SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Autumn has arrived in the “City of Trees,” wrapping the region in golden, fall colors. Throughout October, the Sacramento area comes alive with pumpkin patches, harvest festivals and Halloween celebrations.

Discover the events happening near you and celebrate the season by making memories with family and friends.

The Fall Festival at Arden Park will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Arden Park Recreation & Park District. Arden-Arcade residents can enjoy craft booths, a raffle from the Arden Park Garden Club, a live band, food trucks and a beer garden.

A Kid Zone will feature inflatables, a pumpkin patch and a petting zoo. In partnership with Mariemont Elementary, there will also be carnival games, a photo booth and a cake walk. 

Admission to the festival is free; unlimited Kid Zone wristbands, which include access to all carnival games, the petting zoo, the photo booth and cake walk, are $25 each and available at prpd.org/events.

The California Museum will celebrate Día de los Muertos from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, marking the opening of its exhibit “Recuerdos Ilustrados: Día de los Muertos 2025.” The event honors the Mexican tradition of remembering loved ones with sugar skulls, altars and offerings. 

Festivities include a performance by Aztec dancers, live music by salsa band Conjunto Liberación, sugar skull workshops (advance registration required), food and drinks, hands-on activities, face painting for kids and pop-up shops. 

Children 2 and under are free; general admission for adults is $14.64, not including tax. Reserve spots at Fiesta25.eventbrite.com. The museum is located at Archives Plaza, 1020 O St.

The California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St., invites families to Trunk or Treat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Enjoy trick-or-treating, classic cars, seasonal snacks, museum exploration and a haunted house. 

Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up; children 5 and under are free. Museum entry and all you-can-eat candy are included; it is advised for attendees to bring their own trick-or-treat bags. More information is available at calautomuseum.org/trunkortreat2025.

The Farm-to-Fork capital is home to many farms that open their gates for pumpkin picking and autumn activities during this time of year.

An area favorite is Nick and Ray’s Pumpkin Patch, just 10 minutes from downtown at 3845 El Centro Road on the historic Bastiao Farm. It is open now through Nov. 2 and features a mining town, pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, haunted attractions, a corn maze and its famous Pumpkin and Corn Cannon. 

Weekday general admission costs $12; weekend admission is $14. VIP tickets are $24, which covers unlimited train rides, Cow Cruiser rides and access to the giant slide. More information is at nickandrayspumpkinpatch.com.

Another local favorite, Fog Willow Farms, is open through Nov. 2 about 20 minutes from downtown at 11011 Cecatra Drive in Wilton. The farm offers educational, country-style fun with more than 50 animals, a pumpkin patch, adventure course, unlimited hayrides and a Barnyard Speedway called the “Pigtona 500.”

Admission is $12 for ages 3 and up; children 2 and under are free. Barbecue is available on weekends, a snack bar on weekdays and shaded picnic areas let families bring their own food. More information is at fogwillowfarms.com or 916-687-4547.

The Yolo Explorer Pumpkin Train runs Oct. 5, 12 and 26, offering an onboard pumpkin patch, festive snacks and drinks, and family-friendly activities while cruising through the countryside. The train departs from 18095 County Road 117 in West Sacramento. 

Tickets are $73 for adults, $62 for youth ages 3-12 and $12 for children 2 and under. Book at riverfoxtrain.com/experiences/yolo-explorer.

Enjoy Halloween all month long at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, where pumpkins, costumes and fall fun await visitors of all ages. 

Movies Under the Stars returns with family-friendly films on Thursdays and classic favorites for adults on Fridays at Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Highlights include a “Coco” screening, featuring Día de los Muertos items for sale from Sol Collective and the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber; and an opportunity to meet the 916 Ghostbusters before the “Ghostbusters” showing.

Other seasonal activities at the waterfront include $3 hayrides from Top Hand Ranch from 1 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 4 to 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 and Oct. 25 at Waterfront Park; a scarecrow contest featuring 18 creative displays from local businesses; and harvest specials from restaurants and shops with a self-guided food and dessert tour.

Visitors can also enjoy the popular Underground Tours hosted by the Sacramento History Museum all month; a Paranormal Investigation of the Medical Museum on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 16 and 23; and a special Halloween After Hours Underground Tour on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. Ghost Tours take place Fridays, Oct. 10 and 24, and Saturdays, Oct. 11 and 25. More details are at sachistorymuseum.org.

The Sacramento Spooky River Cruise runs Oct. 17 to 31 aboard a festively decorated Capitol Hornblower, featuring spooky legends and haunting history along the river. More information on all events is available at OldSacramento.com.