October 6&7
Experience the Eureka Symphony’s season opener, which will traverse nine centuries of music. 7:30 p.m. at the Arkley Center. Tickets and more information available online.
Author: Cassandra Curatolo
North Coast Repertory Theatre, Timber Heritage Association, the Clarke Historical Museum and the people who produced the Haunted Mill Tour bring a haunting locomotive experience to Humboldt County. There will be food vendors and live music at the The Haunted Night Market. Runs 6:00 PM-Midnight every show night, and is located behind the Samoa Cookhouse (930 Vance Avenue, Samoa). Ages 13+.
Find more information online here.
The Sequoia Park Zoo & Foundation host this annual fun-filled, family-friendly Halloween event. Patrons in costume trick-or-treat along the Zoo’s candy trail, plus there’s a Animal Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp, Spooky Science Lab, and more! Noon-4pm.
Explore an array of vintage, second hand & artisan made goods at this pop up vendor market in Eureka’s Historic Old Town. 1am-4pm. Free. Outside Redwood Retro, 211 G St. Find more information here.
Every year at the end of October, the kinetic sculptures (and their operators) from Humboldt County’s iconic three-day Kinetic Sculpture Race rise from the dead to transform into the Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors. You’ll make your way through a unsettling labyrinth of ghouls and goblins beyond mortal comprehension. Suitable for ages 13 and up. $15 at the door. Cash only. Open 7pm-midnight.
The Savage Henry Comedy Club hosts a 3-day side splitting event, with 147 Comedians performing in 52 shows across 13 Humboldt County venues. Tickets are $5 and available online.
Find more information at https://www.savagehenrycomedy.com/2023savagehenrycomedyfestival
October 7
Join the Friends of the Dunes for a celebration of coastal conservation, stewardship and environmental education, as you enjoy music, art, local gourmet food, and local wine. For tickets, and to view the online auction, visit The Friends of the Dunes website. $45 Members. $55 Non-Members.
November 12
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival makes its Humboldt County debut Sunday, November 12, at the Arcata Theatre Lounge. Featuring the best in environmental filmmaking and supporting the education and stewardship programs of Friends of the Lost Coast, the theme is Inspiring Adventure, a collection of 10 independent films covering the global gamut from environmental justice to outdoor adventure and beyond. The event includes live music, food/drink, and a silent auction. Doors open at 6pm, films begin at 7pm. Tickets are available in advance.
Ghosts, pirates and princesses, oh my! The streets surrounding the Arcata Plaza close to traffic and fill with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, as participating businesses pass out candy to kids in costume.
Find more information at the Arcata Chamber of Commerce Events page.
Fall is in full swing at the Harvest Artisan’s Faire, where you can peruse locally made jewelry, gifts, art and more. There will be live music, food, libations and a kids zone for the little ones. The Faire will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Eureka (1018 H St.).
See Wild Coast Markets’ Instagram for more information.
Hear ye, hear ye, the Medieval Festival of Courage celebrates agricultural traditions and the autumnal equinox, with all the delights of bygone days. Activities include an old world market, fencing, puppets, apple and grape pressing demonstrations, a “tavern” for adults, archery, live music, treasure hunts, food vendors and more. Costumes encouraged!
Downtown Garberville hosts a fun-filled Halloween celebration with costume contests, trick-or-treating, live music and more. This spooktacular event will be held at the the Garberville Town Square from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
October 13
Celebrate the local community with friends and family on warm late summer evenings at SoHum Social. This recurring event is a new fixture in Garberville, and includes artist exhibits and demonstrations, business open houses, and a town square dinner with drinks, dancing and music. There’s even an afterparty. See website for details.
First Saturday of the Month, 6-9pm
On the first Saturday of every month, Old Town Eureka transforms into myriad venues for music and art. Galleries, restaurants, bars and businesses welcome patrons and spectators with exhibits, demonstrations, live performances and more. Celebrating the work of local artists, Arts Alive is just one of the many ways that Humboldt County lives up to claim “most artists per capita.”
December 9
The 35th annual Trucker’s Christmas Parade is a dazzling showcase of light and cheer. Trucks and floats are elaborately adorned with Christmas lights for an evening parade through Eureka. The entry fee benefits the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods. Parade begins at 6pm.
Saturday, December 2
Watch the Ferndale Volunteer fire department light America’s tallest living Christmas tree – a tradition in the Victorian Village since 1934. Locals gather round at the end of Main Street to see the giant, colorful spruce aglow, enjoy free cookies and cocoa, and usher in the holiday season. Ceremony begins at 5:30pm.
December 2-3
Marvel at Humboldt’s iconic giants and experience the magic of forest in the flickering candlelight at the 34th Annual Candlelight Walk through the Ancient Redwoods. Refreshments provided. Silent auction and ticket sales benefits the Redwood Parks Conservancy. Walk begins at 6pm.
December 1-3
For more than 40 years, locals have gathered at the Humboldt Artisans Crafts & Music Festivals at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in celebration of the holiday season. This event includes hundreds of food and craft vendors, and lots of live music. Bring a toy for the Humboldt Bay Fire Department Toy Drive for free admission to the festival.
Thanksgiving Day
The fishing industry is integral to local culture and economy – it is a way of life in Humboldt County. Join fishing crews and community members as they pay respect to the sea for all it provides, and usher forth a safe and fruitful fishing season.
Saturday, November 11
Gather your friends for a delightful wine-centric event at the historic Benbow Inn. The Benbow Wine Auction includes a complimentary tasting showcasing ten Northern California wineries paired with locally made hors d’oeuvres. The live and silent auctions include original art, jewelry, wine packages, trips and more. Proceeds benefit the Southern Humboldt Health Foundation.
Full Event Details
Visit https://sohumhealthfoundation.org/auction/ for details.
November 10-11
The Fig Twig Market at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds has become a holiday tradition, with more than 80 local vendors offering handmade, upcycled and vintage wares to kick off the season of light (and start your Christmas shopping).
Full Event Details
Saturday, October 21
Beloved local sports team Humboldt Roller Derby hosts a hard-hitting double header against the Carquinez Quad Squad and V-Town Roller Derby at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds. Concessions and local beer available on site. Doors at 5pm. First game at 6pm. $15 door, $12 advance, kids under 10 are free.
For event details and tickets, visit www.humboldtrollerderby.com
Saturday, October 14
Gyppo Ale Mill hosts the second annual Fresh Hop Fest. Local breweries including It’s Alive Kombucha, Seaquake Brewing, Port O’Pints Brewing, Humboldt Cider Company, North Spur Brewing, Mad River Brewery, 6 Rivers Brewery and Gyppo Ale Mill will all be showcasing their version of a “fresh hop” beverage. There will be vendors and live music on site in beautiful Shelter Cove. A percentage of the proceeds benefit KMUD.
For event details, visit https://gyppo.com/lc-fresh-hops
Saturday, October 7
Watch artists in action as they bring the sidewalks of the Arcata Plaza to life in support of North Coast Children’s Services. Local businesses and sponsors “buy” sidewalk squares around the center of the plaza where skilled artists craft pastel masterpieces. Enjoy live music and shop at the Arcata Farmers Market as you peruse the county’s largest plein air art show.
Find more information at https://ncsheadstart.org/pastels-on-the-plaza/
Saturday, October 8
Run, job or walk beneath the old-growth redwood canopy along Avenue of the Giants at the 43rd Annual Humboldt Redwoods Marathon. Entry fee benefits Save the Redwoods.
Saturday, October 7
This sweet town-wide event celebrates local history and local farms. The day-long festival begins with a street fair in downtown Fortuna, featuring vendors, food trucks, music and more. Then, head on over to Clendenen’s Cider Works, the hub of the Fortuna Apple Harvest Festival for apple and cider tasting, family activities, more music and, of course, the opportunity to take some of the bounty home with you. The celebration ends at Rohner Park with a themed skate night.
Visit https://fortunaappleharvest.org/ for details.
October 5-8
This year’s Redwood Coast Music Festival will showcase more than 40 bands across eight historic stages throughout Eureka. Renowned musicians from far and wide gather for four days to participate in one of the biggest music festivals in Northern California. Genres include jazz, zydeco, swing, rockabilly, Americana and more. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes.
Visit https://www.rcmfest.org/ for details.