Santa Clara has several fun and well-known annual events. From a fall celebration of wine and art to a festive gala during Christmas time, Santa Clara offers an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Art & Wine Festival
Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, 2012
The 2012 Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival held at Central Park features local and regional artists. There are almost 175 booths, international foods served by community groups, four vintners showcasing fine wines, micro-brewed beer, live entertainment on three stages, and an area for the kids at Kids Kingdom.
Central Park has more than 52 acres with a lake, trees, picnic areas and grassy open space. More than 50,000 people from Santa Clara and the Bay Area attend this two-day event. Pets are not allowed at the Art & Wine Festival.
Cinequest Film Festival
February 26-March 10, 2013
Cinequest Film Festival is a 13-day event in early Spring dedicated to showcasing new and up-and-coming film makers. More than 200 films from artists and film professionals from more than 40 countries attend. The films at the Festival are thought-provoking and experimental, seeking to connect art and technology in interesting and innovative ways. Festival goers number in the 80,000 number and bring commerce and tourism to the area. In 2011, there were 188 films shown, 80 world premiers, more than 600 artists and 44 countries in attendance.
Christmas In the Park
The South Bay Area’s holiday celebration starts right after Thanksgiving Day. After celebrating with family and friends, Downtown San Jose opens Christmas in the Park with a Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year November 23rd is the start of San Jose's holiday tradition. The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park.
Winter Wonderland and Downtown Ice are right by the tree lighting area. You can go for fun rides and indulge in popcorn and candied apples.
If you prefer shopping and dining, Downtown San Jose has a wealth of shops, restaurants, and local attractions. If you are in Santa Clara between November 25th to January 1st, this is an experience you may not want to miss.
Pacific International Quilt Festival
October 11 - 14, 2012
Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California
Pacific International Quilt Festival has a spectacular collection of more than 800 hand-crafted quilts and works of wearable and textile art. This well-known quilt show on the west coast, is known to quilters as P.I.Q.F. For those looking to learn quilting or improve their skills, there are more than 60 workshops and lectures conducted by world-renowned instructors. A 300 booth Merchants Mall offers all that a quilter would want: fabrics, notions, machines, wearable art and almost anything of use to a quilter, artist and home sewer.
Vintners' Festival 2012
The 22nd Annual Vintners' Festival is a wine and gourmet food event hosted by the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association. The 2012 event’s theme was "A Taste of the Mountains" and was held on two consecutive weekends. The first weekend, June 2nd & 3rd, was hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Clara/San Mateo Counties. The second weekend, June 9th & 10th, was hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Cruz County. This pairing of wine and food goes a further step as the wineries and restaurants partner together at this event. The Vintners' Festival offers participants a self-guided tour in which they may take part in barrel tasting, meet winemakers, and enjoy music, art and good food. Visitors are also invited to wander through many of the winery gardens and picnic in the picturesque surroundings.
