DISCOVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS:

OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER

These are the happenings that celebrate the joie de vivre of an area - whether they are about food, music, dance, drink, nature, or ethnic diversity - put a sparkle in our eyes, a smile on our faces, and a spring in our steps!

So I'm gathering Northern California's celebrations together in one place for your pleasure and convenience. This is a work in progress and I'll be adding more, but if your event is missing and you'd like it included, just let me know here.

Find the best prices on North State hotels at HotelsCombined:

Pumpkin Festival Gourds; (CC) Greg

National Yo-Yo Championships in Chico -
the longest running National Championship in the world! Chico's National Yo-Yo Championships

Dixon's Lambtown Festival -
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool? Lambtown Festival

Santa Cruz Scottish Games and Celtic Festival -
welcome lads and lassies to the gathering of the clans! Santa Cruz Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

Taste of Siskiyou -
celebrate your senses in historic Yreka! Taste of Siskiyou

Apple Harvest Festival in Fortuna -
it's all about all things apple! Apple Harvest Festival

Johnny Appleseed Days in Paradise -
the oldest harvest festival in California (since 1888)! Johnny Appleseed Days

Elk Grove's Giant Pumpkin Festival -
pumpkins and scarecrows and regattas, oh my! Giant Pumpkin Festival

Fresno County Wine Journey-Harvest Adventure -
seven boutique wineries for one uncorked weekend! Wine Journey-Harvest Adventure

Twain Harte Oktoberfest -
an oompah beat plus brats and brews! Oktoberfest

The Big Crush Harvest Festival in Plymouth -
wines from the barrel and the bottle! The Big Crush

Sierra Art Trails of Yosemite Foothills -
an open studio tour in the beautiful foothils of the Sierra Nevada! Sierra Art Trails

Assyrian Chaldean Food Festival in Ceres -
celebrating ethnic Mediterranean food, music, dance, and traditions! Call 209-605-9360 for more information.

Arts and Olive Festival of Redwood City -
rustic olives, home-cured olives, and cooking with olives and olive oil! Arts and Olive Festival

Carmel Art and Film Festival -
5 days of film, contemporary art, fresh music, and modern photography! Carmel Art and Film Festival

San Francisco's Fleet Week -
honoring the dedication to duty and sacrifices of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces! Fleet Week

Taste of Carmel -
Thursday Night Fever at Carmel Mission! Taste of Carmel

Fort Bragg's Abalone Cook-off and Festival -
who has the best wild abalone recipe? You be the judge! Abalone Cook-off and Festival

Geyserville's Artisano -
celebrating locally handcrafted wine, food, and art! Artisano

Weaverville's Salmon Festival -
fishing demos, salmon tent and more - celebrating the return of the salmon! Salmon Festival

Artwalk Livermore -
enjoy a day of art, music, and shopping in award-winning downtown Livermore! Artwalk Livermore

Sacramento Aloha Festival -
showcasing local Polynesian cultures and talent! Sacramento Aloha Festival

Riverbank Cheese and Wine Exposition -
cheese, wine, arts, crafts, and live entertainment! Riverbank Cheese and Wine Expo

Butte County's Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend -
sharing a passion for the bounty and heritage of Butte County agriculture with open doors, tastings, and tours! Sierra Oro Farm Trail

Bear Valley's Tough Mudder -
the toughest two day event on the planet! Tough Mudder

Susanville's Rails to Trails Festival -
"the handcar rides are a kick in the pants, I'll tell you," says Stan Bales! Rails to Trails Festival

Burney Falls' Heritage Day -
pioneer day demonstrations and live music! Heritage Day at Burney Falls

Treasure Island Wine Fest, Lodi Wine on the Water -
taste the wines that come from California's best kept secret! Treasure Island Wine Fest

Petaluma's Tolay Fall Festival -
two weekends; one festival with some surprises; it's the new favorite Fall Festival! Tolay Fall Festival

Dairyville Orchard Festival -
great food, music, children's activities, and - especially - local produce! Dairyville Orchard Festival

Anderson's Return of the Salmon Festival -
help celebrate the end of the journey for thousands of Fall Chinook! Return of the Salmon Festival

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival -
my very own personal FAVORITE Fall Festival! The Half Moon Bary Art and Pumpkin Fest

Ukiah Country PumpinFest -
who will have the plumpest pumpkin or the most palatable pie; the scariest scarecrow or the craftiest costume for their pet? Ukiah Country PumpkinFest

Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito -
come in costume and explore a haunted wonderland! Goblin Jamboree

Daly City's Grand National Rodeo -
four days of championship rodeo, fiesta, and BBQ! Grand National Rodeo

Danville Fall Crafts Festival -
family-friendly home-town parade, Safe Trick or Treating, quality arts and crafts, and the Glass Pumpkin Patch! Danville Fall Crafts Festival

Healdsburg's Pinot on the River -
a full-immersion weekend of Pinot Noir along the beautiful Russian River! Pinot on the River

Sonora's All Hallows Fantasy Faire -
you've never attended a Celtic Faire quite like this one! All Hallows Fantasy Faire

Roseville's Family Fun Night -
free, safe family fun for Halloween! Family Fun Night

Felton's Children's Ghost Train -
The Legend of Sleepy Hallow plays out aboard the Roaring Camp vintage railway cars! Children's Ghost Train

Big Basin SP's The Case of the Missing Arm -
the story of a lumber mill owner's encounter with a grizzly! The Missing Arm of William Waddell Note: this event has been cancelled for 2011 due to construction in the park. Check back for an update in 2012.

Coarsegold Tarantula Festival -
now this strikes me as a hideously horrific hullabaloo and a great way to celebrate Halloween! Tarantula Festival

Heading for one of Northern California's fine fun festivals and
looking for a place to stay? Compare prices from over 30 different hotel booking sites before you book!

Forest Mushroom

Mendocino Wine and Mushroom Festival -
it's a wonderful time of year to visit Mendocino! Mendo Wine and Mushroom Fest

Big Sur's Food and Wine Festival -
Foodies and Winers together in Big Sur! Big Sur Food and Wine Fest

Auburn's Mountain Mandarin Festival -
Owari Satsuma Mandarin oranges - Yumm! Mountain Mandarin Fest

Cowpoke Fall Gathering in Loomis -
Californians LOVE their cowboy heritage! Cowpoke Fall Gathering

Bracebridge Tapestries; (CC) Elijah

Sonoma Valley Olive Season -
starts now and continues through February! Sonoma Valley Olive Festival

Calistoga's Annual Lighted Tractor Parade -
a real, old-fashioned, small-town Christmas celebration! Lighted Tractor Parade

Yosemite's Famous Bracebridge Dinner -
THE Event of all Events! Bracebridge

When you're looking for a Northern California hotel, compare prices at HotelsCombined before you book. You'll be glad you did!

You'll find Northern California events and festivals occur during each and every month of the year!

Looking for Festivals that center on a favorite food? Those are
my favorites, too! Take a look at Fun Food Festivals

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