(Looking for Fall and Winter 2013/2014 — head on over to our San Francisco Bay Area Food, Wine, and Art Festivals — 2013/2014 Fall and Winter Edition.)
Festivals get much more random in the colder months, that’s for sure. Get ready to celebrate the key comfort food groups: beer, chocolate, candy, wine, crab, crawfish, chili, beans, barbecue, and– my favorite — Spam. Or keep it healthy and stick to produce: pumpkins, grapes, walnuts, almonds, mushrooms, mandarin oranges, olives, and tomatoes.
If you’re into wine, check out all of the grape harvest and crush festivals in Napa and Sonoma. If you’re into crushing tomatoes instead, check out the NorCal Tomato battle.
If food doesn’t do it for you, fall and winter turns out to also be a great time to celebrate classic cars, ukeleles, quilts, folk art, Scottish highland games, gold, and children’s books.
And if you just want to commune with nature, we’ve got moon festivals, fog festivals, monarch butterfly, and migratory bird festivals.
It’s a little something for everyone.
Dates that haven’t been confirmed are in italics. I’ll continue to check their sites for finalized dates.
(Looking for April-August festivals? Check out our Bay Area Festival guide for Spring/Summer 2013.)
SEPTEMBER
Sacramento Greek Festival, August 31-September 2 2012, Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Anime Convention, August 31-September 2 2012, Sacramento, CA
Gold Rush Days, August 31-September 2 2012, Old Town, Sacramento
One Love One Heart Reggae Festival, August 31-September 4 2012, Sacramento, CA
Adobo Festival, September 1 2012, Hayward, CA
Lebanese Festival, Septeber 1 2012, Redwood City, CA
West Coast Crab and Jazz Festival, September 1 2012, Oakland, CA
Belmont Greek Festival, September 1-3 2012, Belmont, CA
Kings Mountain Art Festival, September 1-3 2012, Woodside, CA
Sausalito Art Festival, September 1-3 2012, Sausalito, CA
Millbrae Art and Wine Festival, September 1 & 2 2012, Millbrae, CA
The 147th Annual Scottish Highland Gathering and Games, September 1 & 2 2012, Pleasanton, CA
Tejano Conjunto Music Festival, September 2 2012, Sacramento, CA
Autumn Opera in the Gardens, September 7 2012, Hakone Estate in Saratoga, CA
Wine Country Ukelele Festival, September 7-9 2012, St. Helena, CA
Cloverdale Car and Motorcycle Show, September 7-8 2012, Cloverdale, CA
American Folk Art Festival, September 8 2012, Napa, CA
Ohlone Day, September 8 2012, Santa Cruz, CA
The 17th Annual Sebastopol Cajun Zydeco Festival, September 8 2012, Sebastopol, CA
Mountain View Art and Wine Festival, September 8-9 2012, Mountain View, CA
Coors Light Crawfish and Catfish Festival, September 8-9 2012, Sacramento, CA
EcoFair Marin, September 9 2012, San Rafael, CA
Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, September 8-9 2012, Ghirardelli Square, SF
28th Annual Pittsburg Seafood Festival, September 8-9 2012 , Pittsburg, CA
Tracy Dry Bean Festival, September 8-9 2012, Tracy, CA
Capitola Art and Wine Festival, September 8-9 2012, Capitola, CA
Lodi Grape Festival, September 13-16 2012, Lodi, CA
American River Music Festival, September 14-16 2012, Coloma-Lotus, CA
Ceramics Annual of America 2012, September 14-16 2012, Fort Mason, SF
The 55th Annual Armenian Food Festival and Bazaar, September 14-16 2012, Laurel Heights, CA
Contra Costa Greek Food & Wine Festival, September 14-16 2012, Concord, CA
Greek Food Festival, September 14-16 2012, Modesto, CA (unconfirmed)
Wine Country Salsa and Bacchata Festival, September 14-16 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
Bark in the Park, September 15 2012, San Jose, CA
Brews on the Bay, September 15 2012, Pier 45, SF
Napa Valley Aloha Festival, September 15 2012, Napa, CA
Rancho Day Fiesta, September 15 2012, Redwood City, CA
Spice of Life Festival, September 15 2012, Berkeley, CA (unconfirmed)
The Lawn Party — Music Food and Wine: A Benefit for Meals on Wheels, September 15 2012, San Rafael, CA
Woodland Chili Throwdown and Brew Off, September 15 2012, Woodland, CA
Hughson Harvest Festival, September 15-16 2012, Hughson, CA
Glendi International Food Festival, September 15-16 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
Kathmandu Festival: A Benefit for the Children’s Medical Aid Foundation, September 15-16 2012, Sonoma, CA
Lafayette Art and Wine Festival, September 15-16 2012, Lafayette, CA
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, September 15-16 2012, Mill Valley, CA
Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival, September 15-16 2012, Santa Clara, CA
San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, September 15-16 2012, Treasure Island, CA
Modesto International Architecture Festival, September 15-16 2012, Modesto, CA
A Taste of Downtown San Rafael, September 19 2012, San Rafael, CA
The 57th Annual Newark Days: Country Jamboree, September 20-23 2012, Newark, CA
Walnut Festival, September 20-23 2012, Walnut Creek, CA
Eat Real Festival, September 21-23 2012, Jack London Square, Oakland
San Francisco Greek Festival, September 21-23 2012, Mission District, SF
Blazin’ Hog BBQ Competition, September 22 2012, Mariposa County, CA
California Beer Festival, September 22 2012, Novato, CA
Cruisin’ Calistoga Beer & Wine Festival: Custom and Classic Car Show, September 22 2012, Calistoga, CA
Redwood City Salsa Festival, September 22 2012, Redwood City, CA
Sonoma County Book Festival, September 22 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County EarleFest: A Celebration of Americana Music, September 22 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
Superhero Street Fair, September 22 2012, Mission District, SF
Bicycle Film Festival, September 22-23 2012, Mission District, SF (unconfirmed)
Autumn Moon Festival, September 22 & 23 2012, Chinatown, SF
California Candy Festival, September 22-23 2012, Fairfield, CA
Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival, September 22-23 2012, Guerneville, CA
Oakland Underground Film Festival, September 27-30, Oakland, CA
The 115th Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, September 28-30 2012, Sonoma, CA
Kelseyville Pear Festival, September 29 2012, Kelseyville, CA
NorCal Tomato Battle, September 29 2012, Pleasanton, CA
Sacramento Sliders and Suds Cook Off and Beer Tasting, September 29 2012, Sacramento, CA
Sonoma Valley CRUSH, September 29-30 2012, Kenwood, CA
Pacific Coast Fog Fest, September 29-30 2012, Pacifica, CA
ScholarShare Children’s Book Festival, September 29-30 2012, Sacramento, CA
The Polk Street Blues Festival, September 29 & 30 2012, Polk Street, SF
Walnut Creek Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fair, September 29-30 2012, Walnut Creek, CA
Petaluma Fall Antique Faire, September 30 2012, Petaluma, CA
OCTOBER
Mill Valley Film Festival, October 4-14 2012, Mill Valley, CA
Fleet Week, October 4-8 2012, Marina, SF
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, October 5-7 2012, Golden Gate Park, SF
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, October 5-7 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
Firefighter Chili Cook Off, October 6 2012, Sacramento, CA
Suisun City Waterfront Festival featuring Art, Wine, and Chocolate, October 6 2012, Suisun City, CA
Giant Pumpkin Festival of Elk Grove, October 6-7 2012, Elk Grove, CA
Hoes Down Harvest Festival, October 6-7 2012, Guinda, CA
Lambtown USA, October 6-7 2012, Dixon, CA
Los Altos Fall Festival, October 6-7 2012, Los Altos, CA
Los Banos Tomato Festival, October 6-7 2012, Los Banos, CA
Arts and Olive Festival, October 7 2012 , Redwood City, CA
Delta Art & Wine Faire, October 7 2012 , Clarksburg, CA
The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, October 8 2012, Half Moon Bay, CA
Union Street Wine Walk, October 11 2012, Union Street, SF
Pacific International Quilt Festival, October 11-14 2012, Santa Clara, CA
Peninsula Oktoberfest, October 13 2012, Redwood City, CA
Venetia Valley School Fall Carnival and Supply Drive, October 13 2012, San Rafael, CA
Treasure Island Music Festival, October 13-14 2012, Treasure Island, SF
Campbell Oktoberfest, October 13-14 2012, Campbell, CA
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, October 13 & 14 2012, Half Moon Bay, CA
Oakland Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fest, October 13-14 2012, Oakland, CA
Welcome Back Monarch Butterflies Day, October 14 2012, Santa Cruz, CA
Potrero Hill Festival: A Benefit for Neighborhood House, October 20 2012, Potrero Hill, SF
24th Annual Fiesta on the Hill, October 21 2012, Bernal Heights, SF
Danville Fall Crafts Fair, October 20-21 2012, Danville, CA
Menlo Park Sidewalk Fine Arts & Crafts Fall Fest, October 20-21 2012, Menlo Park, CA
Fruitvale Dia De Los Muertos Festival, October 28 2012, Fruitvale, CA
Yolo Wool Mill’s Annual Mill-In, October 29 2012, Woodland, CA
NOVEMBER
Napa Valley Film Festival, November 7-11 2012, Napa, CA
San Mateo Harvest Festival, November 9-11 2012, San Mateo, CA
Green Festival, November 10-11 2012, San Francisco, CA
Pioneer Quilters Quilt Show, November 10-11 2012, Roseville, CA
The 36th Annual International Railfair, November 10-11 2012, Roseville, CA
Flavor! Napa Valley: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Fun, November 14-18 2012, St. Helena, CA
Sacramento Harvest Festival at Cal-Expo, November 16-18 2012, Sacramento, CA
The 19th Annual Mandarin Festival, November 16-18 2012, Auburn, CA
Artisano Grand Tasting — A Local Celebration of Wine, Food, and Art, November 17 2012, Santa Rosa, CA
BevMo Holiday Beerfest, November 17 2012, Marina, SF
Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, November 23 2012, Ghirardelli Square, SF
The San Rafael Annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland, November 23 2012, San Rafael, CA
San Jose Harvest Festival, November 23-25 2012, San Jose, CA
The 34th Annual Charles Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party, November 23-December 23 2012 (weekends), Cow Palace, SF
Celebration of Craftswomen: The Largest Women’s Fine Arts Craft Shows in the US, November 24-25 2012, Fort Mason, SF
DECEMBER
Union Street Holiday Festivities, December 1 2012, Union Street, SF
Swedish Christmas Fair (and Gingerbread House Competition), December 1 2012, San Francisco
Noe Valley Wine Walk, December 6 2012, Noe Valley, SF
Light the Menorah at Ghirardelli Square, December 20 2012, Ghirardelli Square, SF
JANUARY
International Sportsmen’s Exposition at Cal Expo, January 10-13 2013, Sacramento, CA
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair, January 11-13 2013, Santa Cruz, CA
SF Sketchfest, January 19-February 4 2013, San Francisco, CA
Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, January 24-27 2013, Chico, CA (unconfirmed)
Zinfadel Festival, January 27-29 2013, San Francisco, CA
FEBRUARY
Union Street Has a Crush on You, Valentine Wine Walk, February 7 2012, Union Street, SF
San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival, February 8-9 2013, Mare Island, CA (unconfirmed)
Russian Festival, February 8-10 2013, Lower Pacific Heights, SF (unconfirmed)
Santa Cruz Migration Festival, February 9 2013, Santa Cruz, CA (unconfirmed)
The 121th Cloverdale Citrus Fair, February 15-17 2013, Cloverdale, CA (unconfirmed)
The 12th Annual Spam Fest, February 16 2013, Isleton, CA (unconfirmed)
Almond Blossom Festival, February 22-23 2013, Ripon, CA (unconfirmed)
California Duck Days, February 22-23 2013, Davis, CA (unconfirmed)
Almond Festival, February 23-24 2013, Capay Valley, CA (unconfirmed)
Cinequest Film Festival, February 26-March 10 2013, San Jose, CA (unconfirmed)
(Looking for April-August festivals? Check out our Bay Area Festival guide for Spring/Summer 2013.)
Andrew
Greetings,
Would you be kind enough to add Reggae In The Hills to your festival Listing?
A 3 Day Reggae/Reggae Rock Festival June 7th-9th 2013 @ the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. New Layout, Live music, Djs, Emcees, Huge Camping areas, Fire Dancers, Bigger Misting Areas, the Best Vendors, Sick Production with the Best in Sound & Lighting!!! 2012 included, Yellowman, Bushman, Pato Banton, Mystic Roots, Fortunate Youth, Tribal Theory…http://reggaeinthehills.com
Date: June 7-9
Times: 1pm June 7th – 12am June 9th
Address: 101 Frogtown Rd. Angels Camp California 95222
Email address: info@reggaeinthehills.com
Phone/Fax Number: (209) 754-9900
URL: http://reggaeinthehills.com
Many Blessings,
Andrew
Reggae In The Hills
11/18/2012 at 2:24 pm
Liane Koh
Please also include:
Sonoma International Film Festival
April 10-14th, 2013
An intimate celebration of unforgettable cinema, world-class food and fine wine on Sonoma’s historic plaza.
Thanks!
12/11/2012 at 12:07 pm
Rebecca Flynn
Please include Sequoia International Festival on Saturday May 25, 2013. 11 am-8 pm on the beautiful grounds of Sequoia High School. International Food, Games, Crafts, and Entertainment.
1/8/2013 at 6:00 pm
Michael Marshall
All upcoming bay area festivals. I want to know. South bay, SF Bay area Monterey bay. I always share and invite folks at my hospital to join in all the festivals. I don;t want to miss any.
5/20/2013 at 6:42 pm