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
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
San Francisco Old Car Picnic
Oct 17
Hellman Hollow (aka Historic Speedway Meadow)
San Francisco Old Car Picnic
Hellman Hollow (aka Historic Speedway Meadow)

Come celebrate an annual San Francisco classic car tradition in beautiful Golden Gate Park.

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Hellman Hollow (aka Historic Speedway Meadow)
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
Family History Day
Oct 17
Civic Green
Family History Day
Civic Green

What was it like to live in Novato?  Meet and learn about the history of six Novato families. Then get a Family History packet to explore your family history. There are stories and activities for all ages.

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Civic Green
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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Festa Italiana Penngrove
Oct 17
Festa Italiana Penngrove

Join us for a day filled with delicious food, wonderful music and all things Italian. There will be activities for both kids and adults.

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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
A Toast to Sausalito
Oct 17
Caledonia St. (between Pine St. & Bee St.)
A Toast to Sausalito
Caledonia St. (between Pine St. & Bee St.)

Presented by the City of Sausalito's Parks and Recreation Department, A Toast to Sausalito, is a art-focused street fair, celebrating our little city and Bay Area artists of all kinds. 

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Caledonia St. (between Pine St. & Bee St.)
San Francisco: Market Street Arts & Theater Festival
Oct 17
UN Plaza Stage
San Francisco: Market Street Arts & Theater Festival
UN Plaza Stage

Join us for a one-night-only live arts and theater experience that celebrates the deep history of entertainment culture on Market Street.

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UN Plaza Stage
Sunday Streets Excelsior
Oct 18
Excelsior
Sunday Streets Excelsior
Excelsior

As part of San Francisco’s open streets movement, this event transforms Mission St between Avalon/Theresa and Geneva Ave, into a vibrant space for recreation, culture, and engagement. Join us from 11 AM to 4 PM on October 19th and be part of the celebration!

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Excelsior
Pleasanton Harvest Festival
Oct 23
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Pleasanton Harvest Festival
Alameda County Fairgrounds

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

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Alameda County Fairgrounds
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
Lower Polk Live!
Oct 23
Polk Street (Btwn Bush & Sutter Streets), San Francisco
Lower Polk Live!
Polk Street (Btwn Bush & Sutter Streets), San Francisco

Lower Polk Live! returns to Polk Street for a free neighborhood celebration of music, art, and community. Experience an evening of live entertainment, local art, creative experiences, and more in the heart of Lower Polk.

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Polk Street (Btwn Bush & Sutter Streets), San Francisco
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
Animal Day at the UC Botanical Garden
Oct 25
UC Botanical Garden of Berkeley
Animal Day at the UC Botanical Garden
UC Botanical Garden of Berkeley

Join us at this celebration of animals at the UC Botanical Garden with drop-in experiences including interactive booths and displays, crafts, tours, live animals to see and touch, and more. Friendly animal costumes encouraged!

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UC Botanical Garden of Berkeley
World of Dumplings
Oct 25
Ferry Building
World of Dumplings
Ferry Building

One of San Francisco's favorite community led food festival is back for it's second year and its going to better than ever!

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Ferry Building
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