusplaza.org

LOS GATOS: Magical Glass Pumpkin Patch | pumpkins

MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Lakes Oktoberfest 

SONOMA: Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival   Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma, CA

FAIRFIELD: Candy Palooza   Location: 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA
jellybelly.com Free admission, some rides and attractions require a fee

MONTEREY: Monterey Bay Birding Festival Watsonville Civic Plaza, Watsonville, CA

OAKLAND: Dragon Boat Festival: September 23-24, 2017. World-class dragon boat racing, cultural performances, food,  vendors selling clothes and crafts, and kid-friendly activities in Dragon Land. Location: Lake Merritt. Cost: Free. | dragon boat

OROVILLE: Oroville Salmon Festival September 23, 2017, Downtown, Oroville, CA | salmon

PACIFICA: Pacific Coast Fog Fest  Free admission event with race, parade, sand castle competition and bands all day Pacifica CA pacificcoastfogfest.com

SAN ANSELMO: San Anselmo Country Fair Day   Free admission to the event. Pancake Breakfast at 7-11 a.m. at Downtown Firehouse. Street Fair, Live Music, and Food; 11 a.m. Community Parade Downtown San Anselmo San Anselmo, CA. Light up your life with a parade, live music, children's activities and booths with San Anselmo-based schools, community groups, artisans and shopkeepers. townofsananselmo.org

SAN MIGUEL: Old Mission San Miguel Fiesta  Music and festivities begin at Noon. Bring the family and celebrate the 220th anniversary of the mission. Live music, entertainment, BBQ with chicken or Tri-tip $12, optional Mexican food sold, Location: 775 Mission Street San Miguel, CA missionsanmiguel.org

 

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