One of the benefits of living in San Mateo is the many events held in the city each year. Whether you're looking for excitement, culture and arts, or family fun, you'll find it at one of the area's many festivals and fairs. Here are just a few events in San Mateo that you should put on your calendar.

OktobeRun

San Mateo's OktobeRun is a fun event to attend for runners and spectators. It takes place at the end of October and consists of a 1/2 marathon and 5k marathon. Each year hundreds of individuals, students, and families come together to run the course and benefit the Redwood City Education Foundation. Many awards are given for those who place, and everyone who completes the half-marathon receives a finisher's medal. The course provides scenic views for runners and observers, and is a nice way to spend a Saturday morning.

San Mateo County Fair

The annual San Mateo County Fair is a summer tradition in the area where you can have a great time, meet new friends, and get a real feel for the area's hospitable vibe. The fair takes place in mid-June and includes contests for horticulturalists, artists, and livestock keepers.

On the entertainment side, the fair offers a wide variety of thrilling rides, a midway carnival, live music shows, and community stage acts. There are also food vendors selling traditional snacks and deep fried treats, as well as those selling local produce and healthier grilled items.

Highlands 4th of July Parade & Celebration

San Mateo is big on celebrating the 4th of July, and they really pull out the stops for this holiday. In addition to a dynamic fireworks show, foot race, and bake sale, the 4th of July celebration includes a grand parade full of creative floats. This is a time when San Mateo's residents put their creativity to work.

The celebration's bake sale is another popular component of the event. In addition, there are midways games and volunteer opportunities available. This is one of the many family friendly events in San Mateo, and an excellent time to get out and meet local residents.

Central Park Music Series

San Mateo sports a diverse music scene and bands from a wide variety of genres. These music acts all come together during the city's Central Park Music Series. It's a great free event that showcases a new band each Thursday evening during the summer. All ages are welcome, and all are encouraged to dance, enjoy the music, and have a good time.

In addition to the stage performances, the Central Park Music Series features excellent food vendors. If you're on the lookout for budget friendly options, this event is ideal because there is no admissions fee. Grab a snack, bring your favorite blanket, and have a fun time mingling with the crowd and hearing some good music.

These events are just some of the things to do in San Mateo, but there's much more for you to discover. Head into the city and see the other events it hosts throughout the year.