- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival
Categories: Local Services Community Service/Non-Profit Arts & Entertainment Festivals Community Service/Non-Profit, Festivals [Edit]
Almaden LakeColeman Rd and Almaden Expy
San Jose, CA 95120
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival
7 reviews in English
-
Review from po d.
San Jose, CA
11/29/2009
It's always a good place to go at the end of every September if you want to look for artsy fartsy stuff. I mean handmade arts and crafts.
I like the fact that local wineries are always represented at Almaden Valley.
Some trouble finding parking, but not a big deal to me. -
Review from Carole G.
2/3/2008
What could be better than art and wine? Well, add a warm, sunny day and the company of a great friend and you pretty much have a perfect afternoon.
Each year on the second weekend of September the Almaden Valley Women's Club hosts this event at Almaden Lake Park. Unlike some of the other summer events that are "art and wine festivals" this one is different.
All of the festival proceeds are donated as community grants to non-profit children's foundations, educational facilities, teen programs and community organizations. Local wines and artists are well-represented here. The logo for the event each year is chosen from submissions by art students attending the local schools. The food booths are set up and run by the students and parent volunteers. The entertainment is also provided by local karate, gymnastics, and dance classes as well as some local bands.
You won't find any great restaurant offerings here, nor will you see any big name entertainment. This is truly a community event with community involvement. But, it's far from being small town. It's a class act all of the way. So, if you are looking for something a little different than the crowded art and wine you usually go to, mark your calender for this event in Almaden Valley in the Fall. -
Review from Sara W.
9/20/2009
Very fun. It was a warm day out, but no matter. There were a good amount of vendors, with a great variety of content and prices, though much smaller than what I've seen before at other festivals. I did get a nice Asian-style purse :) The children's area was great; with games, a climbing wall, crafts, and even a changing station!
We saw some good entertainment, including a kung-fu presentation and some local rock music. It was easy to get around and ask for help. The food was pretty good; we got some garlic fries for $5.
It was also easy to get there; though you usually have to pay to park at the park, we took the lightrail to the Almaden station and walked from there.
We also got a nice collectible beer glass for $6. -
Review from Sabrina A.
San Jose, CA
10/6/2009
What a lovely, local festival.
With the weather not too blazing, free parking a few blocks down and an free entrance fee it was a great way to start the festival. Browsing around there are a lot of local artisans, booths, nick nacks and other random stuff. There is plenty to look at so it is enjoyable and fun. Some of the quality is wonderful while others were a little too home made for my taste. But I will say all the booths hosted sweet, talkative people ready to talk about their work and engage with you. It provided a great time.
Also I won a bottle of champagne! The limo place was holding a raffle and thinking I'd never win - I did! So woo hoo for great giveaways and good luck.
I tried the chinese chicken salad while there, some local sports team was the sponser, it was flavorful, tasty and made me want seconds. Oh and pretty cheap! The food in general looked pretty tasty and festival goers seemed pretty happy. I sampled the wines that day, a pretty good price for a etched wine glass and full pours. Most of the wine/beer helpers were nice, only one was just ok. Overall sweet help!
As far as entertainment they had a great imitation band for Pearl Jam, really sounded like them. It also had the lake as a great back drop, picnic tables, a climbing wall and kids area.
I wouldn't travel too far for this fair as it doesn't have a huge amount to do, but if you enjoy talking with locals, local wines, tasty fair food and the like - this is a cute festival to attend. Let alone part of the proceeds help the local schools and charities. -
Review from kevin p.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/12/2010
Grew up in this area and went to my share of AVAWF's over the years. If you have been to one you have been to them all.
People set up booths and sell overpriced knickknacks. Sometimes a band plays- Eh- and that's about it. You know the knickknacks I mean - you buy one and think its cool for exactly the amount of time it takes to drive home and then you throw it into the junk drawer.
It was better when they held it at the park next to the library but in recent years its become too sprawling and they moved it to the lake. -
Review from Michele M.
San Jose, CA
9/23/2009
A longtime friend and mentor invited the hubby and I to see him and his band, The Joint Chiefs play on the community stage here, otherwise we had no idea this event was being held this past weekend. As Art & Wine events go, this one is on the smaller side, the entire event flanked the western side of the lake. I enjoyed a refreshing glass of Pinot by Fortino, a winery out of Gilroy while hubby had a chilled pub style glass of beer. The entertainment was great, we enjoyed the band as well as a demonstration put on by a local martial arts studio, U.S.A. Martial Arts.
Good opportunity to get in tune with the community and your neighbors, be sure to bring a chair since there are not a lot of spots nearby to sit and enjoy your wine and conversation.Listed in: The Great Outdoors
-
Review from Erin O.
9/21/2008
Very cool, local art and wine festival. Decent selection of booths without being overwhelmingly large. Plus, the kids can enjoy the jumpy house section or the local playgrounds while you're there. Parking is not the greatest, but you can find something with a little searching.
My daughter scored at the booth where the lady makes the American Girl doll clothes. Adorable stuff, including Halloween outfits for the dolls. Some stunning photography, nice jewelry, and pottery. Can't vouch for the wine. Nice way to spend a Sunday if you live in and around San Jose.
At the corner of Coleman and Almaden.
