Oktoberfest is back at Gyppo Ale Mill – and its bigger and beery-er than ever! The Gyppo kitchen will be serving up a German-inspired menu, and the Mill will be bumping Bavarian beets to whet your whistle. Save room for the start of the event – beer. There will be Stein-holding competitions nightly, as well as a chance to be crowned the 2024 Gyppo Oktoberfest Champion. Activities take place September 30-October 6. Visit gyppo.com for full details. Prost!
Category: Seasonal Event
On Sunday, October 20, the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Race twists and turns through the King Range National Conservation Area. Set among some of the most stunning wilderness in the world, this 12.2-mile course boasts stunning views of the Lost Coast and surrounding protected redwood forests. With two creek crossings and an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet, PRMBR offers a challenge for riders of all levels.
Celebrate with friends new and old post-race at Gyppo Ale Mill, host of the award ceremony. A well-deserved burger and pint (or two) of craft brew will certainly hit the spot. Live music from the Irie Rockers and Banjo Makes 3 usher in the eve of another successful race day.
Register by October 5 online. Entry fee includes race day shuttles, a swag bag, and two drink tickets for the post-race awards ceremony at Gyppo Ale. Full details online https://www.visitlostcoast.com/paradise-royale/
The Victorian Village of Ferndale serves as a stunning backdrop for the the 7th annual Concours on Main. This auto show showcases vintage and antique cars and motorcycles that have been carefully restored to their original glory. The event kicks off on September 13 with a Tour d’Elegance, where participants make their way in style from the Bay Area to Humboldt County. Then, on Saturday, drivers enjoy local scenery, sites and eats. Finally, on Sunday, the larger Humboldt County community can partake in the festivities, as onlookers can admire the motorcade, buffed, polished and ready for debut. The Sunday showcase begins at 10am on Ferndale’s Main Street.
For more information, visit https://www.ferndaleconcours.org/
The Redwood Coast Music Festival returns this year from October 3-6. Renowned musicians from far and wide gather for four days to participate in one of the biggest music festivals in Northern California. This highly anticipated event will showcase more than 100 sets across seven historic stages throughout Eureka. Genres include jazz, zydeco, swing, rockabilly, Americana and more. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes.
Visit https://www.rcmfest.org/ for tickets and event details.
Photo by Matt James.
The Eureka Old Town Farmers Market is held every Tuesday from 10am-1pm from July 2nd – October 29th. Located at F and 2nd streets in Eureka, you’ll find an array of locally grown organic produce, meat, eggs and more. Hosted by the North Coast Growers Association.
A celebration of local produce and goods, the Arcata Plaza comes alive on Saturday mornings. Live music, hot food to go, dozens of local producers selling seasonal veggies, meat and more pop up along the streets of the Plaza. Free entry.
Open every Saturday, year round, rain or shine!
- April – November: 9am – 2pm
- December – March: 10am – 2pm
Hosted by the North Coast Growers Association.
Experience the Old Town Renaissance at the Eureka Friday Night Markets. Every Friday evening from 5:30-8:30pm the community flocks to Old Town Eureka for live music, food trucks, local brews and to shop an array of locally made crafts, clothing, home decor and more.
https://www.fridaynight.market/
Humboldt Roller Derby plays a double header against Cherry City Roller Derby at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5pm, first game starts at 6pm. Second game to follow. Concessions and local brews available on site. Live band, DJ and much more!
Tickets available in advance for $12 at STIL, Wildberries Marketplace and www.humboldtrollerderby.com, and at the door for $15 until capacity is reached.
Petting zoos and cotton candy have been replaced by the ghouls and ghosts, as Ferndale’s Humboldt County Fairgrounds undergo a spooky transformation for Halloween. Local film maker Griffin Loch has masterminded a nightmarish experience at “the Scaregrounds,” with three frightfully themed mazes, a haunted tiki bar, food trucks, live music, vendor booths, roaming haunters and more.
The Scaregrounds box office opens at 5:30pm on October 11-13, 17-20, 24-27, and 31.
For a family-friendly version, visit on Sundays from 12-3PM. The Not-So-Scary Haunted Maze is great fun and ideal for guests ages 5 – 12.
For event details visit: https://www.screamatoriumhaunt.com/
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! 11am-3pm.
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!
For a full list of activities and vendors, visit medievalfestivalofcourage.com.
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. Hosted by the Benbow Historic Inn. Proceeds benefit the Southern Humboldt Health Foundation.
Full Event Details
Visit https://sohumhealthfoundation.org/auction/ for details.
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/
Run, jog or walk beneath the stunning old-growth redwood canopy along Avenue of the Giants at the 44th Annual Humboldt Redwoods Marathon. Entry fee benefits Save the Redwoods. Register online.
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.