21 Essential Fall Events in the Sacramento Area 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And no, we aren’t talking about tinsel and Santa Claus — yet. We’re talking about glorious autumn and all its glory — including bright orange trees, crisp air, cooler temperatures and pumpkin-themed everything. Take advantage of these quintessential characteristics at these events happening in the Sacramento area this fall!

And because we can’t wait until the official first day of fall, we are starting the harvest party a bit earlier in the month of September! From farm-to-fork events and pumpkin festivals, here are the essential Sacramento events you can’t miss this fall.

SKIP AHEAD TO: September | October | November

SEPTEMBER EVENTS:

Sacramento Burger Battle

September 13 | Cesar Chavez Plaza, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Christina Moore via the Sacramento Burger Battle

Watch as 15 local restaurants compete in a burger cook-off to see who makes the best burger in Sacramento! The best part? This local charity event raises money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. One hundred percent of the money raised through tickets and donations goes towards this incredible cause!

Can’t wait until this event to try one of Sacramento’s best burgers? Read our article for a list of our favorites!

Lodi Grape Festival

September 13–16 | Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi

This four-day extravaganza in Lodi celebrates all things wine and grapes. Visit with over 50 wineries in attendance, serving samples of their exceptional wines, in addition to various vendors selling bottles of best-selling wines and new creations. Enjoy live music performances, a dance contest, a tasting seminar and more fun activities. Take a look at the full schedule of events to get prepared for this exciting wine-centric event in Lodi!

California Brewers Festival

September 15 | Discovery Park, Sacramento

The annual California Brewers Festival has become the premier event for the craft beer enthusiast in Northern California. Head to Discovery Park along the Sacramento River to sample some of the world’s best brews in a beautiful setting. Nearly 100 breweries, cideries and distributors will be in attendance, providing samples of their finest creations. Plus, enjoy local food truck fare, live music, and a vendor village, featuring crafts and locally made foods from regional artists. 100 percent of proceeds at the California Brewers Festival benefits local Sacramento children’s charities, including WEAVE, Inc., the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

Autumn Equinox Celebration

September 15 | Soil Born Farms, Rancho Cordova

Photo Courtesy of Joan Cusick via Soil Born Farms

Support the amazing mission of Soil Born Farms at their annual Autumn Equinox Celebration fundraiser. Head to their historic American River Ranch location to explore the farm and gardens, enjoy live music, sample seasonal and organic food prepared by prominent local chefs, taste exceptional wine and beer, and celebrate the harvest season under the stars! This traditional farm-to-fork event (on an actual farm!) should not be missed.

Folsom Antique and Vintage Market

September 16 | Downtown Folsom

Thousands of shoppers will flock to downtown Folsom along Sutter Street for this exciting antique and vintage market. This free event is the perfect opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind home decor pieces or start your holiday shopping early. Vendors will be selling unique antique and collectible merchandise, from furniture to dishware, and everything in between!

Farm-to-Fork Legends of Wine

September 20 | Downtown Sacramento

Sample the best wines from the region, all selected by wine legends Darrell Corti and David Berkeley at this prestigious wine event in the heart of the city. Pair your wine with artisan local cheese and other small bites in an idyllic setting in front of the Capitol, enjoying views of the sunset over Tower Bridge. Discover more about the region’s most celebrated varietals, mingle with old and new friends, and rub elbows with the winemakers, many of whom will be in attendance to personally pour their wines. Tickets for Legends of Wine are $70 for general admission.

California Capital Airshow

September 21–23 | Mather Airport, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of the California Capital Airshow

The State Capitol region will gather on September 21, 22 & 23 to honor Mather Airport’s 100 years of service to our nation and communities. Fans will enjoy two days of non-stop action and Airshow excitement headlined by the USAF Thunderbirds along with a spine-tingling lineup of world-class performers including the Canadian CF-18 Hornet Demo, US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, F-35 Heritage Flight Team, miles of amazing aircraft displays and interactive activities – combined with a spectacular Friday night airshow, including a Wall of Fire, massive fireworks display and a ‘Wonder Bread 5’ concert to make Mather Airport’s 100th Birthday Bash truly unforgettable!

City of Trees

September 22 | Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento

ALT 94.7 presents the City of Trees, an action-packed music festival taking over Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo on Saturday, September 22. Enjoy a full day of food, drinks, and of course, music from an impressive lineup of musicians, including Odesza, Bastille, CHVRCHES, Dirty Heads, Blue October, lovelytheband and more. Tickets for City of Trees cost $39.50 for general admission and $94.70 for a VIP experience!

Farm-to-Fork Festival

September 29 | Capitol Mall, Sacramento

We have quite the array of farm-to-fork eateries in the Sacramento area. The city’s annual Farm-to-Fork Festival is designed to showcase and celebrate where our food and drinks come from, bringing guests face-to-face with the people who are feeding our region and the world. Admission to the festival is free but there will be food, wine and beer from regional eateries and purveyors available for purchase. Plus, enjoy live music, live cooking demonstrations, a kids’ zone, interactive booths from local grocers, farms and ranches, and much more!

OCTOBER EVENTS:

Big Crush Harvest Festival

October 5–7 | Amador County Fairgrounds, Plymouth

Photo Courtesy of Justin Allen via Amador Wine

Become immersed in the vibrant wine culture in Amador County at the Big Crush Harvest Festival, a three-day event in Plymouth. Kick off the weekend at the Big Crush BBQ and Grape Stomp at the historic Amador County Fairgrounds on Friday, featuring great local food, live entertainment and award-winning Amador County wines. On Saturday and Sunday, see the crush in full swing, and enjoy food and wine pairings, live music and various harvest activities. Purchase tickets for one or two days to enjoy wine offerings, food pairings, entertainment, special offers and a commemorative Big Crush wine glass to take home!

Historic Folsom Glow Run

October 6 | Downtown Folsom

Take part in the Historic Folsom Glow Run, a wild and crazy fun run full of activities, including music, a silly string battle zone, selfie stations and much more! Runners, walkers and joggers will travel along the glowing marked trail, rock out to live DJ music, and have a blast at the black-light enhanced foam dance party at the finish line! Create a costume that glows, blinks, shines or sparkles and register in advance for this action-packed night run benefitting Folsom Parks & Recreation community events and programs.

Oktoberfest

October 12 | Turn Verein, Sacramento

Don’t miss the best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration in the city! This famous festival features authentic German beer on tap, wine, German food, an outdoor biergarten, live music from three different bands, kid-friendly activities, German music and dancers, and more. This beloved tradition at Turn Verein invites revelers to eat, drink and dance like a tried-and-true German! Admission is $20 for adults, $5 for children 6–12 years old, and free for children under 6.

Rocktobrewfest

October 13 | Schilling Robotics, Davis

Graphic Courtesy of A Change of Pace Foundation

Head to Davis for Rocktobrewfest, where exercise, drinks, food, music, friends and fun come together! The race, which includes 5K and 5-mile options, kicks off at 5 p.m. at Schilling Robotics in East Davis. After you complete your run or walk, enjoy beer and live music, receive a finisher medal, and celebrate with other participants. Register in advance to take part in the Rocktobrewfest festivities!

Aftershock

October 13–14 | Discovery Park, Sacramento

Behold — California’s biggest rock festival, Aftershock, is returning for its seventh year! Monster Energy’s Aftershock is taking the city by storm on October 13 and 14, presenting an excellent selection of bands. The lineup includes a mixture of both large and small acts, including System of a Down, Deftones, Alice in Chains, Incubus, Godsmack, Shinedown, 311 and more. Tickets for Aftershock range from $89.50 all the way to $350!

Pumpkin Nights

October 17–November 4 | Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, visit Pumpkin Nights in Auburn, an exquisite event inviting visitors to experience the essence of Halloween while walking through eight immersive lands created with over 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Guests may also participate in interactive activities, and enjoy seasonal food and beverages amidst a festive setting. This outdoor, family-friendly Halloween walk-through will be open from October 17 through November 4 at Gold Country Fairgrounds.

Floating Pumpkin Patch

October 21 | Mike Shellito Indoor Pool, Roseville

Take your typical pumpkin-picking adventure to the next level at the Floating Pumpkin Patch at the Mike Shellito Indoor Pool in Roseville. Pick the perfect pumpkin floating in the pool and decorate it at a special decorating station. Plus, stick around for carnival games, bouncy houses and story times. It costs $7 to swim and $10 to swim and pick a pumpkin, and pre-registration is required! Costumes are encouraged at this fun, festive, family-friendly event.

Interested in visiting other pumpkin patches in the area? Check out our complete list of pumpkin patches in the Greater Sacramento Area.

Sacramento Arts Festival

October 26–28 | Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento

The 21st Annual Sacramento Arts Festival is considered the premier art and craft show in the city, featuring over 225 of America’s best contemporary craftspeople and fine artists. Peruse an array of original works of art in all price ranges, for yourself, your home or a one-of-a-kind gift. Plus, enjoy live jazz and blues music at the main stage and an abundance of food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are available at the door; admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and free for children under 12.

Midtown Halloween Festival | Sacramento

October 27 | James Marshall Park, Sacramento

Don’t miss the Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade, a celebration of the Midtown community and its wonderful four-legged residents. Last year, nearly 100 pups strutted their stuff and showed off an array of creative costumes for onlookers! The event highlights Midtown’s popular mobile off-leash “Pop-Up Dog Park” and includes family-friendly activities such as face painting, a bounce house, hands-on arts and crafts and live music.

NOVEMBER EVENTS:

Día de los Muertos Oak Park

November 2 | The Brickhouse, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Odd Eye Photography via Día de los Muertos Oak Park

Día de los Muertos is a traditional holiday for remembrance of deceased family and friends, as well as a celebration of life for the living. Take part in Oak Park’s annual observance of the holiday on November 2 at The Brickhouse Gallery and Art Complex. This free community gathering will include tributes, altars for the deceased, live traditional Mexican music, dance performances, food vendors, artists, free kids’ crafts and more. Don’t miss the supporting events throughout the month of October, including:

Anthropology of Día de los Muertos Lecture and Film (October 5 at the Guild Theater)
Calavera Paint and Sip with Patris and Brief Calavera Lecture (October 11 at Patris Studio and Art Gallery)
Interactive Sugar Skull Workshop with Rob-O Sugar Skull Artist (October 17 at Sacramento Food Bank)

Sacramento Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show

November 16–18 | Cal Expo, Sacramento

The Sacramento Harvest Festival® is one of the largest indoor arts and craft shows on the West Coast, taking over Cal Expo for three days of shopping, live entertainment and non-stop family fun. Peruse the collection of over 24,000 unique items handmade by vendors, artisans and small businesses from all over the country. The Harvest Festival® features original art pieces, jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, toys, home decor and more. This is the perfect opportunity to get some holiday shopping done early! Tickets are $9 for general admission, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for youth (13–17), and free for children 12 and under.

Run to Feed the Hungry

November 22 | Entrance to Sac State, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Take part in this beloved community tradition this Thanksgiving! Run to Feed the Hungry is owned, planned, and hosted by Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, and all funds raised benefits the organization and various support programs. Take part in the 5K or 10K to help raise funds and awareness for food insecurity in our community. The race starts on J Street just west of the entrance to the Sac State campus and runs through the beautiful tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. Register in advance to be a part of the Thanksgiving Day fun!

Happy Fall!

What events are you looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments below!