Labor Day

The summer race winds down with Tapestry Arts Festival and fireworks at Paramount's Great America

Sand Sculpture Contest Dozens gather to carve, scrape, dump and mold sand into works of art. This contest kicks off the annual Begonia Festival. Sep 2, 8:30am-noon; free. Capitola Beach, Capitola. 831.476.3566.
Millbrae Art and Wine Festival Food and drinks, plus music, arts and crafts and a kids' stage. Sep 2-3, 10am-5pm; free. Broadway Avenue in downtown Millbrae. 650.697.7324.
Great Train Robberies Shootouts, duels and other blazing re-enactments will demonstrate why the West was wild. Sep 2-3; call for times and prices. Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton. 831.335.4484.
Comcast Art and Soul Oakland Three days of music, food, art, poetry and entertainment in downtown Oakland. Sep 2-4, 11am-6pm; $5 general, 12 and under free. Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland. 510.444.CITY.
Tapestry Arts Festival A huge array of arts, crafts and live entertainment with more than 350 booths. Sep 2-3, 10am-6pm and Sep 4, 10am-5pm; free. San Carlos and Santa Clara streets, San Jose. 408.494.3590.
Pier 39 Labor Day Even San Francisco's street performers don't take a day off. This three-day event includes live music and entertainment in honor of the day of the worker. Sep 2-4; free. Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. 415.705.5500.
Greek Festival Everything's Greek to you at this festival saturated with Greek dance performances, live Greek music and traditional Greek cuisine. Sep 2-3, 11am-7pm and Sep 4, 11am-4pm; free. Custom House Plaza, next to Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. 831.424.4434.
Begonia Festival This nautical parade of begonia-festooned floats on Sunday is a beachside tradition that runs all weekend. The best viewing starts Sunday at 1pm from Cliff Avenue, Wharf and Stockton roads. Other activities include group volleyball, live music in the park, a horseshoe toss, chalk art and rowboat races. Sep 2-4, all day; free. Various locations, Capitola. 831.476.3566.
Ardenwood Rail Fair Take a ride on America's only scheduled horse-drawn train. Explore local railroad history, visit rail and hobo camps, see model railroads in action and give a handcar a try. Sep 2-4; $5-$8. Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 510.635.0135.
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks A fireworks display above the park. Sep 3, evening; free with admission. Paramount's Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. 408.986.1776, ext 8858.
Monterey Bay ReggaeFest Embrace your red, green and gold at this annual music festival. Sep 3-4, 10am-10pm; call for prices. 831.394.6534.

September

Dew Action Sports Tour: Toyota Challenge The HP Pavilion plays host to this leg of the tour, featuring skateboarders and BMX and FMX riders. Sep 7-10; call for times and prices. HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St, San Jose. 866.DEW.TOUR.
Gilroy Art and Wine Festival This new festival celebrating local wineries and artists is now in its second year. Sep 9, 11am-5pm; free. Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy.
Festival in the Park A day of food, music and community, now in its sixth year. Sep 9, all day; free. San Tomas Park, Valerie and Fennian, Campbell. 408.535.4901.
Evergreen Fine Arts Festival A weekend of art, food and music featuring local artisans. Sep 9, 10am-6pm and Sep 10, 10am-5pm; free. Evergreen Village, Ruby Avenue off Aborn Road, San Jose.
Peanut Butter Jam Festival Now in its fifth year, this two-day festival is filled with live music, booths, food and art. Sept 16-17, call for times; free. Webster Street, Alameda. 510.523.5955.
Lobster Festival This evening of fun, music, dancing and all the lobster you can eat is hosted by the Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club. Sep 9, 5-10pm; $75. CB Hannegan's, Bachman and North Santa Cruz avenues, Los Gatos. 408.354.3300.
Garin Apple Festival This late-summer festival celebrates the farm's apple-growing tradition with folk music and old-fashioned games throughout the day. Sep 9, noon-4pm; $5 parking fee. Garin Regional Park, corner of Garin and Bello drives, Hayward. 510.795.9385.
Mountain View Art and Wine Festival Beer and wine, live music, arts and crafts vendors and children's activities. Sep 9-10, 10am-6pm; free. Castro Street, Mountain View. 650.968.8378.
Capitola Art and Wine Festival Fine art, wine, music and food by the sea. Featuring a concert on Saturday, 5-7pm. Sep 9-10, 10am-6pm; free. Stockton Avenue and Esplanade, downtown Capitola. 831.475.6522.
Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival This chocoholic's dream event features a hands-free Earthquake Sundae-Eating Contest, plus chef demonstrations, live entertainment and activities for kids (even some that don't involve sugar). Sep 9-10, noon-5pm; free admission, $8-$20 for tastings. 900 N. Point St, San Francisco. 415.398.5655.
Renaissance Faire Enter a world of music, history, excitement and laughter. With theater, juggling, mime, comedy, wine tasting, gourmet food and arts and crafts. Saturdays and Sundays, Sep 9-Oct 15, 10am-6pm; $10-$20. Casa de Fruta Parkway, Hollister. 800.52.FAIRE.
Carmel TomatoFest Celebrate the fruit oft mistaken for a vegetable at this food and wine festival, featuring a barbecue, an international olive oil tasting and more. Sep 10; $110-$295, children under 12 free. Quail Lodge, Carmel.
Vintage Santa Clara An annual wine and food celebration. Sep 10; call for times and prices. Mission Gardens, Santa Clara University. 408.554.6800.
Los Altos Annual Summer Community Picnic Join neighbors and strangers alike for this day of food, live music and entertainment, a kids' zone, art, a battle of the bands and more. Sep 10, 11am-3pm; free. Civic Center, San Antonio Road and Hillview Avenue, Los Altos. 408.947.2790.
Antique Autos in History Park Antique autos built before 1946 will be on display along with early-day gas engines, vintage fire equipment, vintage motorcycles, vintage boats and more. Sep 10, noon-5pm; free. History Kelley Park, Senter Road, San Jose. 408.997.0879.
Santa Cruz County Fair Games, rides, displays and some livestock. Don't forget the funnel cake. Sep 12-17; call for times and prices. County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.724.5671.
Bark in the Park This is a festival for the entire family, including the dog. Activities include contests, performances, live music, rescue organizations and specialty vendors. Sep 16, 10am-5pm; free. William Street Park, William and South 16th streets, San Jose.
Aki Matsuri Kids' events, food and Japanese entertainment. Sep 16, noon-5pm; free. Wesley United Methodist Church, 566 N. Fifth St, San Jose. 408.285.0367.
Mission Adobe Day A living-history celebration with crafts, outdoor cooking, equipment demonstrations and hands-on activities. Sep 16, noon-4pm; free. 144 School St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5849.
Celebrate Saratoga! Dance your way to food and wine vendors while listening to six live music acts. Plus a fun zone for kids. Sep 16, 5:30-10:30pm; free. Big Basin Way, downtown Saratoga. 408.867.0753.
Moon Festival of Silicon Valley An annual community celebration of Chinese heritage. Sep 16-17, 10am-5pm; free. Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Boulevard at Mary Avenue, Cupertino. 408.865.6688.
Art/Craft Show and Wine Festival View fine arts and handmade crafts and sip wine from local vintners. Sep 16-17, 10am-5pm; free. Third Street, between Franklin and Muckelemi, San Juan Bautista. 831.623.2454.
Cupertino Jubilee Browse arts and crafts booths, sample beers and wines and listen to live music. Plus a kids' area with rides, games and hands-on activities. Sep 16-17, 10am-6pm; free. Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino. 408.243.1771.
Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival This fundraiser event features talents from local and regional artists, international foods, more than 175 booths, entertainment stages and a kids' area. Sep 16-17, 10am-5pm; free. Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140.
20th Annual Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade Celebrating Mexican Independence Day with two stages of continuous entertainment, a children's art and crafts section and multicultural food and drinks. Sep 17, 9-11am parade, 10am-6pm festival; free. Discovery Meadow, Woz Way, San Jose. 408.288.9470.
Banjo Jubilee Jazz Festival A day of banjos and jazz. Sep 17; call for times and prices. San Jose Hyatt, 1740 N. First St, San Jose. 408.993.BAND.
Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival A fundraiser for local schools, charities and scholarships, now in its 30th year, including arts and crafts, live entertainment, wine and beer and a children's area. Sep 17, 10am-6pm. Almaden Lake Park, San Jose.
San Francisco Blues Festival This event, which claims the title of "the world's oldest blues festival," is in its 34th year. Sep 22 kickoff concert; free. Sep 23-24, 11am-6pm; $35-$80. Great Meadow, Fort Mason, San Francisco. 415.979.5588.
Cajun/Zydeco Festival The East Bay Regional Park District will hold its 10th Annual Cajun/Zydeco Festival, featuring down-home Louisiana-style music. Sep 23, 10am-7pm; call for prices. Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 510.635.0135.
Taste of Morgan Hill Food and entertainment plus a display of classic cars and a quilt show. Sep 23-24; 10am-6pm; free. Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. 408.779.9444.

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