Upcoming Events
Short Films Screening ~ Exploring Kelp Forests along California’s Coast
Dive under the surface with three short films exploring the relationship between humans and kelp.
Walk on the Coastal Trail
Walk along the coastal trail toward the point, where you'll have a view of one of several active kelp forest restoration sites that are part of the Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration (PCOR) Initiative along California's North Coast.
Urchin Low Tide Walk & Cookout
Join local naturalists for an exploration of Van Damme Beach during one of the weekend’s lowest tides.
Ocean Aquaculture Panel Discussion: Red Abalone
Dive deep into the topic of regenerative aquaculture with a panel discussion hosted by the Noyo Center. The program will include scientists involved with current research and recovery programs focused on red abalone.
Update on the Kelp Restoration and Management Plan
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department), in close collaboration and with support from the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and other partners, continues to develop a statewide, adaptive, ecosystem-based Kelp Restoration and Management Plan (KRMP) for giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, that will guide the state’s efforts to manage, protect, and restore kelp forests in California waters.
Picnic & Dock Walk with the Harbormaster
Pack a picnic or grab some food to-go at Harvest Market and join us on the South shore of Noyo Harbor for a picnic lunch in Grader Park.
Caspar Beach Sand Sculpture Party
Celebrate the creativity of the coastline by helping build an ever-growing village of sand sculptures on beautiful Caspar Beach.
Community Dive at Caspar Cove
Get a firsthand look at one of Northern California's most successful community-led kelp restoration efforts.
Second Saturday Art Walk
Experience Mendocino’s monthly Second Saturday Art Walk with a KelpFest twist at galleries, shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout downtown.
Senescence Ceremony on the Beach
As the tide turns and the afternoon light softens, gather on the beach for a closing ritual inspired by the rhythms of the ocean.
Kelp Recovery Demonstration
Come and learn about the kelp recovery efforts led by the Big River Kelp Recovery team and the Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration Initiative (PCOR).
Aerial Dance Performance
As a part of the post parade activities, Mendocino Dance Project brings its inspiring vertical dance performance to KelpFest! this year.
Post Parade Fun
The Kelp Parade on Saturday morning will end at the Mendocino Art Center, where the fun continues with a host of family-friendly activities, food, art and education.
Gallery Exhibition & Tours
The Mendocino Art Center becomes KelpFest’s creative hub for the weekend, featuring hands-on workshops, artist demonstrations, gallery tours, and exhibitions inspired by California’s coastal ecosystems.
Seaweed Spectacle Parade
Don’t miss the second annual KelpFest! Parade! Seaweed Spectacle in Mendocino is a vibrant celebration of our ocean’s kelp forests, community creativity, and coastal stewardship, featuring pre and post parade entertainment and programming.
Ocean Keepers Pledge
Stand on the bluff above the Pacific and make a promise that will last a lifetime.
Surf Rock Dance Party
Celebrate the opening night of KelpFest with live music from The Seismics, a four-piece instrumental surf band from Ocean Beach, San Francisco.
Town Hall Presentations: Culture of Collaboration
Learn about successful and inspiring collaborations between conservation organizations, agencies and other groups on the north coast that are working together to restore, protect and strengthen our ocean ecosystems.
KelpFest! Storytime
Children ages 0 to 6 and their families are invited to join us at the Fort Bragg Library for a special storytime to celebrate KelpFest!
Post Beach Walk Pizza Party
Gather with fellow KelpFest! explorers after the Beach Wrack Walk for a relaxed and festive evening at the beautiful Larry Spring Gardens in Fort Bragg. Hang out with friends and ocean lovers, swap stories from the beach, and ease into the weekend.
Beach Wrack Walk with Sue Magoo
You can learn a lot about the ocean by studying what washes up on shore! All that stuff is collectively called Beach Wrack and once you know what to look for, the beach becomes a treasure trove of fascination.
Noyo Harbor Icehouse Opening
Join us for the Ribbon Cutting for the Noyo Harbor Icehouse with California Jobs First.
Super Moon Urchin Harvest at Sunset
A magical sunset walk and gathering of purple urchin at low tide on the rise of the Super Full Moon.
Film Screenings: Sequoias of the Sea and The Last Forests Project, + a report from the Big River Kelp Recovery Project Team
Sequoias of the Sea tells the story of Mendocino County’s disappearing kelp forests and the devastating impact on coastal communities.
Gray Whale Mural Celebration
Join in the celebration as the Alleyway Art Project and North Coast Brewing Company celebrate Fort Bragg's newest, largest mural yet, The Gray Whale.
Regenerative Aquaculture Panel Discussion and Seaweed Happy Hour Reception
Dive deeply into the topic of regenerative aquaculture with a panel discussion hosted by the Noyo Center.
Kelp RISES Research Group Presentation
Learn about the Kelp RISES research into the question: how might different kelp restoration approaches account for ongoing climate change?
Field Station Open House
Tour the Urchin Ranch, a 40-foot shipping container where overabundant yet starving purple urchins are being fed in a recirculating aquaculture system to create delicious uni.
Indigenous Food Festival and Market
Sample Indigenous foods from land and sea plus browse an Indigenous market with local Pomo arts and crafts.