October is here. Halloween, spooky decorations, trick or treats, too much candy, pumpkin spice lattes, stews and soups, pies, cuddling by a fire, reading a scary book all snuggled up in a blanket, football, and all the pleasures that the crispness in the air brings after the last vestiges of summer hot spells, piles of leaves to jump into, lots of garden work to prepare for a terrific spring.
This is what October means to me — I am sure you have your own thoughts about why October is special and fun. Thinking about the holidays brings us incredible cheer and sustenance. Envisioning gatherings with friends and loved ones, how to decorate, what menus to share, and what your personality will bring to your space, and what special “je ne sais quoi” of the fall season will transform it from a mere location into a real home.
There are so many fall activities happening in our hometown of Berkeley this October that it is hard to know where to start.
Berkeley Harvest Festival (October 17, 2026): Held from 11 AM to 4 PM at Cedar Rose Park, this is the city’s premier autumn community celebration. The festival is free and showcases local food contests, live music, a seed swap, and family-friendly agricultural activities
Indigenous Peoples’ Day PowWow and Indian Market (October 10, 2026): Berkeley was the first city to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This annual holiday honors the Indigenous community with a vibrant market, traditional food, and sacred PowWow dances
Berkeley Bird Festival (October 18, 2026): Coordinated by the David Brower Center and campus organizations, this eco-festival hosts expert-led birding field trips, science talks, and live art demonstrations across town. I love birds, and this one is especially cool to me.
Since we are a campus town, let’s not forget what’s happening at UC Berkeley:
Cal Homecoming & Parents Weekend (October 9–10, 2026): Thousands of alumni and families head to campus. A major highlight includes the Essig Museum of Entomology Open House on Saturday, which pulls hidden specimens from its historic collections for public viewing. Creepy crawlies at Halloween — what could be more festive!
TEDxBerkeley 2026 (October 18, 2026): Titled "Xperiment," this highly anticipated event takes over the Pauley Ballroom, bringing together globally recognized thought leaders, innovators, and scientists to discuss how small breakthroughs drive global change. This is such an important event. I literally listen to a TED talk every day and feel like they are a shining light on our intellectual and civic life.
Cal Golden Bears Football: Fall sports are in full swing at California Memorial Stadium. A signature matchup occurs on October 16 when Cal faces the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Also, start thinking about parking super early if you want to attend the game!
Performing Arts & Major Concerts
Greek Theatre Blockbusters: The historic outdoor amphitheater closes out its warm-weather season with major acts, including electronic band Jungle's World Tour (Oct 6–7), multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste (Oct 3), and funk-soul collective Vulfpeck (Oct 16).
Zellerbach Hall Conversations & Keynotes: On October 28, Cal Performances hosts a profound cultural event featuring activist and icon Angela Davis in conversation with Poulomi Saha.
The Freight 58th Anniversary Gala (October 9, 2026): A landmark evening for global roots music in Berkeley. The Celebrate The Freight Gala features performances by two-time Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones and a rare live auction supporting local music education.
Liberation at Berkeley Repertory Theatre: The Roda Theatre debuts its newest major stage production, Liberation, running through late November. Previews begin October 23.
I hope you enjoy me highlighting some of these wonderful October activities in Berkeley! Next month, I will be focusing on my other town, Oakland!
