Free entertainment at the Gallo Center. Live animals. Bacon. What is going on in Modesto?

Just like spiced lattes and pumpkin doughnuts, autumn is about to arrive early in the greater Modesto region.

A host of fall festivals is set throughout September. Among them are the return of the Family Fun Festival at the Gallo Center and annual celebrations of Greek and Assyrian cultures.

There also will be a free Wild Planet Day with live critters at the Great Valley Museum and all the bacon you can eat in downtown.

Here’s a look at some of the larger festivals planned in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions:

NEWMAN FALL FESTIVAL — Aug. 30-Sept. 1: Parade, carnival, entertainment, kids zone, food and beverage booths, craft and commercial vendors and more. Events begin at 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday. The parade Sunday begins at 11 a.m. on Main Street. The festival is at Pioneer Park, 1250 Tulare St., Newman. Free. newmanfallfestival.org.

SIERRA NEVADA ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL – Aug. 31-Sept. 1: More than 60 booths featuring handcrafted items, arts and antiques. In addition, the Ebbetts Pass Volunteer Fire Department will sell craft beers and a variety of food. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Bristol’s Ranch House Café parking lot, 961 Highway 4, Arnold. Free. afterthegoldrush@sbcglobal.net.

MODESTO BACON FESTIVAL – Sept. 7: From crispy bacon strips to bacon-infused drinks, there will be plenty of bacon to enjoy. Also live music, vendors, a corn-hole tournament, face painters and family activities. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. I Street between 11th and 12th streets, Modesto. $15 presale, $20 the week before the event and at the door. www.modestobaconfest.com.

DENAIR FARM AND FAMILY FESTIVAL – Sept. 14: Food and craft vendors, farm equipment show, tractor races, competitions and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tractor parade begins at 9 a.m. on Main Street. Downtown Denair. Free. www.denairfestival.com.

ASSYRIAN FESTIVAL — Sept. 14-15: Food, cultural exhibits, live music, Assyrian dance groups, a kids zone and carnival rides. Noon to 10 p.m. both days. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free. www.cvassyrianfestival.com.

ACORN FESTIVAL – Sept. 14-15: The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians holds its annual celebration with traditional dancers, hand games tournament, vendors, arts and crafts and more. It begins around 11 a.m. both days. Tuolumne Rancheria, 19595 Mi-Wu St., Tuolumne. Free. 209-928-9391.

WILD PLANET DAY – Sept. 21: Modesto Area Partners in Science presents the all-ages event with live animal shows featuring Reptile Ron, Uncle Jer’s Traveling Bee Show and 75-pound tortoise Sloppy Joe. There will be activities, display tables, face painting, photo booth, science selfie stations and a bubble blast. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Great Valley Museum on the Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave. Free. www.mjc.edu/sem/maps.html.

49ER FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE TASTE OF TUOLUMNE – Sept. 21: Parade on Main Street at 9 a.m. The revamped festival will feature food by area chefs, along with craft beverages. Also a Kids Adventure Zone, vendors, live music and more. Events 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street and Mary Laveroni Park, Groveland. $1 per taste for food, $8 adult beverage tickets. www.49erfestival.org.

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL — Sept. 21-22: Event features a Greek dinner with takeout available, homemade pastries, a marketplace, coffeehouse, live Greek music and entertainment, church tours. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 313 Tokay Ave., Modesto. $20 presale, $22 at the door. www.goannunciation.org.

BLUES AND BONES FESTIVAL – Sept. 28: Annual music festival and barbecue. The event features live music by Pinkie Rideau, The Blues Cartel Featuring Jeramy Norris, Maxx Cabello Jr., Shane Dwight, with an artist jam session at 8 p.m. Gates open 10:30 a.m. for VIP, 11 a.m. general admission. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp. $39.99-$59.99. bluesandbones.com.

IRONSTONE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE – Sept. 28: This annual event showcases more than 300 antique and classic cars, as well as other vehicles. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys. $25, free under age 14. ironstoneconcours.com.

COYOTEFEST – Sept. 28-29: Saturday will feature a car show, vendors, coyote howl contests, live music and entertainment in Coulterville Park. A parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Sunday will feature vendors, a DJ and a chili cookoff. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Coulterville. Free. coyotefest.org.

FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL – Sept. 29: The Gallo Center for the Arts second community festival with music, dancing, chalk art, lawn games, exotic reptiles, face painting, balloon animals and prize giveaways. Food trucks will be available. There will be a free performance of “23 Skidoo & the Secret Agency” at 4 p.m. Although free, tickets – available beginning 10 a.m. Sept. 3 – must be obtained to attend the “23 Skidoo” performance. Festival is 1 to 4 p.m. Gallo Center Plaza and Modesto Rotary Music Garden, 1000 I St., Modesto. Free. www.galloarts.org.