Each month we highlight performances, poetry readings and open mics, arts and culture classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors, arts exhibitions and arts-related holiday celebrations. Our goal is to promote the essential and joyful events that our artists and arts/culture organizations provide for our community! ENJOY!
Submit events by the 20th of each month to:
https://bit.ly/SMCArtsandCultureEventsCalendar
September 1 - 6, 2026
San Mateo County's Arts Education Leadership Council
Date: 9/3/26 • Time: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Hosts: San Mateo County Creates, Office of Education, and Office of Arts and Culture
Description: Join us for our 26-27 SMCC meetings as we reconnect, collaborate, and plan for the year ahead in arts education. For teachers and administrators K-12.
Location: 101 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City
Cost: Free but registration is required
AI in Arts Education
Date: 9/3/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hosts: San Mateo County Creates, Office of Education, and Office of Arts and Culture
Description: Join the conversation and share your thoughts about Artificial Intelligence and its role in our digital media and design classrooms.
Location: 101 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City
Cost: Free but registration is required
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 9/3/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Free, drop-in art sessions at the Center for Creativity.
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Free First Friday
Date: 9/4/26 • Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Host: San Mateo County History Museum
Description: Join us for Free First Friday with many events throughout the day. Preschoolers make their own hot dog boat; docent led tours to discover the stories behind the exhibits and see inside the historic Old Courthouse.
Location: 2288 Broadway, Redwood City
Cost: Free
First Fridays: Art on Main
Date: 9/4/26 • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: City of Half Moon Bay
Description: Join us for First Fridays, a vibrant celebration of local art, culture, and community spirit! This monthly event invites art enthusiasts and visitors to explore the charming historic downtown area, where galleries and unique shops showcase a diverse array of creative works.
Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
September - October 2026 Exhibitions
Date: 9/4/26 • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: September - October 2026 Exhibitions
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Kings Mountain Art Fair
Date: 9/5 - 9/7/26 • Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Host: Kings Mountain Art Fair
Description: Experience fine arts, kids' activities, food and drinks, and more, under the redwoods! The 100%-volunteer-run fair offers fine arts and crafts from 130+ independent artists, selected through a jury process; proceeds support Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and Elementary School.
Location: Kings Mountain Community Center and Firehouse at 13889 Skyline Blvd, Woodside
Cost: Free
Art Zone Stage @Millbrae Arts & Wine Festival
Date: 9/6/ - 9/6/26 • Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hosts: City of Millbrae, Atelier for Healing, & Lyrical Opposition
Description: Join us to enjoy two days of incredible art, local wine, live music, delicious food, unique vendors, family fun, and more at the Bay Area's biggest end-of-summer street fair. Admission is free! Be sure to stop by the Art Zone Stage!
Location: 25 Hillcrest Blvd., Millbrae
Cost: Free
September 7 - 13, 2026
Museum of Us - Hostile Terrain 94
Date: 9/9/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Menlo Park Library
Description: Zoom with us to San Diego's Museum of Us! Sign up now for the Sept. 9 visit. The Hostile Terrain 94 exhibition takes a close look at changes taking places in 1994 when US Border Patrol formally implemented the immigration enforcement strategy known as "Prevention Through Deterrence."
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: Free
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 9/10/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Free, drop-in art sessions at the Center for Creativity.
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
September is Transit Month
Date: 9/12/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hosta: Clayroom, CalTrain and Transbay Coalition
Description: September is dedicated to celebrating the buses, trains, operators, and riders that make the wonderful Bay Area transit system we all know and ride. As part of that, nonprofits, advocacy groups, cities, transit agencies, and local businesses are all working together to create events across the Bay for the community, including the art fair that we are hosting with Caltrain and Clayroom San Mateo.
Location: 3050 S. Delaware Street, Ste 100, San Mateo
Cost: Free
Music with Gamelan Sekar Swarasanti
Date: 9/12/26 • Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Host: Belle Haven Library
Description: Gamelan is a unique form of music originating from the islands of Indonesia, the most well-known from Bali. A gamelan orchestra is often considered to be a single instrument, played by many people. Listen and learn with us!
Location: 2100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park
Cost: Free
Sip & Stitch
Date: 9/12/26 • Time: 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Host: NehaXStitch
Description: Join us for a fun and interactive embroidery class. Learn beginner hand embroidery techniques while personalizing your own compact mirror: all materials and drinks provided! 100% of proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood Northern California. Ages 14+.
Location: Center for Creativity, 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Flexible pricing with a pay-what-you-can model starting at $20!
Rock the Dock: Groove Ride
Date: 9/12/26 • Time: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Hosts: Port of Redwood City and Rock the Dock
Description: Join along the waterfront at the Port of Redwood City, to enjoy live Pop, R&B, Motown, Funk, Old School music and festivities brought to you by Live Music Fostering Community.
Location: 459 Seaport Court, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Author Mindy Hall – Meet & Greet
Date: 9/12/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Peninsula Book Collaborative
Description: Join us for a meet and greet at the store with author Mindy Hall, the creator of the Louisa Daniel mystery series. Mindy Hall is a versatile writer who has honed her skills through a diverse career path. From bookkeeping and speech therapy to teaching, Mindy’s life experiences have provided her with a wealth of inspiration to craft captivating fiction.
Location: 441 Westlake Center, Daly City
Cost: Free
Fiestas Patrias
Date: 9/13/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hosts: Fiestas Patrias and City of Redwood City
Description: Courthouse Square will be transformed into a festive, beautiful, and fun setting in celebration of this important patriotic holiday in the Mexican culture. Enjoy live music and entertainment, authentic Mexican food, arts and crafts vendors, and there will be a traditional Flag Ceremony conducted by Consul General de Mexico. The Square will be filled with colorful and glamorous Ballet Folklorico dancing, live Mariachi music, kids' area, and live musical performances.
Location: Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Margaret Niven Solo Exhibition, Protected Landscapes
Date: 9/13/26 • Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hosts: M Stark Gallery
Description: Margaret Niven is known for her virtuosic images of trees. Her work celebrates the beauty of our coast, preserved through environmental stewardship of protected natural areas.
Location: 727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
September 14 - 20, 2026
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 9/17/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Free, drop-in art sessions at the Center for Creativity.
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Building Community Through Food and Drink
Date: 9/17/26 • Time: 7:00 PM
Host: Old Fellows
Description: Join the Odd Fellows for an engaging evening with four of Half Moon Bay's most influential women entrepreneurs: Betsy Del Fierro of It's Italia, Joy Portelli of Event Savvy Catering, Lucy Gillies of Jettywave Distillery, and Meredith Kasyan of OceanCider.
Location: Old Fellows Hall, 526 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Tickets $10
Global Language Storytime: Persian
Date: 9/19/26 • Time: 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Menlo Park Library
Description: This event for little ones & their grownups features a different language each month. This time, Bahar Ortakand from Baharestan Kids in Mountain View will be sharing stories and fun in Persian.
Location: 800 Alma St., Menlo Park
Cost: Free
Saturday Afternoon Live Music
Date: 9/19/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 600 PM
Host: The Hub RWC
Description: Looking for some great live music in the Bay? Look no further than our talented lineup of original and cover bands! Join us every Saturday afternoon for some amazing performances and keep an eye out for our evening shows.
Location: 2650 Broadway, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Pacifica Performances: Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
Date: 9/19/26 • Time: 7:30 PM
Host: Pacifica Performances
Description: Orquesta La Moderna Tradición: Founded in 1996 as the West Coast’s first ensemble dedicated to the full spectrum of Cuban dance music — from danzón to timba — Orquesta La Moderna Tradición is a 12-piece charanga orchestra featuring strings, woodwinds, piano, bass, percussion, and vocals.
Location: 11220A Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
Cost: Tickets Adults: $25, Kids: $12
Rock the Dock: The Cheeseballs
Date: 9/19/26 • Time: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Hosts: Port of Redwood City and Rock the Dock
Description: Join along the waterfront at the Port of Redwood City, to enjoy live music and festivities brought to you by Live Music Fostering Community.
Location: 459 Seaport Court, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Open Mic with Mona Denay
Date: 9/20/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Host: Little Green Plant Bar
Description: Local musician Mona Dena is hosting a regular open mic every third Sunday! Join a bunch of Bay Area musicians and bask in an afternoon of creativity, community, and music. Artists are asked to reserve their preferred time slot through Mona.
Location: 1101 Main St, Redwood City
Cost: Free for audience, $15 for artists to signup
September 21 - 30, 2026
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 9/24/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Free, drop-in art sessions at the Center for Creativity.
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Senior Prom
Date: 9/25/26 • Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Host: City of East Palo Alto Senior Advisory Committee
Description: If you are 55+ years of age we welcome you to join us for an unforgettable evening where global cultures, dining, dancing, & connections come together for a night on the town. Come dressed to impress in your cultural attire and proudly showcase their heritage and style that represents you. Prizes await the most captivating looks!
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto
Cost: Tickets $50
September Arts & Culture Fest
Date: 9/26/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Host: Office of Arts and Culture, San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce, & Downtown San Mateo Association
Description: Join us in the heart of Downtown San Mateo for a fun day-long celebration of art, music, dance, poetry, food, and culture! From live bands and dazzling cultural performances to interactive kids’ activities, LIVE mural painting competitions, artists selling original handcrafted artworks, and poetry open mic, the September Arts & Culture Fest has something for everyone!
Location: B Street, Downtown San Mateo
Cost: Free
Art & Lit Fest
Date: 9/26/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Host: Daly City Public Library Associates
Description: Join us for this fun event that showcases local artists and encourage the cultural rise of Daly City’s art community. The Art & Lit Fest will be a day of arts and crafts, performances, workshops, live music, and fun – celebrating the talent in our community while raising funds for Daly City Public Library.
Location: Serramonte Center, Daly City
Cost: Free
The Movement Lives On! A Riotous and Historic Prankster Ride
Date: 9/26/26 • Time: 7:30 PM
Host: Odd Fellows
Description: Fifty years after the iconic first Trip, Ken Kesey’s son Zane took the Furthur Bus - and his father’s legacy - back on the road, for its longest running tour in history.
Location: Old Fellows Hall, 526 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
Fog Fest
Date: 9/26 - 9/27/26 • Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Host: Pacific Coast Fog Fest
Description: The Pacific Coast Fog Fest promotes the City of Pacifica, attracts visitors, celebrates our community and raises funds for local community groups.
Location: Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica
Cost: Free
Cozy Coloring Corner
Date: 9/27/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Host: Menlo Park Library
Description: Adult coloring is back! Bring your own materials or take some humble printer paper and see what you create. We’ll provide coloring sheets & colored pencils and put together a still life for you to try your hand at.
Location: 800 Alma St., Menlo Park
Cost: Free
Storyteller Clara Kamunde: Afri-Crafty Tales
Dates: 9/27/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Host: Belle Haven Library
Description: The 11th Annual Menlo Park Storytelling Festival kicks off -- Kenyan-born performer Clara Kamunde will ignite your imagination with African “How & Why” and “Origins” tales!
Location: 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park
Cost: Free