We'll Be at Walnut Creek Oktoberfest — September 25 & 26

Downtown Walnut Creek throws a proper party at the end of September, and this year the Tiny Time Traveler books are joining it. Walnut Creek Oktoberfest runs Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, 2026 — two days of live bands, traditional dancing, local food, artisan vendors, and a biergarten pouring dozens of craft beers.

Admission is free with an RSVP.

Yes, There's a Whole Zone Just for Kids

If "Oktoberfest" sounds like an adults-only afternoon, the Kinder Karneval is the part to know about. Kinder Karneval is German for "children's carnival," and it takes over Civic Park East for the length of the festival.

Inside you'll find inflatable games, a giant slide, train rides, a petting zoo, mini golf, face painting, and balloon artistry. A Kids Zone pass covers all of the children's activities across both Friday and Saturday, so there is no fumbling for ride tickets one at a time.

Right next to it, the Community Stage runs acts from local schools, music and dance, story times, a magician, a costume contest, and live music.

That is a lot of festival for one afternoon, and it is genuinely built for families — not just tolerant of them.

The Details

• What: Walnut Creek Oktoberfest
• When: Friday, September 25, 5:00 – 10:00 PM, and Saturday, September 26, 12:00 – 9:00 PM
• Where: Downtown Walnut Creek — Kinder Karneval in Civic Park East
• Cost: Free admission with RSVP
• Dress code: Optional, but dirndls and lederhosen are encouraged
• Find us: Both days — Friday evening and all day Saturday

Find the Books

The Tiny Time Traveler series will be at the festival both days, and I'll be there Friday evening and all day Saturday to sign copies and answer questions from young readers. If one day doesn't work for your family, the other will.

An autumn harvest festival is a fitting place for these stories, as it happens. Ancient Iran had its own version — Mehregan, the Persian autumn celebration, thousands of years old and built on the same simple instructions: gather your people, share what the season gave you, and say thank you out loud. Different music, different food, same idea. Kids tend to catch that connection faster than adults do.

If your children have never met the archaeology of ancient Iran, this is an easy first introduction — the world's first animation on a painted goblet from the Burnt City, an 8,000-year-old flute, the Bronze Age metalworkers of Shahdad. Real places, real objects, told as adventures.

Start Reading

New to the series? Begin with The First Animation of the Ancient World, Book 1, or browse the full collection. Book 1 is also available in Persian.

See You in Walnut Creek

Two days, one biergarten, a giant slide, and a stack of books about ancient Persia. Come find us.

Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, downtown Walnut Creek. Full festival details at walnutcreekdowntown.com.