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36 Best Summer Festivals and County Fairs in San Francisco for Kids and Families

Find great fair food and fun in Napa this summer. Photo courtesy of the Napa Town and Country Fair
Find great fair food and fun in Napa this summer. Photo courtesy of the Napa Town and Country Fair
5/17/24 - By Sandra Lee

Summer festivals in San Francisco are the best way to enjoy those few months without any fog or rain. These outdoor festivals bring families and friends together to celebrate fabulous food, cool cultures, and loads of fun activities. There are county fairs, block parties, music festivals, and of course, plenty of events honoring the 4th of July.

From Ferris wheels and mini roller coasters at fests like the 33rd Bay Area KidFest in Concord to honoring our missing fog at Pacifica's Fog Fest, here we rounded up the best summer festivals in San Francisco and the Bay Area for kids and families.

For more fun things to do in the Bay Area every day of summer, check out our calendar of events. Plus, plan your summer road trips with our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide. 

 

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Rock out to free music all summer long. Photo courtesy of Stern Grove Festival
Rock out to free music all summer long. Photo courtesy of Stern Grove Festival

Best Summer Festivals in San Francisco for Kids and Families

Parkfest in Castro Valley

Castro Valley - FREE
May 11, 2024
Celebrate 90 years of your East Bay Regional Parks with music, performances, Drakes Brewery, Kids' Zone, hands-on fun, nature exhibits and displays, food trucks, eco-friendly activities, and more. READ MORE

Rail Fair at the Railroad Museum of Ardenwood

Fremont
May 25-17, 2024
Visit the Ardenwood Railroad Museum this Labor Day weekend for all things trains! See a 1910 steam locomotive and mobile displays, take a train ride, enjoy live music, and take part in the many kids' activities available.  READ MORE

33rd Bay Area KidFest

Concord
May 25-27, 2024
Head over to Concord for KidFest, an action-packed, weekend-long fun for kids of all ages. With live entertainment, arts and sports activities, rides, and crafts, as well as food favorites, this 3-day festival is all about celebrating kids and the kid in you.  READ MORE

Carnaval San Francisco

San Francisco - FREE
May 26-27, 2024
Immerse in the Latin-American culture of music, dancing, and color for Carnaval in the Mission District. The 2-day festival has a lot for families of all ages, including international food, dancing, and entertainment for a complete cultural experience.  READ MORE

The Art & Wind Festival

San Ramon - FREE
May 26-27, 2024
Fly a kite, pick up a craft, check out some art, and enjoy delicious food at the San Ramon Kite & Wind Festival. For 2 days, attendees can hear live international music, enjoy performances, see a children's show, play in amusement zones, see some excellent kite-flying demonstrations, and even attend a kite-making workshop.  READ MORE

San Leandro Cherry Festival

San Leandro - FREE
June 1, 2024
The Cherry Festival is a San Leandro tradition! Enjoy live music from all genres, a parade, games (there is even a Fun Zone), local vendor booths, and tons of food at the Cherry Mart.  Bakers can also enter the cherry pie contest for a chance to win the "Best Cherry Pie in the Cherry City." READ MORE

Bay Area Book Festival

Berkeley - FREE
June 1 & 2, 2024
Bring the family for a two-day festival celebrating the world of books in downtown Berkeley. Readers and writers can discuss books, and authors are available to take questions and sign your favorites. A Family Fun Zone has author booths, games, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts. The literacy marketplace features a bookstore, writing programs, book art, and a youth expo, hosting award-winning YA, middle-grade, and picture book authors.   READ MORE

Festa Italiana

San Francisco - FREE
June 1 & 2, 2024
The 2-day festival celebrates all things Italy with food, drinks, music, culture, and even the running of the 102nd Statuto Race.  Activities include a pizza toss demonstration by 13-time World Champion Tony Gemignani of Tony's Pizza in North Beach, a performance by a symphony of accordions, wine tasting, music from Moreno Fruzzetti and others, and a Kids Corner with tarantella dancing and face painting.  READ MORE

Union Street Festival

San Francisco - FREE
June 1 & 2, 2024
One of the oldest summer festivals in the Bay Area, the 2-day Union Street Festival in the Cow Hollow District draws families of all ages for more than arts and crafts.  Families can enjoy food and drinks from local vendors, hear live music, engage in kid-friendly activities, and more.  READ MORE

Redwood Mountain Faire

Felton
June 1 & 2, 2024
The annual fare is at Roaring Camp, bringing together music on two stages for families with kids of all ages. Activities include arts and crafts, kids' activities, food and beverages from local breweries, and live music.  READ MORE

Point Richmond Summer Music Festival

Point Richmond - FREE
Second Fridays from June through September
Point Richmond is hosting a concert in the park series in Downtown Point Richmond every second Friday, from June through September. Enjoy Bluegrass, Folk, and Zydeco music for the whole family.  READ MORE

5th Annual Lakefest in Oakland

Oakland
June 22, 2024
Lakefest Oakland is a family-friendly annual event bringing together the city’s vast range of artists, musicians, retailers, and non-profits featuring over 100 vendors, a massive Kids Fun Zone, a Tech Pavilion, an outdoor Beer Garden, and amazing food.  READ MORE

Stern Grove Festival

San Francisco - FREE
TBD, 2024
Bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy free music in San Francisco for the whole family. With a mission to bring live music that is accessible to all, every weekend brings a different band to play for the Bay Area community. There is also a KidZone where kids can do art, get their faces painted, hear a story and watch a puppet show.  READ MORE

Chalk Full of Fun 2024

Redwood City - FREE
July 3 & 4, 2024
Put those sidewalk chalk skills to the test at the Redwood City Chalk Festival, where professionals and amateurs create works of art in Courthouse Square on Hamilton St. with the theme "Heroes and Helpers." Participants can sign up to reserve a space, or just come to the event and create at the free chalking area on Hamilton.  READ MORE

Foster City 4th of July Celebration

Foster City - FREE
July 4, 2024
The 4th of July Celebration in Foster City is back with a whole day of fun events, activities, and music for the whole family. There will be a Kid Zone, a pet parade, family games, and a giant fireworks display. READ MORE

Fisherman's Wharf 4th of July Celebration

San Francisco - FREE
July 4, 2024
Hang out at Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy some spectacular fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. READ MORE

Redwood City 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Redwood City - FREE
July 4, 2024
Go big on the 4th of July and celebrate with a day of activities in downtown Redwood City. A massive parade (the largest in the Bay Area) as well as a festival, pancake breakfast, and of course, glorious fireworks.  READ MORE

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Celebration

Pleasant Hill - FREE
July 4, 2024
Spend the day downtown celebrating all that is the 4th of July in Pleasant Hill. The morning starts with a 5K Run (and a 100-yard dash for kids) followed by a parade, a party in the park, and a fireworks display as the grand finale.  The Party in the Park includes food, music, kid's slides, and a train ride.  READ MORE

Half Moon Bay Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party

Half Moon Bay - FREE
July 4, 2024
In its 53rd year hosting the incredible 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Parade, and Block Party, this event is a day full of fun for the whole family. There will be marching bands, pets parading, sports teams, and even its famous "Sitting Marching Band" playing all the patriotic songs. READ MORE

Fiesta Cultural at the Lesher Center for the Arts

Walnut Creek - FREE
July 17-29, 2024
Celebrate Latin American arts and culture returns in Walnut Creek. Fiesta Cultural is a week of vibrant events and performances at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Activities will include world-class Headliners performances and a free street fair on Saturday with music and dance from the diverse cultures of Latin America.  READ MORE

23rd Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival

Oakland - FREE
August 10, 2024
Laurel StreetFair is dedicated to celebrating our cultural roots, our community, and the traditions that bring Oakland together with performances, kids activities, and more. READ MORE

31st Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival

San Francisco - FREE
August 10 & 11, 2024
Fun for the entire family, Yerba Buena Garden is hosting the Pistahan Parade and Festival to celebrate Filipino culture. Activities include hands-on cultural experiences in 8 pavilions featuring art, food, dance, health, heritage, innovation, sports and tavern.  READ MORE

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts

Palo Alto - FREE
August 24 & 25, 2024
Celebrating its 41st year, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is hosting its family-friendly festival on Saturday & Sunday. Attendees can enjoy over 250 arts and crafts displays, street painters, a kids' art studio, entertainment, food, and beverages.  READ MORE

Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival

Felton
September 15-17, 2024
The 8th Annual Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival is back with a weekend full of music, camping, train rides, vendors, and food. READ MORE

Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Pacifica - FREE
September 28 & 29, 2024
Celebrate the beauty of the Pacific Coast at Pacifica's Fog Fest with a parade, marching band, arts and crafts, food, live music, and a ton of activities for the whole family.  READ MORE

TreasureFest 2024

San Francisco
Last weekend of the month
A monthly curated festival for the whole family, TreasureFest has live music, over 300 vendors, drinks and bites, and more.   READ MORE
Fun at the fair! Photo courtesy of the Sonoma County Fair
Fun at the fair! Photo courtesy of the Sonoma County Fair

Top County Fairs in San Francisco This Summer

Contra Costa County Fair

Antioch
May 16-19, 2024
The Contra Costa County Fair is bringing carnival games, live music, animals, and so much more for 4 days in May. Kids can enjoy balloon twisting, furry characters, a speed raceway, and even a flying dog show. There is also delicious fair food like corndogs and cotton candy.  READ MORE

Sacramento County Fair

Sacramento
May 23-27, 2024
With over 30 carnival rides for kids of all ages, pig and duck races, a petting farm, and so much more, the Sacramento County Fair is back for 5 days of fun for the whole family.  The kid's zone has programs in science, agriculture, and music shown daily and is included in admission.  READ MORE

San Mateo County Fair

San Mateo
June 1-9, 2024
The San Mateo County Fair has carnival games, pig races, a petting zoo, fair food like funnel cakes and popcorn, and so many more activities for the whole family. Live music every night, as well as free kids' activities and exhibits for everyone to enjoy.  Special days include Family Pride Day, Pacific Islanders Day, and Dia de Feria.  READ MORE

75th Annual Solano County Fair

Vallejo
June 13-16, 2024
The Solano County Fair brings games, horse races, fair food, and so many activities for the whole family for 4 days in June.  Exhibits include animals and art, as well as rides and live entertainment.  READ MORE

Alameda County Fair

Alameda June 14 - July 7, 2024
There are so many things happening at the Alameda County Fair that you don't want to miss. New rides, events, activities, games, concerts, food, horse racing, movies on the lawn, and nightly drone light shows.  READ MORE

Sonoma-Marin Fair

Petaluma
June 20-23, 2024
The "Cow-a-Bunga" themed county fair in Marin is filled with activities for kids of all ages that are included with admission.  Enjoy live music, exhibits with adorable animals, car races, dog shows, a petting zoo, carnival games, and the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.   READ MORE

Sonoma County Fair

Santa Rosa
August 1-11, 2024
Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the Sonoma County Fair. Enjoy carnival games, rides, a kids' area, barnyard animals, horse racing, live music, and plenty of fair food. READ MORE

Napa Town and Country Fair

Napa
August 8-11, 2024
Head over to the Napa Town and Country Fair for live music, great fair food, carnival games, art installations, a kids zone, a play area, livestock exhibits, dance parties and so much more for 4 days.  READ MORE

2024 Monterey County Fair

Monterey
August 29-September 2, 2024
Come to the Fair this Labor Day weekend and enjoy carnival rides, live music, games, an animal livestock show, and all that delicious fair food.  READ MORE

Santa Cruz County Fair

Santa Cruz
September 11-15, 2024
A county fair with ocean air, the Santa Cruz County Fair is back and ready to greet guests of all ages. Get ready for carnival games, rides, livestock shows, education days, and great fair food. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Lesher Center for the Performing Arts