It's A Festival Frenzy In Santa Cruz Area: How, Oh, How To Choose?

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – In the mood for a street fair or ethnic festival? No need to travel far. There are festivals aplenty coming up each weekend into the holiday season throughout the Santa Cruz area and nearby.

Your toughest task? Deciding which ones to attend. Whether you love Mariachis, begonias, grizzly bears, birds, Greek delicacies, oom-pah bands, even sea glass ... there is an event coming up nearby for you. Seriously!

Many of the weekend festivals cater to children, too, with kids' zones and activities, making the outing perfect for a family.

Grab your calendars, and peruse the list of area events ...

In Capitola from Sept. 1 to 4, take in the Begonia Festival. Among the fun, a floating parade of flowers, a sand-sculpting contest and a fishing derby. And it's free!

Sept. 2 at the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center in Davenport is the Grizzly Bear Festival. Treat the family to face-painting, crafts and lessons on that great brown bear.

Live like a Greek for three days! The Annual Greek Festival is Sept. 8-10 in Santa Cruz. Nosh on such deliciousness as moussaka, souvlaki, roasted lamb shanks and gyros while enjoying traditional dancing.

It will be a bi-cultural family event at the Mole & Mariachi Festival on Sept. 9 at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. Live music, dance, activities for kids, craft vendors and more.

Experience a Chinese Moon Festival on Sept. 10. The event is at the Overfelt Gardens Park in San Jose.

Head to Carmel Sept. 16-17 for two days of German brats, beer and oom-pah-pah at the Oktoberfest Monterey Bay. Live music and a family fun zone, too!

Monterey Bay Birding Festival & Family Day: Sept. 23. Admire our feathered friends in Watsonville. Bird walks and field trips.

Two-day music fest in Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival. Sept. 23- 24.

Oktoberfest Santa Cruz: Sept. 24. Beer garden, polka band and lots of fun activities for children!

Celebrate Russian and Slavic heritage in Saratoga: Russian & International Festival. Two days, Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 with food, dancing and music.

Pumpkin Junction at Casa de Fruta - Train & Carousel Rides. Throughout October in Hollister. Launch the fall season with pumpkins and rides on a carousel and choo-choo train!

One day in Santa Cruz: the Holi Festival of Color 2017. Find your mantra, Oct. 7.

San Benito Olive Festival. It's all about the olive on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Hollister.

Indulge on lobster and bluegrass music. Lobster Feed & Bluegrass, Parks Fundraiser. Saturday, Oct. 14 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

It's harvest time! Heritage Harvest Festival. Music, crafts and harvest-time activities on Oct. 21 at Wilder Ranch State Park. Perfect family outing!

Like it spicy? Don't miss the Chili Cook-Off 2017. Oct. 28 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Nov. 4-5. Sea Glass & Ocean Festival. Event supports the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Pay your respects on Day of the Dead: Día de los Muertos Festival. Nov 4 at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Dances, face painting and altars.

Stroll and enjoy the autumn season at the Harvest@Night -Beer, Wine & Food Fest at Gilroy Gardens. Event intended for ages 21 and up.

Start your holiday shopping: Holiday Art & Craft Faire. Dec. 2-3 in Santa Cruz.

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LOOKING FOR A REASON TO TAKE A DAY TRIP TO SF?

22nd Annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival: San Francisco. Two days, Sat., Sept. 9 and Sun., Sept. 10, of chocolate school, tastings, contest and cooking demos.

Wharf Fest Chowder Competition & Street Fair: San Francisco. Oct. 21. Art vendors and a variety of free activities including a Segway obstacle course and rock climbing walls. At the most delicious part of the day, the Chowder Competition, Wharf restaurants will battle it out for the title of the Best Chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Bloody Mary Festival: San Francisco. Oct. 1. Hail the Bloody Mary!

--Images via Pixabay