Outdoor street festivals and Bay Area County Fairs fill the summer calendar from May through October. Here is our list of outdoor street fairs, carnivals, and festivals to pencil into your Summer plans and beyond including kid-friendly features. Pack up your wagon and have a blast.
May County Fairs and Street Festivals in the Bay Area
Contra Costa County Fair, Antioch
This County Fair kicks off a full season of fairs and festivals with entertainers, animals, rides, carnival games, and food. Looks like fun!
When: May 12-15, 2022
Where: Contra Costa County Event Park, Antioch Details here >
Greek Festival, Oakland
The Oakland Greek Festival is back to celebrate its 50th year as an Oakland historical treasure with its delicious homemade cuisine and breathtaking panoramic view of the entire SF Bay Area! Expect tasty treats and lots of Greek dancing including child performers.
When: May 20-22, 2022
Where: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland Details here >
Himalayan Fair, Berkeley
Live music & dance performances, arts & crafts, and delicious regional food. Stop by the kids’ booth for crafts and games. Since it is hosted at Live Oak Park, there’s also room to run, a creek to explore, trees to climb, and a nearby playground.
When: May 21-22, 2022
Where: Live Oak Park, Berkeley Details here >
Bay Area KidFest, Concord
Memorial Day weekend comes alive with things kids love: 15 kid-friendly rides, arts, Paw Patrol characters, and other live entertainment. Find lots of food, too.
When: May 28-30, 2022 11 am to 6 pm
Where: San Ramon’s Central Park Details here >
Art & Wind Festival, San Ramon
Children’s shows, professionally choreographed kite demonstrations, free kite making, and music. Though I’m not sure what’s included in the “family amusement zones”, expect a pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and family-friendly vibe.
When: May 29-30, 2022 (weekend 10 am to 6 pm, Monday 10 am to 5 pm)
Where: Mount Diablo High School, 2450 Grant Street, Concord Details here >
June county fairs and street festivals in the Bay Area
Oakland Carnival
Held on the first Saturday in June, Oakland Carnival’s unique inclusion of Caribbean, African, Brazilian, and African American cultures makes for a family-friendly showcase of local and international talent, art, food, and music. Youth Zone, three stages of performers, bands, costumes, a colorful parade, wellness themes, and international food.
When: June 4, 2022 noon to 7 pm
Where: Mosswood Park, Oakland. Website >
San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo
This County Fair will have the whole shebang: rides, carnival games, and food. Looks like fun!
When: June 4-11, 2022
Where: San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo Details here >
Sand Castle & Sculpture Contest, Alameda
Build sandcastles or create something even more original in this traditional party on the beach. Super family-friendly and fun.
When: June 11, 2022 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Robert Crown Memorial Beach, Alameda More details >
Temescal Street Fair, Oakland
Come see amazing tricks at the Kinetic Arts Center Circus Stage, let the kids go wild a the Fun Zone and Carnival rides, listen to live music on three stages, and enjoy lots of food. Easily accessible via bike & transit – only a block from MacArthur BART.
When: June 12, 2022 noon to 6 pm
Where: Telegraph between 41st and 51st Streets, Oakland More details >
Solano County Fair, Vallejo
This good old-fashioned county fair with free admission and a la carte pricing for rides, games, balloon art, music, animals, and surprises; are all kid-friendly. Prices vary.
When: June 16 – 19, 2022
Where:Â Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo More details >
Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton
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. ALWAYS CLOSED ON MONDAYS & TUESDAYS.
When: June 17 – July 12, 2022
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton More details >
King of the County BBQ & Music Festival, Martinez
Kid-friendly features include a bouncy house, corn hole, and face painting. Parent-friendly features include tasty BBQ and live music. Free admission and parking.
When: June 18 – 19, 2022
Where: Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, 1 Ferry St., Martinez More details >
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival – BELONGING, Berkeley
Look for a kids’ zone with a rock wall, skating, and STEM activities. More family-friendly activities like dance, art, clowns, and stories. Lots of live music, too. (Find other local Juneteenth celebrations here)
When: Sunday, June 19, 2022, 11 am to 7 pm.
Where: Adeline at Alcatraz in Berkeley. More details >
Lakefest, Oakland
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, Tech Pavilion, Outdoor Beer Garden and, of course, Amazing Food.
When: June 25, 2022
Where: Lake Merritt, Oakland. Website >
Danville Summer Fest
Children’s area with pony rides, bungee jumping, and a petting zoo.
When: June 25-26, 2022
Where: Downtown Danville. Website >
Marin County Fair, San Rafael
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: June 30 – July 4, 2022
Where: Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. Website >
July County Fairs and Street Festivals in the Bay Area
Alameda Art Fair & Maker Market, Alameda
Another place to get your kid’s face painted by the pros while you wander around looking at cool art together. Special kid-friendly features like a play zone or kindie rock performances TBD
When: Sunday, July 3, 2022, 10 am – 6 pm
Where: 2309 Encinal Ave between Park Street and Oak in Alameda. More details >
Fourth of July, OMG
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. You’ll find fireworks, parades, and carnivals.
Oakland Art + Soul
Free admission for everyone. Lots of performances and additional family-friendly amenities to be announced. Easily accessible by BART. We’ve missed Oakland’s Art+Soul and are thrilled it has returned.
When: Saturday, July 23 from noon to 6 pm.
Where: Downtown Oakland, Frank Ogawa Plaza
Santa Clara County Fair
This County Fair is all about the livestock. I am not sure how kid-friendly it will be so stay tuned!
When: July 10 Horse show, July 23-29 Livestock shows, July 30 Livestock auction.
Where: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose Details here >
August County Fairs and Neighborhood Festivals in the East Bay
Fremont Festival of the Arts, Fremont
Fremont Festival of Arts – has a Kid City with carnival rides, arts & crafts, music, etc; Free admission
When: August 6-7, 2022 from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downtown Fremont More details >
Chocolate & Chalk Art, Berkeley
The sidewalks come alive in a burst of color with chalk art from novices, families, and professionals.
When: Saturday, August 13, 2022, from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Shattuck Avenue around Cedar in Berkeley More details >
{ROAD TRIP} Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastapol
Enjoy good old-fashioned fun on the farm with a kid-friendly celebration of apples, climbing wall, juggling, bubbles, petting zoo, hula hoops, pie-eating, silliness, room to run around, and a children’s corner.
When: August 13-14, 2022 10 am to 6 pm
Where:Â Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol Details here >
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