5 Things to Do in Butte County in September
The students are back in school, the promise of fall looms, and the dog days of summer are behind us—welcome, September! The unofficial start of autumn in Butte County is a reinvigorating time in the county, chock full of local activities for residents and visitors alike.
Whether it’s settling in for some wings and a beer for the start the fall sports seasons or bringing the family along for community events, September provides a bounty of fun, engaging activities.
Celebrate in Chico with Live Music
Get ready to rock out at two great Chico concerts this September.
Head to Downtown Chico on Saturday, Sept.9, 2023, for the inaugural ChicoLive Music Festival. From Noon-7pm, immerse yourself in the magic of live music with four popular bands performing at the Chico City Plaza. And after the final band, continue the party with Downtown Live, featuring live music at various downtown venues.
Country music fans won't want to miss the 3rd annual Chico Country SummerFest, a festival celebrating "All Things Country!" Enjoy three live country music tribute bands, great food, corn hole, gambling tables, a kids-zone, inflatables, games, vendors, and more on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
Watch the Gold Cup Race of Champions
Racing fans have long flocked to Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway for sprint car action on the quarter-mile oval, and the competition is at some of its fiercest during the Gold Cup Race of Champions. Kicking off Wed., Sept. 6, 2023, the multi-day racing event also includes a concert, glow part, and other fun events on top of the high-competition racing taking place all week.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Put on your best Lederhosen and get ready to yell Prost!
Longtime favorite Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest returns in 2023! Join the brewery in the Hop Field for a German-inspired celebration featuring Sierra Nevada beer (including their seasonal Oktoberfest Lager), ample fest food, live music, glass-blowing demos, a Chicken Dance contest, a Flash Your ‘Stache competition, and more! This year's extravaganza will span two weekends, Fri. 9/29-Sat. 9/30 and Fri. 10/6-Sat. 10/7, so you have four days to choose from!
Celebrate at the Oroville Salmon Festival
Another annual event paying homage to local nature, the Salmon Festival is a celebration of the migration season that brings the fish back to the Feather River in advance of the spring spawn. Including a street fair with arts, crafts, and exhibits, complete with various salmon dishes, viewings at the fish hatchery (and more), this is an outstanding family event, especially for those with nature-loving kids. Always the last Saturday in September.
You can also enjoy a guided float down the Feather River, hosted by the Forebay Aquatic Center. Starting at the Feather River Fish Hatchery and ending at Riverbend Park, kayak down the river and get up-close and personal to the migrating salmon. Visit the Forebay Aquatic Center's website for more information to and reserve your spot!
Catch a Game
Up in the pines, Paradise High School’s football program is perennially a powerhouse in the Northern Section. Games at Om Wraith Field are a raucous, energetic blast—Paradise residents turn out in droves whether they have kids on the team or not, and the field is nestled in the pines, giving a feeling to visiting teams that they are stepping into the Bobcats’ well-guarded lair.
In Oroville, the jewel remains Harrison Stadium, a modern all-purpose stadium that plays home to Oroville, Las Plumas, and, on occasion, even Butte College, a junior college team of national renown.
Of course, if you’re more of an armchair quarterback, there are numerous watering holes with big screens all across the county. If the comfort of a chain restaurant is your speed, Chico’s got Buffalo Wild Wings, but it’s also well worth checking out some more local flavor. Downtown Chico’s Madison Bear Garden remains a popular choice for its many screens (including outdoor patio TVs) and tasty burgers. If you’d rather watch the game over some billiards, The Keg Room in Oroville is a more cozy bar setting with a short menu of tasty bites and pool tables.