Palo Alto Festival for the Arts
Aug. 22–23, 10am–6pm | University Ave. | pacificfinearts.com
Hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the festival features 250 fine artists and crafters. The main festival is on University Ave. downtown; over on Tasso Street The Italian Street Painting Expo will show chalk art.
Kings Mountain Art Fair
Sept. 5 – 7, 10am – 5pm | Kings Mountain Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd. Woodside | kingsmountainartfair.org
Walk the redwoods and view and purchase art. (In person, or online!)
Mountain View Art and Wine Festival
Sept. 12, 11am–7pm | Castro St., downtown Mountain View | mvartwine.com
One of the largest and most beloved festivals in the Bay Area, with over 400 artists and craft-makers, live music, activities and food and drinks.
Chile, Mole, Pozole festival
Sept. 12, 12:30–5pm | Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose | eventbrite.com | Tickets: $12.51
Chile, Mole, Pozole celebrates Mexican Independence Day, highlighting La Plaza’s dedication to uplifting local entrepreneurs. The event features live music and dance, Lucha Libre matches, and authentic food and drink including Pozole, Mole, Salsas, Tacos and Micheladas.
Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival
Sept. 19–20, Sat: 10am–6pm, Sun: 10am–5pm | Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd. | santaclaraca.gov
This free family-friendly event features over 170 artists and craft vendors, delicious food, live entertainment, premium wines and micro-brewed beer. The 44th edition of this community event raises money for local community groups and nonprofits.
Music in the Park The Common Kings & Sammy Johnson
Sept. 18, 6–10:30pm | The Plaza, S. Market St. | mitpsj.com | Tickets: From $37.50
Common Kings perform for an evening of the island-inspired music and feel-good genre-blending energy that have made them one of the most celebrated bands in contemporary reggae.
Music in the Park Ice-T with DJ Evil Eye
Sept. 19, 6pm | The Plaza, S. Market St. | mitpsj.com | Tickets: From $37.50
Ice-T joins Music in the Park. Emerging in the early 1980s, he is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of West Coast gangsta rap.
Redwood City Oktoberfest
Sept. 18–27 | Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City | redwoodcity.org | Tickets: $10–$37
Courthouse Square transforms into a Bavarian village, featuring German dance music, lively performers, stein-holding challenges, dance contests and yodeling competitions. At the tent with open family style seating, attendees can try Oktoberfest favorites like giant pretzels, grilled bratwurst, and other Bavarian bites, paired with beer, cider or soda.
SALA 2026
Sept 26–27, 11:30am–7pm | Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton | salafestival.org | Tickets: $75 per day, $140 for weekend
The South Asian Literature and Art (SALA) Festival showcases contemporary reflections of literature and arts from the sub-continent and its diaspora with 22 panel discussions over two days.
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch at Palo Alto Art Center
Sept 26–27, 10am–5pm | Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto | paloalto.gov
The weekend exhibit features more than 10,000 one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins available for purchase in all colors and sizes. Plus, glass demonstrations, food trucks, and more!
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 17–18, 9am–5pm | Main Street, Half Moon Bay | hmbpumpkinfest.com
This signature event draws hordes of visitors to the World Pumpkin Capital for a festival along historic main street. Expect pumpkin sculptures, pumpkin weigh ins, pumpkin carving, plus a parade, arts and craft vendors, beer, wine and festival food.
