There’s a lot to look forward to this fall season. Whether you want something more family-friendly or are looking for a more active event, you can find options here. So plan ahead to have an eventful October! Here’s our list of the best things to do in the North Bay this October.
Featured photo courtesy of Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
Marin County
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Through October 31
Nicasio
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
5300 Nicasio Valley Road
A West Marin fall classic — farm animals, hayrides and pumpkins of every shape and size spread across open fields at the foot of the hills. The unhurried, old-fashioned kind of autumn outing. 5300 Nicasio Valley Road.
October 1-11
Multiple Locations
Sequoia Cinema
25 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley
Lark Theater
549 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur
Outdoor Art Club
1 West Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley
Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th Street, San Rafael
BAMPFA
2155 Center Street Berkeley
Every fall, the California Film Institute turns Marin’s neighborhood theaters into a destination for film lovers from around the world. Now in its 49th year, MVFF brings world cinema, American independents and short films to screens across Marin and Berkeley.
October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
San Rafael
Angelico Hall, Dominican University of California
50 Acacia Ave
Now in its 49th year, this beloved local event for cinephiles began as a one-time presentation of Italian movies in a college lecture hall. As a labor of love for longtime director Lido Cantarutti, the fest has featured appearances from Italian film directors and composers, as well as dignitaries of the Italian and Italian-American communities.
October 3
Point Reyes Station
Toby's Feed Barn
11250 California 1
Benefiting various West Marin non-profits, this car show at Toby’s Feed Barn fills this beach town’s downtown streets with vintage wheels aplenty.
October 9-10
Novato
Downtown Novato
Grant Avenue
Downtown Novato’s classic car celebration marks 30 years with two days of engines, chrome and community. Friday night’s Hot Rod Cruise winds through town at dusk; Saturday brings the full car show and awards, lining Grant Avenue with hundreds of immaculately restored machines.
October 10
Fairfax
Downtown Fairfax
2000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
t’s Fairfax’s take on Oktoberfest, combining the best beers with the best bikers in the area. Ride through the birthplace of mountain biking, then land in downtown for live music, food trucks and Bay Area beers. Group rides start at 9 a.m. for all skill levels — festival kicks off at noon. Free to attend, $45 presale for beer tasting.
2026 dates TBD
Mill Valley
Mill Valley Lumber Yard
129 Miller Ave
Supermutts, Halloweenies and spooky pups of all stripes are invited to Mill Valley Lumber Yard for its third annual doggy costume contest. Owners can come too.
Sonoma
October 4
Santa Rosa
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
100 Pythian Road at Highway 12
Bless your pets (all species welcome), in a picturesque Sonoma setting, sipping wine at St. Francis Winery’s annual Blessing of the Animals which supports the local non-profit animal charity.
2026 dates TBD
Santa Rosa
5007 Fulton Road
Using fresh produce from Kendall Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, the meal will be prepared outdoor over a live fire. Snake River Farms is the pioneer of American Wagyu beef, and has been family-owned and operated since 1968. This comprehensive approach allows Snake River Farms to achieve perfection at every stage of production.
October 10
Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Sip wine from more than 100 wineries, meet winemakers and maybe even stomp grapes. Pair your wine with an assortment of delectable munchables from the Harvest Fair’s Professional Food Competition.
October 11
Windsor
Bricoleur Vineyards
7934 Starr Road
Join Bricoleur Vineyards for their 8th Annual Harvest Party, offering family-friendly fun for all ages. Munch on local eats as you play some bocce ball and lawn games, and of course do it all with a glass of wine in hand!
October 11
Healdsburg
Bacchus Landing
14210 Bacchus Landing Way
Join over 60 wineries at Healdsburg Crush to taste limited production pinot noir and sparkling wines at the Healdsburg Plaza. Tickets to the event include a wine tasting, complementary food and a souvenir wine glass.
Napa
October 4
Napa
Skyline Park
Scenic, rustic and winding roads will take you from the start at Skyline Park through the vineyard lined neighborhoods in a charming countryside setting. Finishers of the Half Marathon will be greeted with a bottle of Napa Valley wine and all race finishers will receive a custom medal.
October 17
St. Helena
Celebrate the fall season at the Hometown Harvest Festival! Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring everything from a Pet Pawrade to a full on street fair. Live music, local wines and beers and delicious food will abound, and arts and crafts vendors will share their creations along the street fair. The kids zone makes this the best spot for people of all ages! For exact location check the festival website here.
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in the North Bay? Our comprehensive list of venues below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
More Please!
For more suggestions on how to enjoy all that October has to offer, click here.
