Why does California have so many festivals all year long? Their party attitude? Maybe. Gorgeous weather and settings? Surely. And while I couldn’t recommend every commemorative celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area and all of Northern California, here are my top Festival picks for Fall and Winter. Note: I’ll go deeper into the local music and food festivals on another post.
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SEPTEMBER Festivals and Parades
Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: The Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival is a delicious event featuring live music, food and chocolate sampling, chefs demonstrations and ice cream sundae eating contests sponsored by Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. Food and chocolate samples are available for purchase, and you can usually buy tickets for less in advance on the Festival’s website.
- WHEN: A weekend in September each year.
- WHERE: Ghirardelli Square, Beach & Larkin, San Francisco, CA.
SF International Dragon Boat Festival, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: The San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, on Treasure Island, is the largest competitive dragon boat festival in the United States. The event hosts more than 130 dragon boat teams and 3,500 dragon boat paddlers from across North America who will race the 500 and 300 meter courses. The Festival also features dance and music performances including Taiko drumming, Tai Chi and acrobatic martial arts demonstrations, Hawaiian / Tahitian dance and music, Hip Hop and Chinese Folk Dance, dragon and lion dances, and award-winning magic shows. Kids can play in the Dragon Land activity pavilion. Sunday is an extra special family day complete with character and mascot appearances.
- WHEN: Two days every September.
- WHERE: Treasure Island (California Avenue & Avenue D) San Francisco, California. (Races in the cove between Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island.)
- SAVVY TIP: Free parking lots available within walking distance of the event.
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival, Santa Clara CA (free)
- WHAT: The annual Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival features fine wines and mico-brews, international foods, local artists, live entertainment on three stages and the popular Kids Kingdom. More than 50,000 people attend this free annual event in Central Park, a spectacular setting with a lake, hundreds of trees, picnic areas and acres of green grass.
- WHEN: Every year in September.
- WHERE: Santa Clara Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara, California (between Homestead and Benton).
- SAVVY TIP: Park for free at the Community Recreation Center, or along Patricia Drive. Can’t find a spot? Try Bob Fatjo baseball field for cheap parking.
Pacific Coast Fog Fest, Pacifica CA (free)
- WHAT: The annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest in Pacifica CA, every year in September, features an annual parade and marching band competition, the sand castle and sand sculpture contests, the fog jog, and the fog bank contest. The Fog Fest photo contest features photos taken this year that best capture Pacifica through its people, scenery, or history. The Pacific Fog Fest also features music from 24 bands on three stages, unique arts and crafts displayed by Bay area artisans, plenty of festival food and fun for kids.
- WHEN: Two days every year in September.
- WHERE: On the south end of Palmetto Avenue (between Shell Street and Montecito Streets), Pacifica, California.
- SAVVY TIPS: Find free parking around Francisco and Oceana Boulevards and other side streets. Or, for a donation (was $7 last year) you can park at the north end of Palmetto Ave (at Highway 1), and at the south end of Palmetto (near the golf course). Bike Parking — Corner of Palmetto and Santa Rosa Avenues, in front of the old utility building. Handicapped Parking — Paid handicapp parking at the north and south ends of the Palmetto Ave. Look for parking attendants upon approach.
Eat Real Festival, Oakland CA (free)
- WHAT: The Eat Real Festival at Oakland’s Jack London Square is all about street food, fresh summer produce, food competitions, chef demonstrations, live music, dance performances, handcrafted local beers, and ice cream sold from the back of a bicycle. Think state fair, street-food fest, and block party rolled into one fun event. Participants learn where food comes from, who grows and makes it, and how they make it. All food incorporates regionally-sourced and sustainably-produced ingredients.
- WHEN: Annually in September.
- WHERE: Jack London Square, Broadway and Water Streets, Oakland, California.
Millbrae Arts and Wine Festival, Millbrae CA (free)
- WHAT: One of the Bay Area’s biggest Labor Day festivals, the Millbrae Arts and Wine Festival turns downtown Millbrae into the “Big Easy” with a Mardi Gras-style feast and festivities. An annual crowd favorite event is the “Classically Cool Car Show.” You’ll also find plenty of entertainment, arts and crafts and food booths microbrews and premium wines, margaritas, and kids playland activities.
- WHEN: Labor Day Weekend in September every year.
- WHERE: On Broadway (one block west of El Camino Real), between Victoria Ave and Meadow Glen, downtown Millbrae, California. From Highway 101 or 280, take the Millbrae Avenue exit west to El Camino Real north.
- SAVVY TIP: Free round trip shuttle service from the Millbrae BART/Caltrain station.
Bay Area Blues Festival, Martinez CA (free)
- WHAT: The Bay Area Blues Festival is a free two-day event that brings live blues music, street chalk painting, gourmet food, and kids activities to Historic Downtown Martinez. This popular event features two main stages, a merchant and farmer’s marketplace, gourmet food booths, craft beers, cafe seating areas, and more fun things to do.
- WHEN: Every year in September.
- WHERE: Historic Downtown Martinez, CA.
- SAVVY TIP: Complimentary shuttle bus service is available for attendees of the Festival from the North Concord BART Station.
Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, Mountain View CA (free)
- WHAT: The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival draws more than 200,000 arts lovers to Silicon Valley’s epicenter. The event features festival foods, premium wines, craft brews and microbrews, 600 professional artists and craftmakers, live music on stage and street throughout downtown, and a kids park.
- WHEN: A weekend in September every year.
- WHERE: On Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue in Mountain View, CA.
- SAVVY TIP: Some free parking is available in the downtown area at 1200 Villa St. Paid parking ($5) at the 400 Castro Street garage (Bryant street entrance), 444 Castro Street garage (Bryant Street entrance), and the Kaiser Permanente garage (555 Castro Street, Hope Street entrance), Chase Bank (Castro/El Camino Real), and the City of Mountain View Parking Lot #13 (Bryant/California).
Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, Lafayette CA (free)
- WHAT: The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival is one of the five biggest outdoor festivals in Contra Costa County. The free festival draws more than 100,000 people and features live music on four stages, arts, crafts, food vendors, premium wineries & microbreweries, and a KidZone complete with party jumps, games, arts, crafts. Free admission and parking. Wine, beer, and food extra. Packages available.
- WHEN: Every year in September.
- WHERE: Downtown Lafayette. For GPS, 3535 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA.
- SAVVY TIPS: Free parking at Lafayette BART station (upper lot). Continuous shuttle service between BART & the Festival. Also, dogs are allowed on leash. Dog cooling station is located at 30 Lafayette Circle.
Kings Mountain Art Fair (free)
- WHAT: Kings Mountain Art Fair is an annual event that presents juried artists exhibits in a stunning setting among the redwoods. Kids have their own dedicated space at the Art Fair: Kiddie Hollow, located down the hill from the Cookie Booth.
- WHEN: Every year in September. Follow the link above for schedule & updates.
- WHERE: 13889 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, California.
- SAVVY TIP: Don’t miss the world’s largest cookies – peanut butter, toffee, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin – at the Cookie Booth just around the corner from The Cookshack (a great spot for breakfast or lunch).
OCTOBER Festivals and Parades
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a big outdoor music bash in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which takes place every October. The free festival features concerts with several bands on four stages throughout the park. You’ll find the event crowed but congenial, with that fun music festival vibe, dancing in the park and noshing opportunities from local food vendors.
- WHEN: Each year in October.
- WHERE: Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows), Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California.
- SAVVY TIPS: Limited neighborhood parking is available. Paid parking is available at: George Washington High School (600 32nd Ave), Argonne (680 18th Ave at Cabrillo), Lafayette (Sat & Sun, 4545 Anza Street @ 36th Ave), Presidio Middle School (Sat & Sun, 450 30th Ave), Jefferson Elementary School (Sat & Sun, 1725 Irving St at 18th Ave. between Irving and Judah). Shuttle service to the park: Golden Gate Park Shuttle.
The Fiesta on the Hill, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood draws more than 20,000 friends and neighbors to Fiesta on the Hill, an alcohol-free event that emphasizes the wellbeing of children, youth and seniors, and celebrates the ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of the area. The event features a petting zoo, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, non-profit booths, live music on two stages, great food and much more.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Cortland Avenue to Bocana Avenue to Folsom Street (Bernal Heights), San Francisco, California.
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay CA (free)
- WHAT: The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, which takes place every year in October a couple weeks before Halloween, draws unbelievbable crowds of Bay Area folks willing to fight the terrible traffic just to see the giant pumpkins parade down Main Street. Or maybe it’s the pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin everything you can think of. The Great Pumpkin Parade is also a hit ( If you’re claustrophobic, get off Main Street while you can at least 30 minutes before the parade starts at noon). Plus, families have made it a tradition to get their pumpkins in Half Moon Bay during this fun weekend event. The day starts off with the Pancake Breakfast. Later, you can get your photo taken with a 1,000+ pound pumpkin and send it to your mom (we always do). Or catch the Costume and Pie-Eating contests and the Pumpkin Run. The festival features live music on two stages, festival food, like roasted garlic Brussels sprouts (yes really, and there’s always line for it) and plenty of other activities.
- WHEN: Every year in October (week or two before Halloween).
- WHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
- SAVVY TIP: Get there early and grab a free parking spot on one of the side streets. (Read the signs to avoid getting a ticket.) You can also try the south end of Main Street (near Higgins-Purissima Rd & Highway 1). Some parking is available at Metzgar and Main Street. For a small fee, you can park at Half Moon Bay High School (Main St. just north of Hwy. 92), at Seymour St. and Highway 1, and at the Community Center/Shoreline Station (just north of Kelly Ave. on Highway 1.)
Rockridge Out & About Street Festival, Oakland CA (free)
- WHAT: The East bay’s culinary and shopping extravaganza, Rockridge Out & About Street Festival, features musicians, street performers, fashion shows, lifestyle expos, wellness activities, and picnicking. Chefs fire up the grills and serve tasty delights, while vendors showcase the districts unique mix of local merchandise.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Oakland’s Rockridge District, on College Avenue between Alcatraz and Broadway, Oakland, California (adjacent to the Rockridge BART Station).
Biketobertfest Marin, Fairfax CA (free)
- WHAT: The Biketoberfest and Cargo Bike Jubilee features a vintage bike show, live music, festival food, a variety of beers, celebrity road and mountain bike rides, and plenty of activities for kids and families. While the event is free to anybody on a bike (or not), you’ll have to pony up to participate in the tastings. Get you tasting tickets in advance on the event website and save $5. FREE Valet Bike Parking.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: FairAnselm Plaza Parking lots, 765 Center Blvd. Fairfax, California.
Yountville Days Festival and Parade, Napa Valley CA
- WHAT: The annual Yountville Days and Parade features live music, food, beer, wine and fun for the whole family in Napa Valley Wine Country. The weekend of events begin on Friday at dusk, with Movie Night at the Yountville Park. Saturday kicks off with the Annual Chili Cook Off. The Yountville Days Parade and Festival takes place on Sunday, staring at noon from the Veterans Home and winding down through Yountville on Washington Street and ends at Yountville Park.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Down Washington Street in Yountville, California.
Saint Helena Harvest Festival, ST Helena CA (free)
- WHAT: The annual Saint Helena Harvest Festival is a favorite free event that takes place every year in October. The outdoor festival is a great way to celebrate the end of the harvest season in Napa Valley and experience the beginning of the beautiful fall foliage. The festival starts with the legendary pet parade through downtown St Helena. The Harvest Festival features live music, food and craft booths, wine pouring stations, a wine auction, a kids carnival, a 5k run and a kids run.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Between Adams and Springs streets, Along Main Street and Oak Ave, St. Helena, California.
Los Altos Fall Festival, Los Altos CA (free)
- WHAT: Los Altos Fall Festival is a family-friendly event that features 160+ arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, fun festival food from local restaurants, fine wines and micro brews, and a classic car show. Kids will enjoy the children’s games and train and a children’s alley. A favorite for young and old alike is the popular Children’s Alley with variety of games, rides and activities.
- WHEN: October each year.
- WHERE: South Parking Plazas in downtown, Los Altos, CA (behind Main St. off San Antonio Rd.)
NOVEMBER Festivals and Parades
Embarcadero Lighting & Winter Carnival, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: San Francisco’s official kick off to the holiday season starts at the Embarcadero Center with the popular Embarcadero Building Lighting Ceremony at the Holiday Ice Rink. The event culminates in the lighting of One, Two, Three and Four Embarcadero Center. On the same night as the lighting, the Winter Carnival begins, featuring children’s activities and entertainment. The Holiday Ice Rink also opens for the holidays.
- WHEN: Always the second week of November.
- WHERE: Embarcadero Center, Justin Herman Plaza, 275 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111. The Holiday Ice Rink is adjacent to Four Embarcadero Center.
San Rafael Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland, San Rafael CA (free)
- WHAT: The San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland features a Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, free snow sledding, and one of the largest holiday parades in the Bay Area. After the Parade, Santa, Ms. Claus and friends, including the Mayor, light the official holiday tree of San Rafael in the center of town at the City Plaza. Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa and friends are available for a meet and greet with the kids.
- WHEN: Annually in November, always after Thanksgiving.
- WHERE: Downtown San Rafael, California. Parade down Fourth Street (B Street to Lootens).
- SAVVY TIP: The San Rafael free parking program usually runs from Thanksgiving Day through December 31. San Rafael downtown merchants provide free 3 hour parking validations redeemable in the two City garages located on 3rd and A and 3rd and C Streets. The West End Village parking meters in the lot located at 1550 4th Street will also provide three hours free parking.
Yountville Festival of Lights, Yountville CA
- WHAT: The Yountville Festival of Lights includes christmas caroling and live holiday music, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and photo opps with Santa. Santa and the Yountville Mayor light the tree in the Community Center Plaza. Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting (poured by more than two dozen wineries) available for purchase.
- WHEN: Every year in November.
- WHERE: Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St, Yountville, California.
Leap Sandcastle Contest, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: The Leap Sandcastle Contest is a beachy family affair. Take a barefoot walk south of the Cliff House and find 400-square-foot plots in the sand showcasing 25 original creations: castles, monsters, and monuments to artistic imagination. Before the event, architects and builders meet with school children in the classroom to develop ideas based on a set theme. Plans are finalized, clay models are shaped, team structure and schedules are defined, and tasks are assigned, all in preparation for the big day. On the morning of the event, teams arrive and await the whistle that signals the start of the contest. As soon as it sounds, four hours of intensive building begin. By the end of the day, the beach has transformed into a magical land of creatures, structures and characters.
- WHEN: Every year in November.
- WHERE: Ocean Beach (Balboa Ave and The Great Highway), San Francisco, California.
DECEMBER Festivals and Parades
Fisherman’s Wharf Lighted Boat Parade, San Francisco (free)
- WHAT: The Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lighted Boat Parade features more than 60 boats decked out with lights and holiday decorations. The parade route starts off of PIER 39, goes west past Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason and the St. Francis Yacht Club, and turns back around at Crissy Field and heads back along the waterfront. You can see the boats lit up throughout the holiday season.
- WHEN: Annually in December.
- SAVVY TIP: Best viewing – Sport Fishing Harbor along Jefferson Street between Jones and Taylor. Also the Marina Green, PIER 39, Crissy Field, and some of the Wharf restaurants.
Union Street Fantasy of Lights, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: No holiday lights listing would be complete without San Francisco’s Union Street Fantasy of Lights. The annual Union Street holiday program kicks off a month long celebration of holiday happenings in the city. Thousands of holiday lights set off the Victorians, transforming Union Street into a magical backdrop for Santa and a team of elves to celebrate along with jugglers, live ponies dressed as reindeer, face painters, balloon artists, costumed characters, singers and live entertainment.
- WHEN: December every year. Follow the link above for schedule updates.
- WHERE: Union Street, between Van Ness & Steiner, and Fillmore Street, from Union to Lombard, San Francisco, CA.
- SAVVY TIPS: To help you enjoy the experience …
- Get your parking validated by a participating merchant. Parking facilities are located at 2001 Union Plaza Garage, 1910 Union Street Garage (Wells Fargo) and the Lombard Street Garage (enter on Moulton Alley at Webster).
- Donate toys for needy children through the SF Firefighters Toy Program. Drop them in the collection barrels on Union Street at the event and throughout the holiday.
- Horse Drawn Carriage Rides — Hop on and take a ride around to see the sights.
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade, Calistoga CA (free)
- WHAT: Honk if you love Calistoga at Christmas time! Presented by the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce (part of the Bay area’s Wine Country north of San Francisco), the Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade features vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks, and other vehicular fun, decked out and ready to roll down Calistoga’s scenic main street. Also check out Calistoga’s annual Holiday Village and “Winter In The Wineries.”
- WHEN: December every year.
- WHERE: Downtown Calistoga, Lincoln Avenue (between Cedar and Stevenson), Calistoga, California.
Livermore Holiday Sights and Sounds Parade, Livermore CA (free)
- WHAT: The annual Downtown Livermore Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade features local music and marching bands, holiday light displays, and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting will take place after the hour-long parade.
- WHEN: Every year in December.
- WHERE: Parade route is First Street from M Street to McLeod St, Livermore, CA. Lighting of “Bruce Sprucetree” will be at the corner of First Street & South Livermore Avenue.
- SAVVY TIP: Parking is available at the FREE Livermore Valley Center Parking Garage, 2350 Railroad Avenue.
FEBRUARY Festivals and Parades
Chinese New Year Festival, Parade, San Francisco CA (free)
- WHAT: San Francisco rings in the Chinese New Year with a series of celebrations including a Flower Market Fair, Chinese New Year Parade, and Chinese New Year Community Street Fair. Named one of the world’s top ten parades and, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. Parade viewing gets more crowded as you get closer to Chinatown. Post Street is suggested by parade organizers as a good place to watch the parade. Want to skip the crowds? Tune in to watch the live Parade broadcast on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Ch. 26.
- WHEN: Annually in February (but may start end of January).
- WHERE: San Francisco’s Chinatown.
- Chinese New Year Mini-Parade Preview & Ribbon Cutting – Free. Begins at historic St. Mary’s Square, follows the original parade route down Grant to the Flower Fair’s main stage on Washington.
- Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair – Free. Grant Ave from California to Broadway. Pacific Ave from Kearny to Stockton; Washington & Jackson St from Kearny to Stockton.
- Chinese New Year Day – No events scheduled on this day.
- Chinese New Year Parade – Free. Parade begins at Second and Market Streets, then west on Market to Kearny and Jackson.
- Chinese New Year Community Street Fair – Free. Grant Avenue from California to Broadway St., Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton, Washington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton, San Francisco.
San Francisco International Beer Week, San Francisco CA
- WHAT: According to a panel of the seven most prominent brewers, San Francisco has a rich history of microbreweries. Beer aficionados aren’t the only ones who look forward to the annual SF Beer Week, but an appreciation for the brew doesn’t hurt. Hundreds of events are planned for the week-long celebration of beer, but the main events are the SF Brewers Guild Opening Celebration, and the Toronado Barleywine Festival. Many events include fine foods and live entertainment. Event prices vary, including some free and others with ticket deals (which I’ll update here as they turn up). Prices usually range from $15 to $150, depending on the event and if dinner is included.
- WHEN: Every year in February.
- WHERE: Various San Francisco Bay Area locations.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chowder Cook Off & Festival, Santa Cruz CA (free)
- WHAT: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chowder Cook Off & Festival features competitions with chefs from throughout the west coast. You’ll also see participants dressed as scuba divers, mermaids, and even as a clam fairy. The festival has free admission and clam chowder tasting kits cost around $8 (last checked), which includes a containing bowl, spoon, five taste tickets, and a People’s Choice Ballot.
- WHEN: Every year in February.
- WHERE: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
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