Outstanding options for fall fun in Pleasanton with ghosts, Scottish games, markets & more
When you stay at The Rose Hotel in downtown Pleasanton, you’re only a five-minute drive to the Alameda County Fairgrounds and all the fun it offers, from the Scottish Games to the 626 Night Market and more. Also, you’ll want to check out a list of wine-centric events for California Wine Month in the Livermore Valley and get tickets well in advance for the ever-popular Ghost Walk. With events ramping up this fall, you’ll definitely want to book a room and not miss anything!
Celebrate Scottish Culture
One of our favorite events of the year is the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games, and over Labor Day weekend Sept. 4-5, the Fairgrounds hosts the 155th anniversary of this cultural celebration.
Held outdoors only, it features Scottish country music and Irish dancing, Celtic heritage stages, folk singers, impressive athletics, gathering of the clans, Highland dancing, living history, piping and drumming, Scottish vendors, opening and closing ceremonies, and of course, whisky tasting! Watch as hearty Scots vie for honors in the traditional Scottish hammer throwing, putting the stone, weight for height and distance, and sheaf and caber tossing events. Visit the website for specifics, including performance times and locations.
Tickets are sold online only and sell out fast, so visit the website to purchase and for more details. Cost is $15 adults, $10 for ages 12-17 and adults 62 and over, and free for age 11 and under and military with ID.
Find Your Inner Artist at Splatter Festival
The nearby town of Dublin will host its end-of-summer festival, Splatter, from noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at Emerald Glen Park. It showcases music and dance ensembles, cultural and kid-friendly performances, an arts and crafts marketplace, local Tri-Valley wine and craft beer tastings, local food vendors, and cuisine from Food Truck Mafia.
Try your hand at the Chalk Art Competition, where you can purchase a square for $5 and create a masterpiece on the theme “What I Love About Dublin.” The Bruno Mars tribute band Earth to Mars will close out the festivities starting at 7 p.m.
Experience an Epic Night Market
The 626 Night Market reopened in August at the Fairgrounds and will be back again September 24-26. This iconic California event is an homage to the lively night markets of Asia, where people come together to eat, drink, socialize, and be entertained.
The market features hundreds of family-friendly food and merchandise booths along with crafts, arts, games, music, and other attractions spread over more than 10 football fields of space. Tickets are $5; children 3 and younger are free. Get tickets in advance and arrive early to allow time for parking and bag check.
For more Fairgrounds events, please view the online calendar.
Toast to California Wine Month
September is California Wine Month, and the Livermore Valley has a long lineup of ways to enjoy the area’s wares, including live music, wine tastings, a wine auction, and more. Click on the Livermore Valley Winegrowers website for a helpful list and links for more details and to book or buy tickets for a variety of wine-related activities.
Plan Now for the Ghost Walk
One of the most sought-after tickets of the year in Pleasanton is for its famous Ghost Walk, hosted by the Museum on Main. Spooky yet safe for all ages, this is a two-hour guided walking tour of Pleasanton’s most haunted sites along Main Street in the downtown area. It’s being held in person Oct. 15-16 and Oct. 22-23 this year and virtually on Oct. 30. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for ages 12 and under. Buy tickets online here.
No matter what you love to do for entertainment, The Rose Hotel is the ideal home base for exploring the Tri-Valley and beyond. We are honored to host you and help you plan the perfect getaway.
Reach us by emailing [email protected], calling (925) 846-8802, or stopping by to visit at 807 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Click here to book your next visit to the Rose Hotel.
