If timing is everything, California delivers an event lineup in 2026 that includes the FIFA World Cup, landmark music festivals like Coachella Valley Music & Art Festival and Stagecoach, and iconic parades that bring cities to life. Pick a date and watch it turn into the perfect reason to get away and soak up the sun, culture, and pure California energy. Here’s what everyone will be talking about in 2026 and why you will want to be there too.
January
Get Your Kicks- Start your engines in Santa Monica, the departure point for The Drive Home, a special road trip celebrating the 100th anniversary of legendary Route 66. Vintage vehicles will depart from the Santa Monica Pier to drive the entire Route 66. The cars will later be on display in a special exhibit at the Detroit Auto Show.
February
Raise the Lombardi Trophy- All eyes will be on Levi Stadium in San Francisco on Feb.8 as two NFL teams battle for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LX. This year, watch every touchdown, interception, and incredible run at the big game itself, or at a local bar or restaurant to soak up the locals’ unmatched energy and hometown pride.
Star Power- Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, will host a reimagined All-Star Game on Feb. 15. The NBA’s annual midseason contest will now feature a USA vs. World format, where two teams of American players and one team of international players will compete in a round-robin tournament consisting of four 12-minute games.
March
Ace It- England may have Wimbledon, and Paris the French Open, but from March 1-15, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden hosts the BNP Paribas Open, the largest combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event in the world. The two-week tournament lets tennis lovers get up close with the players during practices and then watch the top players duel for the coveted title.
Tour de Murrieta- Cyclists know that the 21st annual Tour de Murrieta is one of California’s most prestigious race weekends. The top teams in the state will compete March 28 and 29 in thrilling events like the one-mile, all-out sprint Grand Prix and a four-mile circuit race. The race weekend also promises fun off the bike with live music, food and drink and a cute kids’ bike race.
April
Listen Up- Spring in the desert is music to our ears with the iconic Coachella Valley Music & Art Festival and Stagecoach. Acts like Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G are set to headline Coachella, slated for April 10-12 and April 17-19. The month wraps up with country stars Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Post Malone headlining Stagecoach on April 24-26.
Think Green- Celebrate sustainability at the 55th annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. One of the country’s oldest Earth Day festivals, the two-day event on April 25 and 26 in Alameda Park pays tribute to the planet with a weekend filled with music, eco-friendly vendors, a plant-forward food court, and the largest green car show on the West Coast.
May
IRA National Championships- After six years on the East Coast, The Intercollegiate Rowing Association is bringing the IRA National Championships back to the West Coast at The Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma. The 2026 regatta, which convenes the fastest D1 men’s heavyweight, men’s lightweight, women’s lightweight, and D3 men’s heavyweight crews, will run from May 29-31.
Rock Out at BottleRock- It’s hard to beat a weekend steeped in Napa’s best wine and the country’s best musicians. Over Memorial Day weekend, wine country will pulse with the sounds of rock, pop and country at the epic BottleRock extravaganza. The festival features wine cabanas, a spa, culinary demonstrations, themed bars, a culinary garden, dancing and more.
June
Trails End Music Festival- The small mountain town of Etna in Siskiyou County, a popular stop on the Pacific Crest Trail, is making its voice heard June 19 and 20 during the Trails End Music Festival. The weekend brings together national acts, regional bands and emerging musicians waiting to be discovered by music lovers.
Pit Stop- NASCAR screeches into San Diego for the first-ever NASCAR San Diego weekend. The race on June 21 at Naval Base Coronado celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and marks the first-ever race to take place on a military base.
July
It’s the summer of soccer in the U.S. as venues across California host the FIFA World Cup. Visitors can get their kicks with two major “go-big-or-go-home” rounds of 32 matches. In Northern California, Levi Stadium in San Francisco hosts a thrilling match-up on July 1. Southern California gets in on the action on July 2 with two teams taking the pitch at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
August
Reggae on the River- During the first weekend of August, Humboldt County welcomes all Rastas to Reggae on the River. For more than 40 years, the festival has celebrated reggae, roots, and dancehall music from the top talent in each genre. It’s one of the most recognised reggae celebrations in the world.
Readying for Redding’s IRONMAN- The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California blazes into Redding on Aug. 16, inviting athletes to take on what may well be the hottest race of the year. The course includes a lake swim in Whiskeytown, a fast, rolling bike through Shasta County, and a flat, semi-shaded run along the Sacramento River Trail.
September
Darkness Retreat- The night sky above Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is nationally recognised and celebrated with the annual Dark Sky Festival. From Sept. 11-13, the Sequoia Parks Conservancy invites visitors to learn about the night sky from onsite astronomers, scientists, and astronauts. Popular events include stargazing, guest speakers, movies, and musical performances. This is the largest dark sky festival in Central California.
Ohana Festival- Held every September, the Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point features more than 35 musical performances across three stages. Past participants include Kings of Leon, Hozier, and Lana Del Rey. The festival also includes exhibits and panels with conservationists, environmentalists, and professional surfers.
October
Flyin’ High- Fun takes flight at Mather Airport in Rancho Cordova for the 20th anniversary of the California Capital Airshow on Oct. 10 and 11. Get your boarding pass for a weekend of high-energy, family-friendly fun featuring jaw-dropping aerial performances, interactive exhibits, military aircraft displays and a variety of food and merchandise vendors.
Rev Your Engines- On Oct. 2 and 3, the 35th annual Sea Cruise Outdoor Car Show transforms Crescent City into an outdoor car museum. Over 250 classic car collectors show off their pride and joy. Visitors can get up close and personal with the vintage vehicles and talk to the owners, plus an evening car cruise through downtown is not to be missed.
November
Good Eats- There’s no better way to taste the heart of California’s Central Valley than at the Madera Pomegranate, Fruit, & Nut Festival. The free family-friendly festival slated for Nov. 7 at the Madera District Fairgrounds celebrates the area’s strong agricultural roots. Festival goers can enjoy culinary demonstrations, mouth-watering bites from regional vendors, live music, and a Kids Zone full of activities for the little ones.
A Beautiful 13.1 Mile Run- Attracting runners from 48 states and over a dozen countries, the Monterey Bay Half Marathon is one of the largest and most popular half-marathons in the country. And with a route that hugs Monterey’s stunning coast, it’s easy to see why. The run and The Finish Festival, a post-race celebration featuring live music, food and an awards ceremony, will take place on Nov. 8th.
December
Victorian Holidays- Every weekend in December, step into Christmas past at the 55th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City. Harken back to Victorian London as hundreds of costumed actors perform and interact with visitors in over 140,000 sq. ft of pubs, music halls, dance floors, and festive shops. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts, cries from street vendors hawking their wares and quaint shops overflowing with handmade gifts invite guests to slip back to a simpler time. The Dickens Christmas Fair supports several art nonprofits.
Floating Christmas Parade- Get into the holiday spirit every December with the 118th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Watch the incredible spectacle of decorated yachts, boats, canoes, and kayaks. Even better, book a holiday cruise and be part of the parade!
With world-class events happening every month, the hardest part is deciding which California adventure to experience. And, with a calendar this impressive, there’s always an excuse to come back for more.
