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For one weekend each September, Castro Street in downtown Mountain View turns into a long outdoor gallery. Artist booths line the street for blocks. Two stages play music through the day and a ticketed wine lounge pours from small vintners. The Mountain View Art and Wine Festival has been doing this for more than half a century. For Palo Alto residents it is one of the easiest big street fairs to reach.
This guide covers what the festival includes, the 2026 details as published by the organizers and what to expect in 2027. For the town itself, see our guide to Mountain View.
The festival at a glance
The 2026 festival was the 54th. It ran on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission was free. The official site described more than 400 artists and craft makers, with hundreds of booths along Castro Street.
| Feature | 2026 details |
|---|---|
| Artists and makers | More than 400 |
| Music | Two stages: the PG&E Main Stage and the Alamo Drafthouse Community Stage |
| Kids | Kid Zone with games, face painting, bungee trampolines and water balls |
| Wine | Tasting lounge with eight boutique and heritage vintners |
| Bikes | Free bike parking near Church Street |
The festival's website at mvartwine.com posts the map, the music schedule and wine tickets each summer. Its footer links to the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View.
When it happens
The festival lands on a weekend in early to mid September, which in recent years has meant the weekend right after Labor Day. Recent editions show the pattern:
- 2023: the 51st festival, September 9 and 10.
- 2024: the 52nd festival, September 7 and 8.
- 2026: the 54th festival, September 12 and 13.
As of late October 2026, the 2027 dates had not been announced. The usual timing points to a weekend in the first half of September, but confirm on the festival's site before planning around it. Our September guide covers what else is on that month, including Palo Alto's Moonlight Run later in the month.
The art
The organizers bill the festival as a showcase for more than 400 of the region's artists and craft makers. Expect a wide spread, from fine art to handmade gifts. Prices run from small souvenirs to serious pieces, so set a budget before you start. Ask each artist how they take payment and whether they can hold or ship a larger piece.
The best approach is a slow first lap. Walk the whole length of the festival once without buying, note the booths you like, then circle back. Saturday morning gives you the widest choice before popular pieces sell. Sunday afternoon is quieter and some artists are happier to talk.
Wine, beer and food
In 2026 the festival ran a wine tasting lounge with eight boutique and heritage vintners. Tickets were $65 at the festival, subject to availability, with early bird tickets sold online in advance. If wine is a big part of your plan, buy ahead. Bring ID for any alcohol purchase.
Festival food stands handle quick bites. If you would rather sit down, Castro Street's restaurants stay open behind the booths and the side streets have more choices. Our guide to where to eat in Mountain View lists favorites by cuisine.
Getting there from Palo Alto
Caltrain is the easy answer. Mountain View station sits at the north end of Castro Street, where the street meets Central Expressway. You step off the train and the festival is right there. From Palo Alto's University Avenue or California Avenue stations, the ride is short. Our Caltrain guide covers fares and weekend service.
Biking is a good choice too. The festival offered free bike parking near Church Street in 2026. From south Palo Alto, the ride is flat. Driving works but plan for street closures around Castro and for downtown lots to fill by midday.
Good to know
- September is often the warmest month on the Peninsula. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat for midday browsing.
- Go early on Saturday for the best art and smallest crowds, or late Sunday for a relaxed stroll.
- Check the festival map before you go so you know where the stages, Kid Zone and restrooms are.
The Los Altos Arts and Wine Festival
If you like the format, Los Altos runs its own version in July. The Los Altos Arts and Wine Festival fills Main and State streets in downtown Los Altos. The 47th edition ran on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, organized by the Los Altos Village Association. It had free concerts on two stages, a Kidzone and wine, beer and spirits from local producers. Payment for drinks was by credit card or tap only. The 2027 dates had not been posted as of late October 2026.
Palo Alto's own big street fair is the Festival of the Arts on University Avenue in late August, hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. The 2026 festival, the 43rd, ran August 22 and 23. Our Festival of the Arts guide covers it in detail. Taken together, these three festivals make late summer a good season for art lovers on this part of the Peninsula.
Three late summer art festivals compared
| Festival | Usual timing | Where | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Altos Arts and Wine | A July weekend | Main and State streets, Los Altos | July 11 and 12 |
| Palo Alto Festival of the Arts | A late August weekend | University Avenue, Palo Alto | August 22 and 23 |
| Mountain View Art and Wine | The weekend after Labor Day in recent years | Castro Street, Mountain View | September 12 and 13 |
The Mountain View and Palo Alto festivals were free to enter in 2026. Each of the three is walkable from a Caltrain station or a short bike ride from Palo Alto. None had published 2027 dates when we checked in late October 2026.
A simple festival plan
- Check the site the week before. Confirm hours, the music schedule and any street closures.
- Take the train. Ride Caltrain from Palo Alto to Mountain View and skip the hunt for parking.
- Walk the full length first. Note booths you like, then circle back to buy.
- Break for lunch on a side street. Sit down away from the crowd and come back refreshed.
- Catch a set on each stage. Check the festival map for both stages and use the music as an excuse to explore.
- Plan for purchases. Bring a tote for small finds and think about how you will carry larger pieces home on the train.
Make a day of it
A festival visit pairs well with an afternoon at Shoreline Park, a few minutes' drive north of downtown Mountain View. Our Shoreline Park guide covers the lake and trails. If you are staying over, compare hotels in Mountain View and Palo Alto early, since September weekends can be busy around Stanford's move-in and football season.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Mountain View Art and Wine Festival?
It is held on a weekend in early to mid September. The 54th festival ran on September 12 and 13, 2026. Recent editions were September 9 and 10, 2023 and September 7 and 8, 2024. The 2027 dates had not been announced as of late October 2026.
Is the Mountain View Art and Wine Festival free?
Yes. Admission is free. In 2026 a separate wine tasting lounge with eight vintners was ticketed, at $65 at the festival subject to availability, with early bird tickets sold online beforehand.
How do I get to the festival from Palo Alto?
Caltrain is the easiest way. Mountain View station sits at the north end of Castro Street, so you step off the train at the festival. Driving works too, but downtown parking fills and some streets close.
Is the festival good for kids?
Yes. The 2026 festival had a Kid Zone with games, face painting, bungee trampolines and water balls. Families with strollers may find mornings easier, before the afternoon crowds build.
Is there a similar festival in Los Altos?
Yes. The Los Altos Arts and Wine Festival fills Main and State streets in downtown Los Altos each July. The 47th edition ran July 11 and 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., run by the Los Altos Village Association.