North Bay

40th annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 16-17, 9-5. The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a spectacular lineup paying homage to the Great Gourd including a special display of gigantically enormous weigh-off champion pumpkins, three stages of smashing entertainment, live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, massive weigh-off champion pumpkins, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carvers, photos with the grand champion gourd, pie-eating, carving and costume contests, The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Showcase, The Take 5 Lounge with giant screen LED TV, Half Moon Bay Winery's special festival-label wine and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company's Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale. Admission is free. Presented by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.On Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets. Call 650/726-9652 or log onto www.miramarevents.com

Holiday Sugar Castle, holiday trees to be unveiled November 24. The iconic Westin St. Francis will unveil a magnificent 12-foot Sugar Castle, and will be transformed into a festive oasis, embellished with more than $60,000 in spectacular holiday decorations created by Joe Vincent Designs. Upon entering the historic Main Lobby, a 15-foot, glimmering white and silver holiday tree decorated in energy saving LED lights will transcend into different colors. Families will delight in the whimsically adorned Tower Lobby, featuring a soaring 18-foot tall tree. A winter wonderland will be displayed over the front desk with clusters of　beautiful metallic　apple green　and pale gold　Christmas trees and an assortment　of　glittering green boxes surrounded by gold　garland, patches of snow and clusters of dripping LED　 icicles adorning the length of the overhang.

Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-François Houdré, aka "King of the Castle," is currently hard at work day and night perfecting his signature 12-foot rotating holiday sugar castle, to be unveiled in the historic Main Lobby of The Westin St. Francis on Wednesday, November 24. Originally created in 2005, this castle grows larger and more spectacular each year. Since then, it has become a holiday tradition for many families to visit the hotel during the holidays to see this magical palace. Resembling a French château, it weighs over 1200 pounds and features more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a quaint village and a running train.　Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St., San Francisco; 415/397-7000; www.westinstfrancis.com

South Bay

39th Annual Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, September 11-12, 10-6. One of America's top art festivals, huge throngs gather in Silicon Valley's epicenter for this vibrant multicultural celebration featuring 600 professional artists and craftmakers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, live music by big name cover bands, festive food and drink with premium wines, microbrews, mojitos and margaritas, an organic and green products showcase, health and wellness displays, home and garden exhibits, a special ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and action-packed Kids' Park with the Best Buy School of Rock Stage, a special NASA exhibit, entertainment, amusements and hands-on art. Admission is free. Located on Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue. For details, call 650-968-8378; www.miramarevents.com.

California’s Great America Run Forrest Run 5K Fun Run and Walk, Sunday September 19, 8:06 a.m. Come out to run or walk at Great America to support the efforts of Silicon Valley United Way. The entrance fee covers a day at Great America, food from Bubba Gump’s, free parking, and a t-shirt. $35 adults; $25 kids; $99 for a team of four. Great America, 4701 Great American Parkway, Santa Clara. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Sign up at www.uwsv.org/rfr.

Hawaiian Airlines Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice rink opens November 19. Get ready for some nice skating on this 8,100 ice rink that will stay open for 60 days. Located in downtown San Jose, it is situated right between the Fairmont Hotel and the San Jose Museum of Art encircled by 32 lovely palm trees. Enjoy! See www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.html

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