California Events of Interest

Discover festivals, car and air shows, rodeos, parades, farmers markets, fairs, and other annual events with the new California Events of Interest Pages.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October
California October Events Near Historic US Route 6

The following events are arranged geographically from Long Beach to Bishop along or near the former California alignment of historic US Route 6. Dates shown are for October 2026 when officially published. Annual events without confirmed 2026 dates should be checked with the organizer before traveling.

Long Beach

Vida Latina

Community: Long Beach
Date: September 15 through October 31, 2026
Event type: Cultural and community celebration
Description: A citywide celebration of Latino culture with performances, family activities, crafts, library programs and Día de los Muertos community altar workshops.
Official website: Long Beach Public Library Vida Latina

The Día de los Muertos workshops are scheduled every Friday in October, and the La Gran Tardeada closing celebration is scheduled for October 16.

Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon

Community: Long Beach
Date: October 10 and 11, 2026
Event type: Annual community tradition and sporting festival
Description: A major waterfront weekend featuring a marathon, half marathon, bicycle tour, wheelchair marathon and 5K.
Official website: Long Beach Marathon

The event begins close to the former western terminus of historic US Route 6.

Southeast Asia Day

Community: Long Beach
Date: October 17, 2026
Event type: Heritage and cultural celebration
Description: The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates Southeast Asian communities through traditional music, dance, cultural demonstrations and educational activities.
Official website: Aquarium of the Pacific Events

Holo Holo Long Beach Music Festival

Community: Long Beach
Date: October 17, 2026
Event type: Music, food and cultural festival
Description: An island and reggae music celebration at Marina Green featuring live performances, food and a community gathering beside the waterfront.
Official website: Holo Holo Long Beach

Scarium Family Night

Community: Long Beach
Date: October 23, 2026
Event type: Halloween event
Description: A family Halloween celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific featuring costumes, marine life, themed activities and evening entertainment.
Official website: Scarium Family Night

Los Angeles

Día de los Muertos at Olvera Street

Community: Los Angeles
Typical date: Late October through November 2
Event type: Heritage, historical and holiday celebration
Description: A traditional remembrance featuring nightly candlelight processions, community altars, music, dancing, face painting and cultural activities at historic Olvera Street.
Official website: Olvera Street Events

The Olvera Street Merchants Association has posted its official 2026 Día de los Muertos information and event flyer.

Newhall and Santa Clarita

Fil-Am Festival

Community: Newhall
Date: October 3, 2026
Event type: Food, heritage and cultural festival
Description: A free celebration of Filipino culture featuring traditional food, music, performances, family activities and community organizations.
Official website: Fil-Am Festival 2026

The event will be held at the Newhall Community Center, close to the historic US Route 6 corridor through Newhall.

Halloween Fiesta

Community: Newhall
Date: October 30, 2026
Event type: Halloween and community celebration
Description: A family-oriented Halloween gathering at the Newhall Community Center with seasonal activities and community entertainment.
Official website: Newhall Community Center

Palmdale

Kaleidoscope Fall Frenzy

Community: Palmdale
Date: October 16 and 17, 2026
Event type: Arts, music, food and community festival
Description: A two-night festival featuring live entertainment, local artists, food vendors, children’s activities and a patriotic drone show.
Official website: Kaleidoscope Fall Festival

The Palmdale Amphitheater is a short detour from Sierra Highway, which carried historic US Route 6 through the Antelope Valley.

Lancaster

Antelope Valley Walls

Community: Lancaster and surrounding Antelope Valley
Date: October 11 through 17, 2026
Event type: Public art and community celebration
Description: Artists create ten new murals throughout the Antelope Valley during a week celebrating public art, community identity and regional culture.
Official website: Antelope Valley Walls

Lone Pine

Lone Pine Film Festival

Community: Lone Pine
Date: October 8 through 11, 2026
Event type: Film, Western heritage and historical celebration
Description: A celebration of more than a century of local filmmaking with screenings, museum exhibits, guest presentations, filming-location tours and community activities.
Official website: Lone Pine Film Festival

The festival traditionally includes a Main Street parade and activities connected with the Museum of Western Film History.

John Wayne Grit Series

Community: Lone Pine
Date: October 17, 2026
Event type: Annual community tradition and charitable event
Description: A half marathon and 10K through the dramatic Alabama Hills supporting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Official website: John Wayne Grit Series: Lone Pine

Bishop

Fall Colors Car Show

Community: Bishop
Date: October 2 through 4, 2026
Event type: Classic car and automotive show
Description: A fall gathering of vintage, classic and custom automobiles with food, music, community activities and scenic Eastern Sierra drives.
Official website: Fall Colors Car Show

The public car display is held at Bishop City Park beside the historic US Route 6 alignment through Bishop.

Choo Choo Swap Meet

Community: Bishop
Typical date: October
Event type: Community market and annual tradition
Description: A community swap meet at the Tri-County Fairgrounds offering collectibles, household goods, crafts and other merchandise.
Official website: Inyo County Tourism Events

The tourism office lists the Choo Choo Swap Meet among Bishop’s recurring October events.

Eastern Sierra History Conference

Community: Bishop
Date: October 23 through 25, 2026
Event type: Heritage and historical celebration
Description: Regional historians and storytellers present programs about the Eastern Sierra’s communities, environment, economy, culture and transportation history.
Official website: Eastern Sierra History Conference

The 2026 conference includes two days of presentations followed by regional field trips

November

December

Within each state page, the annual events are arranged January through December, with each listing showing the event name, community, typical date or month, event type, short description Around 120 characters to ensure safe viewing on smaller screens., official event link, and a link to the individual Event of Interest article when one exists. This will make the state pages useful as evergreen trip-planning resources rather than just lists of posts.