OK, I’ll admit it: I’ve already purchased my first pumpkin-spiced food. I’m wary of the increasingly earlier rush from one season to another (do we really need fake Christmas trees and giant skeleton decorations on display at Costco in August?) but I can’t complain about having more time to try the vast array of pumpkin products at Trader Joe’s.
Likewise, Oktoberfest starting in September may sound contradictory, but we’re the benefactors. Instead of having to pick and choose between Oktoberfest events held simultaneously, the festivities on the Peninsula are spread out over several weeks. Beer is a universal component of the Oktoberfest celebrations, but there’s also a wide variety of German cuisine, live music and activities like dancing, lawn games and competitions in homebrewing and best attire. Adrienne Mitchel has the details on where and how to join in the fun locally.
Refilling my stein,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Smuin Contemporary Ballet season opener to explore chance, solidarity
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Dance Series 1 kicks off the company’s season at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, Sept. 13-15.
Woodside-based equine therapy facility is changing lives
The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy in Woodside is healing adults, children and families through building relationships with horses. The center provides occupational therapy, mental health support, adaptive riding, horsemanship and special education.
5 ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in Silicon Valley
It’s time to iron your lederhosen, build up your stein-holding arm strength and expand your beer belly because Peninsula Oktoberfest events are almost here.
Congrats to Daphne C. from Sunnyvale, who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s “Playing Together,” James Moore’s art installation at Fair Oaks Park in Sunnyvale!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Portola Valley Arts Fest: Sept. 14 Portola Valley celebrates creativity and community with hands-on activities, live music and readings, food and drink, theatrical performances and work by a variety of artists.
Bark in the Park: Sept. 15 Dogs take the spotlight at this event, featuring a pup parade, contests, games and more, benefitting San Mateo PAL (a nonprofit collaboration between the San Mateo Police Department and the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department).
Electric Service Launch Parties: Sept. 21-22 Caltrain hosts community festivals to celebrate the launch of its electrified service, featuring food trucks, games, giveaways, free Caltrain rides and photo booths.
Summer’s End Music Festival: Sept. 21 Half Moon Bay hosts a full day of musical performances and interactive activities.
Pie Ranch Meadow Dance: Sept. 21 The Pescadero ranch hosts a meadow dance accompanied by the HomePie String Band.
Harvest History Festival: Sept. 21 Mountain View’s annual celebration of its agricultural history includes live music, kids’ activities and garden demonstrations.
Coastside Cornhole Tournament: Sept. 22 Teams face off in hopes of cornhole victory in this fundraiser for the Cabrillo Education Foundation.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Through Sept. 22 This stage musical adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl book includes songs from the 1971 film, which are probably stuck in your head as you’re reading this.
Plan Ahead
Crowded House: Sept. 25 The long-running band led by Neil Finn (and now including his two sons) brings its beautiful melodies to the Mountain Winery.
Bird Walk at Pond SF2: Sept. 27 Celebrate National Public Lands Day while learning about resident bird species, migratory birds and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project on a guided walk.
Jamie Drake: Sept. 28 Indie-folk and pop musician Jamie Drake performs as part of the Los Altos History Museum’s Concerts in the Courtyard program, with an opening set by local band The Song Gardeners.
Party Like an Animal: Sept. 28 Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company hosts a fundraiser for Pets in Need, featuring a VIP “yappy hour,” food and drinks, music, dancing and a live auction.
Roots and Watts: Sept. 28 The HEAL Project Farm is the location for this free, family-friendly event aimed at teaching elementary and middle school-aged children and their families about sustainable food and energy systems.
Pacific Coast Fog Fest: Sept. 28-29 A parade, live music, food and drinks, arts and crafts and more are on the agenda for Pacifica’s annual community festival.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch: Sept. 28-29 Want a glass gourd? This annual celebration and sale of handcrafted glass art has you covered.
Grow Exhibit: Through Sept. 30 Check out artwork from members of Peninsula Outdoor Painters that’s inspired by local gardens and parks, on exhibit at the Palo Alto Art Center (reception Sept. 7).
Family Nature Day: Oct. 5 Peninsula Open Space Trust, Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks and San Mateo County Parks host a day of hikes for all ages, plus nature activities and crafts.
Bowl The Planet: Oct. 5 Glow-in-the-dark bowling, unlimited pizza, raffle prizes and a silent auction are on the agenda for this fundraising event, with proceeds going toward scholarships for environmental education.
San Francisco Water Lantern Festival: Oct. 11 See thousands of lanterns lighting up the lagoon alongside food trucks, music and more.
The call of the wild: From paralyzed seagulls to skunks caught in bear traps, Peninsula wildlife rescue workers have seen it all
Meet the people who specialize in helping Silicon Valley’s orphaned and injured wild animals.
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YouTube 'auditor' provoked, pepper-sprayed shopper at Mountain View Costco, police sayApril 8, 2026 12:23 pm
