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20 Spring Festivals and Fairs in San Francisco for Families

Nonstop entertainment. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area KidFest
Nonstop entertainment. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area KidFest
4/9/23 - By Sandra Lee

Spring festivals are in the Northern California air! Warmer weather, blooming flowers, and events galore are taking center stage in San Francisco and the Bay Area. With fun activities like Carnaval in San Francisco to KidFest in Concord, it's time to get outside and enjoy this beautiful Bay Area weather. 

We've rounded up our picks of the best Spring festivals and fairs in San Francisco and the Bay Area for families to enjoy in April and May. Kiddos will love all the culture, music, and Earth Day celebrations. Spring is about to be booked, and many spring festivals are free community events. Mark your calendars and make lasting seasonal memories. 

Stop and smell the flowers (especially the tulips while in bloom) when visiting Golden Gate Park with kids, and ring in spring with more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide for San Francisco Kids. 

 

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Face painting, performances, and so much more. Kids Day photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Cruz
Face painting, performances, and so much more. Kids Day photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Cruz

Spring Festivals and Fairs in the San Francisco Bay Area for Families

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, April 8 - 9 & 15 - 16, 2023
Free
Over 22,000 visitors flock to Japantown to see the beautiful cherry blossoms and immerse themselves in Japanese and Japanese-American culture. Activities include cultural performances, arts, live music, the annual Queen program, and so much more.  Kids of all ages can have a blast at the Children's Cherry Blossom Village, where they can play fun games, and engage in hands-on crafts and activities.  READ MORE

San Rafael Spring Carnival

San Rafael - Now through Sunday, April 9, 2023
Bring the whole gang to the Spring carnival with games, food, and rides. With mechanical rides for thrill-seekers to little ones, everyone is welcome to enjoy the fun. Classic concession stand food like hand-dipped corn dogs, cotton candy, and caramel apples are available, as well as games like basketball free throw and water race games.  READ MORE

Spring Fling

San Francisco - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Free
Head over to Crocker Amazon Playground in San Francisco for springtime activities for the whole family. Activities include carnival rides and games, a climbing wall, a scavenger hunt, live music, arts and crafts, archery, an imagination playground, and a book mobile! READ MORE

Annual Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival

Point Reyes - Friday - Sunday, April 21 - 23, 2023
Named the #1 birding hotspot, Point Reyes is hosting its annual fundraising event to celebrate spring bird and wildlife migrations along the Pacific Flyway. With walking tours, activities, and a Sunday Family Fun Day, nature lovers can celebrate Spring while also helping protect the animals. READ MORE

Love Our Earth Festival

Atherton - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Free
Celebrate Earth Day with a day full of activities brought to you by the Town of Atherton. Activities include a green vendor fair, an electric vehicle and bike showcase, a donation drive from Goodwill, live music, speakers, art displays, and more.  Sustainable and vegan food is available for purchase and will also feature cooking demonstrations and free samples.  For the kids, local museums, elementary schools, libraries, and more are doing storytimes, crafts, and interactive animal exhibits.  READ MORE

The Butter & Egg Days Parade

Petaluma - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Free
The Butter & Eggs Days Festival is a big community event for the entire family with tons of things to do. Festival food, crafts, arts, two kid areas, contests, and a parade are all available to celebrate why Petaluma is such a great place to call home.  READ MORE

Earth Day SF

San Francisco - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Free
Bring the family for a day celebrating our earth, with vendors, activities, and discussions on change. Visit the Activism Zone and learn about sustainability and hear from dynamic speakers, the Green Mobility Zone for the latest models of e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards, and the Chef's Zone to learn about sustainable food and meal planning.  READ MORE

Asian Cultural Festival

Berkeley - Sunday, April 23, 2023
Free
The 3rd Annual Asian Cultural Festival celebrates diversity and culture in downtown Berkeley. Food, crafts, and live performances are on center stage all day, as well as local food and activities for kids.  READ MORE

Coastal Wildflower Day Festival

Half Moon Bay - Sunday, April 23, 2023
Free
Celebrate Spring at the Half Moon Bay Wildflower Festival at Francis Beach. With live music, interactive booths, and a native plant sale, this family-friendly event has a ton of activities for kids of all ages.  READ MORE

Kids' Day in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz - Saturday, April 29, 2023
Free
Kids can take over downtown Santa Cruz for a day just for them. Performances, demonstrations, discounts, and specials are all on display with families in mind.  Additional activities include performances from The Climbing Trees and Joe Ferrara, free ice cream from Penny's Ice Cream, and complimentary admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.  READ MORE

30th Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show

Half Moon Bay - Sunday, April 30, 2023
Coined the "Coolest Show on Earth", Half Moon Bay is having some of the coolest and most unique driving, flying, and working machines from the 20th and 21st centuries on display for all to see.  Some vehicles on display include model-T fire engines, vintage buses, tricks-out trucks, antique engines, historic military aircraft, and custom motorcycles.  READ MORE

2024 Japantown Children's Day Festival

San Francisco - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Free
Bring out the kids and friends to enjoy the annual festival with a ton of activities like fun games and prizes, craft activities, face painting, bounce houses, and more. Festival performances in past years have included stage performances by Japanese taiko group Genryu Arts, the Center's Ito Yosakoi dance group,  acapella singing from MEaN Nikkei Acapella group, kendo (traditional Japanese sword fencing) demonstration by SF Kendo Dojo and more! The festival stage schedule will also include the 2023 Cherry Blossom Queen Court announcing the winners of the festival’s Sakura Art... READ MORE

FamFest Spring Festival

Ashland - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Free
Join the community for a fun, family-friendly Spring event complete with live music, kid's activities, and more. Shop local with retail vendors onsite, as well as food vendors selling family favorites.  READ MORE

Bay Area Book Festival

Berkeley - Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7, 2023
Free
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

Taiwanese American Cultural Festival

San Francisco - Saturday, May 13, 2023
Free
Union Square is hosting the Annual Taiwanese American Cultural Festival, a free, family-friendly event celebrating the culture and life of Taiwan.  Attendees can indulge in traditional food like beef noodle soup and pearl milk tea, live entertainment such as colorful lion dances, kid's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Mill Valley Music Festival

Mill Valley - Saturday & Sunday, May 13 & 14, 2023
Hear some great music at Mill Valley's 2-day outdoor music festival featuring bands like Fleet Foxes, Greensky Bluegrass, and others. A different line-up hits the stage on Saturday & Sunday, with food, drinks, and activities spanning throughout the weekend.  READ MORE

Carnaval San Francisco

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, May 27 & 28, 2023
Free
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 - Sunday & Monday, May 28 & 29, 2023
Free
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

33rd Bay Area KidFest

Concord - Saturday - Monday, May 27 - 29, 2023
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

Cupertino 40th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

Cupertino - Monday & Tuesday, May 29 & 30, 2023
Free
Memorial Park in Cupertino is hosting the beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival for the 40th year. Activities include cultural exhibits like bonsai and ikebana, Japanese food, live entertainment with taiko drummers, and Japanese cultural demonstrations like the beautiful tea ceremony. Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and pony rides.  READ MORE

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