What To Do This Weekend in Merced,
Atwater, Turlock, Winton, McSwain

Looking for things to do this weekend in Merced, Atwater, Turlock, Winton, and McSwain? October 9 to 11, 2026 brings the Fall Classic Lake McSwain Trout Derby, two college soccer matchups, the Saturday farmers markets in Merced and Turlock, and a full weekend in the R.A.M. Farms corn maze. Add the second weekend of Sierra Art Trails in the Mariposa foothills and Castle Air Museum in Atwater, and there is plenty to fill every day.

This weekend, October settles into its rhythm: crisp mornings, golden foothills, and the last stretch of pumpkin patch season. Friday opens with college soccer under the lights in Merced. Saturday is the centerpiece, with the trout derby at Lake McSwain, two farmers markets, and flashlight nights in the corn maze. Sunday closes with a college soccer rivalry in Turlock and easy family stops in Atwater and the foothills. Missed last weekend? Revisit our guide to October 2-4 for the Walk to End Alzheimer's, Marty Stuart, and the corn maze opening.

Friday, October 9

Friday night belongs to college soccer in Merced, with the UC Merced Bobcats women's team hosting Cal State Monterey Bay at Bobcat Field. Earlier in the day, the corn maze in Turlock opens for another evening of flashlight walks, and the second weekend of Sierra Art Trails begins in the foothills.

UC Merced Bobcats women's soccer at Bobcat Field

The UC Merced Bobcats women's soccer team hosts Cal State Monterey Bay in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at 7:30 PM Friday at Bobcat Field on the UC Merced campus. The Bobcats return home after a road trip, and a conference night game is a fun way to see the university side of Merced life. Check the official schedule for tickets and live stats, and arrive early to grab a seat in the stands.

Flashlight nights in the corn maze

Meanwhile in Turlock, R.A.M. Farms at 716 N Daubenberger Rd keeps the corn maze open until 10:00 PM on Friday, with Freaky Flashlight Nights lighting the maze at dusk. The pumpkin patch is free to enter and runs through October 31, so a Friday evening pumpkin run is an easy add after work. It is a classic Central Valley fall night under the stars.

Sierra Art Trails second weekend begins

The second weekend of Sierra Art Trails, the Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour, starts Friday and runs daily through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Artists open their studios across Mariposa County and Catheys Valley, and the studio-hopping route doubles as a scenic foothills drive up Highway 140.

Saturday, October 10

Saturday is the biggest day of the weekend: the Fall Classic Lake McSwain Trout Derby, two farmers markets, flashlight nights in the corn maze, and planes at Castle Air Museum. Plan your route, because it is a full day.

Fall Classic Lake McSwain Trout Derby

The headline is the Fall Classic Lake McSwain Trout Derby, scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at the McSwain Recreation Area east of Merced. Fishing starts early, around 6:00 AM, and the derby runs through Sunday. Recent derbies have charged about $25 to $35 per adult, with kids under 16 fishing free with a paid adult, plus the day-use fee. Registration runs through the FishDonkey app, and the 2026 details are still being finalized, so check the official events page at lakemcclure.com before you go. The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, and at a 10 MPH no-wake limit it is a calm, family-friendly place to fish from shore or a small boat.

Merced Certified Farmers Market

Back in town, the Merced Certified Farmers Market runs Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 AM at 16th and Canal Street in downtown Merced. Mid-October brings pomegranates, winter squash, pumpkins, and the last of the season's peppers and cut flowers to the stands. Grab the week's groceries, then head out for the rest of the day.

Turlock Certified Farmers Market

The Turlock Certified Farmers Market runs the same morning from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Main Street between Palm and Center. Vendors bring produce, crafts, and hot food to the closed-off block, an easy stop if you are already on the east side of the county for the corn maze.

Corn maze, air museum, and pumpkins in Atwater

Saturday night, R.A.M. Farms stays open until 10:00 PM with Freaky Flashlight Nights at dusk. It is the classic fall evening: a flashlight walk through the corn, a pumpkin for the porch, and cool October air. In Atwater, Castle Air Museum at 5050 Santa Fe Drive is open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The outdoor flightline of Cold War-era bombers, fighters, and transport aircraft is one of the largest on the West Coast, and the VC-9 Presidential Aircraft tour runs on weekends for an extra $10. Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch at 2985 N Southern Pacific Ave in Atwater is open through the fall with more than 70 varieties of pumpkins, a good stop for families on the way to or from the museum.

Sunday, October 11

Sunday closes the weekend with a college soccer rivalry in Turlock, one more day in the corn maze, planes in Atwater, and the trout derby wrapping up at Lake McSwain.

Stanislaus State vs. UC Merced in Turlock

The Stanislaus State Warriors host the UC Merced Bobcats in women's soccer at 2:00 PM Sunday at Warrior Stadium on the Stanislaus State campus in Turlock. The men's teams play the same venue at 11:00 AM, so you can make a full afternoon of it. It is a CCAA conference matchup between two Central Valley programs, and a great way to see the college side of Turlock life.

One more day at the farm, the museum, and the lake

R.A.M. Farms runs 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, and daylight hours tend to be calmer than the flashlight nights. Castle Air Museum is open again from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a last look at the flightline. And the trout derby wraps up at McSwain, with weigh-in and awards in the morning or early afternoon depending on the year's schedule. Even if you are not fishing, Lake McSwain is worth the drive for a picnic, a shoreline walk, or a kayak paddle on calm water.

However you spend it, the second weekend of October is a good one to get out: trout derbies, soccer under the lights, pumpkins and corn mazes, farmers markets, and golden foothill drives from Winton to the Sierra foothills. For more ways to enjoy the area, revisit our guide to October 2-4, and find the whole archive of past guides under the Weekend Guide category on the blog so you never miss a Friday.

Why a Vibrant Weekend Scene Matters for Home Sellers

A weekend calendar that includes a trout derby at a stocked foothill lake, two college soccer matchups, farmers markets, a corn maze, an aviation museum, and an open studio art tour tells a strong story about life in Merced County. These are communities rich with recreation and quality-of-life amenities, and that is exactly what buyers experience when they tour your neighborhood.

Whether you are fishing at Lake McSwain, cheering at Bobcat Field, or walking the maze at R.A.M. Farms, you are living the local story that sells homes. When it is time to list, having an agent who knows these communities from the inside out makes the difference between a for-sale sign and a sold sign. If you are considering selling your home in Merced County, schedule a free consultation with Monica Franks, The Seller's Agent, and learn more about Monica's approach on her about page.