California will host a variety of events in October 2025, with activities taking place across Northern, Central, and Southern regions of the state. The month is marked by Halloween-themed attractions at theme parks, zoos, and aquariums, as well as numerous harvest festivals focused on pumpkins, apples, and wine grapes.
Pumpkin patch festivities are common throughout California. In the Bay Area, San Mateo County features several u-pick pumpkin farms such as Andreotti Family Farm. Santa Clara County’s Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch offers rides and hayrides through flower fields. Fresno County in the Central Valley has options like Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch in Reedley with steam train rides. Along the Central Coast, Avila Valley Barn hosts a pumpkin patch with additional activities including apple-picking and tractor rides.
In Temecula, Big Horse Corn Maze provides one of Southern California’s largest corn mazes along with inflatable slides and paintball. Peltzer Pumpkin Farm nearby offers a petting zoo and pig races.
Northern California’s October events include the Vegan Chef Challenge in Sacramento, where restaurants offer special vegan menu items for diners to vote on their favorites. The Inn Town Campground in Nevada City decorates for Halloween and invites guests to participate in outdoor movies and guided hikes.
Major festivals include Aftershock Festival (Oct. 2–5) at Discovery Park in Sacramento featuring headliners such as blink-182 and Korn; Redwood Coast Music Festival (Oct. 2–5) in Eureka showcasing American roots music; Many Moons Festival (Oct. 4) in Sebastopol celebrating Asian American culture; Humboldt Redwoods Marathon (Oct. 12); Mill Valley Film Festival (Oct. 2–12); Redding Rancheria’s Annual Stillwater Pow Wow (Oct. 3–5); Johnny Appleseed Days (Oct. 4–5) in Paradise; Sierra Oro Farm Trail Farm-to-Fork Dinner (Oct. 12) in Chico; The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival (Oct. 4–5) across Amador County wineries; Fleet Week San Francisco (Oct. 5–13); McCloud Apple Harvest Festival (Oct. 11); Sonoma County Harvest Fair (Oct. 11); Corning Olive Festival & Car Show (Oct. 11); Harvest Festival at Columbia State Historic Park (Oct. 11–12); Taste: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience (Oct.16–19); A Toast to Sausalito event (Oct.18); Mountain Harvest Beer Festival in Quincy (Oct.18); Santa Cruz Band Review and Chili Cook-Offs on Oct.18 and Oct.25; Truckee River Day on Oct.19.
Central California highlights include Cambria’s Scarecrow Festival running all month with decorated scarecrows around town; Los Olivos’ Scarecrow Fest & Contest throughout October; International PAL Boxing Championships from Sept.29 to Oct.4 in Oxnard followed by the Multicultural Festival on Oct.4; Wild Tarantula Trails starting Oct.1 near Gaviota with guided hikes to observe tarantulas during mating season; California Avocado Festival from Oct.3–5 in Carpinteria known for its large vat of guacamole; Leaves in the Loop from Oct10–11 at June Lake for fall foliage viewing; Oakhurst Fall Festival from Oct10–12; Viking Classic Car Show on Oct11 in Solvang featuring vintage cars and Scandinavian food offerings.
Other notable events are Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf birthday party on Oct12, Opolo Winery’s Harvest Dinner & Grape Stomp on Oct17–18 in Paso Robles, Atascadero Colony Days festival on Oct18, Santa Barbara Vintners Weekend also on Oct18 at Vega Vineyard & Farm, Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival from Oct18–19 featuring giant pumpkins and parades, Pismo Beach Clam Festival during the same weekend offering clam dig contests and chowder tastings, Coarsegold’s Tarantula Awareness Festival on Oct25 combining education with themed contests, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s city birthday party and Halloween parade on Oct31.
Southern California features Kids Free San Diego all month long where children receive free or discounted admission at attractions such as San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND California—these deals extend to hotels, restaurants, and museums across the county.
The Pacific Air Show takes place from Oct3-5 over Huntington Beach with performances by international aviators including U.S., Canadian Forces Snowbirds, UK Royal Air Forces Falcons Parachute Display Team among others.
Carved at Descanso Gardens runs from Oct3-30 near Pasadena showcasing illuminated carved pumpkins along a mile-long walk.
Joshua Tree Music Festival occurs from Oct9-12 outside Joshua Tree National Park while JazzTrax smooth jazz festival returns to Catalina Island spanning two weekends between October9-19.
Buena Park holds its Silverado Days fair from October17-19 which coincides with major Orange County Halloween events like Knott’s Scary Farm or Disneyland Resort’s Halloween Time.
Borrego Springs hosts Borrego Days Desert Festival October18-19 marking the start of high season for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitors.
Fall Modernism Week is scheduled for October16-19 highlighting midcentury architecture around Greater Palm Springs through tours and live music.
Twentynine Palms’ Night Sky Festival happens October24-25 focusing on astronomy education.
Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade rolls out colorful golf carts through El Paseo streets on October26.
The Breeders’ Cup thoroughbred racing event returns to Del Mar Racetrack from October31-November1 offering multiple ticketing options for spectators.
