The start of November marks the calm before the storm that is the holidays. The month begins with Día de los Muertos celebrations around the Peninsula, bringing community members together with food, music, art and tradition. Fall festivals, markets and concerts are among the calendar highlights, along with the earliest holiday events (check back for a link to our holiday events guide Nov. 20.)
From a Midpeninsula wine walk and a new Coastside Diwali celebration to turkey trots and a circus, here’s what’s happening in Silicon Valley in November.
Zoppé Italian Family Circus The circus is in town again all month long, featuring acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists, live music and more.
Select days Nov. 1-30 at 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City; tickets are $17-$30 for adults, $12-$25 for youth, $22-$35 for front-row seats. redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/zoppe-italian-family-circus.
Rancho Day Explore what life was like during the California Rancho period with performances, displays, hands-on activities and games at the museum’s annual event.
Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Los Altos History Museum, Los Altos; $10 each, free for museum members and children 12 and under. losaltoshistory.org/RanchoDay2025.
Holiday Boutique & Makers Fair Get an early start on the holiday season with the city of South San Francisco’s 44th annual event featuring local vendors selling housewares, holiday decor, accessories, clothing and more. Free refreshments will be provided while supplies last.
Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South San Francisco Library/Parks and Recreation Center, 901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco; free. instagram.com/ssfparksandrec.
Friends of the Mountain View Library Book Sale The two-day sale features a few themes in November. Kids can prep for school year success with a selection of textbooks, workbooks and college prep guides, plus books for professional certifications. There will also be sci-fi books, books themed around New Year’s resolutions (from the fitness, self-help and how-to sections) and Jane Austen to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the author’s birth. Sunday will be a bag sale, with all the books you can put into a grocery-sized bag for $5.
Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the bookmobile garage behind the Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View; free admission. mvlibraryfriends.org/book-sales.
Mountain View Día de los Muertos The celebration returns to Civic Center Plaza with ofrendas created by community members and performances from Mariachi Cardenal, Catrinas Ambassadors Dance, Cumbia Diana and more. There will also be a photo booth, flower headband making, face painting, sugar skull decoration and calaveritas hanging decor miniatures.
Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; free. mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/city-manager-s-office/multicultural-engagement-program/dia-de-muertos.
CSMA Día de los Muertos Celebration The Community School of Music and Arts marks Día de los Muertos with music, food, a community ofrenda and a piñata. All ages are welcome.
Nov. 1, noon to 2 p.m. at Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View; free. instagram.com/csma_mv.
Burlingame Library Día de los Muertos Enjoy music, crafts, churros and popcorn on the front porch of the Burlingame Main Library. No registration required.
Nov. 1, 1-2 p.m. at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road, Burlingame; free. instagram.com/burlingame_library.
Rock the Dock The Saturday concert series continues with Momotombo SF (Latin rock) for a Día de los Muertos celebration Nov. 1; The E Ticket Band (rock, pop, horns) Nov. 8; The Groove Doctors (pop and rock dance party) Nov. 15; and Pure Ecstasy (Motown, R&B, soul, pop) Nov. 22.
Saturdays through Nov. 22, 2:30-5 p.m. (3:30-6 p.m. Nov. 1) at the Port of Redwood City, 459 Seaport Court, Redwood City; $5-$20 suggested donation. rockthedockrwc.com.
Live Painting Art Battle Watch six artists battle for the public’s vote for their favorite painting. Prizes will be awarded to the top two artists, and artwork will be auctioned at the end of the evening as a fundraiser for Arts Los Altos.
Nov. 1, 4-7 p.m. at State Street Market, 170 State St., Los Altos; free. instagram.com/dtlosaltos.
Camino de los Muertos The third annual event at Santa Clara University features live music and performances, the Catrina Costume Contest, food, arts and crafts, artisanal vendors and a tour of altars. An All Saints Day Mass in Spanish will precede the event at 4 p.m.
Nov. 1, 5-9 p.m. at Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara; free. scu.edu/diversity/camino-de-los-muertos.
Redwood City Día de los Muertos Casa Círculo Cultural and the San Mateo County History Museum, in collaboration with the Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation, organize this beloved annual tradition in downtown Redwood City. The event will include food vendors, performers, an altar display at the museum, a trunk ofrenda contest, kids’ activities and more.
Nov. 2, 4-9 p.m. at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; free. redwoodcity.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/89683/4681.
Día de los Muertos at eCr Pub The Belmont bar’s Día de los Muertos celebration will feature altar building, special liquor tastings, live music, food and vendors.
Nov. 2, 5-8 p.m. at eCr Pub, 864 El Camino Real, Belmont; instagram.com/ecr.pub.
Harringtunes Concerts The San Carlos fall music series concludes with Rock the Voice Nov. 6 and 19th Avenue Roadwork Nov. 20. Both permanent chess boards will be stocked with pieces and ready to play, first come first served.
Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m. at Frank D. Harrington Park, 759 Laurel St., San Carlos; free. cityofsancarlos.org/business_detail_T10_R152.php.
Downtown San Bruno First Thursdays Find music by Osada Trio and art by Mario Guitron at this month’s First Thursdays event.
Nov. 6, 6-8 p.m. at Centennial Plaza, 470 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno; free. instagram.com/sanbrunorecreation.
Half Moon Bay Diwali The city’s inaugural Diwali celebration will include rangoli art for kids, a community lighting ceremony and chai for attendees. Children will also receive a free clay pot lamp to take home.
Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m. at Mac Dutra Plaza, 504 Main St., Half Moon Bay; free. instagram.com/hmbcoastsidechamber.
Fall(Mas) Festival Made Out of Dough and the city of San Carlos are teaming up for the festival featuring kids’ activities, food, vendors, crafts and art.
Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Carlos Youth Center, Burton Park, 900 Chestnut St., San Carlos. Enter on Woodland Avenue. Free. instagram.com/madeoutofdough.
Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour 2025 Tour electrified homes in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and gain insights to inform a transition from gas to electric. Attendees will be able to engage with tour hosts and see a wide variety of electric appliances and environmentally conscious home upgrades.
Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties; free. Preregister at bit.ly/pensouthtour.
Worldsworst Expo Bay Area This event is coming to Cityline Sunnyvale for the first time with over 120 vendors selling handmade goods, art, vintage goods and streetwear. There will also be live DJ sets all day, local drink collaborations and street food.
Nov. 8, noon to 8 p.m. at Cityline Sunnyvale’s Redwood Square, 200 W. McKinley Ave., Suite 100, Sunnyvale; free. instagram.com/citylinesunnyvale.
Colma Día de los Muertos This celebration will include cultural vendors, face painting and music.
Nov. 8, noon to 3 p.m. at the Colma Community Center, 1520 Hillside Blvd., Colma; free. instagram.com/colmarecreationservices.
Second Saturday Neighborhood Market Malt + Stone boutique’s final Second Saturday outdoor market of the year will feature more than 20 small business vendors selling kitchen goods, art, ceramics, jewelry and more.
Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside Malt + Stone, 1625 Palmetto Ave., Suite C, Pacifica; free admission. instagram.com/maltandstone.
Peace and Social Justice Craft and Information Harvest Fair This event features fair trade and ethically made crafts as well as community organizations creating positive change in the world.
Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto (Fellowship Hall), 1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto; free. peaceandjustice.org/harvest-fair-2025.
Patchwork Show Makers Market This traveling artisan market held twice a year in Redwood City showcases artists, crafters and designers.
Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; free. eventbrite.com/e/patchwork-show-makers-market-redwood-city-tickets-1798649642499.
Movie Nights at Cubberley Theatre The film series kicks off in November with “Coco.”
Nov. 10, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; free, preregistration required. paloalto.gov/Events-Directory/Community-Services/Movie-Nights-at-Cubberley.
Veterans Day Ceremony The city of Belmont will host guest speaker Mike Garoutte, a captain in the Air Force, plus performances by local artists.
Nov. 11, 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, Twin Pines Park, 1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont; free. belmont.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/8557/16?curm=11&cury=2025.
Tazaungdaing Festival Skyline College hosts a celebration of the Burmese Festival of Lights with live music, Burmese food, art displays, cultural performances and carnival games.
Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Skyline College Fireside Dining Room, Building 6, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno; free. instagram.com/skyline_college.
Menlo Park Wine Walk Sip on wines from Santa Cruz Mountains wineries poured at tasting locations along Santa Cruz Avenue. All ticket proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation.
Nov. 15, 1-4 p.m. in downtown Menlo Park; tickets are $50 plus tax, $59 plus tax day of event pending availability. winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events.
Pigeon Point Light Station 153rd Anniversary Celebration Take guided tours of the tidepools and lighthouse ground floor, bring the kids for children’s activities and stick around to see the Fresnel lens lit up in the Fog Signal Building from 5-7 p.m. Local author JoAnn Semones will also be on hand to discuss her books and personalize a message inside any copy that’s purchased.
Nov. 15, 1-7 p.m. at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, 210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero; free admission. The event may be canceled in inclement weather. coastsidestateparks.org/pigeon-point-light-station-shp-anniversary-celebration.
Centennial Wrapped Watch a historical documentary and a movie about the year’s centennial celebration in San Carlos. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided; blankets and chairs are encouraged.
Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. at Burton Park, 900 Chestnut St., San Carlos; free. instagram.com/scparksandrec.
November Barn Dance Pie Ranch hosts a family-friendly evening of music and dancing led by caller Nina Berry and the HomePie String Band. Preregistration is encouraged, but tickets will be available at the door. Pie slices will be available for purchase.
Nov. 15, 6:30-9 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Pie Ranch, 2080 Green Oaks Way, Pescadero; $12-$35 sliding scale for ages 12 and up, $12 for students, $10 for volunteers coming for the work day, $7 for ages 5-11, free for kids under 5. ticketleap.events/tickets/pieranch/barn-dance-oct-nov#.
Head West Marketplace: Head West Marketplace, which features local small businesses selling various goods, returns to downtown San Mateo for its penultimate market of the year.
Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South B Street, 1st Avenue to 3rd Avenue, San Mateo; free. headwestmarketplace.com/events.
5K Thanksgiving Fun Run The family-friendly fall tradition welcomes runners and walkers of all levels. Register by Nov. 1 to receive a shirt.
Nov. 22, 9 a.m. at Oyster Point Marina & Bay Trail, South San Francisco; $10 for adults, $6 for ages 13-17, free for kids 12 and under. Shirts are $20. Registration closes Nov. 15. ssf.net/pandrevents.
Root Down Fall Farm Fest 2025 The Pescadero farm will open to the public with hot food from Full Steam Dumpling, vendors selling honey, teas, cider, sweets and more. Farm products will also be for sale (turkey, chicken, duck and pork) and there will be live music by Lucas Lawson. Attendees can also visit the animals and wander the farm’s pastures.
Nov. 22-23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Root Down Farm, 2601 Cloverdale Road, Pescadero; free admission. rootdownfarm.org/order-turkey?utm_source=sqmktg_email.
Spartan Turkey Trot The 16th annual Thanksgiving tradition includes a 5K walk and run, kids’ races and the Spartan Mile, a 1-mile run. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers of the 5K and the top male and female finishers of the Spartan Mile. Kids’ races participants will receive a finisher’s ribbon. Children can also participate in the 5K and Spartan Mile. All proceeds benefit the Mountain View High athletics department and its teams and clubs.
Nov. 27, 8:30 a.m. (preregistration starts at 7:30 a.m.) at the Mountain View High School track, 3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View; $50 for adults, $35 for kids, $65 for same-day registration if available. spartanturkeytrot.com.
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