A downtown art crawl, a metal show, gallery-bar paintings, goth skating, and desert culture: these are 10 Kern County events for people ready to get out and find their scene.
By Kern Magazine Editors. Published November 1, 2026.
Featured photo: Kristie Fone, taken by the Kern Mag team at September’s La Vie Bohème in Downtown, Bakersfield for a night of promoting #2 on the list below. Fone is 20-year-old Bakersfield artist, painter, fine-art illustrator, and Bakersfield College student. Follow her on Instagram at @kris.draws.06.
Kern County’s creative scene doesn’t stay in one gallery—or one city. In Bakersfield, murals, downtown businesses, and artist-run spaces turn the streets into a canvas. Across the county, November brings a Ridgecrest cultural festival, a Tehachapi art showcase, a metal show, comedy, tiki finds, and goth skating. Here are 10 reasons to get out and find your scene.
1. Take the mic—or just catch the mountain poetry scene
Adventure Ink Bookstore, Pine Mountain Club | Nov. 5, 6–7 p.m.
Pine Mountain Club’s Poetry Night is an intimate, free gathering for readers and listeners. Bring your own work, share a poem by a favorite writer, or settle in and hear what the mountain community has to say.
2. Let Art Heist take over downtown—then keep the night going at Temblor
Downtown Bakersfield and Temblor Brewing Company | Friday, Nov. 6
For the third year in a row, ART HEIST is taking over downtown Bakersfield, with local artists in favorite downtown businesses for one night only. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. As the organizers put it: “Human Creativity is NOT Replaceable.”
Want to keep the night going? Head to Temblor Brewing Company, where Snuffed on Sight, Foghorn, Lament, and Death of Me take the stage. Doors are at 8 p.m., so the shows overlap—catch ART HEIST early, then make your way over for the heavy set.
3. Sip, shop, and stay awhile in Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest | Nov. 6, 5–9 p.m.
The Market of Ridgecrest brings local makers, handmade goods, breads, and treats to the Patriot Event Space. Entry is free, and the restaurant and bar are open for the evening.
4. Catch the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival
Ridgecrest | Nov. 7–8 | Free
November is Native American Heritage Month, and the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival celebrates Native American heritage and the region’s 10,000-year-old Coso rock art. The free weekend features an intertribal powwow, live music, traditional storytelling, crafts, food, and guided tours organized with the Maturango Museum.
Leroy Jackson Park · 300 E. French Ave., Ridgecrest
5. See Bakersfield celebrate Día de los Muertos
Stramler Park | Nov. 8, 2–7 p.m.
The 16th annual Día de los Muertos celebration includes traditional Aztec dancing, mariachi, Mexican cuisine, vendor booths, and a Catrín and Catrina costume contest. It’s an afternoon honoring life, memory, and culture.
6. Take the art-drive to Tehachapi
Tehachapi | Nov. 13–14
ArT 2026 Tehachapi has two ways to experience the show: Friday’s VIP preview is $100, while the public exhibition is free Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse juried paintings at the Aspen Center, 410 W. D St. Make a day of the mountain air, original art, and a change of scenery.
7. Find your tiki-era alter ego
Bakersfield | Nov. 14, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Central California Tiki Marketplace brings more than 30 vendors selling art, clothing, collectibles, and tiki finds to Tiki-Ko. Keep the night going with an exotica-vinyl after-party at Sinking Ship.
8. Get your laughs in with Tommy Davidson
The Well Comedy Club, Bakersfield | Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Headliner Tommy Davidson, known for In Living Color, Martin, and The Varnell Hill Show, takes the stage with featured comedians Tyson Paul and Danny Hill. Pick your showtime and make a night of it downtown.
9. Roll into your dark side
Bakersfield | Nov. 14, 8 p.m.–midnight
80s Goth Skate Night brings dark glam, alternative sounds, skating, tacos, and cocktails to Rollerama. Fishnets and dramatic eyeliner are very much in the spirit.
10. Enter your fantasy-fair era
Kern County Fairgrounds | Nov. 21–22
Bakersfield Comic-Con adds a Fantasy Faire inside the convention, with costumes and medieval fighting alongside comic creators and pop-culture finds. Come ready to people-watch—and maybe leave with a new obsession.
Before you head out: Event details can change. Check each organizer or venue for current times, tickets, and entry information.
What did we miss? We rely on your to let us know! Tag us on Instagram at @kernmagazinellc or email us the deets at info@kernmagazine.com.
Meet local artist Kristie Fone
Kristie Fone photographed at The Basement at Woolworth’s during September’s La Vie Bohème: A Night at the Moulin Rouge in support of 2026 Art Heist.
Kern Magazine’s Signature Questions
1. What do you love about your Kern County community?
“The art scene in the Kern county community is so wonderful and vibrant! I love being able to participate in all the local events that happen all across the city of Bakersfield. I also love how close the community is and how friendly everyone has been to me!”
2. When you grab a bite to eat, where are your favorite spots?
“Downtown Bako is definitely the best spot for food! I love Moo Creamery, Woolworth’s Luncheonette, and Luna Bistro.”
3. When you want to get out of town, where’s your spot?
“Most often I go to LA for day trips, but most recently I took a trip to Carmel by the Sea and I also loved the art scene and beautiful landscape over there. I’m a big fan of the beach!”
4. What music are you listening to lately?
“I’m a jazz lover and I really love Laufey!”
5. Which artists are inspiring you right now?
“Lately I’ve been really inspired by @brookeleebee, @jimmusilpainter, and @chris_figer!”
