Fall Events to Kick of the Season in San Francisco
Things to Do in San Francisco This Fall 2026
Things to Do in San Francisco This Fall 2026: Festivals, Pumpkin Patches and Halloween Events
Fall in San Francisco brings outdoor music festivals, neighborhood street fairs, pumpkin patches, Halloween celebrations, parades, art events and some of the Bay Area’s biggest annual traditions. While September and October often bring some of San Francisco’s warmest weather, the changing season still offers plenty of ways to enjoy classic fall activities.
If you are searching for things to do in San Francisco this fall, this 2026 guide covers the best San Francisco fall festivals, Bay Area pumpkin patches, Halloween events, parades and seasonal activities happening from September through November.
San Francisco Open Studios
September 18–October 25, 2026
๐ Studios and creative spaces throughout San Francisco
ArtSpan’s San Francisco Open Studios gives visitors an opportunity to step inside local artists’ studios, see where their work is created and purchase art directly from the artists. Events take place across different San Francisco neighborhoods throughout the fall.
San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival
September 19–20, 2026
๐ Grant Avenue, San Francisco Chinatown
The Autumn Moon Festival fills San Francisco’s Chinatown with live entertainment, lion dancing, food vendors, arts and crafts, cultural performances and family-friendly activities. The annual festival celebrates the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival while highlighting the businesses and culture of Chinatown.
Portola Music Festival
September 26–27, 2026
๐ Pier 80, San Francisco
Portola Music Festival returns to Pier 80 for two days of electronic and dance music. The 2026 lineup includes Robyn, Swedish House Mafia, Tiësto, Zara Larsson, Skepta and Dog Blood, the collaboration between Skrillex and Boys Noize. This is a ticketed event for guests ages 21 and older.
Cole Valley Fair
September 27, 2026 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
๐ Cole Street between Frederick and Grattan streets
The Cole Valley Fair is a neighborhood fall festival featuring local artists, food vendors, live music and family activities. It is a relaxed way to explore one of San Francisco’s most charming neighborhoods while supporting local businesses and makers.
Visit a San Francisco Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patches begin opening across San Francisco and the Bay Area in late September, with most remaining open through Halloween.
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
๐ 2101 Sloat Boulevard and 620 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Clancy’s is one of the most convenient pumpkin patches in San Francisco. Its seasonal locations offer pumpkins, gourds, fall decorations and a classic neighborhood pumpkin-patch atmosphere without leaving the city.
The Great Pumpkin Patch
๐ 317 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
The Great Pumpkin Patch typically offers pumpkins along with family attractions such as a corn maze, train rides and Halloween activities. Check the website for current 2026 hours and attraction information.
Mill Valley Film Festival
October 1–11, 2026
๐ Mill Valley, San Rafael and other Marin County venues
The Mill Valley Film Festival is one of the Bay Area’s leading fall film events. Its annual program includes independent films, documentaries, international cinema, premieres, filmmaker conversations and special tributes at theaters throughout Marin County.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
October 2–4, 2026
๐ Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returns to Golden Gate Park for three days of free live music. Despite its name, the festival extends far beyond bluegrass and includes Americana, folk, rock, blues and country performers.
The 2026 lineup includes Alison Krauss, Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, My Morning Jacket and many more artists. Admission is free, but visitors should plan ahead for transportation, security rules and large crowds.
Castro Street Fair
October 4, 2026
๐ Castro District, San Francisco
Founded by Harvey Milk in 1974, the Castro Street Fair is one of San Francisco’s most established neighborhood festivals. The event includes live music, DJs, local vendors, food, dancing, community organizations and an artisan marketplace throughout the Castro.
San Francisco Fleet Week
October 4–12, 2026
๐ San Francisco waterfront
San Francisco Fleet Week is one of the biggest fall events in the city. The 2026 celebration includes the Parade of Ships, free ship tours, military band performances, K9 demonstrations and events along the waterfront.
The Parade of Ships begins at 11 a.m. on October 9, followed by the Fleet Week Air Show from October 9–11. Air performances are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. over San Francisco Bay and include the return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Popular viewing locations include Marina Green, Crissy Field, Fisherman’s Wharf and areas along the northern waterfront. Many activities are free, although reserved air-show seating requires tickets.
San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade
October 11, 2026
๐ Fisherman’s Wharf to Washington Square, North Beach
The San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade returns for its 158th year with marching bands, decorative floats, Italian and Italian American organizations, classic cars and local performers.
The parade begins near Fisherman’s Wharf, travels along Columbus Avenue and finishes in Washington Square in North Beach. It is one of San Francisco’s longest-running civic traditions and takes place during Fleet Week.
Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
October 12, 2026
๐ IDES Grounds, Half Moon Bay
Kick off pumpkin season with one of the Bay Area’s most unusual fall traditions. Growers bring enormous pumpkins to Half Moon Bay to compete for the championship title, with some entries weighing well over 2,000 pounds.
The winning pumpkin is displayed during the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival the following weekend.
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
October 17–18, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
๐ Main Street, Half Moon Bay
The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is one of the largest fall festivals near San Francisco. Downtown Half Moon Bay transforms into a celebration of pumpkin season with giant pumpkin displays, live music, local art, seasonal food, costume activities and the Great Pumpkin Parade.
The Great Pumpkin Parade takes place at noon on Saturday, October 17, featuring the championship pumpkin, marching bands, decorative floats, classic cars and costumed participants.
Admission is free, but the event attracts large crowds. Leave early and allow extra time for traffic and parking.
Explore Bay Area Pumpkin Farms
For pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes and more traditional fall activities, plan a day trip to one of the pumpkin farms near San Francisco.
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
๐ 850 North Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay
Farmer John’s is known for its colorful pumpkin varieties, vintage tractor and coastal farm setting.
Lemos Farm
๐ 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay
Lemos Farm offers pumpkins and family-friendly attractions that may include pony rides, train rides, farm animals and seasonal activities.
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
๐ 185 Verde Road, Half Moon Bay
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm is known for its pumpkin selection, hay maze, haunted barn and other seasonal attractions along Highway 1.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
๐ 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma
The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch features pumpkin picking and a large corn maze, including special nighttime maze experiences on select dates.
Most Bay Area pumpkin patches operate from late September through October 31. Dates, admission prices and attractions vary, so confirm current information directly with each farm before traveling.
SuperNatural Halloween at the California Academy of Sciences
๐ California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
SuperNatural is the California Academy of Sciences’ family-friendly Halloween celebration. Seasonal programming may include costumes, live animals, science demonstrations, music and Halloween activities throughout the museum.
Check the event page for the confirmed 2026 date, schedule and ticket information.
San Francisco Chinatown Halloween Festival
๐ Portsmouth Square, Chinatown
The Chinatown Halloween Festival is a family-friendly community celebration featuring costume contests, games, arts and crafts, entertainment and trick-or-treating.
The full 2026 schedule has not yet been released, so check the Community Youth Center closer to Halloween for confirmed details.
San Francisco Halloween Events
October 30–November 1, 2026
๐ Locations throughout San Francisco
San Francisco celebrates Halloween with costume parties, haunted attractions, themed cruises, comedy shows, bar crawls and family-friendly neighborhood events.
Many adult Halloween events are ticketed and restricted to guests ages 21 and older, so review admission details and participating venues before making plans.
Día de los Muertos in the Outer Sunset
November 1, 2026 | 6–10 p.m.
๐ 37th Avenue between Ortega and Quintara streets, San Francisco
The Outer Sunset Día de los Muertos celebration brings the community together through music, art, remembrance and cultural traditions. The evening takes place along 37th Avenue and offers a meaningful transition from Halloween into November.
Day of the Dead Festival of Altars
November 2, 2026
๐ Potrero del Sol Park, San Francisco
San Francisco’s annual Festival of Altars invites the community to honor loved ones through traditional and contemporary altars, flowers, candles, photographs and personal mementos.
The celebration traditionally includes a Mission District procession followed by ceremonies, performances and community-created altars at Potrero del Sol Park. The finalized 2026 procession schedule and route will be announced closer to the event.
Visitors should approach the event as a cultural tradition centered on remembrance rather than as an extension of Halloween.
Redwood City Día de los Muertos Celebration
November 8, 2026
๐ Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Redwood City hosts a large Día de los Muertos celebration featuring altars, music, dance, food, art and cultural performances. The event provides another opportunity to experience one of the Bay Area’s most meaningful fall traditions.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Weekends from November 21–December 20, 2026
๐ Cow Palace, Daly City
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair marks the transition from fall into the holiday season. The Cow Palace is transformed into Victorian London with costumed characters, theatrical performances, music halls, pubs, food and shops filled with handmade gifts.
The 2026 fair runs for five weekends, including Friday, November 27. Hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Experience Fall in San Francisco
From free music in Golden Gate Park and Fleet Week along the waterfront to pumpkin patches, Halloween celebrations, fall parades and neighborhood festivals, there are plenty of things to do in San Francisco during fall 2026.
๏ปฟ
If you are visiting for work, relocating to the Bay Area or planning an extended stay, AMSI offers furnished residences throughout San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area for stays of 30 days or longer. Explore our current furnished rental availability and enjoy more time to experience fall in San Francisco.
