CALENDAR
Calendar: events for November and December 2009
PASO ROBLES, CALIF.
Paderewski Festival
When, where: Nov. 12 to 15, various venues
Highlights: This festival celebrating Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a composer, vintner and Poland's third prime minister, features a variety of performances of his music. There are also meals, wine tastings and a tour of his onetime property.
Cost: Prices vary per event; check website for details.
OAK GLEN, CALIF.
Apple Butter Festival
When, where: Nov. 27 to 29, Los Rios Rancho
Highlights: Partake in the late-fall tradition of making apple butter from what's left of the season's crop. At this sixth annual event, there will be hands-on demos and lessons plus other old-fashioned crafts, games, music and carriage rides. A hoedown includes traditional dances and music by Rileys Mountaineers Band.
Cost: Free, though some activities charge a small fee.
Info: (909) 797-1005, www.losriosrancho.com
SAN FRANCISCO
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
When, where: Saturdays and Sundays, plus Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, Cow Palace
Highlights: The 100,000-square-foot Cow Palace is expected to attract 30,000 people to its 31st annual transformation into Dickens' London, complete with elaborately costumed characters (attendees are encouraged to dress up too), performances, lively pubs, old-time foods, holiday shopping opportunities and kids' activities, including a hand-powered carousel, puppet shows, and meeting sailors and pirates on the docks.
Cost: $22; $10 for ages 5 to 11; free for ages 4 and younger. See websites for discounts. Parking $10.
Info: (800) 510-1558, www.dickensfair.com
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