California will host a wide range of events throughout April 2026, offering residents and visitors opportunities to experience the state’s diverse culture, nature, and entertainment.
Several Native California Pow Wows and festivals are scheduled to take place starting April 4. These gatherings feature traditional dancing, singing, drumming, and feasting. “Native California tribes host Pow Wows year-round, and April brings a lot of great opportunities to experience these festivals of dancing, singing, drumming, and feasting—typically free and open to the public.” The UC Davis campus will hold its 50th Annual Pow Wow on April 4. Other notable events include the Sierra College Big Time/Pow Wow in Placer County on April 11 and the Sherman Indian School Powwow in Riverside on April 18.
In Northern California, sports enthusiasts can attend The Silver Belt competition at Sugar Bowl ski resort from March 30 to April 4. This event began as a giant slalom race for elite skiers but now includes freeride finals with prizes for top athletes. Wine lovers can participate in Taste Alexander Valley throughout the month in Sonoma County, where wineries offer tastings and discounts.
Redding’s Turtle Bay Exploration Park will present Glowing Wild starting April 4 with illuminated lanterns inspired by local wildlife. Oroville’s Riverbend Park will host the Wildflower & Nature Festival on the same day.
For those interested in endurance sports, Folsom will be the starting point for the American River 50-Mile Endurance Run on April 4. Shorter distance options are also available for participants.
Film fans can attend screenings at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival from April 8–15 in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. San Francisco’s Spring Restaurant Week runs from April 10–19 with prix fixe menus at various restaurants across the Bay Area.
Other highlights include Battle of the Brews in Santa Rosa (April 11), Chico BrewFest (April 11), Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco (April 11–12; April 18–19), Santa Rosa Symphony’s Celebrate America concert (April 12), Kamome Festival in Crescent City (April 13–19), Godwit Days Spring Migration Birding Festival in Arcata (April 16–19), Red Bluff Round-Up rodeo (April 17–19), Kool April Nites car show in Redding (April 17–26), Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival in Petaluma (April 18), UC Davis Picnic Day (April 18), Taste of the Peninsula culinary week in San Mateo County (April 23–May 3), Stags Leap District’s Vineyard to Vintner festival in Napa Valley (April 24–26), San Francisco International Film Festival (April 24–May 4), Rhododendron Parade in Eureka (April 25), Levi’s GranFondo Cycling Event in Windsor (April 25), California Duck Days Festival in Davis (April 25) and Opening Day on the Bay boat parade in San Francisco (April 26).
Central California offers Ojai Pixie Tangerine Month throughout April as well as Pebble Beach Food & Wine from April 9–12 featuring over a hundred chefs and wineries. Ventura County Farm Day takes place on April 11 with farm tours around Camarillo.
Other regional activities include Whalefest Monterey celebrating marine conservation efforts on April 11-12; Clovis Big Hat Days street fair followed by Clovis Rodeo later that month; Santa Barbara Kite Festival on April 12; Monterey Sea Otter Classic cycling event from April 16-19; Celebration of the Whales event at Channel Islands Harbor on April 19.
Southern California features Stand Up, Chow Down comedy/food festival beginning early this month; PaleyFest TV festival at Dolby Theatre from April 4-12; Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival running two weekends mid-month with major headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G; California Poppy Festival celebrating state flowers near Lancaster from ApriI17-19; Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival during same weekend; Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC campus ApriI18-19.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego opens an exhibit titled Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys beginning ApriI18 featuring works by Black American artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat. La Jolla Concours d’Elegance showcases rare vehicles ApriI24-26 while Stagecoach country music festival follows Coachella later that month.
Panda Fest Asian street food festival is set for late-April at Waterfront Park San Diego while Disneyland Resort introduces new Star Wars characters into Galaxy’s Edge area starting ApriI29 along with themed after-hours events running through early May.
