California will host a range of events in August 2025, offering activities across Northern, Central, and Southern regions. The month features annual festivals, music concerts, food and wine tastings, car shows, and celebrations of local culture.
In Northern California, the schedule includes Lazy Bear Week in Guerneville from July 28 to August 4. This event continues LGBTQ+ pride celebrations with pool parties and fundraisers. Mammoth Lakes will hold its Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza from July 31 to August 3, featuring blues music and over 60 craft beers.
Napa’s Music in the Vineyards runs from August 1 to 24 with chamber-music concerts at various wineries. Pacifica will host the World Dog Surfing Championship on August 2 at Linda Mar Beach. Other notable events include the Stuck in Lodi Classic Car Show on August 2, Summer Harvest Days at Apple Hill in Placerville on August 2–3, and San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Fest from August 8 to 10.
San Jose Jazz Summerfest is scheduled for August 8–10 with performances by artists such as Common and Mavis Staples. The Benicia Peddlers Fair takes place on August 9, while Sebastopol’s Gravenstein Apple Fair occurs on August 9–10. The Pistahan Parade & Festival celebrates Filipino heritage in San Francisco on those same dates.
Free summer concerts continue at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco on select Saturdays through September. Vallejo hosts weekly music nights throughout the month. Wine-focused events include Folsom’s Barbera Festival on August 16 and a Silver Oak Wine Dinner at Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley on August 9.
Cultural highlights include Oakland Chinatown StreetFest (August 23–24) and Sonoma Valley’s sunset toast marking its bicentennial harvest on August 27.
Central California’s Old Spanish Fiesta Days run July 30 to August 3 in Santa Barbara with parades and flamenco dancing. Monterey Car Week begins August 8 with free-admission auto shows leading up to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Southern California offers action-sports festivals like the Lexus U.S. Open of Surfing (July 26–August 3) in Huntington Beach and International Surf Festival (July 30–August 3) in Redondo Beach. Laguna Beach presents its Art-A-Fair all month alongside the Pageant of the Masters.
Other major events include CatCon for feline enthusiasts (August 2–3), HARD Summer music festival (August 2–3), Splash House Music Festival over two weekends (August 8–10;15–17), Chula Vista’s Lemon Festival (August16), John Williams tribute concerts at Hollywood Bowl (August22–24), Halloween Time festivities starting at Disneyland Resort (beginning Aug22), and Dana Point Classic Car Show (Aug24).
The list reflects ongoing traditions as well as new opportunities for visitors to experience California’s diverse communities during late summer.
