With only a few days of summer left, it’s time to think about how to get the most out of fall. Fortunately, we’ve found a few events across the Bay Area they may be of interest. From art walks and music festivals to Bay FC player meet & greets to Oktoberfest celebrations, you’re bound to find something new to get excited about this fall.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
North Bay
In the North Bay, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival (Sept. 19-20) features handmade art from 135 artists and live music for the whole family, all taking place under the redwoods in Mill Valley. Art, music and nature – a perfect combination!
East Bay
There are a few events to look forward to in the East Bay, notably in Pleasanton and Oakland. In Pleasanton, there are three events coming to the Alameda County Fairgrounds & Event Center starting with Thrift Fest (Sept. 19). This is a massive celebration of all things vintage and unique, with over 125 vendors selling jewelry, collectibles, home goods and more as well as live music and refreshments on site.
The next weekend check out Corgi Con (Sept. 26): a full day of corgi races, costume contests, “Ninja Warrior action,” photo ops, food trucks and more. (We know how much Bay FC fans love corgis, so grab your tickets soon!) A couple weeks later, 626 Night Market (Oct. 9-11) will be in town featuring over 200 food, merch, arts, crafts, games, music, and attractions at this family-friendly event.
Meanwhile in Oakland, make your way to the KONO district for Oakland First Fridays (Oct. 2), a street festival featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, and the culture The Town is known for. At the same time, check out some of the dozens of neighboring galleries participating in Oakland Art Murmur’s First Friday Art Walk (Oct. 2).
For an even more only-in-Oakland experience, head over to West Oakland for the Oakland Black Cowboy Association Parade and Festival (Oct. 3) to learn more about and celebrate the untold stories of Black pioneers who shaped the American West. Go south to Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood to participate in the Día de los Muertos Festival (Nov. 1). Join over 100,000 other guests to celebrate the holiday with live music, traditional Latin American artisans, and stunning altars to honor those who have passed.
South Bay
The South Bay events on our radar are all about Bay FC with a hint of Oktoberfest. Round out September with Bay FC’s last two home games of the month against Racing Louisville FC (Sept. 20) and Orlando Pride (Sept. 27) at PayPal Park in San Jose.
There will then two opportunities to see Bay FC off the pitch: first at the Santa Clara Parade of Champions Festival and Sports FAN Zone (Oct. 3), a day of community pride, creative performances, connection, and celebration in Santa Clara, and then at the Bay FC Player Meet & Greet at Stevens Creek Chevrolet (Oct. 7) in San Jose.
Go to Campbell for a two-day Oktoberfest (Oct. 17-18) with dozens of food vendors, live music, arts & crafts booths, and of course German beers in the Biersch Garten. Close autumn out with Bay FC’s last two home games against Portland Thorns (Oct. 18) and San Diego Wave (Nov. 1).
The Peninsula
Pumpkins and fall go hand-in-hand, so make your way to Half Moon Bay in the Peninsula for the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 17-18). This two-day event will feature the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with festivities like a parade, movie night, run, pumpkin carving, and more starting as early as Oct. 12.
San Francisco
Start the weekend by catching the tail end of Flower Piano – an eleven-day celebration with live music, hidden pianos, and performances interspersed within the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Golden Gate Park (Sept. 19-20). Celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival (Sept. 19-20) in Chinatown with a parade, lion dance and martial arts performances, food vendors, mooncakes, kids activities, and arts & crafts. For a different kind of festival, head over to the Haight Ashbury Street Festival (Sept. 20) in the Upper Haight to experience a day of hippie culture with live music, local vendors selling food, clothing, and more. If you’re more of a journey vs. destination person, the Muni Heritage Weekend (Sept. 19-20) might be for you. Ride historic vehicles, pose with the Tony Bennett cable car, learn about transit history at the San Francisco Railway Museum, and participate in a photo walking tour.
There are also a few music events to check out. Honor the life and legacy of Dolly Parton with fellow fans with an afternoon of “live music, community spirit, and all-out glam” at Dolly Day (Sept. 25) in Union Square. The music goes on during the Portola Music Festival (Sept. 26-27) at Pier 80. There are still two- and single-day passes available to this 21+ festival featuring 63 musical acts and over twenty food vendors on site. A week later, head back to Golden Gate Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Oct. 2-4): a free music festival featuring dozens of artists across genres. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at the 52ndAnnual Castro Street Fair (Oct.4) with a day of celebration, diversity, art, and live music in the Castro. At the same time, Fleet Week (Oct. 4-12) will commence along the city’s waterfront with over a week of military band music, ship tours, the Parade of Ships, community events, and of course the aerial spectacle occurring right over our heads. Celebrate Italian culture at the Italian Heritage Festival & Parade (Oct. 11), a massive event with taking over Columbus Blvd. in North Beach.
