Psst, In-the-Know Events

No need to Google, “what’s going on in the redwoods”… we have all the answers here! We have chosen some well known events, Reggae on the River and the Marathon, others are more hometown favorites. From northern to southern Humboldt, our team has all your interests and desired experiences on our list. We have provided links to the websites for updates and detailed information.

Summer in the Redwoods

Kiwanis Original Redwood Run The Best Old School Biker Rally in the West All motorcycles welcome. There is something for everyone at the Redwood Run. That is unless you don’t like motorcycles, great music, beer & cocktails, good food or just being in one of the most beautiful areas of California having a fun time with great people.

Oyster Festival Arcata Main Street Oyster Festival has become a tradition for local restaurateurs, executive chefs, and caterers to show off their culinary skills by preparing oysters in every imaginable way. More than 70% of the fresh oysters consumed in California are grown in 450 acres of Arcata Bay and June is a peak month for oyster harvests in Humboldt County.

Humboldt Crabs Baseball Founded in 1945, the Humboldt Crabs are the oldest continuously-operated summer collegiate baseball team in the country. The 25 member team, all collegiate players, are recruited by the Crabs coach and play their home games at the Arcata Ball Park. The Crabs’ season starts in June and runs thru the first week in August. 75 years of baseball play on the north coast!

Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo Three days of free admission, with cars, cars, and more cars! Experience this great family event and enjoy the Cruise, the Swap Meet, the Artisans Faire. Check out the Judged Car Show, the Show & Shine Vintage and Exotic event, the Antique Show and the Antique Farm Equipment. The Poker Run! Tractor Pulls! Burnout Contest! Sock Hop! Step right up, folks, for the biggest, baddest, most colorful and chromiest event in Fortuna!

Fortuna Rodeo It’s not just the raging bulls and courageous cowhands; the Fortuna Rodeo is a week-long family festival with something for everyone. Begins on Sunday with a fun run, Monday with a citywide chili cook off and ends the following Sunday afternoon at the rodeo arena. Come enjoy small town Americana. The good old days are still happening every year at the Fortuna Rodeo. Held in Fortuna since 1921, the Fortuna Rodeo has evolved into a fun-filled week of activities for the entire family that culminates in the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA) Finals.

Humboldt County Fair – Ferndale An annual reunion for the whole County!Live and satellite horse racing, mule racing, carnival rides and games, death defying stunts, live entertainment, competitive and interesting exhibits, plenty of livestock events, great fair-time foods, special programs, and the old-fashioned fun of a county-wide “family” reunion.

Hops in Humboldt Micro-Brew Festival In the heart of the redwoods, just off US 101, in our Friendly City of Fortuna, the home of the biggest beer fest in Humboldt County. Hops in Humboldt features over 35 of the best breweries from across the country. For one price you can try unlimited samples of hundreds of different micro-brews, listen to 4 bands as they rock the stage throughout the day, cruise different art and craft vendors selling everything from Humboldt clothes to local hand blown glassware and you get a cool commemorative glass to keep. Plenty of food vendors, too.

Reggae on the River Don’t delay in planning your pilgrimage to the annual. Making a highly anticipated return to the festival’s original French’s Camp venue, located approximately 10 miles south of Garberville in Humboldt County, CA, reggae fans worldwide are overjoyed at the news of the festival’s homecoming. An internationally acclaimed world music event- and the only festival known simply as “Reggae,” Reggae on the River is the longest running reggae festival in the US and a benefit for the non-profit Mateel Community Center- and a fundraiser for many by local charities. Truly an iconic event, Reggae On The River is much more than a music festival and fans flock from around the globe to share in a weekend of camping, community, and higher vibrations on the banks of the majestic Eel River. Make your pilgrimage and come prepared to elevate your mind and be transformed by the “Happy Reggae” spirit! The event will also offer more than 60 craft and food vendors, a lively kid zone, and a weekend full of community, and fun on the banks of the majestic Eel River.

Spring in the Redwoods

The Fray in Ferndale The Fray in Ferndale is an HO slot car race. Started in 1991, this race was as an invitational between local clubs to race slot cars. The Fray began in 1997 and has drawn participants from the East Coast and beyond! What is HO slot car racing? Check out the rules page for the details on the race (the link is on the slot car picture above). We will be there cheering on our favorites racers… those staying at The Redwood!

Foggy Bottom Milk Run Come run through the Farmlands of Ferndale. Three different course all end on Main Street in Ferndale. A family run, sponsored by the Six Rivers Running Club, features a 2-mile, 4-mile and 10-mile course. Foggy Bottom Milk Run… click for details.

Daffodils By The River The annual Daffodil Show happens at the River Lodge in Fortuna in March. Hosted by the Fortuna Garden Club, this very popular flower show has free admission and something for everyone who enjoys the beauty of daffodils. Come for the flowers, live music, art exhibit, children activities and even the opportunity to take home your own potted daffodils. Typically, the show is Saturday 1 – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. Follow the daffodils to the River Lodge!

Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival Celebrate the Marbled Godwit! This shorebird comes to the Humboldt Bay, as part of its migration, and numbers in the thousands. But this festival is also about all the many birds and the beauty that the Redwood Coast has to offer. A week-long event that features lectures, tours and field trips all throughout Humboldt County. The website offers all the activities and the opportunity to sign up for guided tours on-line.

Audubon Birdwalk Throughout Humboldt County On the third Saturday of every month a guided tour takes place at the Southern Humboldt Community Park in Garberville. Walks start at 8 am and are lead by an experienced volunteer. If you want to travel north and see different types of birds then every second Sunday of the month a guided tour takes place at the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes new and experienced birders on these fieldtrips. Be prepared to see different birds depending on the region and location. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Fortuna Concert Series The Fortuna Concert Series is an eight-performance event that continues through the winter and spring. These professional musical programs feature talented local groups and individuals, as well as nationally and internationally known performers. The rich and diversified programming includes classical, jazz, folk, ethnic, vocal and instrumental music.

Avenue of the Giants Marathon Boston Marathon Qualifier Held annually on the first Sunday in May, these events, affectionately known as “THE AVE”, draw folks from all around the US and the world. THE AVE has been cited by no less an authority than RUNNERS WORLD MAGAZINE as one of the most scenic courses in the country. Staged on “The Avenue of the Giants” in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, located in rural Northern California, the paved course winds through giant old growth redwoods and follows a natural creek and the Eel River. The Marathon is a certified Boston Qualifier and has been designated the WESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MARATHON by the Road Runners Club of America.

Tour of the Unknown Coast Enjoy cycling through some of the most beautiful country in the United States. In addition to participating in an invigorating and challenging ride you will be helping to support the North Coast Community. The Tour of the Unknown Coast is all about bicycling fun. The 100 kilometer is why the riders come out to this event but there is a 10-mile farm tour, 20 mile family ride and a 50 mile challenge. Register online by clicking the logo.

Winter in the Redwoods

Bigfoot Days – Willow Creek Humboldt’s hairy hominid returns for a festive homecoming to the town where his legend began in the town where the famous Bigfoot footage was filmed in 1967. This three-day event includes food & craft booths, oyster feed, deep pit BBQ, logging contests, a petting zoo, kids bike race, lawn mower race, disc golf tourney and big ice cream social with homemade pies, cakes and cobblers at the town museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Bigfoot curios

Apple Harvest Festival – Fortuna Enjoy the fruits of the fall harvest The festival is a city-wide celebration of history, family and farms, with plenty of apple and cider tasting as well as other tasty foods. The festival has grown from its roots as an apple harvest festival to an event that brings the community together, a farm event, historical celebration and family fun day

Humboldt Redwoods Marathon Six Rivers Running Club Presents the Redwoods Marathon Run beneath a canopy of some of the world’s largest and most beautiful trees. Six Rivers Running Club presents the annual Humboldt Redwoods Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K. It’s always the 3rd Sunday in October at 9:00 A.M. The course runs along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and this marathon is also a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon.

Birdwalks at Wildlife Refuge – Loleta On the first Wednesday of every month, you can take a guided bird hike led by Friends of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge volunteer, naturalist Louise Bacon-Ogden. Guided by the Audubon Society. You can check out binoculars and also share the walk leader’s spotting scope. Bird walks usually last an hour and a half to two hours and cover a distance of about two miles. It’s free and beginners are welcome. Meet at 9am HBNWF visitor center 1020 Ranch Rd in Loleta

Victorian Holidays – Ferndale Enjoy the warm feeling of an olde-fashioned Victorian Christmas and make your holiday shopping something out of the ordinary. Dress in Victorian or Country-Victorian attire to be a part of this very special day, or just come share the day with family and friends. For your enjoyment, there will be theatrical and musical entertainment, shops and restaurants will be decorated for the holidays and you are invited to experience the warm and wonderful feeling of a traditional Victorian holiday season in the enchanting Victorian Village of Ferndale!

Lighted Truck/Tractor Parade Fortuna, Ferndale & Eureka In Fortuna, you can watch the big rigs, floats and wheeled vehicles all lit up for the holidays. Typically, the parade starts at 6 p.m. at Redwood Acres and goes to about 8:30 p.m. On Main St the floats can be viewed and all can enjoy refreshments. You can also head north to Eureka and watch their parade. The parade follows a 7-mile route, starting at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds at 6 pm. Click here for details and the parade route for the Eureka parade. Ferndale also hosts a parade down Main St for all farmers and ranchers in their decorated wagons and tractors.

Clam Beach Run One of the nation’s most unusual and scenic races, follows a coastal road with breathtaking ocean cliff views before ending with a splash near the iconic sea stacks of Moonstone Beach. The unique feature of the run is crossing the mouth of the Little River near the finish line. Thus, the date and start time of the race are determined by low tide on either the last Saturday of January or the first Saturday of February.

You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love. Julia Child, chef, cookbook author