Weekend Guide
Weekend Events in Santa Clarita: November 6-8, 2026
Halloween is in the rearview and the quiet stretch before the holiday season is here, which makes this the perfect laid-back weekend to catch a big concert, hit the golden-hill trails, and start planning the month ahead. The headliner: Dial Up Fest brings Nelly and Sugar Ray to Castaic Lake on Saturday, November 7. Here is the full November 6-8 weekend guide from your SCV insider, Sam Silver.
November 6-8, 2026 Sam Silver 5 min read
Saturday, November 7 is the weekend's anchor: Dial Up Fest lands at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area with 90s and 2000s pop and hip-hop headliners Nelly and Sugar Ray. Around it, the weekend is a gentle one: the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market on Saturday morning, the College of the Canyons market on Sunday, golden-hill trail season before the first rains, and the countdown to Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. With the pumpkin patches and Fright Fest wrapped, this is the year's easiest weekend to enjoy the valley's slower side before the holidays take over. Here is everything happening, current events first.
Friday, Nov 6
Quiet night: fall trails, Old Town eats, market prep
Saturday, Nov 7
Dial Up Fest at Castaic Lake, Newhall market, holiday prep
Saturday AM
Old Town Newhall Farmers Market, 8:30 AM - 1 PM
Sunday, Nov 8
COC market, fall hikes, Veterans Day planning
Events This Weekend
This weekend's events, listed newest first. Times and venues verified where available.
Dial Up Fest: Nelly & Sugar Ray at Castaic Lake
Saturday, Nov 7 · Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
The big one this weekend: Dial Up Fest brings its national tour to the SCV's own backyard at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, with Nelly and Sugar Ray headlining a 90s and 2000s pop, hip-hop, and rock bill. It is a rare chance to catch a touring festival without leaving the valley. Tickets are on sale now, listed from around $103 on ticket marketplaces, and Saturday event days at the lake tend to get stronger as the date approaches. Arrive early, because the parking lots inside the recreation area fill fast on concert days, and remember that lakeside evenings in November turn cold quickly after sunset.
Saturday, November 7 at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Castaic. Gates and set times are organizer-managed, so confirm on the ticket listing before you go. Get the lay of the lake with the complete Castaic Lake recreation guide.
Farmers Markets: Old Town Newhall & College of the Canyons
Saturday & Sunday mornings · Late fall harvest
Early November is the tail of the fall harvest at the valley's markets. The Old Town Newhall Farmers Market fills the library parking lot at 24500 Main Street on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM with late-season peppers, pomegranates, winter squash, artisan goods, and the best coffee-and-brunch walk on Main Street. Sunday morning the Certified Farmers' Market sets up in Parking Lot 5 at College of the Canyons (Valencia Blvd & Rockwell Canyon Rd) from 8 AM to noon, year-round. Load up on apples for pies and squash for the week, and grab a caramel apple while the season lasts.
Veterans Day Preview: Ceremony on November 11
Wednesday, Nov 11, 11 AM · Veterans Historical Plaza, Newhall
This weekend is the perfect time to mark your calendar for Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11 at 11 AM, the City of Santa Clarita and American Legion Post 507 host the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Historical Plaza (24275 N. Walnut St) in Old Town Newhall. The one-hour program includes a color guard, patriotic music from the Hart High School Show Choir, a POW/MIA remembrance, the changing of the flags, and veteran resource organizations on site. As a U.S. Army veteran, I will be there, and I hope you will be too.
Complete Veterans Day 2026 GuideGolden-Hill Trail Season Before the Rains
Weekend hikes · Pleasant 60s-70s, clear skies
Before the first big rains turn the canyons green, early November is the last golden window for the valley's signature hill hikes. Towsley Canyon in Ed Davis Park is beautiful in the low light, with the 5.1-mile Towsley View Loop showing off the seasonal creek while it still runs. Vasquez Rocks up Sierra Highway stays a great, easy county-park outing with its tilted sandstone slabs, and the fall-color hikes at Rice Canyon are peaking on the shaded slopes. Mornings are the move: crisp air, clean light, and half the trail crowds of spring.
Start Planning the Holiday Season
Light Up Main Street, Festival of Trees & more ahead
The holidays arrive fast after this weekend. Light Up Main Street on Saturday, November 21 turns five blocks of Old Town Newhall into a winter wonderland with real snow and the tree lighting at 5:30 PM, and the Festival of Trees at the Canyon Country Community Center (Nov 20-22) fills the venue with decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses for the Boys & Girls Club. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags starts the week of Thanksgiving. This weekend is the calm before it all, so grab your plans early, especially for Light Up Main Street dinner reservations.
More November Weekend Highlights
A few more ways to enjoy the first full November weekend around the valley.
Castaic Lake Recreation
Open year-round · All around the lake
Even if you skip the festival, November is a fine month at the lake: fishing, boating, and the shoreline trails are quiet, and the golden hills frame the water beautifully. See the full Castaic Lake guide.
Old Town Newhall Recovery Shopping
All weekend · Main Street, Newhall
Patronize Old Town's restaurants, tasting rooms, and shops as the neighborhood rebuilds from the August fire. Every visit is recovery support. See verified ways to help.
Give Back Before the Holidays
Volunteer season begins
November is when the valley's food pantries, nonprofits, and holiday drives start needing hands. Our volunteer and community service guide lists vetted organizations by need.
Your Local Insider for Every Season
Sam has lived and worked in Santa Clarita for 22 years, and he keeps the valley's calendar, neighborhoods, and market at his fingertips. New to the area or just exploring? Reach out for an insider tour, or get the latest guides delivered through the What's New page.
Looking for events from earlier this season? Check out our previous weekend guides: October 30 - November 1 (Halloween), October 23-25 (Quilt Show), October 16-18 (Jeepers Creepers), October 9-11 (Birdstock), and October 2-4 (Pow Wow).