Monterey County Fair
September 3-7, 2026 Monterey Monterey County County Fair
Monterey County's annual fair, running five days over Labor Day weekend at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.
Official site ↗Monterey & Santa Cruz counties
Central Coast events in
September 2026
16 public events across both counties in September 2026 — 10 in Monterey County, 6 in Santa Cruz County. Dates are the organizer's; check the official page before you travel.
INDYCAR Grand Prix of Monterey (NTT INDYCAR Series season finale)
September 4-6, 2026 Salinas Monterey County Motorsports
The NTT INDYCAR Series season finale, run over three days at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas.
Official site ↗Castroville Artichoke Festival
September 5, 2026 Castroville Monterey County Food / Agricultural Festival
The Castroville Artichoke Festival returns to Castroville on 5 September 2026, revived by the Castroville Coalition after the original festival closed in 2025.
Hwy 17 Studios All-Star Food Fest
September 5, 2026 Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Food Festival
A one-day food festival in Santa Cruz.
Festa Italia Monterey (93rd Annual)
September 11-13, 2026 Monterey Monterey County Cultural Festival
The 93rd edition of Monterey's Italian cultural festival, held over three days at Custom House Plaza.
Official site ↗Capitola Art & Wine Festival (43rd Annual)
September 12-13, 2026 Capitola Santa Cruz County Art / Wine Festival
The 43rd Capitola Art & Wine Festival, two days through Capitola Village.
Official site ↗Santa Cruz County Fair ('Apple Pies and Starry Skies')
September 16-20, 2026 Watsonville Santa Cruz County County Fair
Santa Cruz County's annual fair, five days at the fairgrounds in Watsonville under the theme “Apple Pies and Starry Skies”.
Official site ↗GRIDLIFE Laguna Festival
September 18-20, 2026 Salinas Monterey County Motorsports / Music Festival
A three-day combined motorsports and music festival at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Official site ↗PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach (PGA TOUR Champions)
September 18-20, 2026 Pebble Beach Monterey County Golf / Sports
A PGA TOUR Champions tournament played over three days at Pebble Beach.
Official site ↗Aloha Outrigger Races (34th Annual)
September 19, 2026 Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Sports / Cultural
The 34th annual outrigger canoe races, run for a day off the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Bonny Doon Art, Wine and Beer Festival
September 19, 2026 Bonny Doon Santa Cruz County Art / Wine / Beer Festival
A one-day art, wine and beer festival in Bonny Doon, in the hills above Santa Cruz.
Official site ↗The Great Sandcastle Contest (63rd Annual)
September 19, 2026 Carmel-by-the-Sea Monterey County Community / Arts
The 63rd running of Carmel's one-day sandcastle-building contest, held on Carmel Beach.
Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF69)
September 25-27, 2026 Monterey Monterey County Music Festival
The 69th Monterey Jazz Festival, three days of music at the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
Official site ↗California International Airshow Salinas (45th Annual)
September 26-27, 2026 Salinas Monterey County Airshow / Sports
The 45th California International Airshow, flown over two days at Salinas Municipal Airport.
Official site ↗Capitola Beach Festival ('Toy Takeover')
September 26-27, 2026 Capitola Santa Cruz County Community / Beach Festival
A two-day community beach festival across Capitola Village and beach, themed “Toy Takeover” for 2026.
Official site ↗Monterey Bay Greek Festival
Date not yet announced Monterey Monterey County Cultural / Food Festival
A Greek cultural and food festival at Custom House Plaza in Monterey. The 2026 date has not been announced.
Official site ↗Every month, August through December 2026: August 2026 · September 2026 · October 2026 · November 2026 · December 2026
Racing at Laguna Seca this month
Camping at Laguna Seca →
All ten camping areas, which entrance to use, the 40-foot RV limit — and the camping and parking prices the raceway does not publish.