California will host a range of events in August 2025, offering residents and visitors opportunities to experience music festivals, food and wine tastings, cultural celebrations, and sporting competitions across the state.
In Northern California, events include Lazy Bear Week in Guerneville, which continues LGBTQ+ pride festivities with pool parties and game nights. The Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza brings blues, R&B, soul, and rock music together with craft beer in Mammoth Lakes. Napa’s Music in the Vineyards offers more than three weeks of chamber-music concerts at local wineries.
Other highlights are the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, where dogs compete on surfboards at Linda Mar Beach; the Stuck in Lodi Classic Car Show; and Summer Harvest Days at Apple Hill in Placerville. San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Fest will feature artists such as Doja Cat and Tyler the Creator alongside Bay Area food vendors. The city also hosts free summer concerts at Fisherman’s Wharf throughout August.
Wine enthusiasts can attend the Silver Oak Wine Dinner at Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley or the Barbera Festival in Folsom. The Gravenstein Apple Fair celebrates early apple season in Sebastopol. Oakland’s Chinatown StreetFest marks over 35 years of cultural performances and cuisine.
Central California events include Old Spanish Fiesta Days in Santa Barbara—a tradition since 1925 featuring parades, rodeos, and flamenco dancing—and Monterey Car Week with its Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance showcasing historic vehicles.
In Southern California, Huntington Beach hosts the Lexus U.S. Open of Surfing with surfing, skateboarding, BMX competitions, concerts, and family activities. Laguna Beach’s Art-A-Fair features works from more than 100 artists along with live music and workshops.
The International Surf Festival takes place in Redondo Beach while Pasadena welcomes CatCon for cat lovers. HARD Summer brings EDM and hip-hop acts to Los Angeles’ Hollywood Park. Splash House Music Festival spreads across Greater Palm Springs resorts for two weekends of DJ acts and pool parties.
Chula Vista’s Lemon Festival celebrates local citrus heritage with lemonade stands, live music stages, cook-off competitions, and themed pet costumes. The Hollywood Bowl will present “Celebrating the Music of John Williams” performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Disneyland Resort begins its Halloween Time festivities on August 22 with seasonal attractions running through November 2. Dana Point Classic Car Show will display hot rods and classic cars downtown on August 24.
These events reflect California’s diverse communities as well as its reputation for outdoor recreation and entertainment options throughout the summer months.
