Looking for something to do in the South Bay? With so many offerings in the area, we’ve curated some of the annual events you can’t miss. Less researching and more enjoying your time in the area. Enjoy!
*Things change, so please check in with the organizers of these events for details.
February
Join on one of the biggest Vietnamese New Year Festival in San Jose. The Vietnamese New Year takes place at Eastridge Mall and features live entertainment, lion and dragon dance, contests, carnival rides and games, food booths, and more.
April
Be part of the story at Japantown Immersive, a festive open street event reinventing the way audiences experience art, directed in collaboration with Epic Immersive.
May
Palo Alto’s Childrens’ May Festival has grown into one of the major events in Palo Alto, featuring a parade on University Avenue with kids walking their pets, riding their bicycles, pulling their wagons or showing off their homemade floats.
June
Kick off the summer at the Art & Wine Festival in Downtown Sunnyvale.
July
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular with San Francisco Symphony
One of Northern California’s longest-running fireworks events is at Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre on July 4th, a special celebration with the San Francisco Symphony. At dusk, one of the area’s largest fireworks displays begins off with a bang, set to symphony music above the backdrop of Shoreline Amphitheatre.
More info: livenation.com
Los Gatos Art and Wine Festival
On the second weekend of July, downtown Los Altos hosts one of the Bay Area’s largest midsummer events. The two-day Los Gatos Art + Wine Festival showcases 300 artists’ handcrafted works, attracting makers from a dozen states. Concerts on two stages, kid-zone, food and California wines poured by the glass.
More info: pacificfinearts.com
Gilroy Garlic Festival
On the last full weekend in July, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is a major community event organized by the “Garlic Capital of the World.” In keeping with more than 40 years of tradition, there’s a festival queen and a python-chef cook-off, plus every kind of food imaginable. Garlic ice cream and garlic fries are fan favorites.
More info: gilroygarlicfestivalassociation.com
August
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
For more than 30 years, Summer Fest has been attracting jazz lovers…plus blues, R&B, Latin, New Orleans, and more. With the main stage centered at Plaza de César Chavez in downtown San Jose, all six stages for 70-plus performers are within walking distance. Arts & crafts, food Dates: Aug. 12-14, 2022.
More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org
Also in August:
- For two days, Downtown University Avenue becomes home to 300 fine art and contemporary craft displays, Italian street painting, kids’ art studio, sculpture plaza, stage and street entertainment during the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts.
September
The Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival takes place in the 52-acre Central Park and features over 160 art vendors, 25+ food groups, 3 entertainment stages and large children’s area. All proceeds go to local non-profit organizations.
October
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay is home of the pumpkin. On a peak harvest weekend in mid-October, this Main Street festival salutes pumpkins, carving skills, art, food, wine, and community. The heaviest of the giant gourds — typically over a ton — is crowned the winner after a weigh-off and then The Great Pumpkin Parade is on.
More info: pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com
Also in October:
- Love Donuts? Who doesn’t. Come out for the sweetest event in Silicon Valley. Donut Fest curates our favorite donuts and guests can simply enjoy a Sunday Funday while sampling donuts, enjoying beer, coffee and more with a fun-filled tasty event.
December
Downtown Ice in San Jose is the only rink in the world that offers skating in and around a circle of 32 palm trees.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
