Summer Fairs and Festivals for Bay Area Families

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 18-21, 2023
Where: Contra Costa County Event Park, Antioch Details here >

Greek Festival, Oakland

The Oakland Greek Festival is back to celebrate its 51st 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 19-21, 2023
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 20-21, 2023
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, sports, popular characters, and other live entertainment. Find lots of food, too.
When: May 27-29, 2023 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Downtown Concord 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 28-29, 2023 (11 am to 6 pm)
Where: Central Park, San Ramon 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 3, 2023 noon to 8 pm
Where: Mosswood Park, Oakland. Website >

Cherry Parade & Festival, San Leandro

Celebrate all things San Leandro at the 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, Fun Zone, food and drink, and of course, plenty of cherries. This event is filled with small town charm.
When: June 3, 2023 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downtown San Leandro Details >

San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo

This County Fair will have the whole shebang: rides, carnival games, and food. Looks like fun!
When: June 3-11, 2023
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 10, 2023, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Robert Crown Memorial Beach, Alameda 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 15 – 18, 2023
Where: 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 (except for July 3+4 so almost always).
When: June 16 – July 9, 2023
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton More details >

King of the County BBQ & Music Festival, Martinez

Kid-friendly features include carnival rides, 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 16 – 18, 2023, hours vary
Where: Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, 1 Ferry St., Martinez 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 18, 2023, 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 24, 2023
Where: Lake Merritt, Oakland. Website >

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 24, 2023
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Website >

Beaver Festival, Martinez

Martinez 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’s children’s activities, music, and opportunities to meet with animals at this niche event.
When: June 24, 2023
Where: Susana Street, Martinez. 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. Children under 4 are always free. Look for deal days.
When: June 30 – July 4, 2023
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 2, 2023, 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.

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

Watsonville Strawberry Festival, Watsonville

A family-friendly day celebrating strawberries with a carnival, performances, rides, and people dressed like berries.
When: August 5-6, 2023 from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downtown Fremont More details >

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 5-6,2023 from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downtown Fremont More details >

Laurel Street Fair, Oakland

Kid-friendly features: children’s carnival & petting zoo. Admission FREE
When: Saturday, August 12, 2023, 11 am – 7 pm
Where: MacArthur Blvd between 35th Ave and High in Oakland Details here >

{ROAD TRIP} 50th 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 12-13, 2023 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol Details here >

Note: Oakland Art + Soul is in September this year

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