Aug 2-3: Cabrillo Music Art Food & Wine Festival. All the finer things in life come together for two exciting days of summer fun. Peruse artist and craft vendor booths, get a taste of artisanal foods and wines, and watch live entertainment. 11-8. (Santa Cruz: Church St. outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium; 831/426-6966; www.cabrillomusic.org/2008/music-art-wine.html)
Aug 2-3: Fremont Festival of the Arts. This annual outdoor celebration of the arts offers 700 arts and craft vendors, 30 food booths, cooking demonstrations, a gourmet marketplace, a wine garden and three entertainment stages. 10-6. (Fremont: Walnut Ave. at Paseo Padre Pkwy.; 510/795-2244; www.fremontfestival.net)
Aug 6, 13, 20 & 27: Cinema San Pedro. Enjoy free outdoor movies Wednesdays in San Pedro Square. There’s a concession stand, but you’ll have to bring your own blankets and chairs. For August: Moonstruck (Aug 6); The Usual Suspects (Aug 13); The Shining (Aug 20) and Animal House (Aug 27). Movies begin at dusk. (San Jose: San Pedro Square; 408/279-1775; www.sanpedrosquare.com/what.html
Aug 7, 14, 21, 28: Movies on the Square. Pack a blanket and a picnic dinner and catch a well-loved movie under the stars at this free outdoor movie festival. August features are Cars (Aug 7) Mary Poppins (Aug 14), Top Gun (Aug 21) and West Side Story (Aug 28). Showtimes start at dusk, approximately 8:45pm. (Redwood City: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St.; 650/780-7000; www.redwoodcity.org/events/movieschedule.html)
Aug 8-17: San Mateo County Fair. Carnival lights, game booths and the smell of kettle corn and funnel cake can only mean one thing—it’s county fair time. Besides thrilling rides, games, prizes and classic carnival fare, you can also listen to live music, see agricultural, horticultural and livestock competitions and watch pie-eating contests to boot. Fri-Sat, 12pm-12am, (except Aug 8, 4pm-midnight); Sun-Thurs, 12-11pm. (San Mateo: Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 650/574-3247; www.sanmateocountyfair.com)
Aug 9-10: Burlingame Art & Jazz Festival. With a showcase of local music talent and works by Bay Area artists, a wine pavilion, a home and garden exhibition, and gourmet food, this annual festival promises to jazz things up. 9:30-6. (Burlingame: Burlingame Ave.; 650/344-1735; www.burlingamechamber.org)
August 9-10: Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. Enjoy a leisurely weekend in the park while experiencing art from over 100 fine artists, award-winning wines and microbrews, great food, and live entertainment. Don’t miss this event of great taste and style! 10am-6pm. (Scotts Valley: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd., 17 miles south of Los Gatos on Hwy. 17, Mt Hermon Rd exit; 831/438-1010; www.scottsvalleychamber.com)
Aug 9-10: Fiesta de Artes. Downtown Los Gatos’ vibrant art scene comes alive at this annual festival featuring the best of local artisans, vintners, microbrewers, entertainers and merchants. 10-6. (Los Gatos: Main St.; 408/354-6559; www.lgfiesta.org)
Aug 16-17: Celebrate Milpitas. Live entertainment on two stages, cultural arts and crafts, kiddie play areas and a melting pot of ethnic foods, wine and beer make this annual summer festival worth a gander. 10-6. (Milpitas: Milpitas Blvd. at Calavaras Blvd., South to Turquoise St.; 408/262-2613; www.milpitaschamber.com)
Aug 17: Aloha Celebrity Races & Polynesian Festival. The thrill of outrigger canoe racing is yours to discover at this exciting event. Following the race, the celebration of Polynesian culture continues with Hawaiian food, Maori face painting, flower leis and live dance performances. Races start at 9am; festival begins at 11am. (Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Wharf, Beach St.; 831/420-5273; www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us)
Aug 23-24: Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. More than 300 artists put their ceramics, glassworks, mixed-media creations and more on display at this popular annual festival in downtown Palo Alto. Delicious food, wine and beer will be available, as well as music performances and kids’ activities. 10-6. (Palo Alto: University Ave.; 650/324-3121; www.mlaproductions.com/PaloAlto/about-festival.html)
Aug 30-31: Millbrae Art & Wine Festival. There’s something for everyone at this Mardi Gras-themed feast of live tribute bands, mouthwatering food and thirst-quenching wines and beer, an artisan showcase, cultural performances, extreme hula-hoop stunts, fire-eating feats, Chinese dragon dancing and more. 10-5. (Millbrae: Broadway Ave., between Victoria and Meadow Glen; 650/697-7324; www.miramarevents.com/millbrae/index.html)
