There’s something about the change of seasons that must bring the “weird” out in all of us. Maybe it’s Halloween knocking at our door step or that we got a bit too much sun during the summer. No matter the cause, here’s a few of the quirkiest, funkiest, and downright weird festivals you’ll see, not just in the High Sierra, but quite possibly the United States!
Fiddle & Bango Contest
September 27th, 2025
Learn more about this musical wonder
In its 41st year, the annual Columbia Fiddle & Bango Contest is back. Don’t worry. There’s no typo in the name. It’s Bango… with a “g”. But the best part is the story. It goes all the way back to 1983 when an unfortunate typo set the name in motion. It stuck and has been named the Fiddle & Bango ever since. Sponsored by a local non-profit, Rock in Road, come listen to the musical fun for free at the Gazebo on Main Street in Columbia Historic State Park. But even better is to enter the contest and show off your tunes. All ages, skills, styles, and instruments encouraged! Entry fee is $15 and prizes given for 1st place categories and the grand prize… a (real) gold nugget!
Coyote Festival
September 27th-28th, 2025
Learn more about this ‘howling’ festival
What do Teddy Roosevelt, the crookedest railroad in the world, Buffalo Bill’s brother Cody Nelson, and Whistling Billy all have in common? The town that’s “too tough to die” or as we know it, Coulterville. Every fall, this gold rush town hosts the largest and funnest festival in northern Mariposa County, known as the Coyote Festival. Activities include live music, pet parade, car show, and the star of the show – a coyote howl contest.
Calaveras Grape Stomp Classic
October 4th, 2025
Learn more about this stomp-tastic shindig
Have you ever seen that classic episode of I Love Lucy where Lucy gets into a grape-stomping fight with another woman? California’s oldest and largest grape stomp festival is less of a fight and more of a fun-filled get-together! Hosted by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, over 120 stomp teams of two compete for the title of “Top Stompers.” Alongside the main event in Feeney Park is the lively Gold Rush Street Fair, featuring live music, art and craft booths, and family-friendly activities.
Leaves in the (June Lake) Loop
October 10th & 11th, 2025
Learn more about this unbe-leaf-able event
Spring or fall might last only a few weeks in most parts of the country, but in the Eastern Sierra, these are the longest seasons. Wildflowers can bloom up to six months. And in autumn, the fall foliage can last for months too—all thanks to the region’s unique climate and varied topography. So, it’s no surprise that there’s a festival celebrating this natural phenomenon. Leaves in the Loop offers the perfect opportunity to channel your inner Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh, with photography tours and painting classes held throughout the weekend.
Tarantula Festival
October 25th, 2025
Learn more about the eight-legged festival
Arachnophobes may want to take cover during this festival. Held in Coarsegold, locals have gathered every year for more than two decades for all kinds of eight hairy-legged fun. This is about giving these misunderstood arachnids a chance to teach us about themselves in a fun way. Expect to see lots of displays, tarantula races, food and even a costume contest.
From creepy crawl-ees to itchy leaf-ees, howl your way into fun this fall when you visit these five fun, off-the-wall, fun & perhaps weird festivals.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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