Northern California weekend event roundup: Sacramento-area things to do for Oct. 2-4
Looking for things to do this weekend?
More pumpkin patches and corn mazes are now open for the fall season.
Below is a list of more activities in Northern California over the next few days. Before you go out, check our latest forecast for warm temps.
Sacramento County
Aftershock Music Festival
The biggest event of the weekend takes place at Discovery Park in Sacramento. Top acts on Friday include Limp Bizkit and hip-hop legends Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan and Cypress Hill. Saturday has Pierce the Veil and A Day to Remember, while Sunday features Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Body Count featuring Ice-T and AFI. See a full music guide here and a transportation guide here.
Sacramento Greek Festival
The Sacramento Greek Festival takes place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Alhambra Boulevard. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for teens and adults (except for a Friday discounted price of $3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Attendees can enjoy traditional music, dancing, and Greek food. Learn more.
Giant Pumpkin Festival
Elk Grove’s 32nd annual Giant Pumpkin Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The festivities begin Saturday morning with the signature “Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off,” and on Sunday, the “Pumpkin Regatta” will see paddlers racing across the lake in hollowed-out gourds at noon. The free festival also includes carnival rides, food trucks, and more. Learn more.
Thomas Rhett
Country star Thomas Rhett performs at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center on Saturday. Learn more.
Sacramento Zoo Community Day
Admission to the zoo is $10 for all ages on Friday.
Fairytale Town Wellness Festival
Fairytale Town will host a wellness festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering health resources, activities, and free flu shots for children. The event will feature local health resources, interactive activities, nutrition tips, and fun demonstrations throughout the day. Learn more.
Sacramento Century
The 13th annual Sacramento Century Challenge bike ride takes place on Saturday, starting at Capitol Mall through the Delta wine region. Learn more.
Placer County
Pat Benatar
1980s rock legend Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo perform at Thunder Valley Casino’s The Venue in Lincoln on Friday. Learn more.
Lake Tahoe Mushroom Festival
The Lake Tahoe Mushroom Festival takes place Saturday at The Hangar, located at 2401 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. There are mushroom forays, lectures, vendor booths, live music, a kids’ zone and more. Learn more.
Maker Fair Rocklin
You can visit a maker’s fair at Sierra College on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s located at 5100 Sierra College Boulevard. Learn more.
San Joaquin County
Fierce’s Fall Fest
Delta College is hosting its fifth annual Fierce’s Fall Fest on Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Dolores Huerta Plaza. Parking and admission are free, and the event features a costume parade, live music, games, activities, and plenty of candy. Learn more.
Dell’Osso Farms
Dell’Osso Farms in Lathrop opens for the fall season on Friday. Located off Interstate 5, the farm offers 28 attractions, including a giant corn maze and pumpkin patch. New this year are an upgraded kiddie playland and permanent restrooms. The farm will be open daily through Halloween. Learn more.
Manteca Pumpkin Fair
The Manteca Pumpkin Fair features a bike rodeo on Saturday, a car show on Sunday and a pickleball tournament on both days. There are also vendor booths, food trucks, a beer garden and a kids’ zone. Learn more.
St. Mark Egyptian Festival
In Ripon, the free St. Mark Egyptian Festival will be held at Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church on Saturday and Sunday. Expect live music, kids’ activities and Egyptian-inspired items for sale. Learn more.
Stanislaus County
Ceres Music Fest
The Ceres Music Fest is an all-ages event at River Bluff Regional Park in Modesto on Saturday and Sunday. It features groups that range from R&B to Latin and freestyle music. Learn more.
International Heritage Festival
Modesto’s free International Heritage Festival celebrates its 33rd year at Graceada Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect food, music and dance, along with an international fashion show and kids’ activities. Learn more.
Calaveras County
Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire
Murphys will host the 33rd annual Calaveras Grape Stomp at Murphys Community Park on Saturday, where teams of two will compete for the title of best grape stompers. Main Street in Murphys will also shut down for the Gold Rush Street Faire. Learn more.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline a show at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys on Friday, joined by Foghat and Molly Hatchet. Learn more.
Butte County
Johnny Appleseed Days
Paradise hosts Johnny Appleseed Days on Saturday and Sunday. The event says it is the oldest harvest festival in the state. Learn more.
Solano County
Lambtown Festival
Dixon will hold the 40th annual Lambtown Festival, California’s largest sheep and wool event, on Saturday and Sunday. The event takes place at the Dixon May Fairgrounds on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can pre-register for a workshop or watch sheep shearing and sheep dog competitions, among other activities. Learn more.
Yolo County
Cancer Champions Walk, Run, and Roll
The annual Cancer Champions Walk, Run, and Roll will take place Saturday morning at River Walk Park in West Sacramento. The one-mile event starts at 8:10 a.m., followed by the 5K and 10K at 8:15 a.m. The outdoor event welcomes participants of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs or strollers. All proceeds will benefit recovery programs and support networks for cancer survivors in the community. Learn more.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel.