California knows how to throw a festival.
We’re talking epic music events in the desert, small-town celebrations, and food fests dedicated to everything from strawberries to avocados.
One weekend, you could be sipping wine at a fairground, and the next, watching jets rip across the sky or mules showing off their racing skills (yes, really).
No matter what you’re into—music, food, art, or even Bigfoot—there’s a festival here with your name on it.
Ready to add some unforgettable events to your calendar?
1. California Strawberry Festival – Oxnard
Time of year: May
If you love strawberries, the California Strawberry Festival is basically your dream come true, with every kind of strawberry treat you can imagine—shortcake, funnel cake, even strawberry pizza.
Held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, this annual May festival celebrates this region’s status as one of the top strawberry-growing regions in the country.
And when we say it’s strawberry mad, we mean it, with over 1.5 million strawberries served every year at the festival over just one weekend!
You can compete in a strawberry pie-eating contest, try the famous strawberry beer, and enjoy the live music.
With cooking demos, a massive strawberry-themed kids’ play area, and more strawberry-flavored snacks than you knew existed!
2. Outside Lands – San Francisco
Time of year: August
If music, food, and art had a wild, magical baby, it would be Outside Lands—San Francisco’s biggest and boldest music festival held every August in Golden Gate Park.
This three-day party brings huge headliners across every genre, from rock to hip-hop to electronic.
And all of this is set against a dreamy backdrop of towering trees and fog that rolls in like a natural smoke machine.
Beyond the music, there’s a diverse culinary experience featuring local restaurants, food vendors, and a dedicated wine area known as Wine Lands.
And if you need a break from dancing, you can check out the comedy tent, wander through psychedelic art installations, or explore ‘Grass Lands’, the first-ever experience of its type at a major U.S. festival.
3. Bigfoot Daze – Willow Creek
Time of year: July
If you’ve ever dreamed of spotting Bigfoot, or just love a unique small-town festival, Bigfoot Daze in Willow Creek is your kind of scene.
Held every summer in the heart of California’s Sasquatch country, this one-day event packs in a lively parade, a Bigfoot-calling contest, and a wide range of activities.
Local vendors sell everything from Bigfoot T-shirts to wood-carved renditions of Big-Foot, while live bands keep the party going all day.
Whether you’re a true believer or just here for the fun, this festival proves that the legend of Bigfoot is very much alive in Willow Creek.
4. Monterey Jazz Festival – Monterey
Time of year: September
For a festival with serious music history, the Monterey Jazz Festival has been setting the standard since 1958, making it the longest-running jazz fest in the world.
Every September, the Monterey County Fairgrounds transform into a place where you can experience all things jazz.
Here you’ll find legendary artists, rising stars, and mind-blowing jam sessions filling multiple stages.
Beyond the music, you’ll find panel discussions, intimate workshops with top musicians, and a laid-back California coastal vibe that makes it easy to just sit back and soak it all in.
Whether you’re a hardcore jazz fan or just here for the good energy, this festival proves that jazz is very much alive—and absolutely thriving—in Monterey.
5. Mule Days – Bishop
Time of year: Late May
If you think mules are just stubborn donkeys, Mule Days in Bishop will change your mind fast.
This six-day event is held annually in late May, typically leading up to Memorial Day weekend.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Eastern Sierra, it features over 700 mules competing in everything from barrel racing to pack scrambles.
There’s even a parade where the marching bands ride mules.
The energy is pure Wild West, with country music concerts, line dancing, and a variety of cowboy-themed cuisine from local food vendors.
It’s part competition, part celebration, and all about proving that mules are way cooler than they get credit for.
6. Pageant of the Masters – Laguna Beach
Time of year: July and August
If you’ve ever wanted to see famous paintings and sculptures come to life, then Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach is the place to be.
Every summer, this one-of-a-kind show turns real people into stunning, lifelike recreations of classic artworks.
They do this using elaborate costumes, makeup, and lighting so convincing that you’ll swear you’re looking at an actual painting.
Held in an outdoor amphitheater, the performance pairs jaw-dropping visuals with a live orchestra and storytelling that explores the history behind each masterpiece.
It’s part art, part theater, and completely mind-blowing—no wonder it’s been wowing audiences for over 90 years.
7. Día de los Muertos Festival – Los Angeles
Time of year: Late October to Early November
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival in Los Angeles is a vibrant, deeply meaningful celebration of life, love, and remembrance.
Held every fall at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, this festival transforms the historic grounds into a dazzling display of altars, marigold-covered pathways, and breathtaking face painting that turns attendees into walking works of art.
Live music, folklórico dancers, and Aztec ritual performances fill the air with energy, while vendors serve up traditional treats like pan de muerto and tamales.
It’s a beautiful mix of tradition and creativity, where families honor their ancestors and artists showcase stunning Day of the Dead-inspired works.
Everyone comes together here in a colorful tribute to those who came before.
8. California WorldFest
Time of year: July
California WorldFest is a global music adventure without the passport—you’ll hear everything from Afrobeat to bluegrass to Latin funk, all in one place.
Traditionally held every July in the scenic Sierra foothills, this four-day festival brings together artists from around the world, creating a mash-up of cultures, rhythms, and seriously danceable beats.
Beyond the music, there are drumming workshops, yoga sessions, and a vibrant village marketplace packed with international food, handmade crafts, and interactive art.
It’s the kind of festival where you’ll leave with new favorite bands, a few dance moves you didn’t know you had, and maybe even a freshly tie-dyed shirt to prove you were there.
It used to be held in Grass Valley, but as of 2024 the venue changed to Richards Ranch, Oregon House, although the 2024 show ended up being cancelled.
Be sure to check online before planning your visit in case the venue and scheduling changes again.
9. Lodi Grape Festival – Lodi
Time of year: September
Lodi Grape Festival is all about celebrating what this region does best—growing grapes and turning them into ridiculously good wine.
Every September, this classic fair-meets-wine-festival takes over the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds.
You’ll find wine tastings, grape murals (yes, actual artwork made from grapes), and a full lineup of carnival rides and live music.
You can snack on deep-fried fair food, sip your way through some of Lodi’s best vintages, or do both at the same time!
It’s the perfect mix of small-town charm and wine country fun, proving that Lodi knows how to throw a party—especially when grapes are involved.
10. California Capital Airshow – Sacramento
If you love the sound of roaring jet engines and gravity-defying stunts, the California Capital Airshow in Sacramento will have you staring at the sky all day.
Held at Mather Airport, this high-energy event features jaw-dropping performances from historic warbirds, and even heart-pounding, low-altitude flybys that shake the ground.
The festival showcases performances from the likes of the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, but the performances can vary from year to year.
On the ground, you can check out massive military cargo planes, climb into fighter jet cockpits, and meet real-life pilots who make these aerial tricks look effortless.
Whether you’re a hardcore aviation fan or just here for the spectacle, this airshow proves that Sacramento knows how to bring the thrills—at full throttle.
Just note that the timing of the show varies from year to year, so it’s best to check online if you want to know when the next one is taking place.
11. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – Indio
Time of year: April
Coachella is a full-blown cultural phenomenon where music, fashion, and larger-than-life art collide in the California desert.
Every April, Indio transforms into a place where ‘the cools kids’ all want to be.
You’ll see back-to-back performances from the biggest names in music, all set against stunning sunsets and a sea of festival-goers in their most Instagram-worthy outfits.
Beyond the music, Coachella is packed with immersive art installations, pop-up experiences from top brands, and a food lineup so good it rivals the headliners.
Whether you’re here for the music, the scene, or just to say you’ve been, there’s no denying that Coachella is the festival that sets the bar for all the rest.
12. California Avocado Festival – Carpinteria
Time of year: October
If you believe avocados make everything better, the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria is where you want to be.
Held every October just steps from the beach, this festival is all about celebrating the region’s avocado-growing roots.
You’ll find avo-loaded dishes like guacamole, avocado ice cream, and even avocado beer!
There’s live music across multiple stages, a massive avocado weigh-off (because who doesn’t love a giant piece of produce?), and tons of local vendors selling everything from avo-themed merch to fresh-picked fruit.
You’re sure to enjoy the endless avocado goodness, just be prepared to leave with guacamole on your hands and zero regrets.
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