ARTober FEST

ARTober FEST

ARTober FEST 2026 Event Guide

Overview

The ARTober FEST celebration throughout October seeks to merge artistic expression with community engagement, creating a dynamic gathering that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Chico. Through partnerships with the Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA), Chico Art Center, Chico Arts Commission, Chico Arts & Culture Foundation, Chico Visual Arts Alliance, local educational institutions such as Butte College and Chico State, and a diverse array of local artists and organizations, ARTober FEST features a wide range of activities including live performances, art exhibitions, workshops, and community events.

Signature Events

• October 1 - 31 - ARTober FEST Month Long Art Walk: Stroll through Downtown Chico to view the work of local artists in participating downtown businesses!
• Friday, October 9 (5:00 - 8:00 PM) - Art & Wine Walk: Enjoy the Downtown Chico Business Association Annual Art & Wine Walk! Since 2015, this signature event has showcased local artists, regional wine, beer, cider and spirits, plus live music and artist showcases throughout Downtown Chico.
• Friday, October 30 (2:00 - 6:00 PM) - Treat Street: Bring the whole family to Downtown Chico for a safe and festive Halloween tradition with trick-or-treating, live music, local businesses and community organizations, performances, photo opportunities and plenty of Halloween fun.

Music in the Streets

Join us in Downtown Chico every Saturday in October for Music in the Streets!

Enjoy live music throughout Downtown Chico as local performers bring music to the streets each Saturday during ARTober FEST. Spend the day exploring downtown, visiting local businesses, checking out the Month Long Art Walk, and enjoying live performances along the way.

Saturdays in October:

• October 17th - DJ Luvrgrl (3:00 - 5:00 PM)
• October 24th - Will Hartman (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) / Mars Robinson (3:00 - 5:00 PM)
• October 31st - Buck and Lone Wolf (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) / Sunny Herrara (3:00 - 5:00 PM)

Performance Locations:

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: 3rd & Broadway Street

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: 3rd & Main Street

ARTober FEST Month Long Art Walk

October 1 - 31

Stroll through Downtown Chico throughout October to view artwork and exhibits by local artists at participating downtown businesses and locations. Times vary by location.

• 3 Seas - 334 Broadway St.
  Artwork by Paul Kaplan
• Amy Waltz Designs - 113 W. 2nd St.
  Artwork by Caitlin Schwerin
• Anika Burke - 211 Main St.
  Artwork by JD Reed
• Argus Bar and Patio - 212 W. 2nd St.
  Artwork by Dylan Tellefsen and James Ruper
• Art Etc. - 256 E. 1st St.
  Artwork by teachers and students of all levels.
• B Street Public House - 117 Broadway St.
  Artwork by Dylan Tellefsen
• Birkenstock Chico - 333 Broadway St.
  Artwork by Lois Cohen
• Boba Tealicious - 225 Main St.
  Artwork by Madison Boa Photography
• Chico History Museum - 141 Salem St.
  Exhibits of Chico heritage through time
• cottonparty - 337 Broadway St.
  Artwork by Candy Matthews
• Country Squyres Antiques - 164 E. 3rd St.
  Artwork by Stained Glass Mosaic and Michelle Corny Squyres
• Envee Hair Studio and Spa - 260 E. 1st St.
  Artwork by Dragon Boy
• For Elyse - 228 Broadway St.
  Artwork by Nick Knazic
• Harmonious Embrace & Celestial Creations Art Studio - 225 Main St.
  Artwork by Regina Mussart and Celestial Creations
• Hydration Happens - 295 E. 3rd St.
  Artwork by Robert Kermen
• Janet Turner Print Museum - Chico State Campus
  Located at Chico State Campus. Exhibitions include Trying to Get It Right: Michael Bishop and Grace Hertlein: Early Digital Artist and Advocate.
• Kats Meow - 138 W. 3rd St.
  Artwork by Chico Art School & Gallery Students
• Little Red Hen Home - 204 Main St.
  Artwork by Alex Marshall
• Little Red Hen Vintage - 215 Main St.
  Artwork by David Plant
• Made in Chico - 127 W. 3rd St.
  Artwork by Paula Busch and Jerry Hawkins
• Main Street Plaza - 331 Main St.
  Artwork by various artists
• Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA) - 900 Esplanade
  Exhibitions by Blue Marlene 21 and Patti Peavey and Sonoma Alliance Center of Chico
• Poppy & Fig - 225 Main St.
  Artwork by Lucy O'Connor
• Rustic Shears - 225 Main St.
  Artwork by Roly Poly Pottery
• The Allies Pub - 426 Broadway
  Artwork by Steve Ferchaud
• The Art of Kell - 152 E. 2nd St.
  Artwork by Kell McDonald
• The Bookstore - 118 Main St.
  Artwork by various artists
• The Raw Bar Restaurant & Sushi - 346 Broadway St.
  Exhibition by Paulus Busch
• The Watchman - 130 W. 3rd St.
  Artwork by Lover Girl Goods
• Vagabond Rose Gallery - 236 Main St.
  Artwork by Regional Artists including but not limited to Janet Turner, Sal Casa, Francis Miller and Stan Stours
• Woodstock's Pizza - 240 Main St.
  Mural Art by Christian Garcia

ARTober Events

Celebrate the arts and culture of Chico throughout October with exhibitions, performances, workshops, markets, live music and other community events.

• Thursday, October 1 (4:00 - 7:00 PM) - Print, Paste, Create!
  Hosted by Janet Turner Print Museum. Join a free community printmaking event inspired by artwork in the museum's collection.
• Friday, October 2 (2:00 PM) - Live Niche!
  Live music hosted by The Commons.
• Friday, October 2 (7:00 PM) - Bob's Comedy Show
  Hosted by Argus Bar. Enjoy a night of laughs with Drew Neildtubody, Troy Nardioli and Brady Lohr.
• October 3 - 4 - Vocal Seminar
  Hosted by Viva Nova Entertainment & Olivia Cornelius. Enjoy the chance to see and improve your voice through a live panel feedback experience.
• Saturday, October 3 - ARTober FEST 2026 Kickoff Reception, Awards and Art Tour
  Hosted by the Chico Arts and Culture Foundation. Join for a recognition of the newly installed Chico Bike Rack Art, an open-house information booth for the Open Studios Art Tour and an art tour.
• October 3 (7:00 - 9:00 PM) - Oktoberfest
  Hosted by Argus Bar. Street and Bierhaus activities with the opportunity to celebrate throughout Downtown Chico.
• Thursday, October 8 (5:30 PM) - Grace Hertlein Day
  Hosted by the Janet Turner Print Museum at the Performing Arts Center, Room 134. Join for a curator talk celebrating Grace Hertlein's work followed by an opening reception at the gallery.
• Friday, October 9 (5:00 PM) - Art Reception
  Enjoy a reception at Art Etc. and take a look at artwork from teachers and students of all levels.
• Friday, October 9 (5:00 - 8:00 PM) - Art & Wine Walk
  Explore Downtown Chico while visiting participating businesses, local artists and beverage tasting locations, with live music and special installations throughout downtown.
• Friday, October 9 (6:00 PM) - Big Mural: Out of Nowhere!
  Presented at the Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA). Experience a mural and exhibition by Chico artist Sal Casa.
• Saturday, October 10 (10:00 PM) - Something Wicked This Way Comes
  Hosted by The Senator Avenue. Join for a night of spooky, high-energy blend of drag and burlesque performances.
• Sunday, October 11 (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM) - Pumpkin Paint + Sip
  Stop into Fall Magic with Sierra Joy Painting for a guided, magical pumpkin painting session.
• Sunday, October 11 (2:00 - 4:00 PM) - Marigold Garland Workshop with Pam Creek Flowers
  Learn how to make a simple, traditional Aztec marigold garland for your Día de Muertos altar while enjoying a drink and seasonal ambiance at a local venue.
• Monday, October 12 (5:00 - 8:00 PM) - Open Mic Night
  Hosted by Stoble Rooftop. Enjoy local live music, open mic performances, coffee and rooftop views.
• Thursday, October 15 (5:30 - 8:00 PM) - Inspire's Fall Arts and Science Open House
  Experience Inspire's vibrant community while enjoying live performances by Enya & W1, interactive exhibits and more.
• Thursday, October 15 (7:00 PM) - Ghost Stories for Grown Ups
  Hear your heart pound a little harder while listening to chilling tales told by master ghost storytellers in the Train Car at Chico Art Center.
• Friday, October 16 (7:00 PM) - Coming Out for Art (CORA)
  Humans are storytellers. Join featured listeners for a collection of true stories of those who must tell their coming-out stories and reveal the cost of HOME.
• Friday, October 16 (7:00 - 10:00 PM) - Kelly Twist
  Hosted by Argus Bar and Patio. Join for an evening performance of dueling pianos, dance and multi-genre song requests.
• Saturday, October 17 (12:00 - 2:00 PM) - Ofrenda Candle Holder Classroom
  Learn how to create a meaningful personal addition to your Día de los Muertos ofrenda by creating your own candle holder at Stoble.
• Sunday, October 18 (6:00 PM) - Halloween Trivia
  Join for a round of Halloween nostalgia celebrating spooky season with trivia, treats and local vendor magic.
• Thursday, October 22 (6:00 - 8:00 PM) - Spooky Movie Trivia
  Join for a nostalgic Halloween movie trivia event at Stoble.
• Friday, October 23 (6:00 PM) - Paint Bingo
  Join Vagabond Rose Gallery for a fun night of bingo.
• Friday, October 23 (7:30 PM) - A Conversation with Amy Tan
  Spend an evening with bestselling author Amy Tan at Laxson Auditorium.
• Saturday, October 24 (6:00 PM) - Halloween Pop-Up Market
  Shop Stoble for a haunting market featuring spooky bits, all-ages offerings and everything in between.
• Friday, October 30 (2:00 - 6:00 PM) - Treat Street
  Bring the whole family to Downtown Chico for trick-or-treating, live music, local businesses, community organizations, performances, photo opportunities and Halloween fun.
• Friday, October 30 (8:00 PM) - Dead and Covered Special Halloween Event
  Hosted at Duffy's and featuring three cover acts.
• Friday, October 30 (8:30 PM) - Spooky Comedy
  Hosted by The Commons. Enjoy a fun night of comedy.
• Saturday, October 31 (6:00 - 9:00 PM) - Halloween at The Commons
  Live music, fire dancers, an all-new Voodoo Hotel by The Commons, stop by for a costume-friendly Halloween celebration.

Event times and details vary. Please view the complete ARTober FEST 2026 Event Guide for additional information.

Get Featured on the ARTober Fest Event Page!

Hosting an art exhibit, workshop, performance, reception, or other creative event in Chico this October? Submit your event to be included in the ARTober Fest 2026 Event Guide, distributed widely in print and digital formats throughout the community.

Submit Community Event Information Here

Downtown Business Information

If your downtown business is interested in participating in the ARTober Fest month long art walk, please submit the correct form below:

I am a Downtown Business - Submit Month Long Art Walk Information Here

*If you have already partnered with a local artist, please submit information above.

I am a Local Artist - Pair Me with a Downtown Business

*Artists of all kinds are welcome! Painting, drawing, sculpting, music, and more! Art is in the eye of the beholder, we just ask that all work be family-friendly.

Volunteer

Volunteers play an essential role in making Downtown Chico events possible! From helping with setup and logistics to greeting guests and supporting activities, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference in your community.

Click the button below to complete our volunteer request form and let us know which events or times you're available to help with.

Volunteer Form

Have questions? Contact us at dcba@downtownchico.com or call (530) 345-6500 for more information.

Contact

Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA)
Welcome Center: 338 Broadway, Chico, CA 95928
Phone: (530) 345-6500
Email: events@downtownchico.com

DCBA Sponsorship Opportunities