Outdoor street festivals and Bay Area County Fairs usually 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. Before you pack up your wagon, I have to warn you, it’s going to be a pretty light summer of gathering en masse while we shake off the last of this pandemic.
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 5-13, 2021
Where: Details here >
👍 Chocolate & Chalk Art, Berkeley
The sidewalks come alive in a burst of color with chalk art from novices, families, and professionals.
When: Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Shattuck Avenue around Cedar in Berkeley More details >
💻 Solano County Fair – gone virtual
This 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 has gone virtual. Prices vary.
When: June 17 – 20, 2021
Where: Your House rather than Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo More details >
✋ Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton – delayed until October
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: October 22-31
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton More details >
Sponsor
July & August County Fairs and Neighborhood Festivals in the East Bay
💻 Marin County Fair will be online
This one has gone virtual so you can participate from home. 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 2-4, 2021
Where: Your House rather than Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. Website >
❓Fourth of July, OMG.
There are usually 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… no promises for 2021. I know that Alameda is having Porch of July instead of a gathering.
👍 Santa Clara County Fair
This County Fair will have drive-through festivities. I am not sure how kid-friendly it will be so stay tuned!
When: July 29 to August 8, 2021
Where: Details here >
August street fairs, carnivals, and festivals
👍 {ROAD TRIP} Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastapol
Called “bite sized” this year, good old-fashioned fun on the farm with kid-friendly features might be toned down this year so stay tuned (usually includes a celebration of apples, climbing wall, juggling, bubbles, petting zoo, hula hoops, pie-eating, silliness, room to run around, and a children’s corner).
When: Saturday, August 14, 2021
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 11-7 pm.
When: September 11-12, 2021
Where: Details here >
Sponsor
👍 Solano Stroll, Albany Berkeley border
One mile of Solano Ave in Albany and Berkeley is closed usually closed to traffic, but details for this year are TBD. Walk and roll your way through family-friendly tables and performances.
When: The second Sunday in September, the parade begins at 10 am and the event ends at 5 pm.
Where: Details here >
👎 Bay Area Summer festivals canceled this year (we think!)
- Sand Castle & Sculpture Contest, Alameda. Usually the first or second Saturday in June. More details >
- NorCal Pirate Festival, Vallejo. Usually Father’s Day weekend Website >
- Jack London Square’s Pedalfest in Oakland
- Alameda Art Fair
- Alameda Summer Art & Wine Faire
❓Bay Area Summer Festivals we’re not sure about yet
- Berkeley Kite Festival Details here >
- Art + Soul, Downtown Oakland Details here >
- Laurel Street Fair, Oakland Website >
- Rockridge Out & About, Oakland Website >
- Eat Real Fest Website >
xxx
