October is Filipino Heritage Month, and with the San Francisco Bay Area’s large and thriving Filipinx community, there is guaranteed to be a diverse selection of thrilling and vivid cultural events to celebrate. From pop-up exhibits, food summits, and intersectional dance parties, here is a list of the different happenings to attend all around the Bay Area and show your solidarity among the locals no matter where you are!
Filipino Island Fest – Alameda’s First Filipino Festival
When: Saturday, October 5, 11am – 7pm
Where: Alameda Waterfront Park- 2151 Ferry Point Alameda, CA 94501
What: Located on the picturesque Alameda Island, come be a part of the inaugural Filipino Festival that is set to be brimming with esteemed Fil-Am entertainment, over 50 artisanal shopping booths, and of course, delectable authentic cuisine. There will also be a live Batok (indigenous Filipino Tattooing) demonstration, and a familiar activity- Tinikling!
SSFPL Celebrates Filipino American History Month
When: Saturday, October 5, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: South San Francisco Public Library- 901 Civic Campus Wy, South San Francisco, CA 94080
What: In South San Francisco, their charming library will be kicking off the month with a premier viewing of the intriguing documentary Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers (2014), along with free food, crafts, and Filipino Family Storytime, all graciously hosted by the Filipino American National Historical Society, San Mateo County Chapter.
When: October 5th, 11am – 4pm
Where: Marchbank Park- 10 S Parkview Ave, Daly City, CA 94014
What: In Daly City, sunny Marchbank Park will radiating with cultural community spirit through this free festival filled with food vendors, a beer garden, local craft makers, family activities, and surprise performances!
When: October 5, 10 pm
Where: Eve Nightclub- 1535 Folsom Street, San Francisco, California 94103
What: Looking for a party to dance the night away among queer and trans Filipinx and POCs? This is the club event for you! Resident DJ DNZA will be electrifying the atmosphere with talented beats of EDM, house, and more for you to uplift the many intersections of Filipinx identity on the dancefloor.
Lamon: a Zero-Waste Filipinx Food + Wine Summit
When: Sun Oct 6, 2024, 12 pm – 9 pm
Where: 1550 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
What: The Southeast Community Center will be hosting LAMON 2024 – a transformative celebration of Filipino food, wine, and sustainability. This will be a swanky and refined showcasing of sophisticated libations, curated cuisine, and exclusive cooking demos from the Bay’s elite chefs. Tickets are available online.
When: Sun, Oct 6, 10 am
Where: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street Livermore, CA 94550
What: Head to Livermore to witness a spectacular presentation of Filipino art, music, history, and dance, right in the heart of downtown at the dazzling Bankhead Theater!
2024 San José Filipino Flag Raising & Lighting Ceremony
When: Friday, October 11, 5 pm – 8 pm
Where: San Jose City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street San Jose, CA 95113
What: In San Jose, the Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT) San Jose Coalition, San Jose Councilmember David Cohen, and San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz will all be attending to conduct the prestigious Filipino Flag Raising and Lighting Ceremony at San Jose City Hall. Free food will be available to the first 100 attendees.
Discover the Culture of Filipino America | Oakland Style 2024
When: October 11, 2024, 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: 1951 Telegraph Ave, Suite 4, Oakland, CA 94612
What: Head to Oakland for this elegantly artful showcasing of the Filipinx experience hosted by Black-owned community space Kinfolx through poetry by Kirsten Avilla, engaging conversations with Francis Wong, Asian American Studies Faculty Lecturer at San Francisco State University, and an opening reception of the can’t-miss pop-up exhibit, FOR THOSE I’VE SAVED NAMES FOR by Caitilin Damacion.
Teen Takeover: Filipino Heritage Celebration: Dance, Food and Culture!
When: October 12, 2024, 12 pm – 2 pm
Where: Downtown Library- 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, California 94063
What: The grand Redwood City library will be hosting a special Teen Takeover for all to be immersed in that involves traditional dance performances and a delectable cooking demonstration by beloved Chef Andrew Arceo.
Filipino American International Book Festival
When: Oct 12th – 13, 2024
Where: Main Branch, San Francisco Public Library- 100 Larkin Street. San Francisco, CA
What: All weekend long, the San Francisco Public Library will be providing book signings, free readings, and engaging panels to connect with different writers within their fun Filbookfest marketplace!
No matter how you celebrate or where you are in the Bay Area, there will truly be no shortage of cultural immersion and celebration all month long. Mabuhay!
