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As the vineyard leaves turn golden and the temperature cools, visitors can embrace the beauty and celebrate the charm of autumn in Temecula Valley – from the scenic splendor of harvest festivals, pumpkin patches and sunset trail rides through the vineyards, to spooky Halloween-themed experiences and events. Whether you are a family looking for seasonal fun or a group looking to enjoy the region’s wineries and culinary scene, there is something for everyone this fall.
Autumn Wining and Dining
September Flights and Bites: Discover the perfect pairing of wines and culinary creations throughout September; a digital pass invites you to explore a curated selection of wine and food pairings at participating Temecula Valley locations and earn points with each purchase. Participants can collect and redeem points for exciting prizes like t-shirts, wine glasses, and hoodies.
Danza del Sol Winery Seafood Boil: Indulge in a delicious seafood boil crafted by Savage Chef on Sept. 21. Part of Danza del Sol’s Uncorked Chef Series, cuisine will be complemented by a carefully curated wine pairing for each course.
CRUSH Wine & Culinary Showcase: One of the most popular wine country events in Temecula Valley, the CRUSH Wine & Culinary Showcase, will be held Sept. 7. Guests will enjoy live entertainment as well as wine and food pairings from more than 30 wineries and culinary creators.
Great Taste of Europa Wine & Food Festival: Sip, Sip, Hooray! The Great Taste of Europa Wine & Food Festival has returned for another year. On Sept. 15, guests will explore the sights and wonders of Europa Village’s wineries & resort with over 50 exquisite European wines, a dedicated beer and spirits garden, gourmet food, and live entertainment.
Tacos and Tequila Food Festival: Pechanga’s Tacos & Tequila Festival will be held on Saturday, September 14. This one-day event is filled with an afternoon of sampling gourmet tacos crafted by Pechanga’s acclaimed chefs, sipping on some of the best names in tequila and mezcal, a silent auction, and live entertainment.
Harvest 2024 Chef Dinner Series: By taking a short 20-minute drive east of Temecula, visitors can enjoy special culinary gatherings at Temecula Olive Oil Company’s Olive View Ranch, where Thom and Nancy Curry first started growing, harvesting, and pressing California olives over 20 years ago. On Nov. 3 more than 30 chefs will gather for Harvest 2024, a spectacular food festival showcasing the rich bounty of the season including wine from Temecula to Baja, winemakers, and a variety of musical guest performances. In Sept. and Oct., an intimate Chef Dinner Series offers delicious farm-to-table fare for visitors in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Temecula Valley Symphony to Perform Under the Stars: On Sept. 29, the Temecula Valley Symphony will perform on the enchanting grounds of Europa Village’s idyllic Giardino del Cielo for a captivating and memorable evening of beautiful music under the stars. Tickets are available here.
Fall Family Fun & Outdoor Adventure
The mild fall weather in Temecula Valley is perfect for exploring the great outdoors. From hot air balloon rides to hiking trails, here are some must-do activities this season:
Art in the Vines: During the first week of September, guests can watch local artists live-painting at several wineries and vineyards including Avensole Winery, Briar Rose Winery, Chapin Family Vineyards, Cougar Vineyard and Winery, Churon Winery, Danza del Sol Winery, Domaine Chardonnay, Europa Village, Falkner Winery, Frangipani Estate Winery, Gershon Bachus Vintners, Leoness Cellars, Lorimar Winery, Mount Palomar Winery, Oak Mountain Winery, Palumbo Family Vineyards, and Ponte Vineyard Inn. The artwork will be displayed at Temecula Valley Museum Sept. 9-30. The public is invited to visit the museum in Old Town Temecula and vote for their favorite art piece before Sept. 26, when the winner will be announced.
Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch: A local favorite, Big Horse Feed animal feed and Western-inspired retail shop will offer plenty of family-friendly attractions throughout October including the largest Corn Maze in Southern California (11 acres!), a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, giant inflatable slides, snacks, and more. For guests who get lost in the maze, the “Corn Cops” will help! Tickets will be available on site.
Horseback Riding & Western Town Experience: California Ranch Company is a premiere, Western equestrian and events venue hosting a variety of horse competitions including barrel racing, cutting and sorting, among others. Guests can enjoy sunset trail rides or visit the venue’s Western Town for delicious BBQ, tap beer and refreshments, shop at Winchester Western Saddlery, and more. More here.
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Soar above the rolling hills and vineyards of Temecula Valley on a hot air balloon ride. The stunning fall colors make this experience even more magical. Flights are available year-round, weather permitting, at sunrise only. Guests can take a deep breath and enjoy a view like no other. Schedule a hot air balloon flight with A Grape Escape, California Dreamin’, Cielo Balloons, or A Balloon Adventure by Magical Adventures.
Hiking and Biking Trails: Discover the natural beauty of Temecula Valley by hitting the trails. The cooler temperatures make it an ideal time for outdoor adventures, whether you are a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll.
A Hub for Equestrian Excellence: Galway Downs is renowned for its world-class equestrian events and has been selected as the prospective venue for the 2028 Olympics Equestrian Games. A spectacular lineup of events this fall will captivate both equestrian fans and newcomers alike. Spectators can witness top-level competitors from around the world as they showcase their skills in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. A Peruvian Paso show will be held Sept. 6-8 and the Temecula Valley National takes place on several dates in Sept. and Oct., and the Eventing Championships of Galway Downs will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 3. For a full calendar of events, visit Galway Downs Equestrian website.
Lorimary Winery will host a Harvest Festival on Sept. 29 with kid-friendly activities, a grape stomp, food, wine, and plenty of fun. Families are invited to enjoy the afternoon on the Lorimar Vineyard Lawn. More information here.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm: The Peltzer Pumpkin Farm will be open Sept. 22 through Oct. 31. Kids and families can enjoy a petting farm, gem panning, a tractor garden, train rides, carnival games, pumpkin painting, and more!
Temecula Carriage Company: Tucked behind the orange groves, nestled in the heart of wine country is a family owned and operated business called the Temecula Carriage Company. With their well-loved herd of horses, the Temecula Carriage Company offers private horse drawn carriage rides through the vineyards. More information and tickets for all events are available here.
Spooky Halloween Happenings
Temecula Valley comes alive with spooky delights as Halloween approaches. From family-friendly activities to thrilling haunts, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Old Town Blues Club invites guests to pay tribute to the “Summer of Love” and don your best hippy outfit at its Halloween party featuring 1969 The Tribute band. Visit Temecula Carriage Company for a spooky ride with a Headless Horseman chasing you through the vineyards; have a drop-dead good time at Europa Village CarnEvil Ball or dance the night away at Peltzer Winery’s HalloWine costume party. Temecula is a fantastic Halloween destination for those who crave a good scare!
Grape Stomps
On Sept. 7, Callaway Vineyard & Winery will host a grape-stomping extravaganza, including a Lucy look-alike contest and hula hoop competition, live music, and more. Ponte Winery will host its 22nd Annual Grape Stomp Celebration on Sept. 22, with a spectacular Harvest-Italian themed dinner, music, dancing, and a grape stomp competition with prizes. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa will host weekend grape stomps in its Vintner’s Garden throughout September. Admission includes mix & match case of wine, tastings, and stomping.
Somerset Winery will host its 6th Annual Grape Stomp on Sept. 28. Each ticket is for a team of four adults and includes a bottle of wine and a chance to compete for fun prizes. Costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be provided for the best-dressed teams. Temecula Carriage Company offers a private vine to wine tour on horsedrawn carriage followed by a grape stomp competition for groups of up to eight. And on Oct. 27, Wilson Creek Winery will host Stomp 2024, an evening of live music, fun fall activities, and a grape stomp competition.
Where to Catch Live Entertainment in Temecula Valley
A variety of live entertainment acts will perform throughout the fall, offering everything from rock and roll to jazz, blues to country, and everything in between. Thornton Winery will host its popular Champagne Jazz Series and South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers world-class entertainment with its Rhythm on the Vine performances. At Pechanga Resort Casino, guests can enjoy performances by major acts including Jerry Seinfeld, Alabama, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, and more. For a continuously updated roster of live entertainment events, go to Visit Temecula Valley’s Events page: https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/things-to-do/events/
Where to Stay
After a full day of touring, shopping, and sipping, travelers can pair their experience with a stay at one of Temecula Valley’s many resorts, hotels, or short-term rentals. Find rates and availability here: https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/hotels/
About Visit Temecula Valley
Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(6) destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism-related businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, and more. It is a popular destination that includes Southern California Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. In 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Temecula Valley a 10 Best Wine Travel Destination, in the world.
For more information go to VisitTemeculaValley.com.
