California is known for its spectacular festivals like Coachella or Burning Man, but this state also hosts unusual and unique events that can surprise even the most seasoned travelers. Tomorrow marks the start of the strangest fair in the USA, the How Weird Street Faire, and we’ll tell you about more fascinating festivals held in California every year
How Weird Street Faire
During the 25th annual How Weird Street Faire, the streets of San Francisco will once again be filled with colorful costumes and dancing people. The program includes nine music stages, an art alley showcasing the most extreme artwork, and a market where you can purchase unique clothing and accessories.
Where: San Francisco
Dates: September 21
Website: howweird.org
California Avocado Festival
Carpinteria is the largest avocado supplier in the U.S., and since 1986, it has hosted a festival in honor of this healthy green fruit. Avocados take center stage at the California Avocado Festival: people eat them, paint them, and even compete to grow the largest avocado tree. Local restaurants offer unique dishes, including avocado ice cream and avocado burgers. There are also contests to see who can peel avocados the fastest or sculpt something out of them.
Where: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara
Dates: First weekend of October (October 4-6 in 2024)
Website: avofest.org
Bigfoot Daze
One of the most famous video clips allegedly capturing Bigfoot was filmed in Northern California, about 50 miles north of Willow Creek in Humboldt County, which now calls itself the world capital of Bigfoot. Here, you’ll find a museum, a motel dedicated to the legendary creature, and even a 20-foot statue. For over 60 years, the Bigfoot Daze has celebrated the mythical creature with a themed parade, logging contests, and more.
Where: Willow Creek, Humboldt
Dates: July
Website: Bigfoot Daze Facebook
Horned Toad Derby
Horned lizard races have been held in this town since the 1930s, when similar derbies were popular in Los Angeles and other areas. The first race was just an impromptu event organized by bored children at a hotel, and it reportedly took several days to clear the banquet hall of toads and reptiles. Over the years, horned toads became the official racers. On Memorial Day weekend, people come not just to watch the unusual derby but also to enjoy the fair, parade, and fun contests like bed races.
Where: Coalinga, Fresno
Dates: Annually on Memorial Day
Website: coalingachamber.com
World Dog Surfing Championships
The love of surfing and dogs are two quintessential California things, so it makes sense that this championship exists. The world’s first dog-surfing competition was conceived by the author of The Dog’s Guide to Surfing. After reaching out to a local hotel in Southern California, the first event was held at the Loews Coronado Hotel in San Diego. Its success was so great that similar dog-surfing competitions now take place worldwide, including in California, Florida, Australia, and the UK. The event also features a pet wellness fair, frisbee-catching contests, a costume competition, and adoption events for homeless pets.
Where: San Francisco Bay Area
Dates: August
Website: surfdogchampionships.com
Death Valley ’49ers Encampment
Bring a fiddle, banjo, or mandolin and participate in this six-day celebration dedicated to pioneers from the Gold Rush era, when wagons crossed through Death Valley on route to the gold mines. Join the encampment at the Oasis in Death Valley and try your hand at gold panning, wheelbarrow races, or tall-tale contests. Ride a wagon pulled by Belgian draft horses, browse artisan stalls, or simply relax and listen to musicians playing fiddles and yodeling, just like it’s 1849. This year’s event will feature special activities in honor of its 75th anniversary.
Where: Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park
Dates: November (November 6-10 in 2024)
Website: deathvalley49ers.org
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
This coastal farming town overflows with love for pumpkins, and in October, the annual festival reaches its peak. Dress in orange and take part in the 5K Pumpkin Run, sip pumpkin beer, watch Farmer Mike carve 300-pound pumpkins into whimsical sculptures, or stuff your face in a pumpkin pie-eating contest. The main event is the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, where mega-pumpkins the size of a car tip the scales at over 2,000 pounds.
Where: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo
Dates: October (October 19-20 in 2024)
Website: hmbpumpkinfest.com
