Whale Fest is taking over Downtown Fort Bragg on the weekend of March 14th through 16th and, like the migrating leviathans we celebrate, this year's festivities will be bigger and better than ever. There's a Downtown Wine Walk with the return this year of the Chowder Tasting Competition, the Fort Bragg Beer Festival, a 10k-5k Whale Run and Walk, a craft fair, live music, food trucks and much more.

Schedule of Events:

Whale Run 5k and 10k and Fun Walk

Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg and Noyo Sunrise is proud to sponsor and host the ever-popular run and walk along the coast that includes a Kiddie Race, 10k and 5k runs and a Fun Walk.

Fort Bragg Rotary Club's Beer Fest

Rotary Beer Festival is back. Save the date and join us on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Eagles Hall from 12-4pm for an incredible selection of beer and some great live music. Tickets are $40 and food will be available for purchase. So come taste some ales and watch the whales at this benefit for Fort Bragg Rotary Club with proceeds going to scholarships as well as local and international projects.

Symphony of the Redwoods Spring Concert

The theme of water unifies favorite classics with orchestral virtuosic masterpieces and a rhythmic American premiere. Mexican – Japanese flautist Rayó Furuta joins SoR in the American Premiere of Alexis Aranda's “Acqua.” which explores the water signs of the zodiac with soaring melodies and driving Latin rhythms.

7:30 pm: Both Shows at Cotton Auditorium

Town Hall Craft Fair

The Soroptimists are hosting a whale of sale at Town Hall from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Treat yourself to a unique shopping experience at two craft fairs - one inside and one outside. You'll find a wide variety of amazing, handcrafted items, from quilts and toys to iron works, pottery, knits and crochet, jewelry, paintings, tools, and puzzles. You won't find a better place to get a one-of-a-kind gift for a fan of Fort Bragg.

Downtown Wine Walk and Chowder Competition

The Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Bragg are thrilled to bring back the Fort Bragg Whale Festival Downtown Wine Walk and Chowder Tasting Competition. That's right, Chowder Tasting is back and you can sample them (and vote for your favorite) along with beautiful wines and hors d'oeuvres from over a dozen Mendocino County wineries at this year's new location in the City Hall Gymnasium at Laurel and Franklin Streets.

Noyo Center Whale Events and Exhibits

Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science throughout March for a variety of special events and exhibits to celebrate Whale Festival and the annual gray whale migration.

Mendo Park Fort Bragg Weekend

Join MendoParks for three awesome adventures. Join a guided tour along the Whale Tail Trail on Saturday, March at 10:00 AM starting at Laguna Point in MacKeerricher State Park. That night is the MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program across from the park entrance kiosk from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Then, on Sunday, meet by the visitor center at 11:00 AM for the MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting.