Labor Day may be the symbolic end of summer, but California enjoys the best of both summer and autumn throughout this month. First of all, September typically brings some of the warmest and sunniest days of the year—so heading to the beach either to catch a wave or watch the experts do so is the perfect way to celebrate California Surfing Day on the 20th. To get in on some early leaf-peeping, visit one of California’s nine national parks: September 23 is one of five fee-free days.
All during September, meanwhile, wine lovers can toast California Wine Month through special events such as barrel tastings, vineyard tours, and grape stomps. California Native American Day arrives Sept. 22, but the whole month is a prime time to see Pow Wows and other Native-themed festivals around the state, such as the three-day Sycuan Pow Wow (Sept. 6–8) in Chula Vista.
September is also a great month for beer gardens, harvest festivals, and quirky events celebrating everything from Paul Bunyan to Danish heritage to ghosts. Here’s a long list of events to help you extend your summer or fast-track it into fall.
All month: Halloween Time at Disneyland, Anaheim
Start celebrating scary season at the Anaheim resort, where not-too-frightening attractions and events include the Main Street Pumpkin festival at Disneyland Park, seasonally decorated rides, and the Oogie Boogie Bash in Disney California Adventure Park. Runs through Oct. 31.
All month: Mind+Body Month, West Hollywood
September is Mind+Body Month in West Hollywood, a 30-day celebration spotlighting the city's dedication to health and wellness. Throughout the month, local businesses—from rejuvenating spas to cutting-edge gyms—will come together to offer special events, wellness packages, and unique experiences in the well-being space.
Aug. 30–Sept. 2: Paul Bunyan Days, Fort Bragg
Some say the mythic lumberjack and his blue ox Babe spent some time in the redwoods around Fort Bragg, so it makes sense that the Mendocino County town has been home to this festival since 1939. Take part in events like a logging show, tricycle races, and an ugly dog contest, all while enjoying local beer and barbecue.
Aug. 30–Sept. 2: Norco Fair, Norco
Rodeo events, mower races, and a pet parade are just some of the events at this classic fair in Riverside County that also offers rides and fair cuisine. The weekend culminates in a Labor Day parade on Monday.
Begins Sept. 5: Halloween Horror Nights, Los Angeles
This year’s scarefest at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles features new walk-through experiences and haunted houses, including some inspired by A Quiet Place, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and even Ghostbusters. The Weeknd returns to the park this year for a haunted house called “Nightmare Trilogy” and this year’s Terror Tram is “Enter the Blumhouse” featuring M3GAN. Runs through Nov. 3.
Sept. 6–8: Festa Italia, Monterey
The modern history of Monterey holds a lot of Italian traditions, thanks to the fishermen who started emigrating here from Italy in the late 19th century. Honoring that heritage includes a lot of food: calamari, steak, and sausage sandwiches, as well as pasta, arancini, and cannoli. Between snacks, enjoy the music, dancing, and crafts.
Sept. 6–8: Sequoia Dark Sky Festival, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Come to this pair of national parks during the weekend days, then stay after dark for some world-class stargazing in the Big Stump and Wuksachi Lodge parking areas. The schedule of events typically includes talks from NASA and Caltech scientists in the Giant Forest/Lodgepole and Grant Grove areas, as well as guided activities such as solar viewing. All activities are free.
Check out these Sequoia and Kings Canyon lodging and camping options in and around the parks, or choose a hotel in nearby Visalia.
Sept. 6–14: Lexus WSL Finals, San Clemente
Experience the best of the surfing world at the World Surf League Finals, held on the world-class waves of Lower Trestles near San Clemente. Watch as the top five surfers from both the men’s and women’s regular-season standings compete for top honors. Then, in honor of California Surfing Day on Sept. 20 the next week, follow this surfing-themed itinerary around Southern California.
September 6, 13: Jazz and Blues by the Bay, Sausalito
Summer’s outdoor-concert season continues with this series along the waterfront in Sausalito, featuring soul band The Seastrunk Brothers and the “accordion soul” of Andre Thierry. Bring a picnic blanket or low chair to Gabrielson Park to enjoy both music and big views. Bring your own picnic or buy food and drink onsite. The 90-minute concerts begin at 6 p.m. to optimize the golden hour.
Sept. 7, 21: Fiesta en la Playa and Boardwalk Pride, Santa Cruz
A new season of fun kicks off after Labor Day in Santa Cruz at its Beach Boardwalk, where the rides and games are complemented by special events. On Sept. 7, the Fiesta en la Playa celebrates the Latino community through folklorico dancers, mariachi bands, and a free beach concert.
Come back on September 21 for the Boardwalk’s PRIDE day, with a DJ playing at the Pirate Ship Stage, special photo ops, and merch, plus ’80s pop star Tiffany performing on the main stage. The next weekend (Sept. 27–28), the Boardwalk hosts its Fall Campout, when your admission wristband lets you enjoy unlimited rides and games, a movie on the beach, and camping with your own tent on the boardwalk.
Begins Sept. 7: Oktoberfest Big Bear, Big Bear Lake
First launched in 1969 by a duo of German immigrants, this series of weekend parties in Big Bear Lake boasts of being one of the biggest German festivals on the West Coast. Come for the live music and dancing along with log-sawing and beer-stein-holding contests, and lots of regional and international beer. Runs through Nov. 2.
For more Oktoberfest fun, head to Benicia for the Benicia Oktoberfest & Marketplace (Sept. 14), which showcases Bavarian cuisine, stein-carrying contests, and live music by bands including Alpentanzer Schuhplattler and Igor and the Red Elvises.
Or, take part in the Oktoberfest in Midtown Sacramento (Sept. 27), the Modesto Oktoberfest Pub Crawl (Sept., 28) or the Concord Oktoberfest Pub Crawl (Sept. 28). In San Diego County, Encinitas throws its own local-beer-fueled Oktoberfest party on Sept. 29—a tip of the Tyrolean hat to the German immigrants who settled the neighboring community of Olivenhain in 1884.
Sept. 7: Windsor Chili Cook-Off, Windsor
Chili-making teams comprised of both amateur and professional chefs will throw down for both trophies and glory at this annual competition in Sonoma County. As an attendee, you get to be a judge, tasting and voting on the competing chilis. The Windsor event includes live music and local beer and wine for sale, and proceeds benefit a local food bank.
Sept. 7: Petaluma River Craft Beer Fest, Petaluma
Sample your way along the waterfront of historic downtown Petaluma. Enjoy food, music, and more than 20 breweries and kombucha makers from Sonoma County and beyond, including Lagunitas, Crooked Goat Brewing, and Hoocha Brewing.
Sept. 8: Calistoga Harvest Table, Calistoga
Sit down for a feast at a 1,000-foot table on Calistoga’s Lincoln Avenue at the 10th year of this annual tradition. The evening includes a social hour followed by dinner provided by one of 12 local restaurants. (When you book your tickets, you pick which restaurant you prefer, with options including Evangeline and Calistoga Inn.) There will be vegetarian options as well as libations from 14 local wineries.
Sept. 13–15: Fall Into Music Festival, Lewiston
Combine a stay at the Lakeview Terrace Resort in Trinity County with this annual music festival that has the vibe of a friendly hootenanny. More than a dozen acts perform on the resort grounds, complemented by vendors, food trucks, an onsite massage therapist, and a laser show. It’s also a great excuse to enjoy this resort on Lewiston Lake, a short drive from the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
Sept. 13–15: The Maritime Festival, Dana Point
Watch mock cannon battles, pirate adventures, and mermaid shows staged on seven different ships in this Orange County town that is also a Whale Heritage Site. Shore-bound attractions at the event—celebrating its 40th anniversary this year—include live music, food trucks, vendor booths, and craft beer vendors. It all takes place near the Ocean Institute, the marine life and history education center located right on the waterfront.
Sept. 13 and 20: Sangria Showdown and Uncorked & Uncapped, Elk Grove
See why the Gold Country town of Elk Grove has such a thriving wine and beer scene. Come to Sky River Casino’s 32 Brews Street on Sept. 13 to vote on your favorite wine-and-fruit concoctions created by professional mixologists, bartenders, and other experts. The next week, celebrate local wineries and breweries at Uncorked and Uncapped (Sept. 20) at Old Town Plaza in Historic Elk Grove. Make the most of local food trucks, live music, outdoor games, and a chance to try the winning sangrias from the showdown.
Sept. 14–15: Whale Rock Music & Arts Festival, Paso Robles
Not to be confused with yacht rock, this family-friendly music festival is set among the rolling hills and organically farmed Whale Rock Vineyard and the Castoro Cellars Winery in Paso Robles wine county. The weekend features two stages and 16 bands, as well as such diversion as yoga, art, craft beer, wine, and kids’ activities. The festival, which has Vulfpeck and The Head and the Heart as headliners, also raises money for local music programs.
Sept. 14–15: Colfax Railroad Days, Placer County
Immerse yourself in history in this Placer County town that played a key role in the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. Check out model railroad displays, Union Pacific engines, and Old West entertainment, then try some beer from Auburn’s Knee Deep Brewing Co.
Sept. 14–15: Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival, Ventura
Browse paintings, pottery, photography, and jewelry at Ventura’s Harbor Village while also checking out the sidewalks emblazoned with chalk murals. Kids, meanwhile, can express themselves in their own chalk area.
Sept. 20: Placer Wine Trail Sips & Suds BBQ, Placer County
Sample the wines and ales of Gold Country—paired with barbecue, live music, and games—during this one-day event at Gold Hill Gardens, a 38-acre inn and estate. Get a head start and expand your familiarity with the region’s offerings by picking up this year’s Placer Wine & Ale Trail Sips & Suds Summer Passport, good through Sept. 20 for tastings at participating wineries and breweries.
Sept. 20–21: Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Street Festival, Sacramento
Stroll this mile-long (and free!) taste-fest along the Capitol Mall and you’ll see why Sacramento has earned its Farm-to-Fork Capital nickname. Watch chef demos, sample Northern California produce and cuisine, taste local wine and craft beer, and listen to live music.
Sept. 20–21: Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion, Ontario
Channel some old-school road-trip vibes in downtown Ontario, an Inland Empire town that sits just off the path of the original Route 66. Ogle 22 blocks’ worth of classic cars, then catch festival shows by Grand Funk Railroad.
Sept. 20–22: Solvang Danish Days, Santa Barbara County
Feast on Danish cuisine and Scandinavian cheer at the 86th edition of this festival that celebrates the town of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley. The weekend includes aebleskiver breakfasts (think spherical pancakes), a Viking beer-and-wine garden, and a parade.
Sept. 20–22: Nissan Super Girl Pro, Oceanside
Featuring more than 60 top professional female surfers, this annual Oceanside festival is equal parts competition and entertainment. It’s the largest women’s surfing event in the world, with head-to-head battles, an adaptive surfing exhibition, and a pro-am longboard competition taking place over the course of three days. In addition to a festival village with female-focused vendors, fitness classes, and women’s esports tournaments, the weekend features a lineup of free concerts from Ceelo Green, Lovely the Band, and more.
Sept. 21: 49er Festival & Chili Cook-Off, Groveland
Toast Gold Rush history with a bowl of chili at this festival held off Highway 120 in Tuolumne County near Yosemite. Now in its the 34th year, the festival (formerly known as Old West Days) also features a parade, Old West gunfight recreations, and beard and moustache contests.
Opens Sept. 21: Eastwood Ranch Foundation, Agoura Hills
While it may be unconventional—though not unheard of—to adopt a pet while on vacation, it’s still fun to see animals and learn about rescue efforts at this new Agoura Hills facility opened by Clint Eastwood’s daughter Alison, an actor and director in her own right. The grand opening features vegan bites, craft cocktails and mocktails, and wood-fired pizza from nearby Two Doughs Pizza Co.
Sept. 21–22: Lafayette Art, Wine & Music Festival, Contra Costa County
Browse 300-plus booths of artisan crafts and local cuisine at the biggest annual festival in Contra Costa County, located on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay. The free-admission festival in Lafayette’s La Fiesta Square also features rides and games for kids, plus live music on four stages.
Sept. 21–22, 28–29: Open Studios Napa Valley, Napa County
Experience the work of more than 50 artists during self-guided tours of Napa Valley studios over the course of two weekends. Meet the artists, watch demonstrations, and buy locally made pieces. To chart your path, check out the online catalog and map of studios, most of which are located in Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, and St. Helena.
Sept. 23: Dine in the Vines, Paso Robles
Enjoy a winery dinner in Paso Robles as ONX Estate Vineyard hosts this evening featuring chef Amy Robinson from Epicurean Santa Barbara. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres underneath a giant oak tree followed by an elegant three-course dinner with wine pairings. The winery’s new Kiler Canyon wine will make its debut too.
Sept. 25–29: Burbank International Film Festival, Burbank
Watch screenings and listen to talks from industry insiders at the AMC 16 in Burbank, right in the nerve center of TV and film production. The lineup includes more than 200 feature and short films; check the website for event updates about tributes, Q&A panels, and red-carpet events.
Sept. 27–28, Oct. 4–5: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest, Chico
Be prepared to do some chicken dancing at this legendary Butte County brewery located in Chico. Sierra Nevada hosts its own autumn party of seasonal beers, food, and music over two weekends.
Sept. 27–28: Redding Roots Revival, Redding
The natural beauty and mellow vibes of the Shasta Cascade region create a perfect setting for this roots-music festival now in its fourth year. More than 30 national and regional acts will perform on three stages around downtown Redding, including the Art Deco Cascade Theatre, which first opened in 1934.
Sept. 27–28: Stories in Stone, Columbia
Get some Halloween season scares at Columbia State Historic Park, the living history museum in Tuolumne County that is reputed to have more than its share of ghostly inhabitants. During the four-hour evening, you’ll accompany lantern-toting docents through a historic cemetery to learn about 10 grave sites and how the inhabitants both lived and died. Can’t make it in September? They’ll be conducting two more tours in October.
Sept. 27–29: Ohana Festival, Dana Point
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder still helms this three-day weekend at Dana Point’s Doheny State Beach that features his favorite musicians. (The word “ohana” means “family” in Hawaiian.) Vedder shares top billing with other stars all weekend—including Devo, Sting, and Alanis Morissette.
Sept. 27–29: Annual Pow Wow and California Native American Day Celebration - Bishop Visitor Information Center, Bishop
Celebrate California Native American Day with the Bishop Pabanamanina tribe at this intertribal Pow Wow at the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center in Bishop. Learn more about the regional tribes’ cultures by watching different dancers and drummers, then partake in both free barbecue and traditional hand games—some of the oldest Owens Valley Paiute and Shoshone Indian traditions.
Sept. 27–29: Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey
Monterey County throws the world’s longest-running jazz fest, with roughly 500 artists performing on eight stages at the woodsy, 200-acre Monterey County Fairgrounds. This year’s acts include Samara Joy, Hiromi, and Joshua Redman.
Sept. 27–29: Bhakti Fest, Joshua Tree
Take your yoga and meditation practice to the next level at this festival that returns after a three-year absence. The festivities at the Joshua Tree Lake & Campground, north of Joshua Tree National Park, includes music as well as wellness workshops on yoga, breathwork, and sound healing. Accommodations include both tent camping and RV hookups; buy your tickets online or book them at the California Welcome Center, Yucca Valley.
Sept. 27–29: Same Same But Different Music Festival, Lake Perris
Come to Lake Perris State Park in Riverside County for a weekend of eclectic music alongside art installations, yoga sessions, and wellness workshops. Fill out the weekend by swimming or paddleboarding on the lake or kicking back on the beach.
Sept. 28: Oroville Salmon Festival, Butte County
Check out the salmon run at this Butte County fish hatchery, then make your own run in the 3K Salmon Dash at this festival that celebrates the fishes’ annual journey to the Feather River. The day also offers chances for kayaking tours, a street fair, and the riverside “Salmon Soiree” dinner.
Sept. 28: Hueneme Banana Festival, Ventura County
Ventura County’s deepwater Port of Hueneme ushers a lot of bananas into our country, so the town celebrates during this annual festival with banana-infused funnel cakes, milkshakes, and more. In between snacks, check out the live bands, banana-cream-pie-eating contests, and kids’ activities, as well as free boat tours of the port.
Sept. 28: Kelseyville Pear Festival, Lake County
Fall isn’t just for apples and pumpkins in the Lake County town of Kelseyville, which holds a parade and a pear pie–eating contest. Walk Main Street, lined with musicians and vendors offering pear-related merchandise, pear fritters, and pear margaritas.
Begins Sept. 28: A Taste of Fall at Filoli, Woodside
Bask in fall color at this San Francisco Peninsula estate, where the century-old Gentleman’s Orchard includes more than 500 fruit trees—including apple, pear, plum, apricot, fig, and quince. On Saturdays through Oct. 26, the resident horticulturist and beekeeper will show you the beehives and heritage trees, then offer samples of the Filoli butters, honeys, and hard ciders.
Sept. 28–29: 36th Annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest, Pacifica
Located on the San Francisco Peninsula, the beach town of Pacifica is known for its good surf, beaches, and dramatic fog that regularly rolls in off the ocean. This free annual event—always scheduled for what is typically a sunny weekend—embraces the spirit of the town through a parade, three stages of live music, and lots of local food and craft vendors.
Sept. 28–29: ClovisFest and Hot-Air Balloon Fun Fly, Fresno County
Watch hot-air balloons float in the sky at this Fresno County weekend festival, which begins at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Then head to the 12-city-block street fair featuring food, artisans, live music, and a beer garden.
Sept. 28–29: Portola Music Fest, San Francisco
San Francisco’s Pier 80 hosts this new two-day concert (21 and up only) with a diverse lineup of acts including Rufus du Soul, Gesaffelstein, Disclosure, and Jamie XX.
