Summers Are For Street Fairs
Nature's Symphony
One of my favorite things about the summer months is the number of street fairs and art events I can look forward to on the weekends (when I don’t have an open house). My husband and I like eating from the food carts and browsing for gifts, buying art for ourselves, and just looking at the imaginative and clever things people do with their time. This is not a comprehensive list, but you are likely to find me at any of the following this summer. Hope to see you there!
JUNE
- San Mateo County Fair (San Mateo) – Live music, carnival rides, pig racing and fair food. $5 Admissions on Wed June 8th.
- Stern Grove Festival (SF) – Annual outdoor Sunday summer music festival- FREE – June 20 – August 29, 2021
JULY
- Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Festival: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., parade, noon-1:30 pm., Main Street, downtown Half Moon Bay. The celebration typically features music, craft beer, wine, cocktails and food trucks. The kids’ fun zone will feature a bungee jump, cornhole and more.
Nature's Symphony
- Foster City 4th of July Celebration: In previous years, the celebration included a pancake breakfast, dog show contest, barbecue and pub style trivia.
- The ACGA Clay & Glass Festival in Palo Alto is a fun weekend celebrating the work of juried artists who will display the finest in handcrafted glass and ceramic art. It will provide opportunities for members to exhibit and sell their work. We have some of our favorite pieces from this event, including this Lava Plate.
Nature's Symphony
- Menlo Summer Fest: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 16-17. Santa Cruz Avenue, downtown Menlo Park. The fest features live music, art, food and drink booths, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays, kids’ fun zone and more.
- Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival: Typically held in July in downtown Los Altos, Main and State streets. In previous years, the festival included fine art exhibits, live music, children’s activities and food and drink booths. Free.
- Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival: The festival is typically held in late July and early August at the Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton and Menlo School. In years past, the festival has attracted top-notch artists, such as the Schumann Quartet and Russian baritone Nikolay Borchev, to the mainstage.
AUGUST
- Fremont Festival of the Arts: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. August 6-7. Downtown Fremont, along Paseo Padre Parkway and nearby streets. In previous years, this festival boasted more than 500 arts and crafts booths, Kid City, live music and food, beer and wine stalls.
- Palo Alto Festival of the Arts: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 26-27. University Ave., Palo Alto. Browse 300 fine art and contemporary craft displays and the work of more than 60 Italian street painters. Check out the children’s art studio, as well as the sculpture plaza and food and drink stalls. Free. Festivalnet:
- Burlingame on the Avenue: Will be held in August on Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame. In previous years it featured jazz, rock and blues bands.
SEPTEMBER
- Kings Mountain Art Fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 3-5. Last year’s festival was virtual, but this fair typically features original art by independent artists, live entertainment and food and drink booths. The art above our fireplace was commissioned by Kristy Beckwith, whom we met at this event.
Nature's Symphony
- Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes: In previous years, the fiesta was held in September on the Civic Center lawn in downtown Los Gatos. The fiesta generally offers more than 220 artist booths, children’s activities, live music and food, wine and beer stalls. Free.
- Mountain View Art & Wine Festival: Last year’s festival was held in September on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View. The festival typically includes arts and crafts, live music, food and wine booths and a children’s park.




