California, All Year Round: Reasons to Visit Every Season

California shines in every season, with an events calendar as diverse as the Golden State itself. From much-loved annual events showcasing local cuisine, culture and sport, to headline making moments like the FIFA World Cup and NASCAR San Diego, there’s an event to draw travellers back for every month of the year. Read on to discover California’s top events, season by season, in 2026.

Spring

Ace it at BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells (1-15 March)

Located in southern California in the Coachella Valley, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden plays host to the BNP Paribas Open each year. This two-week tournament is the largest combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event in the world. In between the Australian Open and the French Open, this tournament is a great fix for tennis lovers allowing them to get up close with the players during practices and then watch the top players duel for the coveted title. Ground passes currently available from £8.

Drink up at the Live Fire Food & Wine Festival, Temecula (19 April)

Now going into its third year, Temecula’s Live Fire Food & Wine Festival offers an incredible atmosphere with 20 chefs cooking over open flames. Held at Temecula Creek Inn among the oaks on a golf course, the festival has beautiful views. The day is perfect for foodies as it is filled with live-fire tastings, live music and local pours from some 18 nearby winery, brewery and distillery partners. Tickets from £128 per person.

Witness hot competition at The Cushing Cross, Palisades Tahoe (2 May)

Heading into its 34th year, The Cushing Cross is a celebration of spring skiing. Competitors do their best to pond skim, starting with a ski downhill to gain momentum, before skimming across Cushing Pond. Those successful make it to the other side of the pond and are scored up to 25 points with prizes on offer. Costumes are encouraged and this spring tradition draws big crowds. Free to watch or £15 to enter.

Summer

Kick off the FIFA World Cup with celebrations across Los Angeles and San Francisco (June and July)

It’s the summer of football in the US as venues across California host the FIFA World Cup. In Northern California, Levi Stadium in San Francisco hosts a thrilling six matches kicking off on 13 June. Southern California gets in on the action on 12 June with two teams taking the pitch at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and will host a total of eight matches. If you didn’t get a ticket, you can still be part of the action. On the opening weekend in Los Angeles, the LA Memorial Coliseum will host the official FIFA Fan Festival™ from 11-15 June, featuring live match broadcasts, concerts and food.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the celebration extends beyond Levi’s Stadium, with official Fan Festival viewing events and fan zones planned across key urban centres including San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, giving fans without match tickets the chance to watch games on big screens and take part in community-led World Cup festivities. Ticketing prices for the Fan Festivals to be released in March.

Witness high speeds at NASCAR San Diego (21 June)
The first ever NASCAR San Diego weekend will take place on 21 June at Naval Base Coronado to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Navy. The event is monumental marking the first-ever race to take place on a military base. The course is set to offer an exhilarating race with a 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit, and visitors can expect high-speed action and breathtaking views. Tickets are available from £83 per person.

Chill out at Reggae on the River, Humboldt County (14-16 August)
During mid-August, Humboldt County welcomes all reggae fans 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. Set amidst the majestic redwood forests and along the winding Eel River, Reggae on the River offers festival goers a chance to connect with nature while enjoying music, arts and culture. Three-day tickets start at £196 per person.

Autumn

Honour indigenous culture at Redding Racheria Stillwater Pow Wow (2-4 October)

Locals and visitors gather to celebrate traditional way of life and honour ancestors at Redding Racheria Stillwater Pow Wow. Held annually since 1991, this event attracts around 10,000 visitors each year with traditional singing, drumming and dancing providing the entertainment. The dancing, drum groups and artisans represent the various tribes coming together to honour ancestors and native traditions. The event also features delicious food, Native American crafts and cultural learning experiences. Entry is free of charge.

Embark on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown (October – December)

Discover Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown in Tuolumne County for a fascinating slice of California’s Gold Country history. Set on a 26-acre site, the park centres around the original Sierra Railway roundhouse and workshops, and its trains and sets have appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, including Back to the Future Part III. Visitors can explore restored carriages and interpretive exhibits, with 45-minute excursion train rides on the weekends pulled by vintage engines through the scenic Sierra foothills. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ experience is available during the winter and offers an hour-long train ride to the North Pole with sightings of Santa himself. Tickets start from £18.

Winter

Watch the pros at SLO CAL Open, Central Coast (January 2027)

Head to the Pismo Beach Pier in late-January each year for SLO CAL Open, showcasing world-class surfing combined with coastal excitement. Visitors can watch surfing culture live in California with top competitors charging the waves in the Men’s and Women’s Regional Qualifying Series 4000. From the dramatic backdrop of Morro Rock to the lively Pismo Beach Pier, the competition is incredibly scenic. Free to watch.

Sample local produce at Capay Valley Almond Festival, Central Valley (21-22 February)

The Capay Valley Almond Festival takes place in Yolo County in spring each year. This long-standing tradition, now in its 111th year, celebrates the almond blossoms and the local agricultural heritage of the area. Central Valley produces around 80% of the world’s almonds and nearly 100% of the commercial supply in the United States. The festival spans multiple towns along Highway 16 and offers tours, tastings and live music throughout the weekend. Free to attend.

Embrace the festive season with the Floating Christmas Parade, Newport Beach (mid-December)
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 as part of these festive celebrations. Even better, book a holiday cruise and be part of the parade. Visitors can enjoy Christmas festivities and lights in this gorgeous beach destination without worrying about the cold weather.