September Travel to Local Multicultural Festivals

As the kids head back to school and summer draws to a close, world travel is probably the furtherest thing from your mind. Sure exotic vacations are fun, but luckily, the Bay Area is one of the most diverse areas in the country with an array of awesome festivals that celebrate various cultures from around the world. Skip the passport, hassle and jet lag and get ready to travel the world closer to home this September.  

SCOTLAND  

Scottish Highland Gathering and Games

August 31 - September 1
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton

Celebrate the very best of Scottish culture, competition, cuisine and entertainment, right here in California.

GREECE

Belmont Greek Festival

August 31 - September 1
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, Belmont

Enjoy Greek food, music, dancing, a mythology play, and a kids’ area at the Belmont Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont. Children 12 and younger are free.

San Francisco’s Only Greek Food Festival

September 20 - 22
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, San Francisco

Enjoy homemade Greek foods like lamb, calamari, gyros, baklava, souvlaki, and wine at San Francisco’s Only Greek Food Festival, plus dancers performing to live music.

BRAZIL

SF Bay Brazilian Day & Lavagem Festival

September 1
BrasArte, Berkeley

Brazilian Music & Dance
Lavagem & Procession
Children's Village
Food & Craft Vendor Booths
Beer & Caipirinha Gardens
and more...!

ITALY

Festa Colonial Italiana

September 7
San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, San Francisco

Festa Coloniale Italiana is the only authentic Italian street festival held in San Francisco. This is a free, fun, family event and is open to the public.

EGYPT

A Taste of Egypt

September 7-8
Redwood City

Live Music, Great food and desserts, Bazaar, Redwood City Fire Truck tour and much more!

MEXICO  

Festival Latino

August 31 to Sunday, September 1
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Festival Latino celebrates the flavors of Mexico and the rich Hispanic culture. Get a taste of Latin flair by sampling traditional foods and enjoy a variety of authentic regional dances. Sway to live musical acts and entertainment throughout the park all weekend long!

Mole & Mariachi Festival

September 7
Santa Cruz State Historic Mission

Mole & Mariachi Festival has food, beer, wine, craft vendors, giant piñatas, and dancers. Free admission.

Fiesta Patrias

September 15
Redwood City

Courthouse Square will be transformed into a festive, beautiful, and fun setting in celebration of this important patriotic holiday in the Mexican culture.

DENMARK

Aldersly Tivoli Festival

September 14
San Rafael

A Danish festival celebrating its heritage of fun for Danes and our local community. The 2019 Tivoli Festival is full of many activities,Vikings of Bjornstad exhibit, sword fighting demonstration, NGL&S Danish Dancers and traditional Danish foods.

CHINA

San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival

September 7 - 8
San Francisco

Two days of nonstop entertainment, parades, dancers, arts and crafts, food and drink, and live music on historic Grant Avenue at Washington Street in San Francisco. Free.

EL SALVADOR

Festival Independencia Salvadoreña

September 8

Celebrating the traditions and customs of El Salvador, in order to join the Salvadoran community in an atmosphere of harmony and respect, cultivating the cultural values of El Salvador with other Latin American communities in the USA, so that our children do not forget their cultural roots.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Native American Trade Feast

September 14
Miwok Park, Novato

Featured at the event will be Native American arts and crafts , performances by Red Voice Drum, Unole Drum, California Indian Dancers, Kalpulli Anahuak Aztec Dancers, Hula Manu O’o Dancers and Hoop Dancer Eddie Madril. There will be Miwok songs and stories, basketry demonstrations, regalia making, shell bead drilling, children activities, book sales and tours of the Museum.

KOREA

Korean Chuseok Festival

September 14
Presidio, San Francisco

The festival celebrates Chuseok (추석), a Korean holiday very similar to Thanksgiving. It’s a day in which Koreans give thanks and spend time with family and those we care about. Live Korean performances, food and cultural experiences.

MEDIEVAL ENGLAND

The Northern California Renaissance Faire

September 14 - October 20
Pacheco Pass, Hollister

Come celebrate the harvest with us as the streets and pathways of our village come to life! Our marketplace of master artisans once again offers the latest designs and finest hand work in blown glass, keen blades, armor and chain mail, romantic clothing, leather-work, woodwork, hand wrought jewelry, sculpture and much, much more. Stop to play a game of darts, sip an ale or sink your teeth into delicious fare while perusing the fine crafts displayed throughout the shire. Then, sit, relax and watch a show on one of our beautiful stages located throughout the marketplace or interact with some of the locals before heading on.

AUSTRIA

Kinderfest

September 15
San Francisco Tourist Club, Mill Valley

If you love to dance, there's always a lively band playing folk and popular music. Featured dancers in traditional dress perform Schuhplattler and other dances popular at Oktoberfest and seasonal festivals in Bavaria and Austria. Special games, dances, and activities are planned for Kinder (children) at Kinderfest.

GERMANY

Oktoberfest

September 20 - 22
Pier 35, San Francisco

Celebrate Munich's famed festival in true tradition and spirit with nonstop music, singing, dancing and the very best in German food and drink. Headlining our stage will be the world renowned, 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band!

CUBA

Redwood City Salsa Festival

September 21
Downtown Redwood City

Salsa music, salsa dancing, and salsa tasting are at the forefront, featuring three stages with a variety of music, including Salsa, Latin Jazz, and Reggae.

PALESTINE

PalestineCulture Day

September 14
Foster City

Cultural Entertainment & Workshops, Live Music, Dabkeh, Comedy, Kids’ Entertainment, Traditional Bazaar, Local Vendors, Authentic Foods including Falafel and Shawerma, Traditional Sweets, and more… Endless Fun For All Ages!!!

POLAND

PolskaFest

September 15
San Jose

PolskaFest is a celebration of Polish culture, a showcase of history, food, music, dance, and everything Polish. Whether you’re from Poland, trace your roots there, or just enjoy the hospitality of Central Europe, PolskaFest is your annual opportunity to immerse yourself and get a true flavor of Poland in Silicon Valley. Witamy!

HAWAII

Napa Valley Aloha Festival

September 21-22
Napa Valley Expo

Live entertainment, food, workshops, cultural exhibits and more. Best of all parking and admission are free! No tix required. Bring the ohana and enjoy some Aloha in the Napa Valley.

HONG KONG

Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival

September 28 - 29
Lake Merritt, Oakland

This two-day, admission-free festival brings a weekend of world-class dragon boat racing, spectacular cultural performances, delicious food, a variety of clothes and crafts vendors, and kid-friendly activities in Dragon Land where games and arts & crafts await.

JAPAN

Sumo Champions Exhibition

September 29
Japantown, San Francisco

See one of Japan’s oldest sports — Sumo. Feel the power and excitement of the 2019 Sumo Champions Exhibition matches in the Japantown Peace Plaza. Sumo (相撲, sumō) is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan’s national sport. It originated in early Japan as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities.

AFRICA

African Arts Festival

September 29
John McLaren Park, San Francisco

More details to come.

Happy Travels