October 21, 2026 / Author: the Railyards
FALL in love with Sacramento all over again with this guide to touring the city this Autumn.
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
Golden Harvest Parade and Festival
October 24, 2026
Get ready for an unforgettable day of culture, fun, and celebration at Sacramento’s 5th Annual Golden Harvest Parade and Festival, a multicultural event on October 24th, 2026! 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 11:00 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!
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
November 14-15, 2026
Step into the wonderfully weird world of the Oddities & Curiosities Expo at Cal Expo, 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.
Sacramento Harvest Festival
November 20-22, 2026
The Sacramento Harvest Festival at the Cal Expo Pavilion is just plain fun. It hosts an arts and crafts show, plus other entertainment, food, and drinks. The festival offers a vast array 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.
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
October 2 - November 1, 2026
As one of the highest-rated and longest-running haunted houses in Sac, Heartstoppers Haunted House is returning this year for another 13 nights of spooky fun. The attraction is open on select nights from October 2 through November 1, including Fridays, Saturdays, and select additional dates. This is a ticketed event.
See the dates and get tickets here.
Sacramento Scream Park
September 12 - November 7, 2026
Sacramento Scream Park, formerly known as Ultimate Terror Scream Park, is one of Sacramento’s largest haunted house attractions, featuring four different attractions and a Frightmare Midway. The Scream Park is open through November 7th, with weeknight and weekend showings. Looking for an extra-spooky adventure? November 6th and 7th are Glowstick Nights, when the lights go out, and brave guests explore the park with just one glowstick per group. The park isn’t recommended for children under 12 years old. This is a ticketed event.
See the dates and get tickets here.
Corbett’s House of Horror Fear Farm
October 2-30, 2026
Corbett’s House of Horror Fear Farm in Davis covers 15 acres of terror! 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 on select Friday and Saturday nights in October, generally from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Check the official calendar for exact operating dates and any additional openings. 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. The Spooky Sights & Sips Cruise aboard City Cruises Sacramento operates on select dates in October. Departure times vary by date. On these cruises, 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 U-pick events 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! Check individual ranch listings for current opening dates, hours, and U-pick availability.
Old Sac Halloween Town
Various Dates in October 2026
Old Sacramento transforms into Halloween Town every October, featuring scenic hayrides through the historic district courtesy of Top Hand Ranch, ghost tours of Old Sac, and even spooky movies under the stars on Thursday and Friday nights.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
Open Daily through November 15, 2026
Bishop’s 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, and vary by date.
With so many seasonal activities and events to enjoy, Sacramento is the perfect place to embrace the excitement of autumn.
