August

National Night Out Japantown hosts a block party with food, prizes, games and more. Bring your own dishes to contribute. Aug 1, 6-8pm; free. Mission Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, San Jose.
Spirit West Coast Three days celebrating Christ and the Christian life, with sermons, comedians, workshops and a horde of Christian bands, including Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, David Crowder Band and American Idol's George Huff. Aug 3-5, times vary; $22-$115. Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey. 831.443.5399.
Santa Clara County Fair This year's theme is "Kids, Critters and Ewe." Enjoy three days of entertainment, exhibits and rides. Aug 4-6, 10am-9pm; $3-$5, children 5 and under free. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. 408.494.3166.
Fremont Festival of the Arts With arts and crafts booths, live music, a firefighters' combat challenge, food and wine and a kids' zone. Aug 5-6, 10am-6pm; free. Mowry and Walnut avenues, Fremont. 510.795.2244.
Champions on Ice The world's best skaters take to the ice to perform without competition, including Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Victor Petrenko and the South Bay's own Rudy Galindo. Aug 5, 2pm; $30-$155. HP Pavilion, 525 W. San Carlos St, San Jose. 408.998.TIXS.
Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival Entertainment on two stages and a carnival, plus "gooey contests" for berry lovers of all ages. Aug 5-6, 10am-6pm; free. Historic Downtown Plaza, Watsonville. 831.728.6183.
Morgan Hill Centennial Days Community Picnic Two days of carnival booths, hay rides, picnicking, food, arts and crafts, vintage vehicles and more. Aug 5-6, all day; free. Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. 408.778.8305.
Monterey Highland Games and Celtic Festival This festival, now in its 39th year, celebrates the Scottish and Irish cultures, with Irish step dancing, pipe bands, the caber toss and other feats of strength and agility. Aug 5, 9am-6pm and Aug 6, 9am-4pm; $10-$16, children 7 and under free. Toro County Park, 501 Monterey-Salinas Hwy 68, Salinas. 831.647.6311.
Cabrillo Music Art, Food and Wine Festival Two full days of world music and dance, art, food vendors and local vintners. In conjunction with the Jul 29-Aug 13 music festival. Aug 5-6, 11am-8pm; free. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium street front, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. 831.426.6966.
Fiesta Hispana Live music, food and more representing Latin America's cultural traditions and flavors. Aug 6, all day; free with park admission. Paramount's Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. 408.986.1776, ext 8858.
Antique and Collectible Flea Market Eight blocks of vintage treasures for sale. Aug 6, 8am-5pm; free. Downtown San Juan Bautista. 831.623.2454.
ZeroOne San Jose A week of art and digital culture, including the 13th annual International Symposium of Electronic Art. Aug 7-13; call for times and prices. Various locations, downtown San Jose. 408.916.1010.
California State Fair The state capital is packed with rides, multicultural performances, live entertainment, art exhibits, agriculture displays, dancing and games. Aug 11-Sep 4, times vary; call for prices. Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento. 916.263.FAIR.
History and Art in the Making A day to immerse yourself in art, music and history. The park hosts silent film showings, Victorian garden tours, hands-on crafts projects, lawn games and local musical acts. Aug 12, 10am-4pm; call for prices. Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 510.635.0135.
San Mateo County Fair Traditional exhibits, animals, rides and entertainment. Aug 11-20; call for times and prices. San Mateo County Expo Center, 2495 S. Delaware St, San Mateo. 650.574.3247.
Art in the Park Artists will be on-site displaying their work, plus silent film screenings, quilting, garden tours, lace making and other activities. Aug 12, 10am-4pm; call for prices. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont. 510.494.4228.
Winemakers' Celebration The 14th annual celebration features wine samples from more than 40 Monterey County wineries, as well as music from the Dennis Murphy Band, tours, dinners and a silent auction. Aug 12, noon-4pm; $35/$40. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 831.375.9400.
Fiesta de Artes Los Gatos' premier art and wine festival. The entertainment will feature live bands, local talent, arts and crafts and more than 150 vendors. Aug 12-13, 10am-6pm; free. Los Gatos Town Center, Main Street, downtown Los Gatos. 408.395.8016.
Scotts Valley Art and Wine Festival "Art Under the Oaks," with California artists and vintners sharing their wares, presented by Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce. Aug 12-13; 10am-6pm; free. Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.1010.
Vintage Vehicles and Family Festival An extravaganza of one-of-a-kind vehicles, including antique cars, classics, hot rods, bicycles and motorcycles, plus family activities. Proceeds benefit the Museum of American Heritage. Aug 13, 10am-4pm; $10-$15, children under 12 free. El Camino Park, across from the Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 650.321.1004.
Musical Saw Festival A chance to hear a traditional folk instrument in concert. Plus workshops and jam sessions. Aug 13, 11am-4pm; free. Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton. 831.335.4484.
Monterey County Fair "That's Entertainment" is this year's theme. The traditional fair includes music, dancing, food and fun for all ages. Aug 15-20, call for times; $3-$18, children 5 and under free. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 831.372.5863.
Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival Festival features dozens of musicians playing jazz in a multiplicity of forms and subgenres. Aug 17-20, visit website for times; $5. Various locations, downtown San Jose.
Cultural Xposure An evening of all-ages entertainment, presented by Pacific Art Collective, including pieces of art created live, Femi and other musical acts, the San Jose Slam Poetry Team, dance groups and DJs. Aug 18, 7pm-midnight; call for prices. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St, San Jose. 408.298.0450.
Hoolaulea Roaring Camp hosts a Hoolaulea (open house) complete with music, dance and traditional foods from the Hawaiian Islands. Ride the restored and historic 1890 Baldwin Locomotive, which ran on the Kahuku Plantation in Oahu, Hawaii, from 1890 to 1947. Aug 19; call for times and prices. Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton. 831.335.4484.
Celebrate Milpitas The event formerly known as the Summer Art and Wine Festival is now focused on celebrating the "crossroads of culture and technology" that is Milpitas, with two stages of live music, interactive activities, booths, rides and food. Aug 19-20, 10am-6pm; free. Milpitas Boulevard, between Los Coches and Turquoise streets, Milpitas. 408.262.2613.
Aloha Celebrity Races and Polynesian Festival Novice racers are encouraged to participate in this outrigger canoe-racing event, which includes a celebration of island cultures. Aug 20, races at 9am, festival at 11am; free. Santa Cruz Wharf.
Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp Along with the grape stomp contest, the winery hosts a salami toss and bocce ball, plus a barbecue. 21+. Aug 26, 2:30-9:30pm; call for prices. Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E. Main Ave, Morgan Hill. 408.779.2145.
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts Food booths and several hundred arts and craftspeople at a community extravaganza. Aug 26-27, 10am-6pm; free. University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. 650.324.3121.

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