October Festivals At A Glance

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October is an amazing time to be in the Bay Area. Cooler temperatures pair perfectly with the many fun things to do to keep families entertained. Here are some of the very best fall festivals to check out this year.

Featured
Science in the Park
Oct 3
Cal State East Bay at the Music Lawn Area
Science in the Park
Cal State East Bay at the Music Lawn Area

This free event includes interactive/hands on activities like building and launching a water rocket, interactive live animal demonstrations, an egg drop contest, a bicycle repair station, free health screenings, and much, much more!

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Cal State East Bay at the Music Lawn Area
Black Cowboy Parade and Heritage Festival
Oct 3
Defremery Park
Black Cowboy Parade and Heritage Festival
Defremery Park

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association (OBCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enlightening children and adults about the contributions of people of color in the settling of the West while actively enhancing and promoting the furtherance of the African American cowboy in modern society.

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Defremery Park
Filipino Island Fest
Oct 3
Alameda Naval Air Museum
Filipino Island Fest
Alameda Naval Air Museum

Celebrate Filipino culture with food, music, dance & island vibes at the 2nd Annual Filipino Island Fest! #FilipinoIslandFest.

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Alameda Naval Air Museum
Fleet Week
Oct 4
Fleet Week

Fleet Week’s back taking the San Francisco Bay by ships, planes, and celebrations honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces!

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The Castro Street Fair
Oct 4
Castro Street
The Castro Street Fair
Castro Street

The Castro Street Fair is all about celebrating the vibrancy of the neighborhood, the diversity of our community, and the importance of supporting our local merchants, artisans, restaurants, and nightlife. Most of all, it’s about the family we’ve built together for over five decades.

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Castro Street
Little Italy San Jose Festival
Oct 4
Downtown San Jose
Little Italy San Jose Festival
Downtown San Jose

Italian Festival in San Jose!

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Downtown San Jose
Downtown Novato's Annual Nostalgia Days Cruise & Car Show
Oct 9
Downtown Novato
Downtown Novato's Annual Nostalgia Days Cruise & Car Show
Downtown Novato

With the sound of classic rock ‘n roll floating in the air and a live band playing, thousands of visitors enjoy free admission as they admire hundreds of vehicles of all types, including classic cars, hot rods, trucks and customs – just to name a few. 

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Downtown Novato
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire
Oct 10
San Carlos
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire
San Carlos

One of the Peninsula’s Premier Fall Festivals, the City of San Carlos’ Art & Wine Faire celebrates its 34th year!

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San Carlos
Day of the Horse
Oct 10
Independence Hall
Day of the Horse
Independence Hall

The Woodside Day of the Horse annually celebrates the unique equestrian heritage of Woodside and the extraordinary contribution horses make to the quality of life throughout San Mateo County.

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Independence Hall
Italian Heritage Parade
Oct 11
Italian Heritage Parade

The oldest civic event and the nation's oldest Italian-American parade and community celebration winds its way from Fisherman's Wharf to North Beach. 

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Autumn Lights Festival
Oct 15
The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Autumn Lights Festival
The Gardens at Lake Merritt

The Autumn Lights Festival is a fundraiser for the Gardens at Lake Merritt.

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The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Oct 17
Main Street, between Mill and Spruce Streets
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Main Street, between Mill and Spruce Streets

The legendary Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival returns October 17 & 18, 2026, transforming historic Main Street into the ultimate celebration of autumn, pumpkins, art, food, music and good old fashioned fun.

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Main Street, between Mill and Spruce Streets
St. Helena Harvest Festival
Oct 17
Downtown Saint Helena
St. Helena Harvest Festival
Downtown Saint Helena

Activities will include the 5k & Community Fun Run, Pet PAWrade, and Hometown Harvest Festival Street Fair.

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Downtown Saint Helena
Potrero Hill Festival
Oct 17
Potrero Hill Festival

We are excited to celebrate our 51st year as the premier neighborhood festival on Potrero Hill!

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Shipyard Open Studios
Oct 17
Hunters Point Shipyard
Shipyard Open Studios
Hunters Point Shipyard

Twice a year, one of San Francisco's most fascinating hidden landmarks throws open its doors. Most people have never set foot inside Hunters Point Shipyard — a historic naval base that, for one weekend, becomes the city's biggest art event.

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Hunters Point Shipyard
Sunol Heritage Festival
Oct 17
Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve
Sunol Heritage Festival
Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve

Celebrate the diverse heritage of the wilderness at this fun festival for all ages!

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Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve
Bay Area Science Festival
Oct 17
UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay
Bay Area Science Festival
UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay

The 13th edition brings together STEM role models, families, youth and adults to experience the wonder of science.

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UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay
Top of the Hill Festival
Oct 17
John Daly Boulevard & Mission Street
Top of the Hill Festival
John Daly Boulevard & Mission Street

Live performances, Top of the Hill Businesses, car show, kids zone and more!

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John Daly Boulevard & Mission Street
Harvest Festival in Pleasanton
Oct 23
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Harvest Festival in Pleasanton
Alameda County Fairgrounds

The Pleasanton Harvest Festival® is a warm, welcoming celebration of handmade creativity and community.

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Alameda County Fairgrounds
LEAP Sandcastle Classic
Oct 24
Ocean Beach
LEAP Sandcastle Classic
Ocean Beach

See fantastic sandcastles built by competing teams of architects, designers, engineers and students at Leap Sandcastle Classic at Ocean Beach.

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Ocean Beach
SF Music Day
Oct 25
War Memorial Veterans Building
SF Music Day
War Memorial Veterans Building

InterMusic SF invites you to the 19th edition of SF Music Day, a free daylong celebration of Bay Area music hosted at the historic SF War Memorial + Performing Arts Center.

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War Memorial Veterans Building