Labor Day may be the symbolic end of summer, but California enjoys the best of both summer and autumn throughout this month.
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 27 is one of seven 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. 26, 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. 12–14) in Chula Vista.
September is also a great month for Oktoberfests, harvest festivals, and quirky events celebrating everything from Paul Bunyan to Danish heritage to ghosts. Here’s a list of events to help you extend your summer—or fast-track it into fall—in Northern, Central, and Southern California.
Northern California
Aug. 30–Sept. 1: 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.
Sept. 5, 12: Jazz and Blues by the Bay, Sausalito
Summer’s outdoor-concert season continues with this series along the waterfront in Sausalito, featuring the R&B Patton Leatha Band and the blues of Niecey Living Single. Bring a picnic blanket or low chair to Gabrielson Park to enjoy both music and big views; pack your own picnic or buy food and drink onsite. The 90-minute concerts begin at 6 p.m. to optimize the golden hour.
Sept. 6: 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 also includes live music and local beer and wine for sale, and proceeds benefit a local food bank.
Sept. 6, 20: 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 old-school rides and games are complemented by special events. On Sept. 6, the Fiesta en la Playa celebrates the Latino community through folklorico dancers, mariachi bands, and a free beach concert.
Come back on September 20 for the Boardwalk’s Pride event, with a DJ playing at the Pirate Ship Stage, special photo ops, and a show by tribute band ABBAFAB.
Sept. 7: Calistoga Harvest Table, Calistoga
Sit down for the annual feast at a 1,000-foot table on Calistoga’s Lincoln Avenue. The evening includes a social hour followed by dinner provided by one of a dozen local restaurants. (When you book your tickets, you pick which restaurant you prefer, with typical options including Evangeline and Calistoga Inn.) There will be vegetarian options as well as libations from local wineries.
Sept. 12 and 19: Sangria Showdown and Uncorked & Uncapped, Elk Grove
See why the Gold Country town of Elk Grove has such a thriving wine and beer scene at this doubleheader of events. Come to Sky River Casino’s 32 Brews Street on Sept. 12 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. 19) at Elk Grove’s Valley Hi Country Club. Make the most of local food trucks, live music, outdoor games, and the opportunity to sample the winning sangrias from the showdown.
Sept. 13: Petaluma River Craft Beer Fest, Petaluma
Sample your way along the waterfront of historic downtown Petaluma. Enjoy food, music, and about 20 breweries and kombucha makers from Sonoma County and beyond, including Lagunitas, Old Possum Brewing, and Hoocha Brewing.
Sept. 13–14: Colfax Railroad Days, Colfax
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 an 1840s reenactment camp, then try some local beer in the beer garden.
Sept. 19: Taste of Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay
Enjoy a farm-driven dinner featuring local ingredients and the creations of artisanal producers from the Half Moon Bay area. Held on the Ocean Lawn at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, the evening includes a four-course dinner paired with local wines, coastal craft beverages, or special mocktails, all complemented by a sunset bagpipe performance.
Sept. 19–21: Sausalito Boat Show, Sausalito
Explore Sausalito’s Clipper Yacht Harbor at this event that celebrates this picturesque seaside town’s unique personality. You’ll get to ogle cool boats, from sailboats to luxury yachts, across this three-day event that includes live music and lots of fresh seafood from local vendors.
Sept. 20: 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. Celebrating Tuolumne County’s 175th anniversary, the festival (formerly known as Old West Days) also features a parade, Old West gunfight recreations, and beard and moustache contests.
Sept. 20–21: Portola Music Fest, San Francisco
San Francisco’s Pier 80 hosts this two-day concert (21 and up only) with a diverse lineup of acts including Christina Aguilera, LCD Soundsystem, Dom Dolla, and Moby.
Sept. 20–21: 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. 20–21, 27–28: 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 the event web site for the catalog and map of studios—most of which are located in Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, and St. Helena.
Sept. 26–27: Oroville Salmon Festival, Butte County
Behold the longtime 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 features a Motor Mania car show and the Slammin' Salmon Smackdown PCW Wrestling event, as well as the Friday night salmon dinner.
Sept. 26–27: 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. 26–28: Terra Madre Americas Slow Food Festival, Sacramento
Be among the first to experience the U.S. debut of the acclaimed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, usually held in Italy; the event is now scheduled to happen every other year in Sacramento, also known as the state’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.
The weekend celebrates “slow food” and the movement’s emphasis on sustainability and local traditions. Walk through the food market of unique regional products; peruse the Slow Food Coffee Coalition, featuring ethical producers and roasters; and check out educational panels and live chef demonstrations. Watch for VIPs such as Alice Waters and Andrew Zimmern. While a few of the activities are ticketed events, most events at the festival are totally free to attend.
Hear more about the Terra Madre Americas and other only-in-California events on the California Now Podcast.
Sept. 26–28: 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 sixth year. More than 15 national and regional acts will perform on three stages around downtown Redding, including the Art Deco Cascade Theatre, which first opened in 1934.
Sept. 26–28: Annual Pow Wow and California Native American Day Celebration, Bishop
Celebrate California Native American Day with the Bishop Pabanamanina tribe at this intertribal Pow Wow on the festival grounds across from the Wanaaha Casino 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: 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.
Sept. 27–28: 36th Annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest, Pacifica
The San Mateo County 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, live music, and lots of local food and craft vendors.
Central California
Sept. 5–7: 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 translates to 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: Santa Barbara County Farm Day, Santa Barbara
Explore behind the scenes of more than 15 farms, ranches, and agricultural organizations across Santa Barbara County. Enjoy free farm tours, tractor rides, tastings, giveaways, and family-friendly activities. Visit farms producing specialty crops, seasonal produce, berries, wine grapes, and livestock.
Use the online Farm Day Trail Map to plan your itinerary through Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley, and surrounding areas.
Sept. 12–14: Sequoia Dark Sky Festival, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore this pair of national parks during the days, then stay after dark for some world-class stargazing in various spots around the park, such as the Big Stump or Wuksachi Lodge parking areas (get the latest on viewing sites through their social media posts). The schedule of events typically includes talks from NASA and Caltech scientists, as well as guided activities such as solar viewing. All activities are free.
Plan your trip with these Sequoia and Kings Canyon lodging and camping options in and around the parks, or choose a hotel in nearby Visalia.
Sept. 13–14: 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. The weekend features two stages and 16 bands, as well as such diversions as yoga, art, craft beer, wine, and kids’ activities. The festival—with headliners Young the Giant and Shane Smith & the Saints—also raises money for local music programs.
Sept. 13–14: 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. 19–21: Solvang Danish Days, Santa Barbara County
Feast on Danish cuisine and Scandinavian cheer at the 88th edition of this festival that celebrates the Santa Barbara County town of Solvang. The weekend includes aebleskiver breakfasts (think spherical pancakes), a Viking beer and wine garden, and a parade.
Sept. 20: Dine in the Vines at The ONX Estate Vineyard, Templeton
Enjoy a winery dinner just south of Paso Robles when ONX Estate Vineyard hosts this evening as part of California Wine Month. The feast underneath illuminated olive trees begins with hors d’oeuvres and is followed by an elegant three-course dinner with wine pairings.
Sept. 27: Hueneme Banana Festival, Ventura County
Ventura County’s deepwater Port of Hueneme (pronounced “why-nee-mee”) ushers a lot of bananas into our country, so the town celebrates during this annual festival with banana-infused funnel cakes, milkshakes, and frozen dipped bananas. 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. 28–29: ClovisFest and Hot-Air Balloon Fun Fly, Fresno County
Watch hot-air balloons float in the sky at this annual festival in Clovis, 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.
Southern California
All month: Halloween Time at Disneyland, Anaheim
Start celebrating the Halloween season at the Anaheim theme parks: The not-too-frightening attractions and events include seasonally decorated rides, the Main Street Pumpkin festival at Disneyland Park, and the Plaza de la Familia area in Disney California Adventure Park. On select nights, take part in after-hours fun at the separate-ticket Oogie Boogie Bash. Runs through Oct. 31.
Aug. 29–Sept. 1: 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, livestock shows, a pet parade, and fair cuisine. The weekend culminates in a Labor Day parade on Monday.
Begins Sept. 4: Halloween Horror Nights, Los Angeles
This year’s scarefest at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles features new walk-through experiences, the Terror Tram, and eight haunted houses, including the new Jason Universe, inspired by the Friday the 13th movie series. Runs through Nov. 2.
Begins Sept. 6: 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. 20), Oktoberfest in Midtown Sacramento (Sept. 27) or Santa Cruz (Sept 27). In San Diego County, Encinitas throws its own local-beer-fueled Oktoberfest party on Sept. 28—a tip of the Tyrolean hat to the German immigrants who settled the neighboring community of Olivenhain in 1884.
Sept. 12–14: 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—now running more than 40 years—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 Dana Point waterfront.
Sept. 19–20: 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 concerts (check the event site for the latest news on the musical lineup).
Shine up your vintage car for a long list of events: this weekend is just one of many upcoming festivities commemorating the centennial of Route 66 in 2026.
Sept. 19–21: Nissan Super Girl Pro, Oceanside
Featuring more than 60 top professional female surfers, this Oceanside event 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 (check the site for the latest on the lineup).
Sept. 23–28: 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 in Los Angeles County. The schedule includes more than 200 feature and short films; check the website for event updates about tributes, Q&A panels, and red-carpet events, as well as hotel discounts for attendees.
Sept. 26–28: Ohana Festival, Dana Point
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder always 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 Green Day, Kings of Leon, Hozier, Leon Bridges, and Cage the Elephant.
Sept. 26–28: Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey
Monterey County throws the world’s longest-running jazz festival, with roughly 500 artists performing on eight stages at the woodsy, 200-acre Monterey County Fairgrounds. This year’s acts include Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, and Christian McBride
Sept. 26–28: 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. 27–28: San Diego Spirits Festival, La Jolla
Enjoy cocktails and works of art at this weekend set at La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Your admission for the two afternoons grants you unlimited cocktails from dozens of brands—ranging from high-end spirits to ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers—along with live music and entertainment as you explore the museum’s galleries.