What's On in Temecula Valley This Weekend (Oct. 9 to 11)
The Murrieta Rod Run fills Washington Avenue on Friday night and Saturday. Saturday is the big day in Temecula, with a free history festival at Sam Hicks Monument Park and a charity rodeo at Old Town Ranch that runs until 10 p.m.
8 Oct 2026
If you only make one free stop this weekend, go to the Murrieta Rod Run. Pre-1980 classics cruise Historic Downtown Murrieta on Friday evening, and Saturday's Show & Shine lines Washington Avenue until 3 p.m. Temecula's Saturday starts with a free history festival at Sam Hicks Monument Park and runs late at Old Town Ranch, where Michael Ray headlines a charity rodeo concert. Sunday is quieter until Kalapana closes the jazz season at South Coast Winery.
Murrieta: the Rod Run, Friday and Saturday
The Murrieta Rod Run is a fundraiser for Oak Grove Center, a Murrieta nonprofit that provides residential care, education and treatment for at-risk and special needs youth. Organizers say 100% of proceeds go to the center. The show is limited to cars from 1980 and older, which keeps it focused on true classics. The organizer puts the crowd at more than 4,000 spectators.
Friday, Oct. 9: Cruise Night
When: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Murrieta, Washington Avenue between Kalmia Street and Ivy Street (organizer address: 24630 Washington Avenue, Murrieta)
Cars: Cruise entrance is on Ivy Street only. Registered cars cruise free. Unregistered 1980-and-older cars pay $20.
Saturday, Oct. 10: Show & Shine
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Same stretch of Washington Avenue
Getting there: Show cars must be parked by 8:30 a.m., when the street closes to traffic until the end of the show. Plan to park on a side street or in a public lot and walk in.
Show cars: General registration is sold out, and there is no Saturday morning registration.
Why go: Club judges from seven area car clubs score the field, and the organizer lists vendors, music and food along the street.
Cost to watch: The organizer's pages list fees for show cars only. They do not list a spectator ticket.
Source: Murrieta Rod Run FAQ
One note on dates: the organizer's homepage gives the Saturday start as 8 a.m., while its FAQ says 9 a.m. We are using the FAQ's 9 a.m. You may also see Oct. 23 attached to a Murrieta event. That date belongs to the city's Dark in the Park concert and laser show, not the Rod Run.
Temecula, Saturday morning: History Day and the farmers market
Temecula History Day (Saturday, Oct. 10, free)
This is the City of Temecula's fourth annual History Day, and the city's free Culture Days calendar also lists Oct. 10 as its Temecula History date. Expect historical games and demonstrations, plus live music. Patch reports tractor racing for kids and shaved ice.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Sam Hicks Monument Park, 41970 Moreno Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Cost: Free
Source: City of Temecula event page
Ralph Love Plein Air exhibit opens Friday at the Temecula Valley Museum
Entries in the 19th Annual Ralph Love Plein Air Competition go on display Friday, Oct. 9, and stay up through Nov. 8. Artists paint outdoors at selected spots around Temecula, so the show doubles as a portrait of present-day Temecula. The awards ceremony is Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.
Where: Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes Street, Temecula, CA 92590 (Old Town)
Hours: Two city pages disagree. The museum page lists Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facilities page lists 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Call (951) 694-6450 before you go.
Old Town Temecula Certified Farmers Market (Saturday)
When: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., year-round
Where: 28464 Front Street at Sixth Street, Old Town Temecula, CA 92590
Why go: Visit Temecula Valley counts more than 40 vendors. Go early, then walk to the museum when it opens.
Source: Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner market list
Pechanga: Battle of the Burgers (Saturday, Oct. 10)
Visit Temecula Valley's fifth annual Battle of the Burgers puts eight valley restaurants head to head. They compete for Best Burger: Corkfire, Crush & Brew/Archive, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill, Hendo's Barrel House, Mad Madeline's Grill, Pinnacle at Falkner Winery, The Breakfast Club of Temecula and The Gambling Cowboy. Ebullition took first place in Judges' Choice last year. Culinary students from Temecula Valley Unified's Career Technical Education program run the Loaded Fries contest as executive chefs, with Pechanga chefs working as their sous chefs.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Summit C Ballroom, Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592
Tickets: From $40 presale; student tickets $30. Proceeds benefit TVUSD's CTE program, and Temecula Valley High School sells tickets as a culinary department fundraiser.
Tip: Under the contest's entry rules, competing restaurants agree to keep their entry burger on the menu from Oct. 10 through Dec. 31, 2026. If you miss the event, you can still eat the winner.
Old Town Ranch: Way Out West Fest (Saturday, Oct. 10)
Way Out West Fest is the main annual fundraiser for Charity for Charity, a Temecula nonprofit that grants wishes. It runs for ten hours. The arena runs junior bull riding (operated by AK Bucking Bulls) plus ranch sorting and mutton bustin' in the afternoon, then country singer Michael Ray headlines the evening concert. Presley Tennant and Joe Peters are also on the 2026 lineup.
When: Gates open at noon. Arena events noon to 6 p.m. Live music 5:30 to 10 p.m. The festival ends at 10 p.m., per the organizer.
Where: Old Town Ranch, 43453 Avenida Felicita, Temecula, CA 92592 (organizer address)
Tickets: Patch reports general admission at $35 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under, with children under 2 free and a $90 family package for two adults and two children. Reserved rodeo seating and VIP upgrades cost more. Confirm current prices on the organizer page.
Before you go: Old Town Ranch requires every guest at ranch events to sign a waiver, and you can fill it out in advance on the ranch's site. Some activities, such as mutton bustin', need separate registration or waivers through their operators.
Listings for this event disagree, so use the organizer's details. Patch's calendar shows "43453 Felicita Rd" with a 92591 ZIP, and older ranch listings used 43550 Dash for Cash Circle. We could not confirm the 11 p.m. end time some listings show, so use 10 p.m.
Wine country concerts
Saturday, Oct. 10: Will Downing at Thornton Winery
Thornton's Champagne Jazz Series brings R&B singer Will Downing on Saturday, with saxophonist Marion Meadows and keyboardist Alex Bugnon on the same bill. Seating is outdoors on the patio.
When: 7 p.m. show; gates open at 6 p.m. Thornton lists a 10 p.m. finish. The regional wine calendar says 9 p.m.
Where: Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Tickets: The Temecula Valley Winegrowers calendar lists $124 to $254. Thornton says to buy only through its authorized platform, TIX.com (Thornton ticket policy). Sales are final, and the show goes on rain or shine. Box office: (951) 699-0099.
Tip: General admission rows are first-come, first-served. Thornton suggests lining up one to two hours before showtime. No outside food or drinks.
Source: Thornton Winery event page
Sunday, Oct. 11: Kalapana closes Rhythm on the Vine at South Coast Winery
The Hawaii band behind "Naturally" and "Nightbird" closes South Coast's 2026 Rhythm on the Vine Jazz Concert Series. Saxophonist Michael Paulo joins them. He started out as an original touring member of Kalapana, and he and his wife, Terri, produce the series through Apaulo Productions. Hawaii singer-songwriter Kala'e Parish is also a special guest.
When: Doors at 6 p.m.; show at 7 p.m.
Where: South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Tickets: The winery lists tickets from $65. Rafu Shimpo reports $67 to $252 including fees, depending on seating. Terrace seats require stairs and are not wheelchair accessible.
Know before you go: All ages. No outside food or drinks, coolers, personal chairs or umbrellas. Sales are final, rain or shine.
The winery's individual event page shows "October 8." Its series page says Sunday, Oct. 11. The regional wine calendar and the producer's announcement, via Rafu Shimpo agree, so that is the date we are using.
Old Town Temecula Community Theater: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opens Friday
Fine Arts Network opens the musical comedy, based on the 1988 Michael Caine and Steve Martin film, on Friday. The run continues through Oct. 25, so this weekend is opening weekend, not your only chance.
When: Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
Where: Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590
Tickets: $38 orchestra, $35 parterre, $33 balcony. Discounts for seniors 65 and older, students and military with ID. The theater advises parental discretion because of mature subject matter.
Pumpkin season: Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm on Calle Contento is open daily this season. It is the easiest fall outing to fit around the scheduled events above.
Weekend hours: Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with attractions open from 9 a.m. On Friday the petting farm opens at 10 a.m. and other attractions open at 4 p.m.
Where: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
Cost: $4 entry per person Friday through Sunday (under 2 free with a paid adult). Petting farm $4; carnival games $3 each.
Free extra: Pig races Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. (Friday at 5 and 7 p.m.)
Know before you go: No dogs. The farm says weekends get crowded and entry may pause until guests leave, so arrive early.
Source: Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Wildomar: Saturday morning stops
Pancake Breakfast at the VFW
The Wildomar Beautification Volunteers host a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 10, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the VFW, 21180 Waite Street, Wildomar, CA 92595. The organizer page does not list prices. (Wildomar Community and Parks Foundation)
FrankenToys at the Wildomar Library
An all-ages craft workshop inspired by Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." Kids build a creepy creature out of mismatched toy parts. It runs Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room of the Wildomar Library, 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA 92595. (Riverside County Library System)
Sunday morning: Murrieta Certified Farmers' Market
When: Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round
Where: Village Walk Plaza, 24422 Village Walk Place, Murrieta, CA 92562
Source: Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner market list
A suggested weekend
Friday: Head to Washington Avenue in Murrieta for Cruise Night between 4 and 8 p.m. If you would rather sit down, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opens at 7:30 p.m. in Old Town Temecula.
Saturday: Start at the Old Town farmers market at 8 a.m. Drive over to Murrieta for the Show & Shine, or stay in Temecula for History Day at Sam Hicks Monument Park from 10 a.m. Lunch is Battle of the Burgers at Pechanga (noon to 3 p.m.). For the evening, pick between Michael Ray at Way Out West Fest (music from 5:30 p.m.) and Will Downing at Thornton (gates at 6 p.m.).
Sunday: Pick up produce at the Murrieta farmers market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), then visit Peltzer Pumpkin Farm for the 1 or 3 p.m. pig race. Finish with Kalapana at South Coast Winery (doors at 6 p.m.).
Quick planner
Fri 4 to 8 p.m.: Murrieta Rod Run Cruise Night (Murrieta). No spectator ticket listed
Fri 7:30 p.m.: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opening night (Temecula (Old Town)). $33 to $38
Sat 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Old Town Temecula farmers market (Temecula). Pay per vendor
Sat 8 to 11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast, Wildomar VFW (Wildomar). Price not listed
Sat 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Murrieta Rod Run Show & Shine (Murrieta). No spectator ticket listed
Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Peltzer Pumpkin Farm (also Sun) (Temecula). $4 entry
Sat 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Temecula History Day (Temecula). Free
Sat 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: FrankenToys, Wildomar Library (Wildomar). See library
Sat noon to 3 p.m.: Battle of the Burgers, Pechanga (Temecula). From $40; students $30
Sat noon to 10 p.m.: Way Out West Fest, Old Town Ranch (Temecula). From $35 adults, $15 kids (per Patch)
Sat 7 p.m.: Will Downing, Thornton Winery (Temecula wine country). $124 to $254
Sun 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Murrieta farmers market (Murrieta). Pay per vendor
Sun 7 p.m.: Kalapana, South Coast Winery (Temecula wine country). From $65
Sources worth bookmarking
Details can change. Check the organizer pages above before you drive, especially ticket status for the Saturday events and the Sunday concert. For local businesses across the valley, browse the Temecula Valley directory.