Best October Events in Sacramento for Kids 2026

Boo Bash & Trunk Treat takes place on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Fair Oaks Park. Kick off October with a fun trick-or-treating event for families. Tickets are $2 each and space is limited. Food trucks will also be at the event. 

The Sacramento Zoo will have a $10 Community Day on Friday, October 2, 2026. Visit the Sacramento Zoo at a discounted rate.

The Annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival returns the first weekend in October on October 3 & 4, 2026. This fall festival is a yearly staple at Elk Grove Park. A highlight is the Pumpkin Regatta where pumpkin growers race in canoes made out of giant pumpkins they grew. The pumpkins are then dropped from[…]

The Earl J. Koobs Nature Area in Carmichael will have its monthly Public Open Day on Saturday, October 3, 2026. October’s theme is Spooky Animal Day and will include kid-friendly themed art and science activities.

Folsom will be bursting with fun at the Folsom Foam & Bubble Party on Saturday, October 3, 2026. This free, family-friendly event will also have face painting, balloon twisting, and more in the Folsom Central & Folsom Faire Shopping Centers.

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show illuminates Sacramento on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at The Sofia. Dancers will be aglow as they bring the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty to the stage with glowing costumes. 

The Annual Sacramento Turn Verein Oktoberfest returns for two days on Friday & Saturday, October 9 & 10, 2026. There will be authentic German food and beer, live music, and dancers. Oktoberfest is family-friendly and will have activities for kids.

The UC Davis California Raptor Center will have its free annual Fall Open House on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 9am to 3pm. This family-friendly event will include hands-on educational experiences while getting to see some of the raptors up close, on the gloves of ambassadors.

Founder’s Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Carmichael Park. This free fall festival will have a Kids Zone with games, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, live entertainment, food trucks, and more.

Acorn Day will take place at the State Indian Museum on Saturday, October 10, 2026. This free, family-friendly festival will celebrate the significance of acorns in California Native culture. There will be interactive activities such as acorn preparation and basket weaving. 

Families can enjoy a spooky fun morning at Bubbleween on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Citrus Town Center. From 10am to 12pm, there will be giant bubbles, a candy lane, balloon twisting, and surprises. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Don’t forget to bring a candy bucket. 

Celebrate the Elk Grove Library Grand Opening at a free community celebration on Saturday, October 10, 2026. There will be family-friendly entertainment, activities, and refreshments. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 10:30am and the library will officially open at 11am. 

The annual California Capital Airshow returns to Sacramento sooner than usual on Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2026 at Mather Airport. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds & RCAF Snowbirds will perform at this year’s show. Expect high-flying aerobatics, aircraft displays, and interactive exhibits. This event is very family-friendly and includes STEM-focused activities and[…]

NOTE: This event is sold out for 2026. The California Museum will be having a family-friendly Día de los Muertos Fiesta on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The event will also celebrate the Grand opening of Sendero de las Almas Luminosas (Path of the Luminous Souls). There will be sugar skull workshops, interactive activities (for ages 3+), Aztec[…]

Visit various farms on the annual Placer County Farm & Barn tour on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Each farm will have its own experiences and activities for families to check out. Map out. your route and visit one, a few, or as many farms as you want!

Get ready to light the beam! The Annual Sacramento Kings Fan Fest is on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at the Golden 1 Center. Tickets to this event are free (but they go fast!). Kings players will take the basketball court for a practice, there will be family-friendly activities, giveaways, and more. 

Sunrise MarketPlace in Citrus Heights will have a free Harvest Festival & Hotel Transylvania Movie Night on Friday, October 16, 2026. There will be face painting, pumpkin decorating, magic shows, games, activities, and more. An outdoor movie screening of Hotel Transylvania will begin at 7:30pm. Don’t forget blankets and chairs for the movie. 

Safe & Super Halloween at Fairytale Town will occur October 16-18 & 23-24, 2026. Kids will get to trick-or-treat and participate in interactive activities from 5pm to 9pm. Kids 2 and under are free.

The Zoppé Family Italian Circus returns to Elk Grove October 16 – 26, 2026 at Elk Grove Park. Families will delight in seeing Nino the clown in a story featuring mesmerizing acrobatics, equestrians, audience interactions, and much more.

The annual SMUD Electricity Fair takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Folsom Powerhouse. Kids will learn about hydropower, and the impact of electricity in our lives, at this free family-friendly event. There will be interactive science activities, solar art, and tours of the Folsom Powerhouse. 

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Heritage Oaks Park with a Party in the Park on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Check out the park’s new amenities, games, treats, souvenirs, and more at this free community event celebrating the opening of the newest park in West Sacramento. 

Splash into a literal pool of pumpkins on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Elk Grove Aquatics Center. Pick your pumpkin from a floating pumpkin patch in Elk Grove, then decorate it. There will also be carnival games. Pre-registration is recommended. 

Celebrate the start of the Sacramento Kings season at Tip Off The Season on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This free event will have a Sacramento Kings player meet & greet, Slamson the Lion, and more family-friendly entertainment at the Westfield Galleria. 

Witches on the Lake is a free family-friendly Halloween event taking place on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Black Miner’s Bar. Dress up in witches hats and wizard costumes and get on the water in a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Kids will get to trick-or-treat on the water at this unique Halloween event that supports[…]

Bluey is coming to Sacramento… for real life! Blue’s Big Play The Stage Show will hit the stage on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. 

Celebrate Diwali Festival of Lights on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at a free event at District 56 in Elk Grove. There will be a variety show for all ages and cultural food will be available at this community event.

Step into the Wizarding World in Sacramento. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  in Concert will take place on Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24, 2026. The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera will play the movie score live while the film is shown at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento.

Go wild for trick-or-treating at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. Wild Howl-O-Ween at Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

A free Trunk-or-Treat & Autumn Festival will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at North Natomas Regional Park from 11am to 2pm. There will be a trunk-or-treat, a free pumpkin patch (while supplies last), costume contest, games, face painting, and more.

The Golden Harvest Parade & Festival takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The parade celebrates peace and harmony and begins and ends at 9th Street / Capitol Mall. There will be marching bands, floats, and more. A festival occurs after the parade at the West Side of Capitol. There will be food, vendors, children’s[…]

The Suvidha International Foundation will have a Diwali Celebration on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Stone Creek Park in Rancho Cordova. This event has free entry and will include children’s carnival games, cultural performances, food stalls, and more. A special aerial fireworks show will also take place. 

Lenny Pearce brings his Toddler Rave World Tour to Channel 24 in Sacramento on Monday, October 26, 2026. Toddlers and their parents will get to dance at this high-energy baby rave. 

Peak Adventures will have a FREE Open Climb on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at The Challenge Center (ASI Peak Adventures) at Sac State. Anyone ages 8+ can climb the rock wall for free. There will also be free snacks, games, and music. This event is open to the public. 

Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero glides into Sacramento from October 29 – November 1, 2026 at the Golden 1 Center. Kids will love this magical adventure of finding their inner hero. 

The Annual Hallo-Palooza & Trunk-or-Treat in Elk Grove will take place on Friday, October 30, 2026. This free event will have trunk-or-treating with vehicles from the Elk Grove Police Department, carnival games, a bubble zone, and more.

Kids can trick-or-treat at the Sacramento Children’s Museum on Halloween morning, October 31, 2026. This favorite Halloween event for kids is a fun way to start Halloween day.  Advance registration is required (and this event will fill up!). New for 2026: $3 admission for this event. 

Fly over to the Aerospace Museum of California for Pumpkins & Planes on Saturday, October 31, 2026. This Halloween event will have trick-or-treat stations, Halloween-themed crafts, a spooky walk-through of the Jolly Green Giant helicopter, candy corn structures, games, and more.

The annual Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade returns on Saturday, October 31, 2026. While dogs in a costume parade are the main event, there will be lots of family fun for kids such as arts & crafts, photo ops, live entertainment, and more. 

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at a family-friendly festival on Halloween, October 31, 2026 at Vernon Street Town Square in Roseville. This free festival will even have a trunk-or-treat and costume contest. There will be Aztec dancers, mariachi, live music, crafts, a sugar skull station food, a community altar, and more.