Your forever faithful festival reporter (and food critic) loves that the season of celebration never ends in the Bay Area! With the kind of temperatures that signal summer everywhere else, now is when we really start to heat up, both literally and figuratively. Get out and join the crowds at these fall fairs and festivals. See more terrific Fall Arts Previews here. Remember to check out our Big Week event picks every week for more great festivals coverage. And don’t forget to vote for Best of the Bay!
SEPTEMBER 16-20: SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR This year’s local County Fair season is mostly in the rear — except for Santa Cruz County. While not known for booking blockbuster music talent à la how they get down in Alameda County, it’s still a five-day window to check out food on a stick, monster trucks, drone shows, pro wrestling, and separate carnivals for adults and kids. Last chance for the county fair vibe until 2027! $2.50-$20. Noon-11pm (Sept. 16-18) and 10am-11pm (Sept. 19-20). 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville. More info here.
SEPTEMBER 18-20: GODZILLAFEST A long-running annual tradition that first began when Godzilla turned 50 in 2004 returns to San Francisco. Godzillafest is a multifaceted three-day festival with special ticketed events, including a meet and greet dinner with actors, writers, and directors that quickly sold out. Luckily, tickets and weekend passes for the main event are still available. The 2026 logo is incredible, and the t-shirts are going to be conversation ice breakers, just saying. $23-$60. Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness, SF. More info here.
SEPTEMBER 25: SUNSET NIGHT MARKET: AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL DJs, dance performances, and an international selection of food trucks and booths to complement the mom and pop dumpling shops make every Sunset Night Market super fun. This part of the Sunset District is already a great neighborhood to buy traditional Chinese mooncakes for the fall from places like TC Pastry. For this edition, there should be some fun, modern twists on them available from tented vendors. Free. 5pm-10pm, Irving Street between 20th and 25th Avenues, SF. More info here.
SEPTEMBER 25-27: 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAKER FAIRE BAY AREA 20 years since the first Maker Faire Bay Area event took place, the science-y, Burning Mannish tech arts and crafts fest is heading to Mare Island, which you can drive or ferry to access. Makers are ready to teach, demo, sell, and share the spark to create. $28-84. Historic Mare Island Shipyard, Mare Island. More info here.
OCTOBER 3: 11TH ANNUAL SF CHEESE FESTIVAL After spending a few years in the Ferry Building, the SF Cheese Festival is getting bigger and boozier by moving to Treasure Island. Mocktails are free and cocktails will be for sale. The California Artisan Cheese Guild builds a huge grazing table of meats and cheeses that gets mowed down, while leading Northern California cheese companies sample and sell. $98-165. 6pm-9pm, Gold Bar Distillery, 1 Avenue of the Palms, #167, Treasure Island, SF. More info here.
OCTOBER 4: THE 52ND CASTRO STREET FAIR Get out and party to benefit Castro area schools and nonprofits, the Castro Merchants Association, and maintenance of the official Rainbow Flag at Harvey Milk Plaza. Live music, DJ, and drag lineups are TBA, but this year’s announced theme is “Where We Belong.” $10-20 suggested donation at the gates; no one turned away for lack of funds. 11am-6pm, Castro and Market Streets, SF. More info here.
OCTOBER 9-10: 626 NIGHT MARKET I call this annual festival, which originates from Arcadia in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley, a food rave with the utmost sincerity. Drink brightly hued beverages in fun vessels, eat seafood and sweets on sticks, and dance if you want to—the 626 Night Market’s Bay Area edition, which is the last of the overall California season, will be a fun way to spend a few hours. Speaking of, you’ll likely have the best experience going early or late. $8. 3pm-11pm, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Avenue, Pleasanton. More info here.
OCTOBER 17: BAY AREA SCIENCE FESTIVAL The Science & Education Health Partnership at UCSF will host over 125 hands-on experiences showing STEM in action to inspire future generations of scientists and researchers in one of the world’s strongest regions. Take lab tours, participate in experiments, go on science-focused walks, watch movies, and more. Free. 11am—4pm UCSF Mission Bay Campus, Koret Quad, SF. More info here.
NOVEMBER 13: BHANGRA & BEATS NIGHT MARKET This reporter’s personal top pick of the fall season happens to be San Francisco’s official Diwali celebration, which is free, all ages, and taking place in a public area that will be imbued with Non Stop Bhangra’s party vibes and good food. It’s guaranteed to be the liveliest and most joyful evening that will happen downtown for the rest of the year — look up videos from previous editions of Bhangra & Beats to confirm that’s not hyperbole, and wear comfy dancing shoes. Free. 4pm-9pm, Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard Street, SF. More info here.
NOVEMBER 21-22: WEST COAST CRAFT Over 275 creators are gonna set up adorable booths to scour for holiday gifts, which could potentially include some trinkets for yourself. West Coast Craft doubles as an annual way to reaffirm and forecast trends in handiwork. Does felt still reign? Find out in November! Free. 10am—6pm. Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard, #260, SF. More info here.
