October is beginning with a full weekend of fall festivals, local art, live music, and family-friendly activities across Santa Cruz County, Silicon Valley, and the Monterey Bay.
Whether you want to stay close to home in Santa Cruz, make an afternoon trip to Los Gatos or San Jose, or spend the day exploring Pacific Grove, there is something worth adding to your calendar. Here are five local events happening Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Downtown Santa Cruz Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 3 | 12:00 pm–4:00 pm
Lot 16 and Church Street | 212 Church Street, Santa Cruz
Celebrate the beginning of fall in Downtown Santa Cruz with an afternoon that brings together local farms, makers, food, music, and nostalgic fair-style fun. Expect fresh produce, handmade goods, carnival games, crafts, face painting, and activities for the whole family.
Set behind the Downtown Library, this is an easy local option for anyone looking for a festive Saturday afternoon without leaving Santa Cruz. Admission is free.
St. Mary’s Country Fair
Friday, October 2–Sunday, October 4
Saturday: 11:00 am–10:00 pm | Sunday: 10:00 am–3:00 pm
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception | 219 Bean Avenue, Los Gatos
St. Mary’s Country Fair has been a Los Gatos tradition for more than 50 years. The weekend includes amusement rides, live music, food, drinks, children’s activities, bingo, and community entertainment.
Saturday offers the longest day of festivities, with rides beginning at noon and the fair continuing into the evening. Sunday is a shorter option for families who prefer a daytime visit. The full fair begins Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
View the St. Mary’s Country Fair schedule
Santana Row Glass Pumpkin Festival
Friday, October 2–Sunday, October 4
Saturday: 10:00 am–9:00 pm | Sunday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Santana Row Park | 377 Santana Row, San Jose
Santana Row becomes an open-air gallery filled with thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins created by artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute and visiting glass artists.
Browse one-of-a-kind pieces, watch live glassblowing demonstrations, and choose a glass pumpkin to bring home for the season. The display is free to explore, with artwork available to purchase. The event also opens Friday from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
View the Glass Pumpkin Festival details
Sunset Celebration at Point Pinos Lighthouse
Saturday, October 3 | 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Point Pinos Lighthouse | 80 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove
Spend Saturday evening at one of Pacific Grove’s most historic settings. The annual Sunset Celebration features live music by the David Holodiloff Trio, food from Michael’s Taqueria, local wine and beer, and the opportunity to tour the lighthouse.
Tickets are required and are listed at $65 per person. Because availability may change, check the official event page before making the trip.
View Sunset Celebration details
FabMo Artisans Market
Sunday, October 4 | 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Los Altos Community Center | 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
FabMo’s 15th Annual Artisans Market brings together 40 makers creating one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, fashion, toys, gifts, and home décor from repurposed, recycled, or reused materials.
Meet the artisans, browse thoughtfully made pieces, and discover how rescued textiles, wallpaper, tile, and other designer materials can be given a creative new life. Admission is free, making this a lovely Sunday destination for anyone who appreciates handcrafted design and more sustainable shopping.
View FabMo Artisans Market details
A Weekend Made for Exploring
One of the best parts of living in Santa Cruz County and the greater Bay Area is having so many different experiences within reach. A Saturday can begin at a community festival in Downtown Santa Cruz and end beside a historic lighthouse in Pacific Grove. Sunday can be spent exploring handcrafted art in Los Altos, enjoying a country fair, or browsing glass pumpkins in San Jose.
At the Strock Team, we believe real estate is about more than the home itself. It is also about the communities, traditions, and everyday experiences that make a place feel like yours.
If you are thinking about buying or selling in Aptos, Santa Cruz, Capitola, or elsewhere around Monterey Bay, let’s start the conversation.
Strock Team | eXp Luxury
Where Remarkable Real Estate Lives in California
Santa Cruz County · Monterey Bay · Silicon Valley
831-688-9800
strockteam.com
Event information is current as of October 1, 2026. Dates, times, admission, and availability may change. Confirm details with the event organizer before attending.