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. Our round-up is sponsored by the Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo!
All about the Pirate Festival on Father's Day Weekend
The 12th annual Northern California Pirate Festival Fathers Day Weekend at Vallejo Waterfront Park mixes typical childhood amusements like bouncy houses and face painting with good olde-fashioned walk-the-plank adventure. From cannon battles to mermaids and sword fighting, your pirate-loving family will have a blast. Regular admission is $12; Children 12 and under are FREE. Save $2 on advance sale through our link (all advance sale tickets must be purchased before midnight on June 15th, no deal at the gates). (Purchase tickets!)
June county fairs and street festivals in the East Bay
Temescal Street Fair
Kid-centric features: Kids fun zone, carnival rides, circus performance by Kinetic Arts Center.
When: Sunday, June 10th
Where: Telegraph Avenue between 41st and 51st in Oakland More details >
Alameda County Fair in 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. CLOSED ON MONDAYS & TUESDAYS.
When: June 15th – July 8th
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 16th – 17th, 10am to 6pm
Where: Vallejo Waterfront Park next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal
Prices: General Admission $12.00. Children 12 and under FREE! Save $2 on advance sale through our link (all advance sale tickets must be purchased before midnight on June 15th, 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 23
Where: Lake Merritt Boat House, Oakland More details >
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 30 – July 1st
Where: Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo More details >
{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: June 30th – July 4th.
Where: Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. Buy tickets or see our Kid Report on the Marin County Fair.
July county fairs and festivals in the East Bay
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.
When: Sunday, July 21st 10am – 7pm
Where: 2309 Encinal Ave between Park Street and Oak in Alameda. More details >
Jack London Square Pedalfest, Oakland
Nor Cal's Kinetic Sculpture Race, pedal powered art, live music, and dare devil stunts.
When: Saturday, July 28th 11am – 6pm
Where: Jack London Square in Oakland Details here >
Berkeley Kite Festival
Family-friendly features: kite watching, flying, and making with candy drops. One of our favorites!
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 28th & 29th 10am – 6pm
Where: Berkeley Marina; admission is FREE but parking costs $15 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 28th & 29th 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, $7 Seniors (65+) & Youth (13-17) 12 & under free
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 28th & 29th noon – 6pm
Where: Downtown Oakland adjacent to the 12th Street/City Center BART station Details here >
August street fairs, carnivals, and festivals
Laurel Street Fair, Oakland
Kid-friendly features: children’s carnival & petting zoo. Admission FREE
When: Saturday, August 11th 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 11th & 12th 10am – 6pm
Where: Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol 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 11-4pm.
When: Sunday, September 9th
Where: Details here >
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 9th 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 14th – 16th
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 16th noon to 6pm
Where: College Avenue between Alcatraz & Manila in Oakland Details here >
Big thanks to the Nor Cal Pirate Festival for sponsoring today's list of exciting summer fairs and festivals in the Bay Area.
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