California’s fall is honestly the best excuse to get outside and soak up the state’s harvest traditions and autumn vibes. Fall festivals across California in 2025 roll out everything from pumpkin patches and corn mazes to wine tastings and lively harvest parties, giving families a ton of ways to make the most of the season together.

The Golden State’s regions each bring their own twist to autumn. Northern California fall festivals are big on arts, crafts, and good food, while wine country events celebrate grape harvests with vineyard tours and tastings that feel both festive and a little bit fancy.

These gatherings aren’t just about fun—they’re a chance for communities to show off their agricultural roots. Whether you’re wandering a coastal pumpkin festival or exploring a mountain harvest fair, you’ll find unique activities that make memories and keep local businesses buzzing.

California Fall Festivals 2025: Best Harvest & Family Events

Top Family-Friendly Fall And Harvest Festivals In California

Across September, October, and November, California’s fall festivals pull out all the stops for families. There’s a real mix: old-school harvest fun, live music, carnival rides, and hands-on stuff for kids and grownups alike.

Signature Festivals And Annual Favorites

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is probably the state’s most famous harvest bash. Every October, more than 300,000 people show up for giant pumpkin weigh-offs and a craft fair that seems to stretch for blocks.

Kids get into pumpkin carving demos, face painting, and classic carnival games. There’s no shortage of food vendors serving up fall treats, and the arts and crafts booths are a big draw for anyone who likes to browse.

Sonoma County’s Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival is all about apples. Kids can get their hands dirty with apple picking, while adults sample cider and fresh-baked pies.

Down south, the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch in Orange County is a family favorite all October. You get train rides through decorated scenery, classic pumpkin patch fun, and hay mazes that are trickier than they look.

Must-See Regional Festival Highlights

Up north, fall festivals like Nevada City Victorian Christmas and Placerville’s Apple Hill events make the most of mountain scenery and autumn color—great for family photos and a bit of nostalgia.

The Central Valley leans into its farming roots. Modesto’s Harvest Festival puts local produce front and center, with cooking demos and farm-to-table eats that are honestly worth the trip.

In Southern California, Los Angeles area fall festivals often blend American harvest traditions with Hispanic culture, especially around Day of the Dead. It’s a cool mashup you don’t get everywhere.

San Diego’s Belmont Park Fall Fest brings autumn fun to the beach. Think ocean breezes, beachside games, and coastal views—fall in California just hits different by the water.

Live Music, Rides, And Entertainment For Families

Most big California fall festivals have live music—local bands, folk acts, and performers for kids. There’s usually something going on, so you’re never too far from a stage.

Carnival rides are a staple at the larger events, with plenty of kid-sized options like mini Ferris wheels and carousels. They’re all inspected for safety, so you can relax (at least a little) while the kids spin around.

You’ll find puppet shows, magicians, and storytellers scattered throughout. Costume contests, pie-eating, and scavenger hunts keep things lively for all ages.

And for the curious kids, there are hands-on demos about farming and food. They get to try things, meet animals, and maybe pick up a new appreciation for where their snacks come from.

Vendors, Culinary Delights, And Nearby Events

California’s fall festivals are packed with local vendors—seasonal produce, handmade goods, and regional eats. If you’re feeling adventurous, Arizona’s not far and has its own autumn festivals to check out.

Seasonal Foods And Local Vendors

California food festivals don’t mess around when it comes to vendors. Pumpkin patches offer fresh gourds, cider, and caramel apples that’ll ruin your dinner plans in the best way.

Farms show off the season’s best—persimmons, pomegranates, winter squash. You’ll find pumpkin spice kettle corn, fresh-pressed cider, and all sorts of preserves at the artisan booths.

Wine country festivals pour new releases from Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast. And breweries jump in with seasonal ales—pumpkin, cinnamon, maple, you name it.

Cooking demos are common, showing off what you can do with the local harvest. Some area restaurants even set up booths with special fall menus.

Arts, Crafts, And Agricultural Experiences

California craft shows and festivals mix farm life with handmade art. Potters throw clay on wheels, selling unique seasonal pieces right on the spot.

Woodworkers display cutting boards and more, all from local woods. Textile artists bring in wool goods and sometimes show off their weaving skills.

It’s not just shopping—there are agricultural exhibits too. Apple orchards welcome visitors for picking, and there’s usually someone around to chat about growing techniques.

Pumpkin patches add hayrides and corn mazes to the mix, and a lot of places have petting zoos or displays about sustainable farming. It’s a little bit educational, a lot of fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fall festival season in California runs from September to November, with most of the big ones happening in wine country and along the coast. You’ll find everything from local harvests to crafts and seasonal fun, both up north and down south.

How do I find the dates and locations for the major harvest festivals in California?

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is set for October 18-19, 2025, right on Main Street between Mill and Spruce. The Sonoma County Harvest Fair happens October 11, 2025, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

Terra Madre Americas is coming to Sacramento September 26-28, 2025—an international culinary event. The Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show will be at CAL EXPO in Sacramento from November 14-16, 2025.

Most festivals have official websites with the latest schedules and venue details. Lots of California harvest festivals stick to weekends to make it easy for families.

Which California fall festival is known for its unique autumnal traditions?

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is famous for its quirky autumn traditions—pumpkin-carving, pie-eating, and costume contests that channel serious Halloween energy.

Northern California fall festivals lean into pumpkin patches and harvest activities, but Half Moon Bay really goes all out, even with pumpkin-infused ales and arts and crafts inspired by the season.

Wine country festivals are also special, mixing grape harvest customs with tours and tastings. It’s a blend of old-school agriculture and modern celebration that just feels right for fall.

Are there any fall festivals in California that celebrate local produce and crafts?

The Terra Madre Americas festival in Sacramento shines a spotlight on local food producers, farmers, and artisans from all over the Americas. It’s a gathering where chefs, producers, and food lovers mingle, all with a shared love for locally-sourced ingredients. If you’re into food that hasn’t traveled a thousand miles, this one’s worth checking out.

California fall festivals are kind of a big deal—think pumpkin festivals along the coast, or wine harvests tucked away in vineyard country. The Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show is another highlight, with hundreds of local makers selling everything from photography and jewelry to small-batch foods and woodwork. It’s almost impossible to leave empty-handed, unless you’re superhuman.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair is all about celebrating what local growers and crafters have been working on all year. You get a real sense of the region’s creativity and hard work here—plus, there’s usually something delicious to sample if you wander around long enough.