Best Fall Festivals in the Bay Area Near BART

Experience the spirit of Italy in San Francisco this fall. Photo courtesy of SF Italian Heritage. 

Crisp air, leaf-strewn streets and pumpkin spice everything — fall in the Bay Area is finally here, and the new season brings fun festivals throughout the region. From Fleet Week and a Black cowboy parade to a literary festival and a Dia de los Muertos celebration, fall events are filled with diversity, creativity and tons of excitement. So, grab your friends and family and hop on BART to celebrate fall at these fun BARTable festivals.

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Get ready to be amazed at Fleet Week this year. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week SF. 

Fleet Week 2025 | Multiple

Fleet Week runs from Oct. 5–13. It's one of San Francisco's most anticipated festivals and is fun for the entire family. The weeklong series of events honoring the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard includes Navy ship tours, military displays, band performances and family-friendly activities. The biggest event, though, is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels air show, where you'll spot jets darting across the sky in breathtaking displays above the city. Hop on BART to Embarcadero to explore the waterfront and enjoy the Fleet Week festivities. 

Celebrate Italian culture this fall in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of SF Italian Heritage. 

San Francisco Italian Heritage Festival & Parade | Montgomery St

On Oct. 12, the San Francisco Italian Heritage Festival and Parade arrives in North Beach. The city’s oldest civic parade is a lively celebration of Italian culture. Think colorful floats, marching bands and community groups winding through the streets, filling Little Italy with music and smiling faces. Enjoy the parade, dine on food vendors serving pasta, cannoli and espresso — and maybe even catch a celebrity. Actor Joe Mantegna is the Grand Marshal this year! The parade starts at Jefferson St. and Powell St. in Fisherman’s Wharf and heads south through North Beach on Columbus Ave, until ending at Washington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church, one mile from Montgomery St.

Join the colorful, lively street fair in the city's Castro Neighborhood this October. Photo courtesy of Castro Street Fair. 

Castro Street Fair | 16th St Mission

Always on the first Sunday of October (Oct. 5 this year), the Castro Street Fair is a lively and historic event founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. You won't want to miss this celebration of diversity and community in one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods. This year’s theme is “Radical Happiness.” Enjoy artisan booths, live music, dancing and drag performances. The full lineup will be announced soon! To join the fun, take BART to 16th St Mission and stroll 0.9 miles to the corner of Castro St. and Market St.

Calling all bibliophiles — don't miss Litquake. Photo courtesy of DoTheBay. 

Litquake | Multiple

The 2025 Litquake festival runs from Oct. 9–25 at BARTable locations all over San Francisco. Book lovers can check out the Litquake festival schedule to find readings, discussions, films and cross-media events that showcase hundreds of writers. You’ll discover emerging voices, as well as hear from acclaimed authors. The festival’s crown jewel, though, is the Lit Crawl, when dozens of bars, cafes and galleries in the Mission District host back-to-back mini-readings for a one-night literary street party. If you love stories, ideas and community, Litquake is a must.

Don't miss the Oakland Black Cowboy Parade. Photo courtesy of The Oaklandside. 

Oakland Black Cowboy Parade & Heritage Festival | West Oakland 

A Bay Area original, the Oakland Black Cowboy Parade and Heritage Festival on Oct. 4 consists of a day-long festival at DeFremery Park celebrating the history and contributions of Black cowboys with horses, music, kids’ activities and vendors—just 0.8 miles from West Oakland Station. It’s both festive and educational, with deep local roots and a welcoming community vibe. Bring the family and plan to linger after the parade for the heritage festival.

Join the fun at Oakland First Fridays this fall in Oakland. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

Oakland First Fridays Street Festival | 19th St/Oakland

This recurring monthly East Bay festival hits Oakland on the first Friday of every month. Telegraph Avenue transforms into a vibrant, art-filled block party featuring local makers, food pop-ups and an abundance of art. Every month features a new theme (October's edition leans toward wellness/arts) and family-friendly vibes. The free event also includes a diverse lineup of musicians, dancers, DJs and poets. Enjoy the fun Bay Area street festival this fall, 0.5 miles from 19th St/Oakland.

Celebrate the fall season at the Berkeley Harvest Festival. Photo courtesy of The City of Berkeley. 

Berkeley Harvest Festival | North Berkeley

The annual Berkeley Harvest Festival, held on Oct. 18 at Cedar Rose Park, is an autumn staple featuring live music, crafts, and food contests. Bring a blanket or a few lawn chairs and settle in to enjoy tunes by Baycoin Beats, Andre Thierry and more. Kids will love zipping down a zipline, jumping in giant inflatables, making scarecrows, decorating pumpkins and getting faces painted. When you get hungry, stop by the food trucks for a range of offerings! This fun Bay Area fall festival is free to attend and only 0.3 miles from North Berkeley.

Enjoy Oakland’s Día de los Muertos with art, food, and music. Photo courtesy of The Oaklandside. 

Dia de los Muertos Festival | Fruitvale

One of the Bay Area’s largest Día de los Muertos street festivals is right here in Oakland on Nov. 2.  It's the perfect place to celebrate, honor, and welcome beloved ancestors. Spanning International Blvd. with multiple stages, lowriders, artisan mercado and traditional ofrendas, the free and family-friendly festival is food-forward and just steps from Fruitvale Station at Fruitvale Village. 

Where's your favorite Bay Area fall festival?