13 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FALL FESTIVALS WORTH THE TRIP
Mark your calendar for the 13 can’t-miss fall festivals in Northern California’s stunning “North of Ordinary” region. Check out the list of the top fall events in Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Lake County, and Mendocino County.
First stop: LAKE COUNTY where small towns, working farms and 20+ vineyards surround California’s largest natural lake. Just beyond Napa, it’s made for a fall weekend of sipping, savoring and festival-hopping.
1. PEAR FESTIVAL – THE LAST SATURDAY IN SEPTEMBER
Known as the “Pear Capital of the World,” Kelseyville celebrates Lake County’s fruitful harvest with an annual Pear Festival and Parade. Lake County produces 20% of the nation’s pears. Come hungry for more than just Upside Down Pear Cake because 100+ food and drink vendors line the streets. Be sure to snag a Farm to Fork Dinner and Dance ticket early (they sell out fast) for a farm-to-table feast followed by dancing in the streets.
For the Love of Pears! The Annual Pear Festival and Parade Happens Every September in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Karen Pavone Photography
2. HARVEST PARTY & FARM DINNERS AT SIX SIGMA RANCH – EVERY SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
Six Sigma pairs 4,300 acres of wide-open adventure with history and fine wine. Hike or bike private trails and sip inside a former stagecoach stop. Savor a four-course farm dinner under the oaks with some of Six Sigma’s finest seasonal vinos. Join the annual Harvest Party in October for artisan pizza, seasonal pours, and free tours of the working wine cave. Make a reservation to stay over among the vines at Huttopia Wine Country.
3. FAMILY FUN AT THAT RANCH – EVERY SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
Open late September through Halloween, That Ranch serves up classic fall fun with a giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, plus plenty of ranch-themed rides and games like apple cannons and duck races. We can already smell the kettle corn and apple cider.
Second stop: MENDOCINO COUNTY where the stunning Pacific Ocean coastline intersects with rolling hills, redwood forests, and over 100 wineries. Only a three-hour drive from San Francisco, escape the City bustle with a fall weekend filled with farm-forward culinary experiences, mushroom forays, beach strolls, and pumpkin everything.
4. PUMPKINFEST – EVERY OCTOBER
Ever seen a 1,000-pound pumpkin? You might at Ukiah’s annual Pumpkinfest, where the local record weighs in at a whopping 1,109 pounds. Beyond the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, this two-day bash brings pet costumes, a haunted house, Scarecrow City and extra festivities celebrating Ukiah’s 150th anniversary.
Enter The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Pumpkinfest in Ukiah, California every October. Photo by Peter Armstrong Photography.
5. MENDOCINO GROVE FALL FESTIVAL – EVERY NOVEMBER
Stay for a soul-warming weekend of food, drinks, art and five live bands at Mendocino Grove Fall Fest. Day passes are available, but sleeping over is half the fun—choose from luxe ocean-view glamping tents or roomy family tents for four.
6. HARVEST MENDOCINO – EVERY NOVEMBER
Hop aboard the Musical Mushroom Train, part of Harvest Mendocino’s countywide festivities. Depart from Fort Bragg, California and wind through the redwoods to Glen Blair Junction for wine, beer, creative cocktails, food, and entertainment. Gather around the campfire for s’mores and dance to the DJ! Upgrade to the Presidential Class Car for a guided spirit tasting paired with mushroom-inspired bites.
Third stop: HUMBOLDT COUNTY where rocky coastlines, towering redwoods (home to two of the four Redwood National & State Parks), and charming small towns set the stage for a fall weekend of groovy tunes, fresh seafood, and apple everything.
7. CULTURE COMMONS FESTIVAL – EVERY SEPTEMBER
Go on a 3-day immersive art journey in Eureka, California at the Culture Commons Festival. Experience free music, art, film, performances, poetry, and plenty of local flavor at venues throughout the Eureka Cultural Arts District. The festival goes late, so plan to stay over near Old Town at one of Eureka’s artsy inns: Carter House Inns and The Inn at 2nd & C at the Historic Eagle House.
8. FORTUNA APPLE & HARVEST FESTIVAL – EVERY OCTOBER
Fortuna’s Apple Harvest Festival celebrates 40+ years of local farming—including Clendenen Cider Works, pressing all-natural cider from heritage trees since 1909. With orchard hayrides, pie-eating contests and pumpkin carving, this one-day fest makes getting your “apple a day” easy.
Visit Clendenen’s Cider Works for the Best Glass of Cider You’ll Ever Taste. Photo by Clendenen’s Cider Works.
9. REDWOODS COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL – EVERY OCTOBER
Slip on your dancing shoes for four days of folk, blues, gospel and country music at Eureka’s Redwood Coast Music Festival. Catch 130 live sets across multiple venues—with plenty of dance floors ready for your best moves.
10. THE HAUNTED KINETIC LAB & FERNDALE CEMETERY TOURS – EVERY OCTOBER
Brave winding mazes, creepy characters, gruesome surprises and enough twists to keep you guessing—and screaming. Each night of the Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors in Arcata, California also features a DJ, a food truck and more, serving up a full evening of Halloween thrills while supporting the Lab. Tour a historic cemetery in the charming Victorian-era town of Ferndale, California. Learn of Ferndale’s storied past where long-held secrets come to light. The Ferndale Cemetery Tours end with a visit to the Victorian Inn’s Village Pub for appetizers, and even a tarot card reading (available on select tours).
Final Stop: DEL NORTE COUNTY where the world’s tallest redwoods meet sandy beaches and two wild rivers. Tucked along the Oregon border and home to two of four Redwood National and State Parks, it’s the perfect base for exploring two states and one spectacular stretch of coastline.
11. SPOOKY FUN IN DOWNTOWN CRESCENT CITY – OCTOBER
Head to downtown Crescent City for a month of spooky fun in October. Kick things off at October’s themed Friday Nights Downtown with live music, food, vendors and kids’ activities. Then book a Crescent City Ghost Tour to explore haunted historic sites with real ghost-hunting equipment while listening to chilling local stories. The ghostly walking tours are happening through the end of October.
12. SEA CRUISE CLASSIC OUTDOOR CAR SHOW – EVERY OCTOBER
Every October, more than 200 classic cars bring roaring engines and gleaming chrome to Crescent City’s Beachfront Park for the Sea Cruise Car Show. The free two-day event kicks off Friday with a Show ’n’ Shine and a cruise through downtown, followed by Saturday’s main event with live music, vendors and raffles. Get up close to vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles, meet their proud owners—then take your own spin along Scenic Highway 199, celebrating 100 years in November 2026.
Vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles turn out for the annual Sea Cruise Car Show at Crescent City’s Beachfront Park.
13. WILD RIVERS MUSHROOM FESTIVAL – EVERY NOVEMBER
A must for mushroom lovers, the Wild Rivers Mushroom Festival is a premier Pacific Northwest fungi festival along the Southern Oregon Coast, just minutes from Del Norte County, California. The event includes two-full days of mushroom lectures, workshops, a marketplace, and the popular mushroom identification hikes through the forest. Local restaurants will be serving up mushroom-forward dishes throughout the weekend.
