Thru Sept 1: Kings Mountain Art Fair. Enjoy a day among the redwoods browsing fine arts and crafts from more than 135 artists. Paintings, serigraphs, jewelry, photography, furniture and more will be on display. 10-5. (Woodside: Kings Mountain Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd.; 650/851-2710; www.kingsmountainartfair.org)
Thru Sept 1: Casa de Fruta Arts, Crafts and Music Festival. Visit this historic roadside stop and browse a wide selection of pottery, leatherwork, stained glass and other handmade crafts; see live entertainment throughout the day; and check out Casa de Fruta’s other attractions. 9-6. (Hollister: 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy.; 408/842-7282; www.casadefruta.com/events.aspx)
Thru Sept 1: Tapestry Arts Festival. San Jose’s oldest and largest street festival is a multicultural event with arts and crafts by 350 artists, wine tasting, and eclectic food booths. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities at the Creativity Zone, while adults can check out a home and garden show, rock climbing wall, hang gliding simulator, and more. Dance, theater, and blues, rock, jazz, and classical music provide nonstop entertainment on four stages. (San Jose: Almaden Blvd.; 408/494-3590; www.tapestryarts.org)
Sept 5-7: International Gem & Jewelry Show. All that glitters is gold—and more—at this dazzling show, where you’ll find every gem under the sun, as well as estate jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces and special celebrity exhibits. Fri, 12-6; Sat, 10-6; Sun, 11-5. (San Mateo: County Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 301/294-1640; www.intergem.com)
Sept 6-7: Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. This multicultural celebration features arts and crafts, food, wines, microbrews, live music and more. 10-6. (Mountain View: Castro St.; 650/968-8378; www.miramarevents.com/mountainview)
Sept 6-7: Capitola Art & Wine Festival. A beautiful seaside view, more than 185 artists, plenty of wine and great food, and live jazz, blues and rock performances all add up to a good time. 10-6. (Capitola: Stockton Ave. at Esplanade; 831/475-6522; www.capitolachamber.com/artwine.html)
Sept 6-Oct 12: Northern California Renaissance Faire. Kings, queens, knights and maidens come together at this annual affair. This lively recreation of a Renaissance-era harvest fair offers arts, crafts, foods, wines and frothy ales, while costumed singers, dancers, jugglers and actors perform on stage and throughout the grounds. Fair-goers are invited to wear their own period costumes and participate in activities such as archery, axe throwing and tomato tossing. 10-6. (Hollister: Casa de Fruta Country Park; 408/847-FAIR; www.norcalrenfaire.com)
Sept 9-14: Santa Cruz County Fair. This long-running family fair includes exhibits, competitions,art demonstration, exciting carnival rides, fun contests and live music. (Watsonville: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave.; 831/724-5671; www.santacruzcountyfair.com)
Sept 12-14: Fall Fashion In the Park. The hottest fall trends hit the catwalk as Santana Row puts on six runway shows over three days. Tickets include a pre-show wine and hors d’oeuvre reception, admission to an after-party and private shopping at the Style Boutique, an exclusive shop featuring Santana Row’s most stylish retailers. Fri, 6:30pm; Sept 13, 12:30 & 6:30pm; Sept 14, 12:30 & 2:30pm. (San Jose: 368 Santana Row; 408/551-4611; www.santanarow.com/events/item/fall_fashion1)
Sept 13: Aki Matsuri Festival. Head to Japantown for this annual Fall festival—a Japanese cultural bazaar brimming with delicious foods and live music performances including drumming by San Jose Taiko. 11-4. (San Jose: Wesley United Methodist Church, 566 N. Fifth St.; 408/295-0367; www.wesleysj.net)
Sept 13-14: Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival. Get some fresh air while browsing the works of local and regional artists. With 175 booths to check out, 25 community groups serving international cuisine, fine wines and microbrews, live performances on three stages, and a “Kids Kingdom,” it’s easy to be entertained for hours. 10-5. (Santa Clara: Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd.; 408/615-3140; www.santaclaraartandwine.com)
Sept 14: Fiestas Patrias. Celebrate Mexican independence with this annual parade in downtown San Jose, where drill teams, floats and marching bands delight the audience. Following the parade is a festival offering live music performances, arts and crafts, children’s activities and delicioso food. Festival, 10-6; parade, 10-12. (San Jose: Discovery Meadow, E. San Carlos St. and Woz Way; 408/288-9470 www.sjgif.org/fiestaspatrias.html)
Sept 14: Antique Autos in History Park. Take a trip into the past when gas was 30 cents a gallon and cars were still considered a luxury. View vintage, pre-1946 autos, motorcycles, bicycles and more; see people dressed in 1900s garb; listen to live music; and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ford Model T at this annual event put on by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Club. 12-5. (San Jose: Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Rd. at Phelan Ave.; 408/287-2290; www.historysanjose.org)
Sept 20: Redwood City Salsa Festival. Things heat up with this annual festival, where amateur and professional salsa chefs compete for prizes. Sample local restaurant fare; take salsa dance lessons; enjoy live Latin music performances; and see beautiful artwork by local artists. 12-8. (Redwood City: Broadway St. between Middlefield Rd. and Hamilton St.; 831/457-1141; www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/events/salsafest.html)
Sept 20: Taste of Saratoga. Sip crisp microbrews and smooth wines, sample great food, browse local fine arts and enjoy live music against the quaint backdrop of charming downtown Saratoga. 11-6. (Saratoga: Big Basin Way; 408/867-0753; www.saratogachamber.org)
Sept 27-28: San Jose International Mariachi & Latin Music Festival. Romantic and lively Mexican ballads play center stage at this celebration of music, film, art and dance. On Saturday, some of the area’s best local mariachis and folkloric dancers in the bay area will perform at various hotels
and restaurants all around downtown San José. On Sunday, the Feria del Mariachi held at downtown’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez includes a Mariachi Mass (9am) and an outdoor festival (11am-7pm) with music and dance, food booths, crafts, and family activities. Showcasing different genres of Latin music, the entertainment line-up includes Lila Downs, Lose Cenzontles, Quetzal and Los Pinguos, along with traditional Mariachi performances by Mariach Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Azteca, Los Lupeños de San Jose,Mariachi Las Pioneras, Mariachi Ellas Son and Mariachi International Guadalajara. (San Jose; 877/MHC-VIVA; www.mhcviva.org)
Sept 27: Diwali Festival of Lights Celebration. Cupertino lights up as it ushers in the Indian New Year. Along with mouthwatering food, the festival also offers an ethnic arts and crafts showcase, lively music and dance performances, and a kids zone. 11-6. (Cupertino: Memorial Park at Stevens Creek Blvd. and Mary Ave.; 408/252-7054; www.cupertino-chamber.org)
Sept 27-28: California International Air Show. Hold your breath as death-defying aeronautical acrobats like the U.S. Airforce Demonstration Squadron, the Skyhawks Canadian Forces Parachute Team and others take to the skies to show off their talents. Begins 9am both days. (Salinas: Municipal Airport, off Hwy. 1; 888/845-SHOW; www.salinasairshow.com)
Sept 27-28: Taste of Morgan Hill. Get to know Morgan Hill at this annual festival, where you can enjoy great local food, a beer garden, a wine tent, live entertainment, a custom car show, a quilt show, arts and crafts, and a kiddie zone. 10-6. (Morgan Hill: Monterey Rd. at Main Ave.; 408/779-9444; www.morganhill.org)
Sept 27-28: Italian Family Festa. This cultural event features an abundance of pasta and wine, art, children’s activities, live entertainment, and a Saturday night dance. Downtown Willow Glen, San Jose. 408/293-7122; www.iahfsj.org
ntown San José. On Sunday, the Feria del Mariachi held at downtown’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez includes a Mariachi Mass (9am) and an outdoor festival (11am-7pm) with music and dance, food booths, crafts, and family activities. Showcasing different genres of Latin music, the entertainment line-up includes