Sacramento In Full Color: 2025 Fall Festivals
By Carissa More, Sac City Living
Published September 15, 2025
Published September 15, 2025
When the leaves begin to change and the air takes on that crisp autumn chill, Sacramento comes alive with fall festivals that celebrate everything from harvest traditions to music, food, and family fun. Within our central city and beyond you’ll find events that showcase the region’s agricultural roots, diverse community, and love of the outdoors. These gatherings draw locals and visitors alike, eager to enjoy seasonal flavors, pumpkin patches, and festive entertainment. Whether you’re after hayrides, handcrafted goods, or live music, fall in Sacramento has something for everyone. It’s the perfect time of year to soak in the charm of our region.
1. Arden Park Fall Festival
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, when Arden Park hosts its Fall Festival at 1000 La Sierra Drive in Sacramento. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Arden Park Recreation & Park District, so expect extra celebratory touches. Visitors can enjoy craft booths, a beer garden, live music, and tasty food from trucks. There’s also a plentiful Kid Zone with inflatables, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, carnival games, and more, many operated jointly with Mariemont Elementary. It also showcases local businesses with sponsorship booths. Event Link
2. Día de los Muertos Fiesta
Celebrate the tradition of honoring ancestors at the Día de los Muertos Fiesta on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the California Museum (1020 O Street, Sacramento). This annual event coincides with the opening of the museum’s special exhibit, “Recuerdos Ilustrados: Día de los Muertos 2025.” Highlights include performances by Aztec dancers (Maquilli Tonatiuh), a ceremonial blessing, live salsa music by Conjunto Liberación, sugar skull workshop sessions, face painting, and a Mercado de los Muertos with pop-up shops. Attendees are encouraged to get tickets in advance to ensure entry and workshop access. Event Link
3. Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade
Get ready for a howling good time! For a spookily fun twist on fall, check out the Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade scheduled for October 25, 2025, from 12 pm to 3 pm. This family-friendly event takes place in James Marshall Park, where costumed dogs strut their stuff in a parade and compete for prizes in costume contests. Alongside the Pooch Parade, you’ll find live music, arts & crafts, a mini pumpkin patch, bounce houses, face painting, and festival food vendors. The event is free to attend (though dog participants typically register in advance), which helps drive large local attendance and community visibility. Get those costume ideas churning and register your dog today! Event Link
4. Golden Harvest Parade & Festival
The Golden Harvest Parade & Festival is set to bring vibrant energy to downtown Sacramento on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Capitol Mall greenspace. This multicultural celebration features a colorful parade, live performances, cultural exhibits, and a lively festival marketplace filled with local vendors and food trucks. Families can enjoy interactive activities, kids’ zones, and entertainment that highlight Sacramento’s rich diversity. With the state capitol as the backdrop, the event draws both locals and visitors for a day of community pride and seasonal celebration. It’s a perfect way to welcome November while showcasing the many cultures that make Sacramento such a dynamic place to live. Event Link
5. Sacramento Harvest Festival
One of the most popular celebrations is the Sacramento Harvest Festival, which fills Cal Expo with hundreds of artisans, food vendors, and live performers. It’s a shopper’s paradise, with everything from handmade jewelry to gourmet sauces, just in time for holiday gift hunting. Families also enjoy the entertainment, which often includes stage acts and interactive fun for kids. The festival has been a fall staple for decades, offering a mix of culture and creativity. It’s a can’t-miss event for anyone who loves supporting local makers. In 2025, it’s scheduled for November 14–16 at Cal Expo’s pavilion halls. Event Link
Edits/Suggestions? Contact Carissa
1. Arden Park Fall Festival
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, when Arden Park hosts its Fall Festival at 1000 La Sierra Drive in Sacramento. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Arden Park Recreation & Park District, so expect extra celebratory touches. Visitors can enjoy craft booths, a beer garden, live music, and tasty food from trucks. There’s also a plentiful Kid Zone with inflatables, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, carnival games, and more, many operated jointly with Mariemont Elementary. It also showcases local businesses with sponsorship booths. Event Link
2. Día de los Muertos Fiesta
Celebrate the tradition of honoring ancestors at the Día de los Muertos Fiesta on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the California Museum (1020 O Street, Sacramento). This annual event coincides with the opening of the museum’s special exhibit, “Recuerdos Ilustrados: Día de los Muertos 2025.” Highlights include performances by Aztec dancers (Maquilli Tonatiuh), a ceremonial blessing, live salsa music by Conjunto Liberación, sugar skull workshop sessions, face painting, and a Mercado de los Muertos with pop-up shops. Attendees are encouraged to get tickets in advance to ensure entry and workshop access. Event Link
3. Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade
Get ready for a howling good time! For a spookily fun twist on fall, check out the Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade scheduled for October 25, 2025, from 12 pm to 3 pm. This family-friendly event takes place in James Marshall Park, where costumed dogs strut their stuff in a parade and compete for prizes in costume contests. Alongside the Pooch Parade, you’ll find live music, arts & crafts, a mini pumpkin patch, bounce houses, face painting, and festival food vendors. The event is free to attend (though dog participants typically register in advance), which helps drive large local attendance and community visibility. Get those costume ideas churning and register your dog today! Event Link
4. Golden Harvest Parade & Festival
The Golden Harvest Parade & Festival is set to bring vibrant energy to downtown Sacramento on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Capitol Mall greenspace. This multicultural celebration features a colorful parade, live performances, cultural exhibits, and a lively festival marketplace filled with local vendors and food trucks. Families can enjoy interactive activities, kids’ zones, and entertainment that highlight Sacramento’s rich diversity. With the state capitol as the backdrop, the event draws both locals and visitors for a day of community pride and seasonal celebration. It’s a perfect way to welcome November while showcasing the many cultures that make Sacramento such a dynamic place to live. Event Link
5. Sacramento Harvest Festival
One of the most popular celebrations is the Sacramento Harvest Festival, which fills Cal Expo with hundreds of artisans, food vendors, and live performers. It’s a shopper’s paradise, with everything from handmade jewelry to gourmet sauces, just in time for holiday gift hunting. Families also enjoy the entertainment, which often includes stage acts and interactive fun for kids. The festival has been a fall staple for decades, offering a mix of culture and creativity. It’s a can’t-miss event for anyone who loves supporting local makers. In 2025, it’s scheduled for November 14–16 at Cal Expo’s pavilion halls. Event Link
Edits/Suggestions? Contact Carissa
|
|
