Fall 2026 in Pleasant Hill & Martinez: Local Events to Put on Your Calendar

Fall 2026 in Pleasant Hill & Martinez: Local Events to Put on Your Calendar

Fall in the East Bay doesn't always arrive with crisp mornings and sweater weather right on cue. Sometimes September still feels suspiciously like July! But that doesn't stop Pleasant Hill and Martinez from filling the calendar with festivals, outdoor activities, community traditions, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy where we live.

If you're looking for things to do around Pleasant Hill and Martinez this fall, here are a few events worth adding to your calendar.

September: One More Taste of Summer

September may mark the beginning of fall, but around here, we're still making the most of long days and warm weather.

Bike Family Fest – Pleasant Hill | September 13

Head to Diablo Valley College for a free family event featuring bike skills, obstacle courses, games, music, food and more.

Movie in the Park – Martinez | September 18

Grab a blanket and enjoy an outdoor movie night—a pretty perfect way to spend one of those late-summer East Bay evenings.

Community Service Day – Pleasant Hill | September 19

One of the things I love about Pleasant Hill is its strong sense of community. Community Service Day gives neighbors a chance to work together on projects throughout the city.

World Fusion Festival – Pleasant Hill | September 26

Pleasant Hill Park comes alive with music, dance, international food, artisans, and community vendors during this free celebration of cultures from around the world.

Mt. Wanda Full Moon Hike – Martinez | September 26

See another side of Martinez with an evening hike at Mt. Wanda. Part of the city's Sesquicentennial Hike series, this one takes advantage of the full moon and our beautiful local open space.

MRC-MEF Run for Education – Martinez | September 27

Lace up your shoes and support local education at this annual community run.

October: Now It Feels Like Fall

Okay, October. You have permission to bring on the pumpkins.

Pumpkin Dunkin' – Martinez | October 2

Pumpkins and a pool? That's how we do fall in California! This family-friendly event is a fun way to kick off October.

Zombie Brew Crawl – Downtown Martinez | October 10

Downtown Martinez puts its own spin on spooky season with the annual Zombie Brew Crawl. Costumes, downtown businesses and a little grown-up Halloween fun make this a popular October tradition.

Pumpkin Splash – Pleasant Hill | October 11

Why walk through a pumpkin patch when you can swim through one? Pleasant Hill's floating pumpkin patch is another uniquely East Bay way to celebrate fall when the weather isn't quite cooperating.

Haunted Trail – Pleasant Hill | October 23

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District gets into the Halloween spirit with its seasonal Haunted Trail. Look for us there!

Halloween Spooktacular – Downtown Martinez | October 24

Downtown Martinez is especially fun when the community comes together, and its Halloween Spooktacular is a great excuse to bring the family downtown for some seasonal fun.

November: Shop, Gather & Enjoy Local

As Halloween decorations come down and the holidays start creeping onto the calendar, November brings another round of community events.

Harvest Craft Fair – Martinez | November 21

Shop local crafts and handmade finds at this annual fair—just in time to start thinking about holiday gifts.

Pink Friday FEST Holiday Kickoff – Downtown Martinez | November 20

Downtown Martinez kicks off the holiday shopping season with Pink Friday FEST, encouraging people to discover and support local businesses.

Small Business Saturday – Downtown Martinez | November 28

Skip the big-box stores for a day and spend some time exploring the independent shops, restaurants and businesses that give downtown Martinez its personality.

And if you're looking for something to do throughout the season, Pleasant Hill's Night Market continues on the first and third Fridays through November 20, bringing together food, shopping, music and community activities.

More Than a Place to Live

Homes matter, but so does everything outside the front door.

It's the weekend festivals, the trails you return to again and again, the downtown restaurants, the parks, the local traditions, and the neighbors you bump into along the way that turn an address into a community.

That's one of the reasons I love helping people buy and sell homes in Pleasant Hill, Martinez and throughout Contra Costa County. I don't just know the housing market here—I know and love the lifestyle that comes with it.

So whether you're new to the area, thinking about making a move, or you've lived here for years, get out and enjoy a little of what our communities have planned this fall.

And if a new home happens to be on your fall calendar, I'd love to help with that, too.

Event details can change, so be sure to confirm dates, times, registration requirements and other information with event organizers before heading out.