Sunnyvale has an active community calendar that includes some of the most entertaining annual events and festivals in Santa Clara County. Many people come from all over the Bay Area to enjoy the food, activities and local shopping.
Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival
The 38th Annual Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival was held this year on June 2 and 3 and featured more than 325 of the area’s best artists and crafts people. Every year wine, margaritas and beer are served at all beverage booths. There are plenty of entertainment for children including carnival rides and Radio Disney performances on McKinley Avenue/Sunnyvale Avenue.
The Annual Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival is held in downtown Sunnyvale near Macy's/Target at the Sunnyvale Town Center on Washington and Murphy Avenues and the adjacent streets. Free parking is available on 6 levels at Plaza del Sol. Enter from Evelyn Avenue @ Frances Avenue. Parking is also free on the streets surrounding the Festival. No Pets are allowed
Waves to Wine: National MS Society - Northern California Chapter
Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride is the annual fundraiser of the National MS Society and one of the most picturesque rides you can take in the country. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Pacific Ocean and through Sonoma County vineyards the ride takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a fairly grueling ride over two days. The ride can be customized based on how much you want to bike. Route options are 40, 50, 75, 100, 150 or 175 miles. The fundraising commitment for 2012 is $350 per person. Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride includes six full meals, generous amenities, stocked rest stops every 12-15 miles, SAG vehicles, camp sites, spirited festivities, and a wine and beer garden to explore.
Gilroy Garlic Festival
The Gilroy Garlic Festival is not for the faint of heart. The chefs, vendors, visitors and sponsors all share their love of garlic with visitors in every way imaginable. A Gourmet Alley serves a feast of stuffed mushrooms, pepper steak sandwiches, pasta con pesto, calamari, scampi, Italian sausage sandwiches, ice cream, garlic bread and garlic fries—all heavily infused with garlic. Chefs battle their best recipes and vie for the prize of being the coveted winner of the Gilroy Garlic Festival. A beauty pageant, recipe cook-off, live bands, arts and crafts booths, garlic cooking tools, ingredients, and contests will keep the family busy for hours.
Palo Alto International Film Festival
September 27-30, 2012
Palo Alto International Film Festival celebrates the convergence of art and technology through films, talks, interactive programs, workshops, and music. The festival features 50 films, 20 speakers, 4 parties, local wine bars, and 4 free outdoor films. Palo Alto Institute’s mission is to encourage innovation and educate the community. With Palo Alto at the heart of the Silicon Valley it is home to many technology companies and individuals shaping the way we see the world.
Silicon Valley Film Festival
The Silicon Valley Film Festival and Awards is produced by Movie Makers Unite, a company that incubates filmmakers whose works focus on positive social change. Movie Makers Unite has programs that filmmakers can access such as introductions to producers, team expertise, and much more.
Silicon Valley Film Festival promotes Silicon Valley innovation in digital cinema and promotes Siliwood film making. International filmmakers have a venue to showcase their work, participate in workshops, and meet fellow filmmakers. Short films, documentaries, and animation are selected by a committee and compete for the Silicon Valley Awards.
Santa Clara County Events
Sunnyvale residents enjoy many Santa Clara county events throughout the year.
Santa Clara County Fair
August 2 -5, 2012, Thursday – Sunday
The Santa Clara County Fair has been a highlight of the summer season and an entertaining community celebration and family event for decades. The Santa Clara County Fair brings together more than 30,000 people. Participants perform, exhibit, compete and participate at the many country-inspired activities such as animal exhibitions, crafts stalls, food, a carnival, a hypnotist, sea lion show, jam and jellies contest, quilts, a petting zoo, pony rides and much more.
Hours of operation are Thursday 2 p.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
San Jose Super Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show
Saturday, Aug 18 11:00 a.m.
The San Jose Super Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show features more than 200 vendors selling new and vintage items for every collectible imaginable. There is a large variety of Hot Wheels, GI Joes, LEGO, Godzilla, dolls, model kits, robots, trading cards, records, and Transformers, Star Wars, Disney and Star Trek items among the many treasures. The Show takes place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose.