Move over Halloween

A large outdoor stage is seen with large skull designs projected on its back wall

Celebrate Día de los Muertos this month with the California Museum. | Photo Courtesy of the California Museum

While Halloween might be the biggest event in October, there’s a lot more to Sacramento’s proverbial bag of tricks than a day of handing out treats. In fact, there’s an entire smorgasbord of must-dos, with big-named music festivals, local film fests, and cultural celebrations.

So set aside your candy bag — here are six festivals in Sacramento worth planning for this October.

A large room full of people painting on canvases — Paint like a rock star at the inaugural Golden Sky Festival.

🎸 Aftershock Music Festival | Thurs., Oct. 6-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | 1600 Garden Hwy. | $149.99+

The popular rock and heavy metal festival is positioned to shock by de-fault with big-named artists like Rob Zombie, Danzig, Kiss, and Sac’s very own Papa Roach.

🍻 Oktoberfest | Fri., Oct. 7 | 6-11:30p.m. | 3349 J St. | $5+

The Sacramento Turn Verein hosts this celebration of the Bavarian tradition, with authentic German beer, wine, and grub.

🇬🇷 Sacramento Greek Festival | Fri., Oct 7-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | 600 and 616 Alhambra Blvd. | $5

Enjoy a taste of Mediterranean life at this block party in East Sacramento, featuring dancing lessons, cooking demonstrations, and a slate of dance and music performances spanning three days.

💀 Día de los Muertos Fiesta | Fri., Oct. 14 | 6-10 p.m. | 1020 O St. | $10

The California Museum presents its celebration of the Mexican tradition with the grand opening of its new exhibit “Mujeres Inspiradoras,” an Aztec dance performance, sugar skull workshops, and more.

📽️ A Place Called Sacramento | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | 1013 K St. | $18

Catch the screenings of 10 locally-produced short films and vote for your favorite in the Crest Theatre’s historic event hall.

🪕 Goldensky Music Festival | Sat., Oct. 15-Sun., Oct. 16 | Times vary | 1600 Garden Hwy. | $77.95+

The country music festival will throw its inaugural lariat with headlining acts such as Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt, as well as bespoke experiences like a rock star paint class.

EVENTS

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Today

Ari Hoenig Trio | Tue., Oct. 4 | 7 p.m. | Capistrano Hall, 6000 J St. | $5+ | The jazz drum leader, who frequently performs at New York City’s legendary club Smalls, is joined by Sac State’s premier student jazz combo. 🥁
Nightcap Presents: Cabaret Massacre | Tue., Oct. 4 | 8 p.m. | Punch Line Sacramento, 2100 Arden Way | $22 | A boo-tiful Halloween spectacular of drag, drinks, and dinner fare hosted by Roselia Valentine and Yayah. 👻
Sew Sew Creative | Tue., Oct. 4 | 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Joe Mims Hagginwood Community Center | Free | A sewing class for seniors that’s tailor-made for beginners and advanced thread workers. 🪡
Happy Hour at Esther’s Park: Tacos & Tequila | Tue., Oct. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Esther’s Park, 3408 Third Ave. | Free | Celebrate National Taco Day with locally made carnivore- and vegan-friendly tacos, happy hour deals on margaritas, and live music at this 21+ event. 🌮

Wednesday

Sacramento Songwriter Meetup | Wed., Oct. 5, Wed., Nov. 2 | 6-8 p.m. | The Library of Musiclandria, 1219 S St. | Free | Bring yourself and in-progress songs to receive feedback in a supportive environment that’s open to all ages, genres, and skill levels. 🎸

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

88º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain 🌤️
Despite October being in full swing, fall-like temperatures are still on their way. The National Weather Service expects warmer- and drier-than-average weather (think: high 80s to low 90s) in Northern California until at least Sun., Oct. 9, with the possibility of these conditions extending to Sat., Oct 15. 🌡️

Community

The City has created the “nighttime economy manager” position to oversee Sacramento’s growing nightlife scene, immediately appointing Tina Lee-Vogt of the Entertainment Permit Program to the role. Lee-Vogt will centralize efforts from departments like Code Enforcement and Public Works while working closely with community members to enhance our evening economy. (Sacramento City Express)

Sacramentan

Arik Armstead, the River City-born defensive lineman for the 49ers, has donated $250,000 to benefit underserved youth in the Sacramento area. The money will go toward implementing new after-school and supplementary education programs at Arik’s Armstead Academy, from elementary-level reading programs to college classes for high school students. 📚 (Sac Bee)

Closed

East Sac’s Tower Brewing Co. has served its last round of beers, with the owner citing its closure to personal health issues and a challenging few years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lodi-based High Water Brewing Inc. will replace the taproom at 1210 66th St. starting Oct. 7. 🍺 (Sac Biz Journal)

Region

Nearly 500 acres of oak woodlands and chaparral communities will be added to UC Davis’ Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, an area noted for its ecosystem research opportunities and public trail system. The acquisition from the Land Trust of Napa County brings the reserve’s size to 1,100+ total acres. 🌳 (UC Davis)

Real Estate

A 13-story office building in downtown Sacramento has sold for ~$55 million to San Rafael-based Seagate Properties. The 169,000-sqft office space at 925 L St. is one of the closest buildings of its kind to the California State Capitol. 🏢 (Sac Biz Journal)

Ranked

WalletHub has ranked Sacramento No. 6 in its recent study looking at the best foodie cities across America, with only San Francisco outpacing the Farm-to-Fork capital in California at No. 4. The study evaluated each city’s affordability as well as its diversity, accessibility, and quality of high-quality dining. 🥘 (WalletHub)

Shop

Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only thing heating up this fall. Shop the hottest local fashion in our online retail store, all while supporting SACtoday. We’re talking cozy sweatshirts, comfortable caps, and fashionable bags. Snag your favorite SAC gear now.

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History

A black-and-white photo showing two sailers leaning against a rope on a dock.

Buster Keaton, left, is seen standing before the Sacramento River in “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” | Public Domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most popular gags of the silent film era, one which we could say left an indelible impression on our region, was shot not far from the Sacramento River in modern-day West Sacramento.

How could it have left an indelible impression? Well, the facade of a West Sacramento home falls heavily to the ground, narrowly missing Buster Keaton who has been perfectly placed to pass through the building’s second-story window. The scene is from Buster’s “Steamboat Bill, Jr.,” which shot on-location around Sacramento in 1927.

In fact, there’s a fascinating mini-documentary that does a side-by-side comparison of what Sacramento looked like during the production of Buster’s movie to what our area looked like in 2020. Our favorite part? Seeing the bustling port that once was Discovery Park.

SHOP

6 ways to up your kitchen game

Shop the best of the best (read: highly rated, top-selling items) to cook up some kitchen magic.*

Mix, knead, and shape pasta dough | Philips Viva Pasta Maker, $179.95+
Skip the oven + go Smart Oven | Breville Mini Smart Oven, $159.95+
Keep champagne fresh | Champagne bottle stopper, $10
Craft cold brew at home | Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $27.99
Cut out 3D turkey cookies | 3D Turkey Cookie Cutter Set, $12.95
Open wine with ease | Electric Wine Opener, $29.04

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Matt.

Editor’s pick: Our trees. It might sound really simple, but I just moved back to the Midtown area and I can’t get over how gorgeous our canopy is. I really missed it and taking afternoon walks under the leaf-filtered light.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We recharged with ideas for a mental health day in Sacramento.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jordan Radach, Matt Marcure, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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