Things to Do in Bakersfield This Weekend: October 2-4, 2026

Quick answer: The biggest thing happening in Bakersfield this weekend is the final weekend of the Kern County Fair, which ends Sunday, October 4. Joe Nichols plays the fair Saturday night and Industria del Amor closes it out Sunday night. Outside the fair, Saturday is packed: AutumnFest at The Point at Belcourt Village, the F Street Farmers Market, the Bakersfield Card Expo, an Elks BBQ cook-off, and three pumpkin patches open all weekend.

I'm Kristin Zaben, a REALTOR® with Amjadi | Zaben Trifecta Group in Bakersfield, CA, helping families who've outgrown their home move up into one that fits. I live here too, so every week I pull together what's actually going on around town. Here's the move for this weekend.

Times and details come from public event listings. Check with the host before you head out, since plans change.

What's happening at the Kern County Fair this weekend?

This is the last weekend of the 2026 Kern County Fair, which runs September 23 through October 4 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. If you've been putting it off, this is your window.

Friday, October 2

• Monster Trucks, 7 PM
• 90's Rewind concert, 8 PM

Saturday, October 3

• Day of the Cowgirl, starting 8 AM
• Gates open at noon
• Joe Nichols in concert, 8 PM

Sunday, October 4

• Industria del Amor in concert, 8 PM
• Last day of the fair

The final weekend usually draws the biggest crowds. If you're going Saturday, get there early for parking.

What is there to do in Bakersfield on Friday night?

Friday, October 2 has a mix of comedy and live music:

• London Brown comedy show at Sonder, 7:30 PM
• 82 Deluxe live at Rustic Rail Saloon, 8 PM
• The Number Twelve Looks Like You with Kaonashi and Blind Equation at Temblor Brewing Company, 7 PM (18+)

Or head to the fair for Monster Trucks and the 90's Rewind show.

What's going on in Bakersfield on Saturday, October 3?

Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend. Here it is from morning to night.

Saturday morning

• F Street Farmers Market, 7:45 AM, free to walk
• Lace'n It Up 5K Run/Walk, 8:30 AM
• Antique and Vintage Fair at Iron Lily Venue, 8 AM
• Goat Yoga at Cherry Acres, 8:30 AM
• Bakersfield Card Expo and Collectibles Show at the DoubleTree Hotel (3100 Camino Del Rio Ct), 10 AM to 4 PM. $5 for adults, kids under 12 free.
• Bakolandia Market at California Truck Center, 10 AM
• Family Day at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 10 AM
• Model Railroad Open House at the Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society, 10 AM, free

Saturday afternoon

• Elks BBQ Cook-off at Elks Lodge 266, 11 AM
• Saturday Studio: Watercolor Painting at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, 11:30 AM
• AutumnFest at The Point at Belcourt Village, noon to 9 PM
• Bluegrass at Dagny's Coffee Company, 1 PM
• BC/CSUB Orchestra and CSUB High School Honor Orchestra at the Doré Theatre, 3 PM
• Family Camp Night at Wind Wolves Preserve, 3:30 PM
• Tejon Outlets Farmers Market in Arvin, 4 PM, free

Saturday night

• Bakersfield Casino Royale, benefiting Ronald McDonald House, at Legends Lounge & Event Center, 7 to 11 PM
• Joe Nichols at the Kern County Fair, 8 PM

What is there to do in Bakersfield on Sunday?

Sunday, October 4 is quieter. The two best options:

1. The last day of the Kern County Fair, with Industria del Amor at 8 PM.
2. A pumpkin patch (see below). All three are open through the weekend.

Where are the pumpkin patches in Bakersfield?

Pumpkin season is here. Three patches are open this weekend:

Banducci's and The Patch are the low-cost picks. Murray Family Farms costs more, but you get a full day out of it.

What are the free things to do in Bakersfield this weekend?

If you want to get out without spending much:

• F Street Farmers Market (Saturday, 7:45 AM)
• Tejon Outlets Farmers Market (Saturday, 4 PM)
• Model Railroad Open House (Saturday, 10 AM)
• Kern River Parkway Trail, open any time
• The Park at River Walk, open any time

How do I plan a Bakersfield weekend without the stress?

Here's how I'd plan it:

1. Pick one anchor event. The fair, AutumnFest, or a pumpkin patch. Build the rest of the day around it.
2. Go early on Saturday. The fair's final weekend and AutumnFest will both be busy.
3. Check the host's page the morning of. Times move. A two-minute check saves a wasted drive.
4. Mix in one free thing. A farmers market in the morning keeps the day from adding up fast.
5. Save Sunday for something slow. A pumpkin patch in the afternoon is an easy way to end the weekend.

Common mistakes when going out in Bakersfield on a busy weekend

• Showing up late to the fair on the final Saturday. Parking fills up. Get there early.
• Trusting an old flyer. Event times change. Check the host's page that day.
• Forgetting cash. Some markets, patches, and vendors are cash only or cash first.
• Trying to do everything. Pick two or three things. You'll enjoy them more.

What's coming up next in Bakersfield?

Plan ahead for these:

• Monday, October 5: Young Frankenstein at the Bakersfield Fox Theater (Cults & Classics), 7 PM, $5
• October 9-11: Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero at Dignity Health Arena
• October 17-18: Via Arté Chalk Festival from the Bakersfield Museum of Art at The Marketplace

I'll have next weekend's list up on Thursday.

Why does a Realtor write a weekend events list?

Because where you live is more than the house. When families talk to me about moving up, they don't just ask about bedrooms and square footage. They ask what's nearby and what there is to do.

I'm Kristin Zaben, a REALTOR® with Amjadi | Zaben Trifecta Group in Bakersfield, CA, helping families who've outgrown their home move up into one that fits. I've closed 8 deals in my first 9 months, and I stay hands-on from financing through closing. If you're thinking about your next move in Bakersfield or anywhere in Kern County, I'd love to talk.

[Call or text Kristin: [ADD PHONE]] | [Visit [ADD WEBSITE]]

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest event in Bakersfield this weekend?

The Kern County Fair is the biggest event in Bakersfield this weekend. It's the final weekend, and the fair ends Sunday, October 4, 2026.

When does the 2026 Kern County Fair end?

The 2026 Kern County Fair runs September 23 through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield.

Who is playing the Kern County Fair this weekend?

90's Rewind plays Friday, October 2 at 8 PM. Joe Nichols plays Saturday, October 3 at 8 PM. Industria del Amor plays Sunday, October 4 at 8 PM.

Are there free events in Bakersfield this weekend?

Yes. The F Street Farmers Market, the Tejon Outlets Farmers Market, and the Model Railroad Open House are all free on Saturday, October 3.

What pumpkin patches are open in Bakersfield this weekend?

Banducci's Family Pumpkin Patch ($5), The Patch ($5), and Murray Family Farms ($19.99 to $21.99) are all open this weekend.

Where is AutumnFest in Bakersfield?

AutumnFest is at The Point at Belcourt Village on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from noon to 9 PM.

Who puts together this Bakersfield weekend list?

Kristin Zaben, a REALTOR® with Amjadi | Zaben Trifecta Group in Bakersfield, CA (CA DRE# 02252543), puts this list together each week from public event listings.