Northern California whale festivals set for spring 2026

Communities along the Northern California coast will host a series of whale festivals from March through April 2026, including four Mendocino County weekends in March and Whalefest Monterey on April 11–12.

Northern California coastal communities will hold multiple whale festivals in spring 2026 timed to the gray whale migration. Mendocino County is offering four weekend festivals in March, each in a different coastal town. Fort Bragg, Little River, Mendocino and Point Arena are among the Mendocino events. Monterey’s Whalefest follows in April with marine-science programming and wharf activities. Event highlights: - Mendocino (March 7–8): Most events are scheduled for Saturday, March 7, and include a chowder-tasting from local restaurants, a wine walk, a family storytime and crafts, a screening of "The Boy Who Talks to Whales" (ticketed), and a whale-watching station at Mendocino Headlands State Park. - Little River (March 14–15): Free guided hikes at Spring Ranch in Van Damme State Park (reservations noted as required), a margarita-making contest and parks fundraiser at the Little River Inn (ticketed tasting), and a self-guided "Mocktail Trail" at local establishments (ticketed). - Fort Bragg (March 21–22): Features include a downtown wine walk, chowder-tasting competition, a 10K/5K whale run and walk, a whale swim, live music and food trucks, the Fort Bragg Beer Festival on Saturday (ticketed), campfire storytelling at MacKerricher State Park, free guided walks to look for whales, and a community project to paint a large gray-whale skeleton. - Point Arena (March 28–29): New this year, events concentrate on Saturday, March 28, and include guided shoreline hikes, crafts at the Point Arena Library, marine-science talks at the Point Arena Lighthouse with binocular lending for a small fee, and local performances and whale-themed food offerings. - Whalefest Monterey (April 11–12): The 16th annual Whalefest centers on Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza with marine-science talks, live music, interactive exhibits, sea-themed crafts such as scrimshaw and gyotaku, tours of research and rescue vessels, and community-favorite Abalone Races. Summary: These festivals are scheduled across March and into April and combine public programming, local food and music, guided wildlife viewing, and marine-science presentations tied to the gray whale migration. Organizers list event schedules and ticketing details on Mendocino County and Monterey event pages.