🌾Rice Festivals in California

Frequently asked

When is rice season in California?

Rice harvest in California runs September through October. The Sacramento Valley — Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Yolo counties — is the heart of California's rice industry, producing primarily medium-grain Calrose rice used in sushi and Asian cooking. The flooded paddies of the Sacramento Valley support one of the most important migratory bird habitats on the Pacific Flyway; rice harvest festivals in the region often celebrate both the crop and the wildlife it supports. Harvest events and U-pick windows follow the same window — check each listing for exact 2026 dates.

Can you pick your own rice in California?

Browse the Gather Grove U-pick directory to find pick-your-own farms near you.

Are rice festivals in California free?

It varies — many are free community events, while others are ticketed. Each festival's page on Gather Grove lists its admission.