Annual Highlights
Signature Events
Plan your trip around Merced's biggest and best annual celebrations. Quality over quantity these are the ones worth traveling for.
Mark Your Calendar
Events Worth the Trip
From county fairs to cultural celebrations, these signature events showcase the best of Merced. Plan your visit around one of these and make your trip truly unforgettable.
Browse by season
September 2026
Fall Open Cockpit Day
Castle Air Museum’s Fall Open Cockpit Day will be on September 5th, 2026. Gates open at 8:30am. More information to come!
September 2026
Lao Boat Racing
The Lao Boat Racing Festival in Merced brings the Central Valley's Laotian community together at Lake Yosemite to celebrate their culture with thrilling longboat races, traditional music, and authentic Southeast Asian street food. This years festival is scheduled for Sat, Sep 12, 2026
October 2026
Fall Blitz Car Show
The Castle Air Fest: Fall Blitz Car Show is an upcoming event organized by the Castle Air Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Castle Airport in Atwater, California, featuring vehicle judging, trophies, and early bird registration.
June 2026
Merced County Fair
The Central Valley's premier summer celebration. Carnival rides, live music, livestock shows, rodeo events, local food vendors, and a fireworks finale. A multi-day tradition that brings together the entire community and thousands of visitors.
May 2026
Cap & Gown Celebrations
UC Merced's graduation season transforms the city into a celebration hub. Thousands of families descend on Merced for commencement ceremonies, creating a festive atmosphere throughout downtown with special dining events and family activities.
Year Round - Saturdays
Downtown Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning, downtown Merced comes alive with the sights, smells, and flavors of California's agricultural heartland. Fresh produce, artisan goods, live music, and a community gathering that's as authentic as it gets.
December 2026
Merced Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Merced sparkles during the holiday season. The annual parade features floats, marching bands, and Santa himself. Followed by a community tree lighting, hot cocoa, and a magical evening that captures the small-town holiday spirit. (Image Courtesy of UC Merced)
November / December
Hmong New Year Celebration
Merced is home to one of California's largest Hmong communities, and the annual New Year celebration is a spectacular showcase of traditional music, dance, food, and culture. A vibrant, multi-day event open to all.
April 2026
Gran Fondo Bike Race
The Gran Fondo Hincapie in Merced is a West Coast gravel cycling event that challenges riders with three different course options traveling through the rolling hills, open grasslands, and private ranch lands of California's Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills.
April 2026
UC Merced Bobcat Day
Bobcat Day is an on-campus open house that welcomes admitted and prospective students and their families to UC Merced, allowing them to tour facilities, meet faculty, and explore the university's academic, financial aid, and extracurricular opportunities.
March 2026
Tahiti Fete Dance Competition
Merced's long-running annual Tahitian dance and cultural festival, which stands as one of the oldest and largest independent Polynesian dance competitions outside of the Pacific Islands.
October 2026
Merced County Nut Festival
The Merced County Nut Festival is a free, family-friendly community event held at the Merced County Fairgrounds that celebrates the local almond, walnut, and pistachio industries with live music, food and craft vendors, educational exhibits, and a nut recipe bake-off.
More Happening in Merced
Looking for More Events?
Our signature events are the highlights — but Merced's community calendar is packed year-round. Head to Downtown Merced's events page for a full listing of local happenings, markets, and community gatherings.