Whale Fest 2025
Whale Fest is taking over Downtown Fort Bragg on the weekend of March 14th through 16th and, like the migrating leviathans we celebrate, this year’s festivities will be bigger and better than ever. There’s a Downtown Wine Walk with the return this year of the Chowder Tasting Competition, the Fort Bragg Beer Festival, a 10k/5k Whale Run and Walk, a craft fair, live music, food trucks and much more.
Could there be a better time to visit Fort Bragg?
Of course, the whales will be moving through all winter, so if March 14th-16th doesn’t work out, no worries. Come anytime through April to see the amazing migration of Fort Bragg’s favorite cetaceans
All events take place rain or shine.
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Saturday, March 15, 2025
Whale Run 5k & 10k and Fun Walk
Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg and Noyo Sunrise is proud to sponsor and host the ever-popular run and walk along the coast that includes a Kiddie Race, 10k and 5k runs and a Fun Walk.
Downtown Wine Walk & Chowder Competition
Saturday, March 15, 2025
The Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Bragg are thrilled to bring back the Fort Bragg Whale Festival Downtown Wine Walk & Chowder Tasting Competition. That’s right, Chowder Tasting is back and you can sample them (and vote for your favorite) along with beautiful wines and hors d’oeuvres from over a dozen Mendocino County wineries at this year’s new location in the City Hall Gymnasium at Laurel and Franklin Streets.
Fort Bragg Rotary Club’s Beer Fest
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Rotary Beer Festival is back. Save the date and join us on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Eagles Hall from 12-4pm for an incredible selection of beer and some great live music. Tickets are $40 and food will be available for purchase. So come taste some ales and watch the whales at this benefit for Fort Bragg Rotary Club with proceeds going to scholarships as well as local and international projects.
Symphony of the Redwoods Spring Concert
Saturday – Sunday, March 15 & 16
The theme of water unifies favorite classics with orchestral virtuosic masterpieces and a rhythmic American premiere. Mexican – Japanese flautist Rayó Furuta joins SoR in the American Premiere of Alexis Aranda’s “Acqua.” which explores the water signs of the zodiac with soaring melodies and driving Latin rhythms.
Both Shows at Cotton Auditorium
Saturday, 7:30 PM
Sunday, 2:00 PM
Town Hall Craft Fair
Saturday & Sunday, March 15 & 16
The Soroptimists are hosting a whale of sale at Town Hall from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Treat yourself to a unique shopping experience at two craft fairs — one inside and one outside. You’ll find a wide variety of amazing, handcrafted items, from quilts and toys to iron works, pottery, knits and crochet, jewelry, paintings, tools, and puzzles. You won’t find a better place to get a one-of-a-kind gift for a fan of Fort Bragg.
Noyo Center Whale Events & Exhibits
Friday – Sunday, March 14 – 16
Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science throughout March for a variety of special events and exhibits to celebrate Whale Festival and the annual gray whale migration. Click the link below for the full schedule and remember that your support helps the Noyo Center do its incredible work.
Mendo Park Fort Bragg Weekend
Saturday – Sunday, March 15 – 16
Join MendoParks for three awesome adventures. Join a guided tour along the Whale Tail Trail on Saturday, March at 10:00 AM starting at Laguna Point in MacKeerricher State Park. That night is the MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program across from the park entrance kiosk from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Then, on Sunday, meet by the visitor center at 11:00 AM for the MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting.
Whale Watching Tours
Looking to get up close and personal with Fort Bragg’s migratory whales? Multiple whale watching charters depart out of Noyo Harbor throughout the season. You’ll find them below on the coastal activities page. Be sure to reach out to them directly for current weather conditions and departure times.
Fort Bragg Crab Feed
Saturday, January 25, 2025
12:00 to 6:00 PM
Fort Bragg Fire House – 141 N. Main Street
Fort Bragg Rotary and Mendocino Coast Foundation present the Fort Bragg Crab Feed. It’s an all you can eat feast with crab, bread, clam chowder and salad. Tickets are $85 and benefit Timberwolf Stadium and Fort Bragg Rotary Project.
Fort Bragg Blues Festival
Fort Bragg
Blues Festival
SAVE THE DATE: May 2 – 4, 2025
Plans are underway for the first-ever Fort Bragg Blues Festival. It promises to be an unforgettable three days of blues music, with notable performers appearing at venues all around downtown Fort Bragg. Start making your plans now and follow along to learn more as Fort Bragg Blues Festival gets closer.
Here are a few of the artists scheduled to perform so far.
Look for more to come:
• JC Smith Band – INFO
• Brad Wilson and the Rhythm Drivers – INFO
• Mark Hummel, with Steve Fruend – INFO
• Big Mo and the Full Moon Band + Volker Strifler – INFO
For volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, contact Pam Bell at: pmbell108@gmail.com
Follow Fort Bragg Blues Festival On Social Media
Sea to Table: An Exclusive Evening with Noyo Harbor’s Fishermen
Sea to Table: An Exclusive Evening with Noyo Harbor’s Fishermen
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Noyo Harbor Inn
Join us for the inaugural Noyo Harbor Sea to Table dinner, an exclusive event at Noyo Harbor Inn. This special evening offers rare, intimate access to three of our local fishermen and is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from those who know the ocean best. Your evening will start with urchin diver Grant Downie, who will crack live sea urchins as you sip your cocktail. Try a unique “uni shooter” as you talk with Grant about the fascinating world of urchin diving and the challenges of harvesting in today’s ocean climate.
For the main course, Captain Dan Platt, a seasoned fisherman of Noyo Harbor, will share stories of his life at sea and the dedication required to bring the freshest fish to your plate.
Also joining us will be Noyo Harbor District’s Harbormaster Anna Neumann with a unique perspective on the state of today’s fisheries and marinas.
This unforgettable evening will benefit the Noyo Harbor District and its mission of supporting and maintaining a viable and sustainable fishing community.
Call Noyo Harbor Inn at 707-961-8000 to make reservations. Tickets are $100 +gratuity and tax.
Fiesta Latina
Fiesta Latina
Sunday, September 22, 2024
2 to 6 PM
Bainbridge Park, E. Laurel Street
A celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Fiesta Latina features food trucks, traditional foods, live music, craft vendors and Kids Crafts Corner.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Noon to 5 pm
C.V. Starr Community Center
Parents and Friends together with CV Starr Community Center proudly present Oktoberfest, featuring a who’s who of the region’s best breweries, wineries and distilleries. Formerly known as Beer, Bison & Bluegrass, Oktoberfest is a 21 and over event with live music, food, crafts, a cornhole tournament and silent auction. Tickets are $45 in advance, $60 at the door, and benefit Parents & Friends, Inc. and the C.V. Starr Community Center.
- Beer, wine & spirits
- Live music, food, and crafts
- Cornhole Tournament
- Must be 21 years or over
When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Noon to 5 pm
Where: C.V. Starr Community Center
FLY TO FORT BRAGG VIA LITTLE RIVER AIRPORT
Fly To Fort Bragg Via Little River Airport
Location
FAA Identifier: LLR
Lat/Long: 39-15-43.4000N 123-45-13.6000W
39-15.723333N 123-45.226667W
39.2620556,-123.7537778 (estimated)
Elevation: 573.8 ft. / 174.9 m (surveyed)
Variation: 15E (2010)
From city: 3 miles SE of LITTLE RIVER, CA
Time zone: UTC -7 (UTC -8 during Standard Time)
Zip code: 95456
Mendocino Coast Purple Urchin Festival
Mendocino Coast
Purple Urchin Festival
June 7 to 16 – Noyo Harbor and throughout Mendocino Coast
