Summer is slipping away and for some, it can be hard to say goodbye, especially here where we don’t quite experience fall the way a lot of other states do. That being said, fall in Southern California does come, and we have lots of fall festivals in Southern California to help get you in the mood! No need to Google “fall festivals near me” because we have rounded up a big handful of some of the best southern California fall festivals. So, take a sip of your pumpkin spice latte and read on.

1. Solvang Danish Days, Santa Barbara County

The first of two awesome fall events near Santa Barbara is Solvang Danish Days, which takes place on September 20 through 22, 2024. This is the 87th anniversary of California’s #1 Danish Festival and a truly unique cultural event when the already impossibly charming Danish town of Solvang comes to life with traditional foods (like mouthwatering aebleskiver breakfasts!), parades, dancing, live entertainment, and fun activities. Consider the “Dane For A Day” VIP bundle, which includes two breakfasts, two beer or soda tickets, and two food items in the Viking Beer Garden, two axe-throwing tickets, two Viking helmets (I think that really sells it, doesn’t it?), drawing tickets, and commemorative buttons.

2. California Avocado Festival, Carpinteria

Fall means avocado harvest in SoCal! Did you know that 90 percent of the country’s avocados come from California? Well, we like to celebrate these fantastic fruits (yep, avocados are a fruit) with a festival in the lovely beach town of Carpinteria. This year, you can enjoy all things guac-a-licious on October 4-6, 2024. This also happens to be the state’s largest free music festival, so mark your calendars for a fantastic fall time at the Avo Fest.

3. Carved at Descanso Gardens

Carved returns to Descanso Gardens from October 4-30, 2024. At this family-friendly event, visitors wander on a glowing route through Descant’s Camellia Forest and Rose Garden to enjoy the fall foliage and whimsical light displays, and scores of jack-o-lanterns. This is just one of several fall festivals near Los Angeles.

4. Pismo Beach Clam Festival

Who says you can only enjoy the beach during summer? This is SoCal! On October 19 & 20, 2024, join the 78th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival. Come early and enjoy the Friday night wine walk in town. The festival - which sells out every year - includes all the expected food, vendors, and entertainment, with extra fun for the kids (think bounce houses and inflatables), and the Clam Chowder Cook-Off contest. You can grab a sample from up to 10 local restaurants and vote for your favorites! When it comes to fall events near Los Angeles, this one is a must!

5. 68th Annual Silverado Days, Buena Park

If you prefer some good ol’ Western-style fair, take the entire family for three days of old-timey fun at the 68th Annual Silverado Days festival, also being held on October 18-20, 2024. Free admission and parking make this event a no-brainer, and families will have the time of their lives with carnival rides, corn hole, and horseshoe tournaments, hog-calling, arts and crafts, a dog show, a chili cook-off, pie-eating contests, classic fair foods, live music, and more.

6. Calabasas Pumpkin Festival

The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is the perfect place to celebrate pumpkins as Calabasas is named after the Mexican word for pumpkin: “calabaza”. On Sunday, October 20, 2024, you can enjoy pumpkin-filled foods, choose your own pumpkin to take home, and enjoy some wonderful live music. The Calabasas community is so friendly and welcoming and you’ll have an amazing time.

7. Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade

The peak season in Palm Desert begins in mid-fall and this epically fun event kicks it off in style on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. This year’s festivities celebrate the Palm Desert community with a pancake breakfast, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a Family Fun Zone, and then the main event. Plus, it’s the event’s 60th Anniversary! At high noon, the parade begins with a flyover by the Palm Springs Air Museum Warbirds, classic cars, marching bands, dance troupes, and (wait for it)… decorated golf cart floats! And don’t miss the after-parade party.

8. De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Celebration

Celebrating a very particular type of harvest on Sunday, November 3, 2024, you can join the De Portola Wine Trail “Harvest Celebration,” during which you will explore this wine trail in the Temecula Valley countryside. You can choose which participating winery to begin and enjoy three separate wine tastings, each paired with gourmet food samples prepared by the winery’s artisan chef. Discover your new favorite wine or fall in love all over again and go home with a logo glass as a souvenir. Transportation for the event is provided throughout the day.After a day of wine tasting, why not stay the night in beautiful Temecula? This lovely adults-only hotel sits right near the De Portola wine trail and is perfect to turn your Harvest Celebration into the perfect fall weekend.

So which of these fall festivals in Southern California would you like to attend? Have you attended any of these local fall events in the past? Which is your favorite? Whichever one calls to you, enjoy your unique SoCal autumn season and let us know about your experiences in the comments. Be sure to travel around and see some lovely fall foliage in Southern California this year:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/southern-california/changing-leaves-so-cal/