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Brightly colored paintings on exterior of Yosemite Gateway Art Center, in Oakhurst, Ca
ARTober in Oakhurst
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ARTober in Oakhurst
Blog ARTober in Oakhurst: A Month of Art, Culture, and Fun for All in the Sierra Region
Brooke | 08/16/2023Arts & Entertainment, Family Friendly, Itineraries, Live Music, Plan Your Trip, Shopping, Work Where You Play |   

ARTober in Oakhurst: A Month of Art, Culture, and Fun for All

Oakhurst, California is a vibrant town with a rich arts and culture scene. And in October, that scene comes alive with ARTober, a month-long celebration of all things art.

From chainsaw-carved bears to arts and crafts fairs to open studio tours, there's something for everyone to enjoy during ARTober in Oakhurst. So come one, come all, and celebrate the arts in the Sierra region!

FIND Art the Bear:

One of the highlights of ARTober is the FIND Art the Bear scavenger hunt. Hidden all over Oakhurst are little chainsaw-carved bears made by Nate's Kustom Carving. Follow the clues on the ARTober Oakhurst Facebook page or @ARToberOakhurst Instagram account to find your own bear! The bears will be hidden each day throughout October... sorry ARTober..., so check those social pages daily for updates. 

Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour:

The Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour is a great way to meet local artists and see their work in progress. This year, trail goers can visit over 70 artists' at their home studios, or at several of the galleries and host businesses, throughout the foothills region during the self-guided tour. Artists will be open to visitors from 10am to 5pm on September 29-October 1 and October 6-8.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the different art forms that are represented in the Sierra region and to meet the artists who create them. Visitors can also purchase art directly from the artists.

Here are some of the types of art that you can expect to see on the Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour:

  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Photography
  • Jewelry
  • Glass art

  • Textiles
  • Woodworking, and much more!

The Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour is a great way to spend a day in the Sierra region. It is a fun and educational experience for people of all ages. So come on out and meet the artists who make the Sierra region so special!

Visit the Sierra Art Trails website for more information - including information where to purchase the event catalog. For $20, it is your ticket (for two) for the event, your road map to all the artists, and great a collectors piece showcasing the wonderful breath of creatively here in the foothills.  See you out on the trail!

Artist demonstrates a wood block printing in their studio.

Oakhurst Fall Festival:

The Oakhurst Fall Festival is a great way to celebrate the fall season in Oakhurst. The festival features a variety of activities for people of all ages, including:

  • Midway rides: There are thrilling rides for all ages, including small roller coasters and a Ferris wheel.
  • Character meet-and-greets: Meet and greet your favorite characters from movies and TV shows.
  • Face painting: Get your face painted like a tiger, a princess, or a superhero.
  • Local music: Enjoy live music from local bands all weekend long.
  • Food trucks: There will be a variety of food trucks serving up delicious food, from burgers and fries to tacos and ice cream.
  • Wine and beer tasting: Sample wines and beers from local wineries and breweries.

The Oakhurst Fall Festival is a great place to spend a day with family and friends. It's a fun and festive event that celebrates the fall season in Oakhurst.

The festival will be held on October 6-8 from 3pm to 9pm on Friday, 10am to 9pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. It will be located at the Oakhurst Community Park.

Here are some additional details about the festival:

  • Admission is $5 - good for all three days! Children under 5 are free
  • Parking is free
  • The festival is on, rain or shine
  • There are a variety of food and drink vendors on site
  • There are no ATMs on site but many vendors do accept cards. But... it is recommended to bring cash

The Oakhurst Fall Festival is a great way to spend a weekend in Oakhurst. It's a fun and festive event that celebrates the fall season in the Sierra region. So come on out and enjoy!

large shady tree with brightly colored foliage in foreground, vendor booths and visitors in background.

Live Music:

Not to be missed in ARTober, there will be two Music by the River concerts at Queen's Inn by the River. The Yard Dogs will perform on Saturday, October 7, and Good Medicine will perform on Saturday, October 14.

There will also be an Oktoberfest and 10-year anniversary celebration at South Gate Brewing Company on Saturday, October 7. Boha and Trey Tosh will be performing.

Live music as an art form is a unique and shared experience that creates lasting memories for both the audience and the musicians.

That is why ARTober is a great time to visit Oakhurst and experience the vibrant arts and culture scene. With something for everyone to enjoy, ARTober is the perfect way to spend a month in the Sierra region.


South Gate Brewing Lot Party


In addition to these major events, many other art-related events are happening in Oakhurst during ARTober. Check our full list of events to learn more.

Bass Lake's Pines Village Arts & Craft Fair:

The Pines Village Arts & Craft Fair is a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. The fair will be held on October 27-29 from 10am to 5pm. It will be located at the Pines Village at Bass Lake. Learn more and see more events



Nearby in Madera, the 30th Annual Exhibition of Circle Gallery's "Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts" returns: 

The Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts Competition and Exhibition is an annual event that promotes agriculture by showcasing the work of professional artists who create art about agriculture. The competition also provides a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their work and be recognized for their talent.


So what are you waiting for? 

Visit the region in October and celebrate the arts! You won't be disappointed.

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