Arcata Plaza hosts numerous community events and festivals throughout the year. Some of the regular events include the Farmers Market, which takes places on Saturdays from 9AM- 2PM from late March until autumn and the North Country Fair and Harvest Celebration, which takes place in late summer. A wide range of people pass through and enjoy the parklike square everyday, including students from Humboldt State University and businesspeople enjoying a break or lunch. Visitors can find a variety of shops, such as bead and pottery shops. There are also many ethnic restaurants where diners can experience a variety of cultural tastes.

Arcata Plaza was created in 1850 by the Union Company when Arcata was called Uniontown. The community developed in hope that settlers would discover gold in the Klamath, Trinity, and Salmon rivers. Buildings from the late 19th century and early 20th century can still be found around Arcata Plaza. The Hotel Arcata was built in 1914 and Jacoby's Storehouse was built in 1857 with stone and brick from local quarries. Be sure to visit the surrounding neighborhoods for more sites of historical interest.