By far, the most popular celebrations in the Bay Area every October is Halloween and Fall Harvest Festivals. But there’s so much more to October then just picking pumpkins and dressing up. Here are 20 other awesome events happening this October.

The Girls’ Festival
October 1
The Hive, Oakland
Imagine a day of fun, exploration and empowerment for girls at a day-long celebration of girl power and potential! 

Woofstock
October 1
Marin Humane Society, Novato
Dogs and their family will have a rockin’ day to remember at the grooviest dog (and animal) lover’s event! Enjoy music along with food from Extreme Pizza, beer and wine. The ever-popular Kid’s Zone will be back with awesome activities for kids of all ages. Enter RONNIE50 for half off on all the ticket until 8/31 & RONNIE5 for $5 off tickets beginning 9/1.

Pet Pride Day 
October 1
1200 15th St., San Francisco
Join SF Animal Care & Control and Recuse Row on October 1st with a pet celebration of family friendly activities and fun! 

Sunday Streets
October 1
Excelsior, San Francisco
Enjoy car-free fun in the heart of the Excelsior from Avalon/Theresa to Geneva on Mission, with fun FREE activities for the whole family to enjoy all along the way.

Autumn Moon Festival
September 30-October 1
Chinatown, San Francisco
Enjoy 2 days of nonstop entertainment, food, shopping, Dragon Parades, cultural events, children’s activities and more. 

Fleet Week 
October 2-9
San Francisco
Fleet Week’s back taking the San Francisco Bay by ships, planes, and celebrations honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces! The event includes ships and planes from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Canadian Navy participating in parades and air shows. 

Blessing of the Animals
October 4
One of the Bay Area's greatest annual traditions and performed in the ways of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, are led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. Check Ronnie’s Awesome List for details. 

The Mill Valley Film Festival
October 5-15
Mill Valley, Larkspur, San Rafael
Showcasing the finest family films from around the world. Tickets are on sale now! 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
October 6-8
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
A free gathering in  featuring over 100 musical artists on 7 stages. 

Italian Heritage Parade
October 8
North Beach, San Francisco
The oldest civic event and the nation's oldest Italian-American parade and community celebration winds its way from Fisherman's Wharf to North Beach. 

Marin Music Festival 
October 14
Marin Rod & Gun Club, San Rafael
This FREE event will feature live local bands arts and crafts booths food trucks craft beer & wine kid’s activities and more. Music lovers will enjoy the sounds of local bands with a beautiful waterfront view in Marin an area with a rich music history. 

The Apple Faire 
October 14
Marin Mountain School, Corte Madera
A sweet celebration of autumn, especially for families with children 7 years old and under (all ages welcome). Join the merriment with music, games, prizes, food and apple pressing this October 14th. Free admission and open to the public. 

The Big Draw Festival
October 14
The Walt Disney Family Museum, The Presidio
Celebrate the world’s largest drawing festival celebrating. People of all ages to invited to participate, observe, and enjoy drawing and storytelling in different ways—we can’t wait to see what story your drawing will tell. 

Indigenous Peoples Day PowWow
October 14
MLK Civic Center Park, Berkeley
Enjoy Native American foods and crafts, share a wonderful and powerful experience. 

Virgin Sport 
October 14-15
San Francisco
From a wide variety of events to get your body moving to those who just want to join in on the fun and cheer from the sidelines, there will be a ton going on where everyone is welcome to come. Get ready for a weekend long celebration of local SF culture and community with art music culture and much much more. Consider yourself invited. 

Bioneers
October 20-22
Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
Creating a unique learning-and-play program for families with kids 13 and under to enjoy together during the annual conference. Learn from some of the country’s top nature-inspired education masters and experience these spellbinding experiential education activities. 

Wharf Fest
October 21
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Returns to San Francisco’s iconic neighborhood to celebrate the historic waterfront district. This year’s festival will include a chowder cook-off competition, exhibitors, and fun family activities and entertainment.  

Trolly Dances
October 21-22
San Francisco
An admission-free festival that serves as an artist laboratory and engages audiences along a different MUNI-streetcar route each year, through site-specific dance performance inspired by the cultural, architectural, ethnological, historical, and other riches of the city’s neighborhoods. 

The Bay Area Science Festival
October 26-November 11
Bringing a range of family friendly science & technology activities at a variety of locations throughout the Bay Area. Motivate your budding scientists with hands-on events and introduce them to the magical world of science.