What is happening in Elk Grove this week, September 22, 2026

We’ve Got History  Started as a stage stop along the historic Lincoln Highway in 1850, Elk Grove has become a vibrant city home to more than 180,000 people. This is Elk Grove History Week. Join local organizations in celebrating Elk Grove’s storied past and proud heritage. Learn more about these History Week events at activities and take the digital walking tour of Historic Main Street.

Surf’s Up! Fall Soccer Attracts Teams from Across the West  Elk Grove’s soccer fields will fill with young athletes this weekend as Elk Grove Surf hosts their annual Fall Cup, September 26 and 27. The Fall Cup draws youth soccer clubs from across the West Coast. The tournament is expected to welcome more than 4,000 attendees across Boys and Girls divisions ranging from U8 to U19.  What does all this mean for residents? Sports tournaments like the Fall Cup deliver a meaningful boost to our local economy. Explore Elk Grove estimates that the weekend visitors will contribute more than $1.6 million in direct business sales and over $80,000 in local tax revenue.  Join us in welcoming our Fall Cup visitors this weekend.

Diversity Month Delivers a Little More Fun & Celebration Bayanihan is a Filipino word that means a spirit of communal unity, cooperation, and mutual help. That spirit will be on full display at the Bayanihan Festival this Saturday at District56. Learn more about and celebrate the Filipino culture through entertainment, food, more than 70 vendors, activities and more. Festivities are free to attend and scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It Isn’t Fall Until the Giant Pumpkins Arrive  Cosumnes CSD is bringing the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival back to Elk Grove Park on October 3 & 4! Watch massive pumpkins tip the scales at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off, then cheer on costumed paddlers in the Pumpkin Regatta. Add live entertainment, tasty food, contests, and family fun, and you have a weekend packed with everything you love about fall. Learn more at CosumnesCSD.gov/GPF.

Americans Stand Ready  September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s national theme is Americans Stand Ready. When households take a few steps ahead of time, whole communities can be better prepared and recover faster.    California faces many hazards, from wildfires and heat waves to winter storms. Earthquakes can strike without advance prediction, so preparing before shaking starts matters.  Four steps to take this month: Download the free MyShake app so you can receive earthquake warning alerts. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On until the action feels automatic. Build a go-bag and emergency supply kit with food, water, medication, important documents, a flashlight, and supplies for pets. Make a family plan. Decide where you will meet, who you will call, and how you will reconnect if phones or power are down.   Sign up for local emergency alerts and find preparedness checklists at Ready.ca.gov.

Breaking Barriers: Mental Health in an Unequal World  Mental health knows no boundaries, but sociocultural differences can create unique challenges to accessing care. The City’s Diversity and Inclusion Commission is exploring these disparities through its Cultural Connections speaker series, “Breaking Barriers: Mental Health in an Unequal World.”  October 10 is globally recognized as World Mental Health Day, a time to encourage conversations about mental health, challenge stigma, and highlight the importance of mental well-being.   This event will feature local panelists representing different backgrounds who will share their experience with mental health, accessing care, and navigating stigma. Guests will be introduced to techniques for addressing these challenges and guided through self-care exercises   “Breaking Barriers: Mental Health in an Unequal World” will take place on Wednesday, October 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at District56. The event is free and open to everyone. Doors open at 6 p.m.

City Calendar

Celebrate Elk Grove History Week September 20-26
09/21 History Week: Historical Society Presentation (6 p.m.)
09/21 Trails Committee Meeting (6 p.m.)
09/22 History Week: Create a History Collage (11 a.m.)
09/23 City Council Meeting (6 p.m.)
09/24 Arts & Creative Economy Commission Meeting (6 p.m.)
09/25 History Week: Haunted History Tours (5:30 p.m.)
09/26 Around the World with the Library (1 p.m.)
09/26 Beef & Reef Bash (5 p.m.)
09/27 Bayanhihan Festival (11 a.m.)
09/30 Coffee with a Cop (10 a.m.)
10/01 Planning Commission Meeting (6 p.m.)
10/03 Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival (10 a.m.)
10/04 Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival (10 a.m.)