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October means 31 days of fall festivities, including the hallmark Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, cultural celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali and annual culinary events like the Upscale Pub Crawl and Chocolate Fest. (And, of course, Halloween – check back in two weeks for a link to our dedicated guide to local Halloween happenings.)
Here’s what’s happening locally this month. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
Festivals, fair and celebrations
Kasayahan Sa Daly City: Daly City’s Filipino American History Month celebration returns with more than 90 vendors, live performances, crafts, kids’ activities, food trucks and a beer garden.
Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gellert Park, 50 Wembley Drive. instagram.com/dalycityrec.
Summer’s End Music Festival: The city of Half Moon Bay’s annual festival will feature live music, free caricatures, henna tattoos, kids’ activities and more.
Oct. 4, noon to 5 p.m. at John L. Carter Park, Stone Pine Road, Half Moon Bay. visithalfmoonbay.org/events/summers-end-music-festival.
Wildlife Fair: In celebration of the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance’s centennial, the fair will feature speakers from local conservation organizations and the larger birding community, vendors, workshops and more.
Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Science & Math Building at West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. scvbirdalliance.org/centennial-celebration.
Diwali 2025: Celebrate Diwali in downtown Sunnyvale with Indian classical dances and flash mob dance performances, vendors, henna, Indian food, photo booths and a kids’ zone.
Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 230 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. sacas.org.
Palo Alto Moon Festival Mixer: This family-friendly event will include a lantern-making workshop, mooncake tasting, open mahjong play for all levels with coaching available, live music and snacks available for purchase. The first 100 people to preregister for the festivities will receive a lantern.
Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road. paloalto.gov/Events-Directory/Community-Services/Moon-Festival-2025.
Los Altos History Museum’s Mid-Autumn Festival: Visitors to the museum can enjoy mooncakes, traditional Chinese crafts, live performances and games at this harvest celebration that’s also known as the Moon Festival.
Oct. 5, 1-5 p.m. at the Los Altos History Museum, 51 S. San Antonio Road. Admission is $10 a person; free for museum members, seniors over 65 and children 12 and under. losaltoshistory.org/events/mid-autumn-festival-2/.
Hakone Estate and Gardens Moon Festival: Hakone hosts its inaugural Moon Festival under the full moon. Festivities will include an origami booth, a haiku activity booth, a kimono showcase and demo, live traditional Japanese music and food available for purchase from Dumpling King. (Attendees can also bring their own food.)
Oct. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Hakone Estate and Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. General admission is $60 for adults, $10 for youth ages 1-17 (includes free light-up lantern while supplies last). hakone.ticketspice.com/hakone-moon-festival.
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire: Find more than 200 artists, crafters and vendors along with fine wines and microbrews, food, entertainment and the Family Fun Zone at this 33rd annual festival in downtown San Carlos.
Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on San Carlos Avenue at Laurel Street. cityofsancarlos.org/artandwinefaire.
Mountain View Oktoberfest: The 10th annual festival will include music from traditional German ensembles Deutscher MusikVerein and BlowMusik, contests, a 200-foot festival tent, German food, beer and wine.
Oct. 11-12, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Castro Street from Church Street to Mercy Street. Admission is free; drink tickets available for purchase. mvoktoberfest.com.
Bay Area Diwali: The 23rd annual Bay Area Diwali Festival of Lights features live music and dancing, a kids’ zone, arts and crafts and over 70 vendors selling jewelry, artwork, food and more.
Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cupertino Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Blvd. cupertino-chamber.org/bay-area-diwali.
Día De Los Muertos Celebration: This community event will include traditional food and dancing, crafts, music, a raffle, altars and a car show.
Oct. 11, noon to 3 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center & Park, 725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo. cityofsanmateo.org/4212/Dia-de-los-Muertos.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival: The festival returns for its 53rd year, drawing visitors for its display of weigh-off champion pumpkins and a wide assortment of pumpkin-flavored food and beverages, plus a parade, live music, fine art vendors, kids’ activities and more. Catch the pumpkin weigh-off Oct. 13.
World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Oct. 13, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the IDES Grounds, 735 Main St.; festival Oct. 18-19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street. hmbpumpkinfest.com.
Code:ART 2025 Festival: The interactive media art festival returns to downtown Palo Alto for its fourth edition. It opens with five site-specific art installations on view Oct. 16-18, and from Oct. 16-25 visitors can check out an eight-story projection art show outside Palo Alto City Hall.
Oct. 16-25 in downtown Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.org/codeart.
Campbell Oktoberfest: Come to Campbell for a full slate of Oktoberfest activities, from stein-holding and best-dressed contests to a kids’ zone, live music and performances, food and artisan vendors and the Biersche Garten tent.
Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on East Campbell Avenue between Third Street and Harrison Avenue. Admission is free; drink tickets are $12 each, entrance into the kids’ zone is $20, Oktoberfest Pass for faster beer booth lines $25. campbelloktoberfest.com.
Indie Author Fest: San Mateo County Libraries’ third annual festival focused on independent Bay Area writers features a book fair with over 30 authors plus writing and publishing presentations. Pick up a free book while supplies last.
Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas. smcl.org/blogs/post/join-us-at-indie-author-fest-on-saturday-october-18.
Top of the Hill Festival: The annual Daly City celebration will include a classic car show, kids’ zone, food and merch vendors and live performances from local talent.
Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at John Daly Boulevard and Mission Street, Daly City. dalycity.org/1221/Daly-Citys-Top-of-the-Hill-Festival.
Fostoberfest: The Foster City Chamber Foundation hosts this new fall festival with live dance bands and cultural performances, a kids’ zone featuring balloon artists, face painting and a petting zoo, artisan vendors, caricature artists, food trucks and a beer garden. Purchase an adult or kids’ wristband for full access to activities.
Oct. 18, 3-8 p.m. at Leo J. Ryan Park, 650 Shell Blvd., Foster City. Admission is free, but kids’ activities wristbands are $31 each; adult activities and drink wristbands are $35. VIP tent access is $55. Visit fostercitychamber.com/Fostoberfest for a full list of activities.
Belmont Diwali Celebration: The Belmont Library and the city of Belmont are curating a Diwali celebration featuring traditional dancing, live music, crafts and refreshments.
Oct. 19, 2-5 p.m. at the Twin Pines Senior & Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. belmont.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.
Fall Festival: The annual Burlingame festival includes a kids’ zone, a petting zoo, live bands, food trucks, a costume contest and more.
Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Burlingame. burlingamedowntown.org/events.
Food and drink events
Upscale Pub Crawl: This event, in celebration of Banned Books Week, will include drinks at 16 locations that will each have a banned book and information about censorship. Redwood City Library Foundation volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Ticketholders receive discounted drinks and small bites.
Oct. 8, 5-9 p.m. (doors open at 4 p.m.) starting at the Redwood City Public Library, 1044 Middlefield Road. Tickets are $55.20. This event is 21 and over. eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-upscale-pub-crawl-tickets-1333359396849.
2025 Mid-Autumn Food Festival: The two-day festival will include over 100 food vendors, live performances and cultural showcases, fitness and dance classes and more.
Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cityline Sunnyvale, 241 Taaffe St. RSVP requested at citylinesunnyvale.com/events.
Winters Tavern Annual Chili Cook-Off: No entry fee is required at this Pacifica bar’s annual chili cook-off, but contestants must bring their own serving dishes and utensils. Live music will be playing all afternoon.
Oct. 11, 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Winters Tavern, 1522 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica. Enter the cook-off by emailing karinherrick@gmail.com. This event is 21 and over.
Taste of Fall: This two-day tasting event at Filoli will include an artisan marketplace with food, cider and cocktail tastings. Filoli’s horticultural team will be on hand to answer questions about its orchards, and a special tasting table will include heritage fruits grown at the estate.
Oct. 18-19 starting at 10 a.m. at Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. Tickets are $85; general admission is included. filoli.org/fall.
La Honda Fire Brigade Pancake Breakfast: Dine on pancakes, sausage, eggs and coffee, tea or orange juice in support of the all-volunteer La Honda Fire Brigade. Pick up a pumpkin at the patch next to the fire station, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day.
Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon at 8945 La Honda Road, La Honda. Breakfast is $15 for adults, $10 for kids 5 and up, free for children under 5. lahondafire.org.
Chocolate Fest: The 42nd annual festival returns as a one-day event with two sessions from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Expect chocolate tastings (with sweets available for purchase), champagne and coffee, door prizes, a silent auction and live jazz.
Oct. 18, 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at the Congregational Church of the Peninsula, 751 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont. Early-bird tickets are $18.91-$28.52. chocolatefestofbelmont.org.
Taste of Los Altos: Enjoy samples of bites from local restaurants, wine and craft beverages alongside live music and entertainment in Los Altos.
Oct. 18, 6-9 p.m. at the Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave. Tickets are $100. losaltoschamber.org/tasteoflosaltos.
Sigona’s Fall Food Festival: The Redwood City grocer hosts a day of wine and cheese tasting, free samples, live music and entertainment plus more than 20 local food vendors.
Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sigona’s Farmers Market, 2345 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. Entrance and samples are free. instagram.com/sigonasfarmersmarket.
Outdoor events
Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk: This Baylands moonlit run features timed 5K and 10K runs and an untimed 5K walk. Food trucks on hand include Rolling Duck by Twister, Oaxacan Kitchen Mobile and The Cookout Fish and Chips. Dogs are allowed on the 5K walk, but not on the runs. This benefit event supports local nonprofits and local independent journalism.
Oct. 3, in-person registration starts at 5:30 p.m., 5K walk at 7 p.m., 10K run at 8:15 p.m., 5K run at 8:30 p.m. at the Baylands Athletic Center, 1900 Geng Road, Palo Alto. Registration is $65 per adult, $54 for kids ages 7-17, free for children 6 and under. runsignup.com/Race/CA/PaloAlto/PaloAltoWeeklyMoonlightRun.
Day in the Park and Derby: This Brisbane tradition, held on the first Saturday of October, kicks off with derby car and Adult Big Wheel races on San Francisco Street starting at 8 a.m. The Star City San Bruno Mountain Half Marathon & 5K follows at 9 a.m. (5K at 9:15 a.m.). Day in the Park, beginning at 10 a.m., includes arts and crafts vendors, music, food, a cookie-baking competition and kids’ activities.
Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting on San Francisco Street, Brisbane. Half-marathon registration is $107.54, 5K is $38.29; both open to ages 11 and up. brisbaneca.org/parksrec/page/day-park-derby.
Oktoberfest Fun Run/Walk: Held on the first day of Campbell’s Oktoberfest celebration, this fun run includes a 10K, 5K and a kids’ dash. Register by Oct. 7 to secure a race day shirt and a medal.
Oct. 18, 9 a.m. starting at Campbell Park, E. Campbell Avenue and Gilman Avenue. Registration is $50 for adults, $25 for ages 25 and under, $15 for ages 6 and under. No race day registration. campbellca.gov/376/Oktoberfest-Fun-Run.
San Mateo Rotary 2025 Fun Run: The annual 10K and 5K fun run and walk starts at 9 a.m., followed by the kids’ fun run at 10 a.m. Strollers and dogs on leashes are permitted. Runners 12 and younger who are running the 10K or 5K need to be accompanied by an adult.
Oct. 19, 8:30-10:30 a.m. starting at Seal Point Park, 1901 J. Hart Clinton Drive, San Mateo. Registration is $5 for the kids’ fun run, $10 for students in the 5K, $15 for students in the 10K, $40 for adults in the 5K and $45 for adults in the 10K. 4agc.com/event/funrun.
Bike to the Future: This event serves as Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s major annual fundraiser and draws awareness to its mission to make the El Camino Real corridor safer for everyone. It includes four ride options ranging from 5-62 miles and a community expo with music, food, giveaways, bike safety classes and a bike repair clinic.
Oct. 26, times vary starting at 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose. Check website for event schedule and registration costs. biketothefuture.funraise.org.
Movies and live music
Movies in the Parks: The final stop for Belmont’s annual outdoor movie series is Barrett Park for “Shrek.” Come by early for games.
instagram.com/belmontparksrec.
Na Leo Mokupuni ma Cupertino: Meaning Island Sounds in Cupertino, this new event will bring performers together to celebrate island music and dance.
Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave. Admission is $5; preregister at cupertino.gov/naleo.
Millbrae Goes to the Movies: Catch “Wicked” at Millbrae Recreation Center starting at 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. at Millbrae Recreation Center, 477 Lincoln Circle. ci.millbrae.ca.us/355/Movies
Rock the Dock, Redwood City: The Saturday concert series continues with Dutch Uncle (classic rock) Oct. 11, Club 90 (funk, dance, Motown) Oct. 18 and Livewire (Halloween dance party) Oct. 25.
Saturdays (excluding Oct. 4) 3:30-6 p.m. at the Port of Redwood City, 459 Seaport Court. $5-$20 suggested donation. rockthedockrwc.com.
Beats, Brews and Vines, Millbrae: The Good Time Collective is performing at Millbrae’s final evening in its summer concert series.
Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m. on Broadway in downtown Millbrae. ci.millbrae.ca.us/354/Beats-Brews-Vines.
Cinema at the Cemetery, Colma: The town of Colma is hosting a screening of “The Haunted Mansion” at the Italian Cemetery Mausoleum. Food and drink is permitted except for glass.
Oct. 18, movie starts at dusk at the Italian Cemetery, 540 F St., Colma. Early arrival is recommended due to limited space; admission starts at 6 p.m. instagram.com/colmarecreationservices.
Art + Sound on Broadway, Redwood City: Check out hands-on activities, visual art exhibitions, live music and performing arts in this new series in downtown Redwood City, which concludes Oct. 19 with Ol’ Blue Genes, a female trio playing a mix of ‘50s to ‘70s favorites, acoustic rock and originals, followed by Redwood Souls (old-time country, folk, blues).
Oct. 19, 4-7 p.m. on the corner of Broadway and Main Street and inside the Hotel Sequoia at 800 Main St., Redwood City. rwccfc.org/art-sound-on-broadway.
Shopping
Scholastic Community Book Fair: Bookworms, rejoice: The Scholastic Community Book Fair is open to the public, with proceeds benefiting South San Francisco School District schools.
Oct. 2 from noon to 8 p.m., Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 5 from 2-5 p.m. at the South San Francisco Public Library (second floor, Community Room), 901 Civic Campus Way. bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ssfeducationfoundation.
Campbell Citywide Garage Sale: Find a map and list of items for sale online before the Saturday citywide event.
Oct. 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Campbell. campbellca.gov/597/Community-Garage-Sale.
Friends of the Campbell Library Used Book Sale: Everything except for craft items will be 50% off at this final sale of the year, which also includes games, CDs and DVDs.
Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Campbell Express Library patio, 1 W. Campbell Ave. #46. instagram.com/friendsofcampbelllibrary.
FabMo Artisans Market: Every item sold at this annual market is made out of 30%-100% FabMo-sourced materials. Find sustainably made artwork, hats, bags and more for sale from 40 artisans, plus mystery grab bags each containing a small handmade item for $5.
Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave. fabmo.org/artisans-market.
Oasis Makers Fair: TETRA Hotel’s fall makers fair celebrates World Mental Health Day with a wellness-themed event featuring small businesses and artists, food vendors, and health and wellness specialists.
Oct. 11, noon to 3 p.m. at TETRA Hotel & AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park, 400 West Java Drive, Sunnyvale. instagram.com/tetrahotelsv.
Head West Marketplace: Head West Marketplace features local small businesses selling various goods, from handmade jewelry to vintage wares. Find it in downtown San Mateo every third Sunday through December and every fourth Sunday through October in downtown Los Altos (weather permitting).
Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on South B Street, 1st Avenue to 3rd Avenue, San Mateo; Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on State Street at 3rd Avenue, Los Altos. headwestmarketplace.com/events.
