Best Fall Festivals To Attend Near Los Angeles
(credit: Riley's Farm)
While Southern California sees subtle changes in its seasons, residents still seek out ways to celebrate them. This fall, Los Angelenos are invited to several festivals in and around the area. From hanging out at the farm watching the pigs race and picking apples, to a weekend of Mexican culture and music, festivals are abundant in the fall months here in Los Angeles. Tickets are often sold ahead of time and event coordinators suggest planning ahead.
(credit: Underwood Family Farms)
Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival
3370 Sunset Valley Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 529-3690
www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Date: Sept. 27 – Oct. 31, 2014
Underwood Family Farms hosts an annual fall harvest festival that makes Los Angelenos yearn for the change in seasons. A perfect way to spend the day with family, this fall festival has everything for every country bumpkin. Not only is this family-run farm a produce market, but it invites visitors to pick pumpkins, make their way through an old fashioned corn maze, take a ride on a wagon, catch the pig races and fun animal shows, enjoy live music and an antique tractor parade and, of course, eat! Hot dogs, hamburgers, homestyle dessert pies and corn on the cob are just a few of what is offered. Check the website for event showtimes, admission prices and more.
(credit: Solvang)
Solvang Danish Days
1st St. and Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-9386
www.solvangdanishdays.org
Date: Sept. 19-21, 2014
It's Danish Days in Solvang and what a fun weekend it is to visit. Parades, music and dance, wood-carving demos, antique shopping and the best Danish food in the Los Angeles area bring a celebration to downtown Solvang. The town, along with visitors from both Northern and Southern California, line the streets in Danish-style costumes to folk dance and mingle. Danish Days also features Hans Christian Anderson story-telling by Randel McGee, authentic pastries (aebleskiver) and Danish sausage (medisterpoise) and wine tasting from the nearby Santa Ynez Valley. The event website details the weekend schedule.
(credit: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)
Riley's Apple Farm
12201 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen / Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-4061
www.rileysapplefarm.com/index.html
Weekends at the apple farm are a fun way to enjoy Los Angeles in the fall. Riley's Apple Farm (three acres) is one of the original fruit farms in Oak Glen which harvests apples, pumpkins, raspberries and blackberries. One of the greatest features at Riley's Apple Farm is that visitors can pick the apples right from the trees. Plan for hayrides, archery, tomahawk and knife throwing, cider pressing and good old fashioned country fun. Apple picking is best in September and can end anywhere from early October to late November.
Related: Best Apple Pie In Los Angeles
(credit: Dia de Los Muertos Festival)
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 469-1181
www.ladayofthedead.com
Date: Nov. 1, 2014, Ceremonial altar set-up Oct. 31
The Dia de Los Muertos festival in Los Angeles celebrates its Quinceanera (15 years), which is the theme of the festival this year. Festival organizers encourage calaca (skeleton) attire for maximum enjoyment. The two-day affair includes a traditional procession, Aztec blessings, musical and dance performances, costume contests, children's art projects, Mexican fare and more than one hundred altars created by members of the community to their ancestors and loved ones. Revelers will definitely want to plan ahead for this Day of the Dead party by pre-purchasing tickets and carpooling.
(credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
California Beer Festival
Puddingstone Lake in Frank G. Bonelli Park
120 Via Verde
San Dimas, CA 91773
(805) 351-5650
www.californiabeerfestival.com
Date: Sept. 6, 2014
Since 2009, the California Beer Festival has become the event of the year for beer enthusiasts. California Beer Festival shines light on the craft beer movement and celebrates over 60 craft brews on tap including Alosta Brewing Co., Hangar 24 Karl Strauss and Firestone Walker. The one-day festival will also feature an exciting game of bikini bocce ball, live music, a beautiful atmosphere around Puddingstone Lake, delicious sliders and fries and food truck fare. This festival is also for a good cause, as all proceeds from the festival will benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend, so bring a valid ID to sample beer and enter the festival.
