Things to Do in Temecula & Murrieta in October: Events, Music, Car Shows & More

October is when Temecula and Murrieta really lean into fall. Vineyards are wrapping up harvest, pumpkin patches open across the valley, classic cars fill Historic Downtown Murrieta and Old Town Temecula, and the whole region turns just a little bit spooky. Here's your complete guide to the best concerts, car shows, and unique local events happening this October — including a few you'll only find if you're plugged into local Facebook groups.

Get There in Style: Van'N Boozy VW Bus Wine Tours

Fall is one of the most beautiful times to be out in Temecula Wine Country, cooler temps, golden vineyard views, and harvest still lingering in the air. If a wine tour is part of your October plans, Van'N Boozy is the most memorable way to do it.

• Vintage VW Buses: Ride through Wine Country in a lovingly restored 1970s Volkswagen bus with a fun local guide.
• Choose Your Adventure: The 2-Stop Wine Tour, 3-Stop Wine Tour, Wine & Beer Tour, or our non-alcoholic Mocktail Tour — there's a tour for every kind of group.
• All-Inclusive Tastings: Every stop includes tastings at award-winning wineries, with no hidden fees.

Book your October wine tour today before harvest-season weekends fill up.

Concerts & Live Entertainment at Pechanga

Pechanga Resort Casino's October lineup is stacked:

• Bobby Lee (Comedy) — Saturday, October 3
• Air Supply — Sunday, October 4, 7:30 PM
• Keith Sweat — Thursday, October 8, 8:00 PM
• Ron Feingold (Comedy) — Thursday–Saturday, October 8–10
• John Mulaney — Thursday, October 15, 8:00 PM
• Rotating stand-up headliners continue at the Pechanga Comedy Club most weekends, along with dinner-and-a-show comedy nights at 1882 Cantina and Kelsey's.

Car Shows in Temecula & Murrieta

October is one of the biggest car culture months of the year in the valley:

• Murrieta Rod Run
  • When: Friday, October 9 (Cruise Night, 4:00–8:00 PM) & Saturday, October 10 (Show & Shine, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM)
  • Where: Historic Downtown Murrieta, Washington Avenue
  • Details: Riverside County's finest, with 500+ classic cars and 15,000+ spectators expected. Open to 1980-and-older classics only. Free admission.
• Temecula Car Show
  • When: Sunday, October 11, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (second Sunday of every month)
  • Where: Longshadow Ranch Winery
  • Details: A relaxed wine country meet open to all builds — classics, muscle cars, imports, and exotics — with live music and food trucks.
• Herrkooled VW Nights
  
  • When: October 2, 5:00 PM
  • Where: Vail Headquarters
  • Details: Fun, family friendly VW Car show, with food and drinks nearby.
• Ultimate RV Show
  • Where: Pechanga RV Resort
  • Details: Not a car show, but a fun addition to the month for outdoor lifestyle and vehicle enthusiasts, with dozens of RVs on display and free admission.

Wine Country Harvest Events

• Big Horse Corn Maze & Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
  • When: October 1–31
  • Where: Peltzer Family Cellars
  • Details: A corn maze, pumpkin patch, and full slate of harvest activities running the entire month.
• Bella Vista Winery Grape Stomp 2026: Harvest-season grape stomping continues into early October — check exact dates before you go.
• Peltzer Family Cellars October Movie Nights: Outdoor screenings of fall favorites like Scooby-Doo and ParaNorman under the string lights.
• Leoness Cellars – Chef's Series Dinner: Early Autumn: A seasonal, multi-course dinner paired with Leoness wines.
• Peltzer | HalloWine Party
  • When: Saturday, October 25
  • Details: A costume-friendly Halloween party out in the vines, with wine, music, and fall-forward décor.
• Weekend Live Music: Altisima Winery, Wilson Creek Winery ("The Cheez Whiz Band," "New Rules Collective"), Thornton Winery, and Miramonte Winery all keep their weekend concert lineups going strong through October.

Unique Local Events (Straight From Facebook)

A few of October's best finds are the ones you'd only stumble on scrolling local Facebook groups and pages:

• Wolf Creek Island — Halloween Light & Music Show
  • When: Opening night October 17, running through the month
  • Where: Whitetail Lane, Temecula
  • Details: A free, family-friendly synchronized light show with full production (lights, volcano effects, and music) on Friday and Saturday nights; music synced to your car radio on other nights.
• Europa Village — Hidden Fang Vampire Speakeasy
  • When: Fridays–Sundays, 2:00–10:00 PM, through November 2
  • Where: Europa Village's Vienza Cave
  • Details: A moody, vampire-themed speakeasy pop-up tucked inside the winery's cave — one of the more unique seasonal experiences in Wine Country.
• Pirate House
  • When: Dusk–9:00 PM daily in October
  • Where: Sevilla Ave., Murrieta
  • Details: A beloved neighborhood pirate-themed Halloween display. Free, donations encouraged.
• McGrew Haunted House
  • When: Fridays & Saturdays in October, 6:30–9:30 PM
  • Where: Angelo Drive, Temecula
  • Details: $5 cash entry, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude. Ask ahead about a no-jump-scare walkthrough for younger visitors.
• Temecula Carriages — Headless Horseman Rides
  • When: Throughout October
  • Details: 20-minute themed carriage rides through Old Town for $15 — a fun, low-key way to soak in the Halloween atmosphere.

Non-Alcohol Friendly Things to Do

October has plenty for guests who'd rather skip the wine (or bring the whole family along):

• Van'N Boozy Mocktail Tour: Same vintage VW bus, same scenic Wine Country views, all craft mocktails. It's the perfect fit for designated drivers, sober-curious guests, or anyone who wants the experience without the alcohol. Explore the Mocktail Tour.
• Big Horse Corn Maze & Peltzer Pumpkin Farm: A full month of family-friendly harvest fun.
• Wolf Creek Island Light & Music Show: Free and open to all ages.
• Temecula Carriages Headless Horseman Rides: A relaxed, alcohol-free way to experience Old Town at night.
• Dark in the Park — Concert & Laser Light Show
  • Where: Town Square Park & Amphitheater, Murrieta
  • Details: The City of Murrieta's free, family-friendly early Halloween celebration with live music, a laser light show, trunk-or-treating, and local food vendors. Exact date is announced closer to the event — check the City of Murrieta's events page.
• Old Town Temecula Halloween Carnival: A free community carnival with games, trick-or-treating, and a costume contest at Town Square Park — a longtime local tradition.
• TEDxTemecula 2026: A day of talks and big ideas — a great non-alcohol option for anyone looking for something a little different this October.

Frequently Asked Questions

What car shows are happening in Temecula and Murrieta in October?The Murrieta Rod Run takes over Historic Downtown Murrieta October 9–10, with a Friday Cruise Night and Saturday Show & Shine featuring 500+ classic cars. In Temecula, the monthly Temecula Car Show at Longshadow Ranch Winery falls on Sunday, October 11. Herrkooled Nights is also going on at Vail Headquarters on October 2nd, 5:00 PM!

Are there concerts in Temecula this October?Yes. Pechanga Resort Casino hosts a full October lineup, including Air Supply (Oct 4), Keith Sweat (Oct 8), and comedian John Mulaney (Oct 15), plus rotating weekend live music at wineries like Wilson Creek, Thornton, Altisima, and Miramonte.

What non-alcohol events are there in Temecula and Murrieta in October?Plenty. Big Horse Corn Maze and Peltzer Pumpkin Farm run all month, the Wolf Creek Island Halloween light and music show is free for all ages, Temecula Carriages offers Headless Horseman rides through Old Town, and Murrieta's Dark in the Park brings a free family concert and laser show. Van'N Boozy's non-alcoholic Mocktail Tour is also a great fit if you still want the Wine Country experience.

Where can I find unique Halloween events near Temecula?A few local favorites: Europa Village's Hidden Fang Vampire Speakeasy (Fridays–Sundays through Nov 2), the Pirate House display in Murrieta, and the McGrew Haunted House, which benefits St. Jude. These tend to circulate through local Facebook groups before they hit bigger event calendars, so it's worth following pages like In The Loop Temecula for updates.

Is Van'N Boozy a good option for a fall wine tour?Yes — October's cooler temperatures and harvest-season views make it one of the best months to book. Van'N Boozy offers the 2-Stop, 3-Stop, Wine & Beer, and Mocktail tours, all in vintage VW buses with flat, all-inclusive pricing and fun tour guides.

Plan Your October Trip to Temecula & Murrieta

Between car shows, concerts, harvest festivals, and some genuinely unique Halloween finds, October might be the most fun the valley gets all year. Whatever the plan — wine-soaked or completely dry — Van'N Boozy has a tour to match.

Book your Van'N Boozy tour today and let us handle the driving while you handle the memories.

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