Most of the festival happens within a few blocks of the Old Town Gazebo, making it easy to stroll between venues. Saturday begins about a mile away at Blue Ox Millworks, which is best reached by car. Meanwhile, two other venues are situated along the waterfront, just a ten-minute walk to the west or east.
One weekend, one walkable district
WHAT THE
FESTIVAL IS
Humboldt County holds more cultures than most people expect of a place they picture as redwoods. For one weekend, Culture Commons brings them together across the city.
Three days of music, art, film, performance, and cuisine, at venues all over Eureka. Every event is free.
A Celebration of...
Art · Crafts · Cuisine · Dance · Music · Performing Arts · Stories · Film · Workshops · Community
.png)
Friday, September 25 | 5 PM to 10 PM
The festival opens at 3:45 PM with a poems and rhymes writing workshop at the Epitome Gallery. Music at 5:30 PM at Mendenhall Studios with Red Cedar, a Native percussion ensemble, followed by reggae, a rootsy dance band with puppets and costumes, and lxs perdidxs. Epitome Gallery's music programming at seven, with live music inside the gallery.
Saturday, September 26 | 10 AM - 10 PM
Longest day, beginning with waterfront dance and drums at Madaket Plaza, makers fair at Blue Ox Millworks (blacksmiths and coppersmiths), kids' programming at county library, puppet parade to Gazebo with music until ten. Drag show and popup exhibit at Clarke Museum beginning at six.
Short Films from the North Coast
An afternoon of short films at the historic Eureka Theater on Sunday, followed by a panel discussion. The program is being selected now and will be announced closer to the festival.
.png)
Getting here
Drive or fly and access multiple parking lots.
Where to stay
Make a weekend of it. Music and events run until late on all three nights, so this is a festival that rewards staying over.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Access and What to Bring
Bring a jacket you can carry. Every venue is wheelchair accessible. Blue Ox Millworks has a gravel parking lot.
While You're Here
Old Town's Victorian blocks are where much of the festival happens, with galleries, bookshops, and places to eat within a few minutes' walk.
Sign up and we will send you the schedule when it is announced, along with places to stay and what to expect for the weekend. A few emails before the festival, and nothing after.
Planning a Trip?
Thank you to our sponsors
Culture Champion
Community builder
Creative Partner
Thank you to our photographers, designers, and illustrators for providing usable art: Laura Corsiglia, Aoife Moloney, Madison Acres, Luke Aronie, Maddy Rifka
ECAD is one of 24 California Arts Council Cultural Districts
The Culture Commons Festival is produced by the Eureka Cultural Arts District, one of 24 cultural districts designated by the California Arts Council, a state agency. ECAD is a partnership of the Wiyot Tribe, Ink People Center for Arts and Culture, Eureka Main Street, and the City of Eureka. ECAD uplifts and amplifies the region's creatives and culture makers through grant initiatives, festivals, and community-driven leadership.
Produced By
A Partnership of
Culture Commons Festival · September 25–27, 2026 · Eureka, California
events@eurekaculturalarts.org · @eurekaculturalarts
Perform, exhibit, vend, or volunteer · Eureka Cultural Arts District