Community Corner

Walnut Festival: The City's Biggest Celebration Happens This Weekend

Since 1911, Walnut Creek has set aside September for a special celebration. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

For 76 years, Walnut Creek has ushered in the fall with a cherished event that runs for most of September, and ends with a three-day celebration of rides, food, and music. 

The Walnut Festival returns to Heather Farm Thursday through Sunday. Entry is $6 per person per day, or $5 with a donation of canned food. Kids five and under, over 65 or military veterans get in free. Coupons good for entry and day-long free rides can be purchased for $20 per day. 

In addition to two carnival areas, there will be a car show on Saturday and Sunday, and a variety of food and drink booths. 

The Kids Fish-In is Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 11 a.m. Kids can fish in the freshly-stocked lake, and those experienced with fishing will be on hand to help. All the necessary fishing gear is provided. This is a free event, but donations are gladly accepted. 

As always, the festival features three days of live music from a variety of Bay Area bands. So many bands, in fact, that it takes two stages to feature them all. 

Thursday: 
Carnival Stage: 

  • Jessica Platt hosts the Walnut Festival Karaoke event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Main Stage:
  • 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Nick Montes
  • 7 to 10 p.m. - Public Eye 
Friday:
Carnival Stage:
  • 5:00 -6:00 - Moma Foxy
  • 6:30 -7:30 - Radio Keys
  • 8:00 -9:15 - Axis
  • 9:30 -11:00- Square One
Main Stage: 
  • 5:30 -6:30 - Adam Briere Quartet
  • 7:00 -8:00 - Magical Band of Mists
  • 8:30-9:30 - Open Frequency
  • 10:00 -10:50 - Special Guest Headliner
Saturday: 
Carnival Stage: 
  • 11 -3:30 - DVC Rock & Rhythm Review
  • 4:00 -5:00 - Bullywest
  • 5:30 -6:30 - High Cotton
  • 7:00 -9:00 - Garageland Rodeo
  • 9:30 -11:00 - The UnOriginals
Main Stage: 
  • 11 - 12 - The Breedloves
  • 12:30 -1:30 - Agape Soul
  • 2:00 - 3:00 - Cofnhunter
  • 3:30 - 4:30 - Allman Step Brothers
  • 5:00 - 6:00 - Bad Boy Eddy 
  • 6:30 -7:30 - Fred Barchetta
  • 8:00 -9:00 The Haze Experience
  • 9:30 - 11:00 The Frank Hannon Band
Sunday: 
Carnival Stage: 
  • 11 - 12 - Leah Woodward Trio
  • 12:30 -1:30 - Nick Montes
  • 2:00 - 3:00 - The Guilty Saints
  • 3:30 -4:30 - Crosstown 5
  • 5:00 -6:30 - Highway 4
  • 7:00 -8:30 - The Breedloves
Main Stage: 
  • 11 -12 - Raymond Anthony
  • 12:30 -1:30 The Uriah Duffy Trio
  • 2:00 - 3:00 - Rodeo House
  • 3:30 - 4:30 - Dippin Sauce
  • 5:00 - 6:00 Puro Bandido
  • 6:30 - 7:30 - Gigantis
  • 8:00 -9:00 Space Monkey Gangsta

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