Summer Fairs and Festivals for Bay Area Families

Outdoor street festivals and Bay Area County Fairs fill the summer calendar starting in May. 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.

Thank you to Discover San Ramon for sponsoring our guide to the amazing Bay Area fairs and festivals happening this summer! Kick off your summer at the beloved San Ramon Art & Wind Festival on Memorial Day Weekend!

The Summer’s Outdoor Concerts for Families >

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 14-17, 2026
Where: Contra Costa County Event Park, Antioch Details here >

Greek Festival, Oakland

The Oakland Greek Festival is 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 15-17, 2026
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 16-17, 2026
Where: Live Oak Park, Berkeley Details here >

Ardenwood Rail Fair, Fremont

A celebration of big, medium, and small trains that your young train enthusiast will love. Also, live music and toddler activities. Presale tickets required (available as of April 7)!
When: May 23-25, 2026 (10 am to 4 pm)
Where: Ardenwood Historic Farm Details here >

👉 Art & Wind Festival, San Ramon🪁

Join a weekend with high-flying kites, hands-on activities, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun. Children’s shows, professionally choreographed kite demonstrations, free kite-making workshops, puppet shows, rides and family amusement zones, and 3 live performance stages with music and dance.

Visit the Discover San Ramon Stage on the grassy field next to the tennis courts, for a full lineup of live music: Sunday features Wadaiko Japanese Taiko drumming, Pan Extasy steel drum favorites, Soucano’s Latin Rock & Soul, and Fast Times with the ultimate 80s dance party. Monday brings back crowd favorite Lady K & the Kings of Swing, followed by Jinx Jones & The Kingtones and Big Bang Beat performing party hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a full weekend of great music. Expect a pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and family-friendly vibe with tons of food options.

When: May 24-25, 2026 (11 am to 6 pm both days)
Where: San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon Details here >

Bay Area KidFest, Concord

Memorial Day weekend comes alive with things kids love: 15 kid-friendly rides, arts, sports, popular characters, and other live entertainment. Find lots of food, too.
When: May 24-25, 2026 (10 am to 8 pm Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm Monday)
Where: Concord Pavilion Details here >

Lakeshore Spring Fest, Oakland

Two stages of entertainment and a kids’ zone appear at this first year of a new festival in the Lakeshore district of Oakland.
When: May 30, 2026
Where: Lakeshore Avenue between Lake Park & Mandana Details here >

Bay Area Book Festival, Downtown Berkeley

Look for more details about Family Day with activities in and around the Downtown Berkeley library. Storytime, performances, and age-appropriate book giveaways.
When: May 30-31, 2026
Where: Downtown Berkeley Details here >

June county fairs and street festivals in the Bay Area

San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo

This County Fair will have the whole shebang: rides, carnival games, and food. Looks like fun!
When: June 5-14, 2026 (with a few days off)
Where: San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo Details here >

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 6, 2026 (noon to 8 pm)
Where: Mosswood Park, Oakland Website >

Cherry Parade & Festival, San Leandro

Celebrate all things San Leandro during the Cherry Parade, which kicks off at 10 am. A family-friendly festival follows from 11 am to 6 pm and is filled with live entertainment, a Fun Zone, food and drink, and of course, plenty of cherries. This event is filled with small-town charm.
When: June 6, 2026 (10 am to 6 pm)
Where: Downtown San Leandro Details >

Makers Faire & Summer Kick-Off, El Cerrito

Talented local makers showcase their creativity alongside tasty food, a bubble station, face painting, and balloons.
When: June 7, 2026 (noon to 6 pm)
Where: Hana Gardens, El Cerrito Details >

Solano County Fair, Vallejo

This good old-fashioned county fair with free admission and à la carte pricing for rides, games, balloon art, music, animals, and surprises is all kid-friendly. Prices vary.
When: June 11 – 14, 2026
Where: Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo More details >

Fiesta Cultural Street Fair, Walnut Creek

This street fair is a celebration of Latin American art and culture. Families can enjoy music and dance performances.
When: June 12-13, 2026 (noon to 5 pm)
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Website >

Fairy Fun Fair, Oakland

Fairyland is throwing a giant summer carnival, and we’re all invited. In addition to the regular amenities of Children’s Fairyland, there will be bounce houses, fun houses, face painting, games, live music, and circus performances (at 2:30 and 4:30 pm). Expect lots of Circus eats and treats. $25 for non-members, $12.50 for members.
When: June 13, 2026 (noon to 7 pm)
Where: Fairyland, Lake Merritt, Oakland. Website >

Beaver Festival, Martinez

Martinez ‘Worth a Dam’ Beaver Festival is a family-friendly annual event that focuses on nature and how beavers are essential animals in the fight against climate change. There are beaver-themed children’s activities, a parade, chalk art, music, and opportunities to meet with animals at this niche event.
When: June 13, 2026 (10 am to 3 pm)
Where: Susana Park @ Estudillo & Susana Streets, Martinez. Website >

Bay Area Butterfly Festival, Vallejo

Mare Island is a monarch sanctuary. This festival will teach you how to make a helpful difference for our pollinator friends. Family fun, music, crafts, and presentations about butterflies. Take home milkweed plants and learn how to make your home into a butterfly’s favorite stop. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, and $5 for kids 12 & under.
When: June 14, 2026 (10 am to 5 pm)
Where: Mare Island, Vallejo Website >

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 19 – July 12, 2026
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton More details >

King of the County BBQ & Music Festival, Martinez

Kid-friendly features include carnival rides, a kids’ zone, and face painting. Parent-friendly features include lots of tasty BBQ and live music. Free admission and parking.
When: Father’s Day Weekend, June 19 – 21, 2026 (hours vary)
Where: Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, 1 Ferry St., Martinez More details >

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 20, 2026 (9 am to 1 pm)
Where: Robert Crown Memorial Beach, Alameda More details >

Berkeley Juneteenth Festival, 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 21, 2026 (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 kids’ fun zone, a Tech Pavilion, an outdoor beer garden, and food.
When: June 27, 2026 (11 am to 7 pm)
Where: Lake Merritt, Oakland. Website >

July County Fairs and Street Festivals in the Bay Area

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. Children under 4 are always free. Look for deal days.
When: July 1-5, 2026
Where: Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. Website >

Fourth of July, OMG

There are so many Fourth of July events for families in the East Bay that we created a separate guide! Check it out and pick one (or two, but probably just one!) in Berkeley, Alameda, Oakland, Albany, Fremont, Piedmont, and El Cerrito. You’ll find fireworks, parades, and carnivals.

Alameda Art & Wine Faire, Alameda

Another place to get your kid’s face painted by the pros while you wander around looking at cool art together. Live music on three stages and a fun kids’ area at Park Street to bounce, flip, and twirl.
When: July 25-26, 2026 (10 am to 6 pm both days)
Where: Central Ave between Park Street and Oak in Alameda. More details >

August County Fairs and Neighborhood Festivals in the East Bay

Fremont Festival of the Arts, Fremont

The Fremont Festival of Arts has a Kid City with carnival rides, arts & crafts, music, etc. Free admission.
When: August 1-2, 2026 (10 am to 6 pm)
Where: Downtown Fremont More details >

{ROAD TRIP} Watsonville Strawberry Festival, Watsonville

A family-friendly day celebrating strawberries with a carnival, performances, rides, and people dressed like berries.
When: August 1-2, 2026
Where: Main Street, Watsonville More details >

Laurel Street Fair, Oakland

Kid-friendly features: children’s carnival & petting zoo. Admission FREE
When: Saturday, August 8, 2026 (11 am to 7 pm)
Where: MacArthur Blvd between 35th Ave and High in Oakland Details here >

{ROAD TRIP} Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastopol

Enjoy good old-fashioned fun on the farm with a kid-friendly celebration of apples, a climbing wall, juggling, bubbles, a petting zoo, hula hoops, pie-eating, silliness, room to run around, and a children’s corner. Tickets are priced $10-$23; kids under 5 are FREE; save when you purchase early.
When: August 8-9, 2026
Where: Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol Details here >

Santa Clara County Fair

This County Fair is all about the livestock with a Horse show, Livestock shows, and Livestock auctions. I am not sure how kid-friendly it will be, so stay tuned!
When: August 19-23, 2026
Where: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose Details here >

Thank you to Discover San Ramon for sponsoring our guide to the amazing Bay Area fairs and festivals happening this summer! Kick off your summer at the beloved San Ramon Art & Wind Festival on May 24-25!