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Things to Do
Festivals, library and park programs, guided walks on the mountain, and what each season brings, from the organizers’ own pages. Past dates drop off by themselves.
Check with the organizer before you go. Dates, times and places can change; every item links to the organizer’s own page.
What organizers have published, by the next date. A series shows once, with each of its dates; times are the organizer’s, and where a page gives no end time, none is shown.
The town’s calendar, in its organizers’ words. A date moves up to Coming up once the organizer publishes it.
Arts and crafts vendors along Main Street, wine and beer, a food court, live music through the weekend and a kids’ play zone. Admission and parking are free, CBCA says.
The organizer’s page for CBCA Clayton Art & Wine Festival Checked September 26, 2026
The City’s evening concert series in The Grove, with a different band each time.
The organizer’s page for Concerts in The Grove Checked September 26, 2026
Classic cars and trucks, with music, in the downtown parking lot next to the Clayton Historical Society museum.
The organizer’s page for Classic Car Show Checked September 26, 2026
The City’s parade. Its photos of the last one include a car club, a fire truck, a horse rider and Clayton Valley Village.
The organizer’s page for 4th of July Parade Checked September 26, 2026
The City’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in The Grove.
The organizer’s page for Hispanic Heritage Celebration at The Grove Checked September 26, 2026
Volunteers gather in remembrance of 9/11, meet at City Hall and choose a service project around town.
The organizer’s page for Clayton Day of Service Checked September 26, 2026
A Munich-style biergarten with German food, beer and live music, arts and crafts vendors along Main Street and a full-size carnival. Admission is free; CBCA has held it since 2004.
The organizer’s page for CBCA Clayton Oktoberfest Checked September 26, 2026
A family afternoon downtown, presented with Clayton Community Church: kids trick-or-treat from decorated cars, with a kids’ costume contest and one for dogs.
The organizer’s page for Hay Day / Trunk-or-Treat Checked September 26, 2026
Used books donated by the community, sold in Hoyer Hall at the Clayton Community Library to support the library. Friday is a members’ preview; you can join at the door.
The organizer’s page for Library Foundation used book sales Checked September 26, 2026
An evening in The Grove with music, family activities and the lighting of the community holiday tree. The City lists it among its annual events too.
The organizer’s page for Holidays in The Grove Checked September 26, 2026
Weekly, monthly and seasonal programs at the library and on the mountain.
Drop-in storytimes for young children with a caregiver, and a drop-in program for kids on Wednesdays: arts and crafts, a performance or a special guest.
The organizer’s page for Storytimes and Wonderful Wednesdays at the library Checked September 26, 2026
A guided nature-observation hike of about four miles in Mitchell Canyon, looking for what changes with the seasons.
The organizer’s page for Wonder Hikes Checked September 26, 2026
Hands-on astronomy activities, then observing through members’ telescopes. The program is free; a park entry fee applies per vehicle.
The organizer’s page for Public astronomy programs on Mount Diablo Checked September 26, 2026
Mount Diablo State Park naturalists give a short talk about tarantulas, then lead a walk of a little over two miles, looking for plants, animals and arachnids.
The organizer’s page for How I Learned to Love Tarantulas: evening walks Checked September 26, 2026
What each season brings, starting with this one. Every line is from an official or first-party source; nature keeps its own calendar, so treat the months as the sources’ own.
September to November
From mid-August to late October, male tarantulas wander in search of a mate, MDIA says; the females stay in their burrows.
MDIA: Tarantulas, the gentle giants of Mount DiabloChecked September 26, 2026
Fall brings a mix of warm and cool days to Mount Diablo, State Parks says.
California State Parks: parks to visit in fallChecked September 26, 2026Mount Diablo State Park
December to February
In winter and early spring the Falls Trail above Donner Canyon has views of waterfalls over multicolored rock. Save Mount Diablo suggests going after recent rain, and warns that the trail gets slippery.
Save Mount Diablo: Donner Canyon and the Falls TrailChecked September 26, 2026Donner Canyon–Falls loop from Regency
Mount Diablo manzanita, an endangered shrub with shiny red branches, is covered with pink flowers from January to March.
Save Mount Diablo: rare and unusual species of the Diablo RangeChecked September 26, 2026
The clearest views from the summit are often the day after a winter storm, State Parks says.
California State Parks: Mount Diablo State ParkChecked September 26, 2026Mount Diablo State Park
The beacon on Mount Diablo’s summit is lit each December 7 to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor. Since 2022 it has also been lit on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Save Mount Diablo: Beacon LightingChecked September 26, 2026
March to May
Mitchell Canyon is noted for its wildflower displays in spring, State Parks says.
California State Parks: Mount Diablo State ParkChecked September 26, 2026Mount Diablo State Park
The Mount Diablo globe lily, which grows only on the mountain and in the East Bay hills around it, blooms from April to June.
MDIA wildflower guide: Mount Diablo globe lilyChecked September 26, 2026
June to August
The water play feature at The Grove is generally open every day from May 1 to October 1, the City says; the park page has the hours.
City of Clayton: The GroveChecked September 26, 2026The Grove
Summer days at the summit are sometimes hazy, State Parks says.
California State Parks: Mount Diablo State ParkChecked September 26, 2026Mount Diablo State Park