Aftershock, Taylor Swift and pumpkins: What’s happening in Sacramento this weekend?

Fall traditions are happening all over the capital region with different events and activities to participate in, settling into October, where things tend to get a little spooky.

With the rain clearing out of the Sacramento area, Friday evening should be clear with a low of 54 degrees, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Saturday and Sunday will have highs near 77 and lows around 54 degrees.

So tell a friend, tell the family that the weather will be just right and weekend plans are still in full swing. Here are some events and activities to consider around Sacramento from Friday to Sunday.

Aftershock Festival continues

Aftershock is back in Sacramento for its 13th year and continues through Sunday. The rock series, advertised as the West Coast’s largest rock, punk and metal festival, is a four-day event featuring more than 115 bands on four stages.

Thursday’s show was a millennial’s dream. Headlined by Blink-182, other performing bands included Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, All-American Rejects, Hoobastank, Acid Bath and Bowling For Soup.

In true homecoming fashion, Sacramento’s own Deftones are headlining the festival this evening.

More all-time favorites are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend such as Korn, Three Days Grace, Rob Zombie, A Perfect Circle, Lamb of God and Marilyn Manson.

Four-day general admission tickets are available for $589.99. Single-day general admission tickets are $229.99 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday tickets are $219.99. Tickets can be purchased on the Aftershock website.

Swifties Unite: ‘Life of a Showgirl’ release parties

Fizz Champagne and Bubbles Bar will host a free album listening party for Taylor Swift’s highly-anticipated 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl”.

The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday inside their space at DoCo Plaza, 615 David J. Stern Walk, Suite 105, near Estelle Bakery & Pâtisserie and steps from Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

Can’t make the Fizz event? Hit the movie theaters.

Multiple Cinemark theaters across the capital region will screen “The Life of a Showgirl” this weekend as part of a special visual album release in a 90-minute film.

The screenings will begin Friday and continue through Sunday at their listed showtimes with no previews, according to Cinemark. Tickets are $12, plus applicable taxes and fees.

Elk Grove hosts its 31st annual Giant Pumpkin Festival

The 31st annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is a free weekend event hosted by the Cosumnes Community Services District at Elk Grove Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road.

The two-day event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend in the park includes a youth art contest, scarecrow contest, pumpkin recipe contest and “lil’ pumpkin” cupcake contest.

The highly-anticipated events are the iconic pumpkin weigh-off, which draws growers from across the globe to compete for a grand prize, and the Pumpkin Regatta where pumpkins that weigh 500 to 800 pounds are converted into canoes and raced across the lake at Elk Grove Park.

The event is free, parking is $20 per vehicle.

Celebrate Bavarian culture at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest festivals are still happening throughout the capital region, showcasing German culture from brews, steins, sausages, lederhosen and dancing.

Here are the Oktoberfest events this weekend around the Sacramento area and adjacent cities.

Auburn: Oktoberfest at Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High St. in Auburn, is happening from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Tickets are sold out.

Twain Harte: The Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce is putting on its OktoberFest Pub Crawl from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Twain Harte. Attendees can enjoy German food and drink tastings from over 10 Twain Harte restaurants and businesses, a 5-ounce tasting mug, a commemorative lanyard, a Stein holding competition and a yodeling and costume contest. Tickets are $40. Using promo code “OCK2025” attendees can receive two tickets for $60.

South Lake Tahoe: Historic Camp Richardson Resort, 1900 Jameson Beach Road, in South Lake Tahoe is putting on a two-day Oktoberfest event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. VIP tickets are $155 and include a 44-ounce Munich Dar Boot Beer, four complimentary fills, access to the VIP all you can eat menu and a festival shirt and tote bag.

Sacramento Scream Park

It’s October which means the spooky season is here. It’s time to break out your favorite scary movies, Halloween classics and visit those petrifying haunted houses again.

Sacramento Scream Park, advertised as “Northern California’s largest haunted house experience”, is back with four different haunted house extractions to frighten visitors.

“From bio-hazard mayhem to pitch-dark carnival mazes, each Halloween event is rebuilt for 2025 with new sets and scares,” their website said. “Are you brave enough for every scream?”

Each ticket provides access to the four haunted houses and carnival mazes.

According to their website, tickets are available online only and sell out ahead of time. It is recommended to purchase early as prices increase as the event draws closer. General admission tickets start at $29.99.

R&B Paint Party

Z-Town Asian Gastro Bar has aimed to bring a culinary experience, nightlife and community since opening its space in 2022 at 8409 Elk Grove Florin Road in Elk Grove.

The restaurant and lounge is inviting people to an afternoon filled with “painting, music, drinks and pure vibes.”

Z-Town is hosting an R&B Paint event in collaboration with Paint Party Experience from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

“Bring your crew, let your creativity flow, and make memories that’ll last long after the paint dries,” their Instagram post said. “Good energy. Great people. The ultimate paint party experience.”

The event is $5 to just vibe and $30, plus $3.85 in fees, for a canvas and painting materials. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Here are other events happening around the Sacramento region.

Lane 8 is in concert at Channel 24, 1800 24th St., with Danish-Egyptian DJ, producer and vocalist Ashibah. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $78.95. This event is event 18 and up.

Sacramento Republic FC will host Hartford Athletic in the final of the USL Jägermeister Cup at 7 p.m. Saturday at Heart Health Park in Sacramento. Tickets range between $31 and $87, according to Seat Geek.

Comedian Felipe Esparza is performing with Frankie Quiñones at the Venue at Thunder Valley Resort, 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $53.95.

“& Juliet” tells a story about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in an alternate world where the audience sees what would have happened if Juliet didn’t end her life for Romeo, giving her a second chance at life and love in this hit Broadway musical. The show is at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cat Xia (Hellxia) Art Collection, is being placed on display at The Atrium, 1020 Front St., in Old Sacramento. The free event is extended throughout the weekend starting at 10 a.m.

NFL watch parties continue — as do the baseball playoffs. Check out these Sacramento bars to find fans of your favorite team.