January

Dine Downtown Restaurant Week

Various restaurants 

Launched in 2005, this event elevates downtown’s dynamic dining scene and drives traffic to local restaurants and continues to draw people to experience decadent menus assembled by Sacramento’s top chefs.

For more info, visit www.downtownsac.org/services/events/dine-downtown.

February

Free Sacramento Museum Weekend

Various museums 

Make sure to select the museum(s) you would like to attend and reserve your spot early.

For more info, visit www.sacmuseums.org.

March

Shamrock 5K and Half Marathon

Sacramento

Run, rock and rehydrate at the largest half marathon in Sacramento, where you will rock your way through 13.1 miles around our Capitol.

For more info, visit www.shamrocknhalf.com.

Doggy Dash & Bark in the Park

William Land Park

Join in at William Land Park for the 2K/5K dog walk and stay for the "Bark in the Park" Pet Festival to enjoy food, drinks, games, demos, prizes, meeting adoptable dogs and so much more!

For more info, visit www.sspca.org/doggy-dash.

Capitol Beer Fest

Capitol Mall

Raise your glasses on Capital Mall for 4 hours of some of the nation's best brewers, a great variety of food trucks and live music. 

For more info, visit www.capitolbeerfest.com.

April

Sacramento Beer Week

Various locations 

Various events centered on local craft brews, beer tasting, food and live music. 

For more info, visit www.sacramentobeerweek.com.

Sac Mac + Beer Fest

River Walk Park 

Join your beer-loving friends to get your first taste of beers made exclusively for Sacramento Beer Week while voting for the best macaroni and cheese served by local Sacramento chefs.

For more info, visit www.sacramentobeerweek.com.

Taste of East Sac

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 

This is the biggest food event in East Sacramento, with over 40 local food and beverage vendors. Your ticket gets you all you can eat and drink at this incredible event.

For more info, visit www.tasteofeastsac.com.

May

Sacramento County Fair

Cal Expo

Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, traditional county fair competitions, agriculture displays, hands-on family activities, carnival, specialty food and festival-style entertainment, where all concerts are included with admission. 

For more info, visit www.sacfair.com.

Country in the Park

Cal Expo

This country concert is hosted by 105.1 KNCI and has been a Sacramento staple for more than two decades and draws thousands of fans.

For more info, visit www.kncifm.com.

Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival

Sacramento

This is a full weekend dedicated to the one food you never outgrow: GRILLED CHEESE! This timeless classic is paired with everything from local craft beers to bounce houses, so there is something for everyone.

For more info, visit www.sacgrilledcheese.com.

East Sac Garden Tour

David Lubin Elementary 

This two-day event produced by David Lubin Elementary parents and volunteers is Sacramento’s favorite Mother’s Day tradition. Enjoy quality time while getting sneak peeks of “Fab 40's” gardens, shopping with local artisans, live music and community engagement activities.

For more info, visit www.eastsacgardentour.com.

 

June

Sacramento Pride Parade and Festival

Capitol Mall

Pride is the largest community engagement event of the year, gathering more than 20,000 people throughout the weekend to celebrate LGBTQ+ arts, culture and activism.

For more info, visit www.sacramentopride.org.

Pops in the Park

McKinley Park and East Portal Park, East Sacramento

This wonderful East Sac tradition was started in 1991, and it’s an opportunity to raise money for our neighborhood parks while bringing free, quality entertainment to the community. Bring your lawn chair and blankets to lay out on the grass, then sit back to enjoy the music with all of your neighbors!

For more info, visit www.eastsacpopsinthepark.com.

Sac Hot Chicken Battle

Sacramento

Enjoy beer samplings from local breweries and tastings from local restaurants and food trucks as they battle to earn the judges’ and peoples’ vote as the Best Hot Chicken in Sac!

For more info, visit www.hotchickenbattle.com.

July

California State Fair

Cal Expo

The 17-day fair is a robust celebration of the State of California and its industries, agriculture and diversity of its people.

For more info, visit www.calexpostatefair.com/event/ca-state-fair.

Land Park Fourth of July Street Parade

William Land Park

Join friends and neighbors as Land Park celebrates 40 years of the Govan/Perkins Fourth of July Parade. Families can decorate strollers, bikes, scooters and wagons and stroll along Govan Way with their neighbors. 

For more info, visit www.landpark.org.

Fab 40’s Fourth of July Street Parade

East Sacramento

Kick off summer with hundreds of your favorite neighbors for a festive parade that’s been happening since 1931. The parade generally ends in a block party with live bands and people in the street visiting with their neighbors. This wonderful family event is sure to bring out the patriotic spirit in all of us!

August

September

Wide Open Walls/Sacramento Mural Festival

Various locations

The annual festival brings local, national and international artists together to transform our region with amazing street art.

For more info, visit www.wideopenwalls.com.

Farm-to-Fork Festival

Sacramento 

Visit Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork Festival events were created as a celebration of the region’s incredible food and agriculture, and a chance to introduce people to the chefs, farmers, ranchers, vintners and brewers who are bringing delicious food and drinks to our table every day. Since 2013, the Farm-to-Fork events have become some of the country’s most anticipated food and music festivals and culinary experiences, drawing thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world.

For more info, visit www.farmtofork.com.

Chalk It Up Festival

Fremont Park 

The annual Chalk It Up Festival is located in Fremont Park, often on Labor Day weekend. Celebrate local artists and the arts community by watching local artists turn the sidewalks around Fremont Park into colorful works of art. 

For more info, visit www.chalkitup.org/festival/.

California Brewers Festival

Discovery Park 

Originating in 1995 and recognized as the first of its kind in craft beer festivals, the event unites thousands of craft beer and food lovers for an unforgettable experience. 

For more info, visit www.calbrewfest.com.

Legends of Wine

State Capitol 

Explore varietals from regional wineries that were exclusively selected by international wine legends Darrell Corti and David Berkley. Favorite area restaurants will also be onsite with selections of Sacramento’s farm-to-fork cuisine. 

For more info, visit www.farmtofork.com/events/legends-of-wine.

October

Aftershock Music Festival

Discovery Park

The West Coast’s Biggest Rock Festival comes to Discovery Park for four full days of music. Featuring four stages, 100,000-plus attendees and 90 bands.

For more info, visit www.aftershockfestival.com.

DÍa de los Muertos Oak Park

Oak Park

Día de los Muertos Oak Park is celebrated throughout the month of October with a lecture and workshop series leading up to the community celebration of DÍa de los Muertos with music, dancers, art, food and a marketplace. 

For more info, visit www.dayofthedeadop.com.

Oktoberfest Turn Verein

Sacramento Turn Verein

Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration. This famous festival occurs every October as revelers come to the Turn Verein to eat, drink and dance like a tried-and-true German. It’s like a piece of Munich, right in Sacramento!

For more info, visit www.sacramentoturnverein.com/oktoberfest/fest-info.

Sacramento Greek Festival

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

For nearly 60 years, the Sacramento Greek Festival has shared the vibrant culture, rich food and traditions of Greece with our local community. Come and join us for this family-friendly festival experience that includes Greeks food and desserts, Greek dancing and live music. OPA!

For more info, visit www.sacramentogreekfestival.com/.

November

Run to Feed the Hungry

Sacramento 

This 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run supports the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

For more info, visit www.runtofeedthehungry.com.

Holiday Theater of Lights Show in Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento Waterfront

This free holiday lighting extravaganza at the Old Sacramento Waterfront is a 20-minute live dramatization, including the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself. Performed Thursday through Sunday night, Thanksgiving Eve to Christmas Eve.

For more info, visit www.oldsacramento.com/event/theatre-lights.

City of Sacramento Veterans Day Parade

Capitol Mall

Celebrate and honor the veterans that have bravely served our country in the armed forces. 

For more info, visit www.cityofsacramento.org.

December

New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Sacramento’s best New Year’s Eve tradition lights up the skies above Old Sacramento with bright colors and flashes. This free celebration is open to all residents and features activities for the whole family to enjoy.

For more info, visit www.oldsacramento.com/events.