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November kicks off with lingering Halloween festivities, Dia de los Muertos celebrations and the dreaded end of daylight saving time. But even as the shorter days and autumn chill set in, there are still plenty of reasons to get out and explore the Peninsula. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening all month long; all events are free unless otherwise noted. (Check back in a couple of weeks for our holiday events guide.)
Dia de los Muertos festivities peak the first weekend of November with the holiday Nov. 1-2. Events are happening throughout the weekend, with additional San Mateo County Libraries activities ongoing through the month. Check out our Dia de los Muertos guide for details.
Los Altos History Museum hosts its annual Rancho Day Nov. 2. Visitors will learn how ranchos operated in the early 19th century, with activities including live demos, crafts and games. Traditional Mexican food will be available for purchase, and author Robin Chapman will be signing copies of her books from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Museum admission is $10 each, free for kids 12 and under.)
The Bay Area Kids Book Fair is in Cupertino Nov. 2. Children’s book characters Elephant (Gerald) and Piggie, Curious George and Bluey will be on hand to meet and greet fans. There will also be storytelling with authors and Stanford Medicine doctors and a hands-on family activity. First 200 families get a complimentary book backpack. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods for donation and will receive a free raffle ticket for each donated can.
The Fall(Mas) Festival in San Carlos on Nov. 2 will feature food and local artists selling their wares for those looking to get some early holiday shopping done.
Head to Daly City for the Art & Lit Fest Nov. 2, showcasing local authors, artists, poets, crafters and musicians. There will be live music and performances, artisan vendors, a fashion show, community painting, workshops, kids’ activities and an art gallery.
The Rock the Dock concert series at the Port of Redwood City concludes with Latin rock band Momotombo Nov. 2; dance, pop and funk artists Club 90 Nov. 9; Electric X, a dance band playing classic pop, R&B, rock and Latin hits, on Nov. 16; and Fast Times playing rock, dance and pop hits Nov. 23.
The Menlo Park Storytelling Festival concludes with The Ohlone Sisters and Rumsen storytelling Nov. 8, storyteller Diane Ferlatte Nov. 13 and StoryFest, a virtual meeting of international storytellers, Nov. 22.
Springline in Menlo Park hosts a 21-and-over Diwali celebration Nov. 8 ($45 per person). Restaurants Burma Love and New Delhi will be serving unlimited Indian cuisine, cocktails and mocktails. Entertainment includes the Noorani Dance Company, DJ Dinnu, Shayanthi and Shruthi Reddy (also known as Reddy2dance). There will also be a marketplace with handcrafted clothing and jewelry.
The annual Harvest Festival, which in recent years has been held at the San Mateo County Event Center, is moving to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose this year ($5 general admission, free for kids 12 and under). From Nov. 8-10, shop from a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors and enjoy live music from Dustin Heer. Kids can make and take crafts in the KidZone.
Manuia’s Annual Showcase returns to Daly City Nov. 9 with Polynesian song and dance, food and vendors selling holiday gifts ($33.85 per person, kids under 3 are free).
The Cubberley Artist Studio Program hosts its Open Studios event Nov. 9 in Palo Alto. A multitude of activities will be happening in addition to the artists’ open studios, including a fall market hosted by Imagination Lab School, Friends of the Palo Alto Library’s book sale, face painting, dance performances, button- and T-shirt-making, and bucket golf. Grab food from Mister Softee and Oaxacan Kitchen Mobile. The first 200 attendees will receive a limited-edition print.
Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo will host its tree-lighting ceremony and Santa’s arrival Nov. 15 with aerialists and costumed characters from Circosphere. Other November events at the shopping center include pictures with Santa starting Nov. 15, pet photos with Santa every Sunday and Wednesday starting Nov. 17, gingerbread house decorating workshops beginning Nov. 18 and a holiday pop-up store and pet adoption center beginning Nov. 18.
Ride with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to Ravenswood Preserve in East Palo Alto to check out the highest tides of the year (known as the king tide) Nov. 16. The ride is beginner- and family-friendly.
IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey, the San Mateo science museum and zoo’s annual interactive winter light installation, begins Nov. 16. CuriOdyssey’s four-level Redwood Hall will transform with light-based artwork and exhibits. (Free with admission, which is $27.95 for adults, $23.95 for children, students and seniors 62+, free for infants 17 months and younger.)
Holidays at Filoli begin Nov. 16 as the Woodside estate gets decked out for the holidays with elaborate decorations, perfect for family photos. (Daytime admission $41 for adults, $31 for kids 5-17 and free for children under 5. Evening admission is $45 for adults, $35 for children 5-17 and free for kids under 5.)
The city of Sunnyvale will host an electric vehicle expo at City Hall Nov. 16 with a lecture on financial assistance programs.
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park in Pescadero will celebrate its 152nd anniversary Nov. 16 with updates on the ongoing lighthouse restoration, a Pigeon Point Hostel open house, a tour of the grounds, crafts and games, a native plant sale and the Fresnel lens lighting.
South San Francisco‘s 51st annual Thanksgiving Fun Run 5K Nov. 23 will be accompanied this year by a ribbon cutting for new amenities at Oyster Point Park, which include a new dog park, outdoor fitness equipment, improved picnic area and more. Additional activities include post-race awards and mobile pet adoptions with the Peninsula Humane Society. (Run registration is $10 for adults, $6 for teens 13 to 17 and free for kids 12 and under.)
The inaugural Urban Holiday Night Market is at Off the Rails Brewing Company in downtown Sunnyvale Nov. 23. Shop from more than 25 vendors, take part in a lino block printing workshop or live painting, listen to live music and more.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair starts Nov. 23 in Daly City. Over 4 acres of the Cow Palace will be transformed into Victorian London, complete with pubs, dance parties, theaters and holiday shops. New experiences include port, chocolate and Champagne tastings, a corsetiere fitting experience with Dark Garden and a pub crawl with Jekyll and Hyde. (General admission between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is $48.74 for adults, $28.10 for kids 5-12 years old. Twilight admission 3-6 p.m. is $33.26 for adults, $20.88 for kids 5-12. Costs vary for new experiences, check website for details.)
