Global Connections

New in 2025, Sacramento welcomes Terra Madre Americas, the first American edition of the globally celebrated Slow Food festival, arriving in September. This immersive event will feature tastings from across the Americas, workshops with coffee growers and roasters, and conversations focused on sustainability, ethics, and culinary heritage.

Rooted in Tradition: Rodeos, Parades & Small-Town Americana

California's historic towns carry their legacies forward with iconic celebrations:

• Folsom Pro Rodeo has been a Fourth of July staple for more than 60 years, featuring pro competitions, mutton busting, horsemanship, and nightly fireworks.
• Tuolumne County's Mother Lode Round Up Parade and Rodeo draws more than 20,000 spectators for one of California's longest-running parades and two full days of rodeo action.
• In Calaveras County, the whimsical Jumping Frog Jubilee—inspired by Mark Twain's 1864 short story—brings a frog-jumping contest, a parade, and a Destruction Derby to Angels Camp each May.
• Elk Grove's Giant Pumpkin Festival celebrates agricultural pride with produce contests, pumpkin regattas, pie-eating competitions, and carnival fun each October.

Taste the Region: Food, Wine & Farm-to-Fork Delights

From vineyard estates to bustling downtown festivals, Northern California showcases its rich agricultural bounty:

• Sacramento's Farm-to-Fork Celebration spans the entire month of September and includes the Tower Bridge Dinner, Legends of Wine, and a massive citywide street festival celebrating local chefs, farms, and purveyors.
• El Dorado County's Passport Weekend invites guests to sip and savor at more than 20 wineries, with live music, art, and curated food pairings.
• Placer County's Mountain Mandarin Festival, the weekend before Thanksgiving, honors its signature citrus crop with cooking demos, vendor tastings, and mandarin-inspired treats.
• New this fall: Yosemite Celtic Festival in Madera County will debut November 1–2 in Oakhurst, featuring music, games, clan heritage, artisan crafts, and whiskey tastings celebrating Celtic culture.

Celebrate Nature, Culture & Community

Family-friendly festivals bring color and connection to the heart of California:

• The Mariposa Butterfly Festival on the first weekend of May celebrates the town's namesake with parades, performances, and educational activities focused on butterflies and pollinators.
• The California Mermaid Convention, the longest-running mermaid event on the West Coast, splashes into Rancho Cordova each May with live performances, workshops, and whimsical aquatic costumes.
• In Folsom, music lovers gather under the stars for the Twilight Concert Series at the amphitheater, bringing mellow vibes and community togetherness to warm summer nights.
• Founded by Mariposa County local and long-time rock-climbing rock-star, Ken Yager, Yosemite Facelift is a way for the rock climbing community to give back to and help maintain Yosemite National Park. The week long event brings thousands together every September with the goal of protecting the park. Grab a trash bag and help with the cleanup!

Adrenaline & Action: Sports, Stunts & High-Flying Fun

Outdoor lovers and thrill-seekers will find no shortage of pulse-raising moments:

• The Downieville Classic in Sierra County features one of the last point-to-point mountain bike races in the U.S., followed by the grueling 5,000-vertical-foot Downieville Downhill.
• Rancho Cordova hosts one of North America's top airshows—the California Capital Airshow—where fighter jets and stunt teams soar overhead as spectators enjoy ground exhibits and aviation displays.
• For off-road action, the Hangtown Motocross Classic brings pro and amateur motocross racers together in Rancho Cordova for a high-octane showdown.

And in October, Aftershock Festival—the West Coast's largest rock, punk, and metal music festival—returns to Discovery Park for its 13th year of headbanging and unforgettable performances, drawing fans from across the country.

Plan Your Festival Getaway
Whether you're traveling for music or mandarins, rodeos or rock shows, California's communities are ready to welcome visitors with open arms and unforgettable experiences.

For more information and event calendars, visit www.visitgoldcountry.com.