Outdoor street festivals and Bay Area County Fairs fill the summer calendar. Here is our list of outdoor street fairs, carnivals, and festivals to pencil into your Summer plans and beyond including kid-friendly features.
June county fairs and street festivals in the East Bay
Sand Castle & Sculpture Contest, Alameda
Build sand castles or create something even more original in this traditional party on the beach.
When: Saturday, June 8th, 2019 from 9am to 1pm
Where: Robert Crown Memorial Beach More details >
Temescal Street Fair
Kid-centric features: Kids fun zone, carnival rides, circus performance by Kinetic Arts Center.
When: Sunday, June 9th, 2019 from noon to 6pm
Where: Telegraph Avenue between 41st and 51st in Oakland More details >
Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton
Sponsor
County fair with all sorts of kid-friendly delights like carnival rides and games; award-winning quilts and pigs; and booths offering treats like funnel cakes and deep-fried pickles. Pricing varies wildly based on when you go and how much you ride. Look for deal days. CLOSED ON MONDAYS & TUESDAYS.
When: June 14th – July 7th
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton More details >
Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo
Discover ship to shore cannon battles, swimming mermaids, giant slides, jumpies and a pirate school with swashbuckling sword-fight lessons. Children are always invited to come in costume and participate in treasure hunts.
When: Father's Day weekend, June 15th – 16th, 2019 10am to 6pm
Where: Vallejo Waterfront Park next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal
Prices: General Admission $12. Children 12 and under FREE! Save $2 on advance sale through our link (all advance sale tickets must be purchased before midnight on June 14th, no deal at the gates). (Purchase tickets!)
LakeFest, Oakland
Expect interactive games and learning experiences for kids at this FREE Lake Merritt festival. Also live music and food options.
When: June 22, 2019, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Lake Merritt Boat House, Oakland More details >
{ROAD TRIP} Solano County Fair
Good old-fashioned county fair with free admission and a la carte pricing for rides, games, balloon art, music, animals, and surprises; all kid-friendly. Prices vary.
When: June 27 – 30, 2019
Where: Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo More details >
July county fairs and festivals in the East Bay
{ROAD TRIP} Marin County Fair
County fair with all the trimmings like carnival rides for big and small; and booths offering treats like funnel cakes and deep-fried pickles. Concerts may appeal to parents more than kids. Pricing varies wildly based on when you go and how much you ride. Look for deal days.
When: July 3rd – July 7th, 2019
Where: Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. Buy tickets or see our Kid Report on the Marin County Fair.
Fourth of July, OMG.
Sponsor
There are so many fourth of July events for families in the East Bay that we created a whole separate guide! Check it out and pick one (or two, but probably just one!) in Berkeley, Alameda, Oakland, Albany, Fremont, Piedmont, El Cerrito…
Alameda Art Fair
Another place to get your kid's face painted by the pros while you wander around looking at cool art together. Look for booths from faves such as Twirl. FREE. The Dilly Dallies will perform live.
When: Sunday, July 7th, 2019 10am – 6pm
Where: 2309 Encinal Ave between Park Street and Oak in Alameda. More details >
Berkeley Kite Festival
Family-friendly features: kite watching, flying, and making with candy drops. One of our favorites!
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 27th & 28th, 2019 10am – 6pm
Where: Berkeley Marina; admission is FREE but parking costs $20 Details here >
Alameda Summer Art & Wine Faire
Family-friendly features: a special area for kids and their families features bounce houses, games, carnival rides, slot cars, face painting, and Waterballerz all with wine for you.
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 27th & 28th, 2019 10am – 6pm
Where: Downtown Alameda on Park Street, between Encinal Ave and Buena Vista Ave. Details here >
Oakland's Art + Soul Festival, City Center
Kids Zone at Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of Oakland City Hall with face painting and interactive art. Pay extra for carnival rides, bouncers, and an obstacle course. $15 Adults, $8 Seniors (65+) & Youth 18 & under free
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 27th & 28th, 2019 noon – 6pm
Where: Downtown Oakland adjacent to the 12th Street/City Center BART station Details here >
August street fairs, carnivals, and festivals
Jack London Square Pedalfest, Oakland
Northern California's Kinetic Sculpture Race, pedal powered art, live music, and daredevil stunts.
When: Saturday, August 3, 2019 11am – 6pm
Where: Jack London Square in Oakland Details here >
Laurel Street Fair, Oakland
Kid-friendly features: children’s carnival & petting zoo. Admission FREE
When: Saturday, August 10th, 2019 11am – 7pm
Where: MacArthur Blvd between 35th Ave and 38th Avenue in Oakland Details here >
{ROAD TRIP} Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastapol
Good old-fashioned fun on the farm with kid-friendly features: celebration of apples, climbing wall, juggling, bubbles, petting zoo, hula hoops, pie-eating, silliness, room to run around, and a children's corner. Kids under 5 years – free, cash admission only on the day: adults $15 and children (6-12 years) $10.
When: Saturday & Sunday, August 17th & 18th, 2019 10am – 6pm
Where: Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol Details here >
Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival, North Berkeley
The sidewalks along North Berkeley's Shattuck Avenue will be bursting with color and tasty treats. Kids can draw on a square or two or watch all the other designs take shape.
When: Saturday, August 24, 2019 10am – 5pm
Where: North Berkeley's Shattuck Ave Details here >
September & beyond street fairs and festivals
Oakland Pride, downtown Oakland
Both a Pride Parade and Festival. Family Zone with petting zoo, face painting, fire engine and more open 11-7pm.
When: Sunday, September 8th, 2019
Where: Details here >
Oakland Pride Parade
When: Sunday, September 8th, 2019
details tbd
Solano Stroll, Albany Berkeley border
One mile of Solano Ave in Albany and Berkeley is closed to traffic. Walk and roll your way through family-friendly tables and performances.
When: Sunday, September 8th, 2019 parade begins at 10am and event ends at 5pm.
Where: Details here >
Jack London Square Eat Real Fest, Oakland
Family-friendly features: Food to eat, cooking demos for kids, and fun games to play. Mucho dessert, too.
When: September 21-22, 2019
Where: Jack London Square in Oakland Details here >
Rockridge Out & About, Oakland
Kid-centric amenities: circus activities presented by Kinetic Arts, kids' activities sprinkled throughout including carnival rides and face painting. Walk and roll the whole twelve blocks then back again.
When: Sunday, September 15th, 2019 from noon to 6pm
Where: College Avenue between Alcatraz & Manila in Oakland Details here >
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