In the sea of festivals in the vibrant Bay Area party scene, the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival stands out as one of the most unique events in the region. Held on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View, the event features a diverse lineup of musicians from the Bay Area and Northern California. The fascinating arts & crafts market gives thousands of visitors a chance to browse whimsical displays of hand-made showpieces. Beyond that, there's a lot more fun waiting for you at the MV Art & Wine Festival.
Family-Friendly Entertainment
Drawing in 150,000 visitors from the Bay Area and beyond, the event has its fair share of attractions for all ages. The most prominent staple of them all is the Xfinity Pigskin Lounge, where you can watch the first few matches of the NFL season, the start of which usually falls on the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. The lounge is located at the intersection of Castro and Mercy Streets and is equipped with a huge LED screen, providing a vibrant image of the show.
Children will be especially delighted to discover a wide array of kid-friendly entertainment. Thrilling Waterballerz brings you and your children on an exhilarating race in 24-foot (7 m) inflatable balls. An adrenaline rush is guaranteed in the festival's Bungee Jump attraction. Other child-friendly activities include face painting, Gabby on the Go! show, henna, robotics, and Ellie and Zach Maker Space, where your little ones can unleash their creativity.
Art Attractions
While at the festival grounds, there's no chance you'll miss the glorious artisan market, featuring various craft displays. Quilts, blown glass sculptures, quirky decor, dreamcatchers, jewelry, and so much more are available at the vendor booths. You can even watch art come together right on the streets of Mountain View—a collective of street artists will draw masterpieces with chalk. At the Paint Temple, visitors can express themselves and contribute to a collaborative painting.
Live Music
The music artists are in charge of creating the unique atmosphere and vibe of the event. The dynamic performances unfold on the PG&E Main Stage, located in Civic Center Plaza. However, even when wandering around the festival grounds, you'll spot numerous street performers, showcasing their skills right in the middle of Castro Street. Deep house virtuosos, Dancepark DJ annually perform on a special 14 feet tall (4 m) stage. There is also a community talent stage, which features the best up-and-coming local acts.
Food & Beverages
While art is an integral part of the Art & Wine Festival, food and drinks are at the heart of the feast. Hundreds of vendors set up their booths all throughout Downtown Mountain View, offering delicacies for everyone's taste palate. Ranging from empanadas and lobsters to brownies and pizzas, there's plenty of variety in the festival's food court. When it comes to drinks, you'll have a chance to treat your taste buds to tasty wine varieties from California and beyond.
Schedule & Admission
The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival takes place annually in September. The festivities span from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Entry to the festival doesn't require any fees and is completely free. Parking at Lot 12 Bryant Street, 555 Castro Street, and at 444 Castro Street costs $20.
Location
The festival takes place in Mountain View, a scenic city nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains and known for its close proximity and contribution to development of Silicone Valley. All activities unfold on Castro Street and nearby city blocks in Downtown Mountain View.
