After a long and arid summer, we Sacramento locals love it when fall comes around. The soft breezes, fall foliage, and cool weather create a fantastic backdrop for the best seasonal events and activities. Whether you're looking for a screaming good time at a haunted house, a family-friendly pumpkin patch, or a fun festival to attend, these fall-friendly Sacramento events are a can't-miss.
Sacramento Fall Festivals and Events
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
October 26-27, 2024
Step into the wonderfully weird world of the Oddities & Curiosities Expo at the Cal Expo - Pavilion, where you'll discover unique treasures and one-of-a-kind items that celebrate all things strange! From taxidermy and preserved specimens to spooky Halloween-inspired art, creepy jewelry, and even animal bones, this event has something for every fan of the unusual. Whether you're looking for handcrafted oddities or vintage funeral collectibles, you're sure to find something that catches your eye—plus, everything is sustainably sourced and legal to own!
The Expo offers a welcoming space for anyone who enjoys the strange and curious. It's the perfect opportunity to meet new friends, connect with talented artists, and feel right at home among a community of like-minded people. Come for a day of curious discoveries and connection with others who share your passion for the weird. This is a ticketed event.
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Golden Harvest Parade and Festival
October 26, 2024
Get ready for an unforgettable day of culture, fun, and celebration at Sacramento's 3rd Annual Golden Harvest Parade and Festival, a multicultural event on October 26th, 2024! Held in front of the State Capitol, this free event brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate unity, harmony, and peace. You'll get to explore a variety of cultures from the Greater Sacramento area, all in one vibrant space. From local vendors to exciting performances, this event promises to enrich your day with diverse food, art, and entertainment.
The free festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a lively vendor fair on 10th Street, leading up to the Golden Harvest Parade at 11:30 a.m. as it marches down Capitol Mall. After the parade, the fun continues on the West Field of the State Capitol with live performances, cultural displays, and an art contest. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day filled with community spirit and endless entertainment!
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Sacramento Harvest Festival
November 15-17, 2024
The Sacramento Harvest Festival at the Cal Expo Pavilion is just plain fun. It hosts "the original arts and crafts show" plus a bunch of other entertainment, food, and drinks. Taking place the weekend before Thanksgiving, the festival offers hundreds of vendors with handmade goods, arts, crafts, and one-of-a-kind goods just in time for the holiday shopping season. Admission is free for kids 12 and under and $9 for the general public, with discounts available for military, seniors, and kids ages 13-17.
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Sacramento Haunted Houses
We couldn't leave out the horror from Halloween, and there's no better way to celebrate than a haunted house. Luckily, there are plenty of spine-tingling screams in and around Sacramento. Here are our favorites:
Heartstoppers Haunted House
September 27th - Nov 2, 2024
As one of the highest-rated and longest-running haunted houses in Sac, Heartstoppers Haunted House is returning this year for another 14 spooky nights of fun. Heartstoppers is open every Friday and Saturday night from September 27th through November 2nd in Rancho Cordova. This is a ticketed event.
See the dates and get tickets here.
Sacramento Ultimate Terror Scream Park
October 4 - November 9, 2024
Sacramento Scream Park is one of Sacramento's largest haunted house attractions, featuring four different attractions and a Fridghtmare Midway. The Scream Park is open from October until November 9, with weeknight and weekend showings. While not recommended for children under 12, Scream Park offers one "lights on" behind-the-scenes night on October 29, where kids can meet the monsters and enjoy the frights. This is a ticketed event.
See the dates and get tickets here.
Corbett's House of Horror Fear Farm
October 4 - 26, 2024
Corbett's House of Horror Fear Farm in Davis covers 15 acres of terror with an added fire show! Take a ride through Zombie-infested cornfields and fight back with the Zombie Paintball Attack - the most popular attraction at Fear Farm. Fear Farm is open 7 PM - 11 PM every Friday and Saturday in October. This is a ticketed event.
See the dates and get pricing and more information.
Fall Favorites
From pumpkin patches to apple picking, hay rides, train rides, and river cruises, there's no shortage of fall favorite activities and events to enjoy this season.
Spooky Sacramento River Cruises
Various Dates in October
Celebrate the spooky season with a costumed cruise around the Sacramento River. Thursdays through Sundays in October, bring the family for a Spooky Sights and Sip Cruise aboard the Capital Hornblower. Enjoy a fun live DJ, holiday decor, and "spooky" drink specials. Cruise the Sacramento River as the sun sets.
For a 21+ experience, book a trip on the Spooky Rock the Yacht Cruise or the Spooky Alive After Five Cruise.
Apple Hill
Open Year Round
Indulge in a local Autumn tradition by spending a fall day in Apple Hill. They have over 50 ranches, some of which offer a U-pick event where you can enjoy upwards of 50 different varieties of apples. But that's not all. The area is also full of amazing vendors selling souvenirs, locally made arts and crafts, and delicious food and drink – including apple beers!
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Old Sac Pumpkin Patch
Thursdays in October
Old Sacramento transforms into Halloweentown every October, featuring scenic hayrides through the historic district courtesy of Top Hand Ranch ($3 per ride) and a pumpkin patch that's open every Thursday from 3 PM - 7 PM at the Old Sacramento Historic State Park.
Get more info.
Pumpkin Patch Express
Open Weekends in October
Take the kiddos on an unforgettable train ride. Board a train in West Sacramento and ride through the Yolo County farmland on the River Fox Train Pumpkin Patch Express. Then, arrive at the River Fox Train pumpkin patch and private park, where trick-or-treating, carnival-style games and activities, photo opportunities, and a pumpkin patch visit are all included in the ticket price.
If you're looking for a family-friendly activity, the Pumpkin Patch Express is an excellent way for kids and the whole family to pick up pumpkins, play games, participate in costume contests, and enjoy the amenities and treats scattered throughout. This is a ticketed event.
Get tickets and book your train ride.
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Open Daily
Bishops Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland is a working farm home to 90 acres of pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Enjoy a free hayride out to the fields to pick a perfect pumpkin, or choose from the many varieties pre-picked and ready to be taken home with you.
Of course, no visit to Bishops would be complete without a visit to its many attractions, including a train ride, carousel, corn maze, sunflower maze, petting zoo, and more! Bishop's has fun, food, shopping, and something for everyone of every age (including a 21+ beer garden with hard cider, beer, and wine). Admission is free; however, attractions require tickets to ride.
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