By Annie Loewen, Communications Intern

The summer of 2019 is flying by, and somehow we’re already halfway through. Kids are going back to school, vacations are ending and the days are beginning to get a little shorter. But just because the season is winding down doesn’t mean that activities around the Peninsula are, too. There are plenty end-of-summer festivals happening that are accessible by public transportation, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts: If you love art, this is the spot for you. Head over to University Avenue August 24 – 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. There will be hundreds of artists’ work on display, pianists, kids’ arts and crafts areas, food and the popular Italian Street Painting Expo. Take Caltrain or the SamTrans ECR, 280 or 281 to the Palo Alto Transit Center.

Silicon Valley Pride Festival: Get ready for another fabulous Pride celebration! The Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival takes place August 24 – 25. Saturday will include a Night Festival from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.  The Parade will take place on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. as participants start on E Julian Street and conclude on E San Fernando Street, where the Festival will commence from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. with multiple headliners, such as Macy Gray, Emergency Tiara and Yvie Oddly. Take Caltrain to the San Jose Diridon Station and connect to the VTA light rail, 63 or 181. The last train will depart San Jose Diridon at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:08 p.m. on Sunday.

Millbrae Art and Wine Fest: Don’t have any plans for Labor Day weekend yet? Well, now you do – head over to the 49th Annual Millbrae Art and Wine Festival, also known as the “Last Blast of Summer,” August 31 – September 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be an art show, alcoholic beverages, fine wines, the Classically Cool Car Show, live music, a kid’s Playland, a giant slide, a zip line and more! All of the exciting festivities take place in downtown Millbrae on Broadway between Victoria Ave and Meadow Glen. Take Caltrain or the SamTrans ECR or 398 and it’ll be a seven minute walk to the festivities.  

Oktoberfest by the Bay: If you can’t make it all the way to Munich for Oktoberfest, head over to Pier 35 in San Francisco instead for food, a 21-piece band, dancing, singing and (of course) beer. Festivities will take place Friday, September 20, at 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (day session) or 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. (night session), and Sunday, September 22, at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since there will be drinking, we encourage Oktoberfest participants to be safe and take public transportation. Take Caltrain to the San Francisco Station and connect to MUNI light rail service.

Summer’s End Music Festival: Come celebrate the conclusion of summer in Half Moon Bay at the second annual Summers End Music Festival. There will be live music, food, drinks, activities, henna tattoos, caricatures, a Kid’s Activity Area and more on Saturday, September 21, at 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take the SamTrans 17 or 294 to get to John L. Carter Memorial Park and get your groove on. 

Fog Fest: The 34th annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest takes place September 28 – 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Pacifica. Palmetto Avenue will be lined with arts and crafts booths, children’s games, music stages and food. There will be a parade to kick off the festival at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and a Fog Jog on Sunday morning. Proceeds from the festival go to local community groups and the Gift to Pacifica Fund. Coastside residents can take the SamTrans 17 and connect to the 110 or 112 and Peninsula residents can take the SamTrans 110 or the 112.

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