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23 Best Summer Festivals in San Francisco for Kids and Families

Find great fair food and fun in Napa this summer. Photo courtesy of the Napa Town and Country Fair
Find great fair food and fun in Napa this summer. Photo courtesy of the Napa Town and Country Fair
5/7/23 - By Sandra Lee

Summer festivals in San Francisco mean the sun is shining bright and warm, and outdoor festivals are here to bring families and friends together. While summer camps and vacations get arranged, local summer festivals in San Francisco and the Bay Area will fill the calendar. There are county fairs, block parties, music festivals, and many events for the biggest summer holiday—the 4th of July. There is no shortage of summer festivals and county fairs to get your fill of Northern California Vitamin D. 

Whether it's enjoying live music, engaging in kid-friendly activities, or just basking in the sunshine with close ones, we've got a roundup of the best summer festivals in San Francisco and the Bay Area to help plan the most amazing summer yet.

While this list includes our picks, check out our calendar for daily updates on the best things to do any day of the week. Plus, enjoy more San Francisco summer fun in Golden Gate Park, and plan your summer road trips with our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide. 

 

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Rock out to free music all summer long. Photo courtesy of Stern Grove Festival
Rock out to free music all summer long. Photo courtesy of Stern Grove Festival

Best Summer Festivals in San Francisco for Kids and Families

Children’s Fairyland Book Festival

Oakland - Saturday, June 3, 2023
Children's Fairyland is hosting its annual book festival featuring authors and illustrators with read-aloud and live art demonstrations. READ MORE

Union Street Festival

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, 2023
Free
One of the oldest summer festivals in the Bay Area, the 2-day Union Street Festival in the Cow Hollow District draws families of all ages for more than arts and crafts.  Families can enjoy food and drinks from local vendors, hear live music, engage in kid-friendly activities, and more.  READ MORE

Point Richmond Summer Music Festival

Point Richmond - Every Second Friday starting June 9 - September 8, 2023
Free
Point Richmond is hosting a concert in the park series in Downtown Point Richmond every second Friday, from June through September. Enjoy Bluegrass, Folk, and Zydeco music for the whole family.  READ MORE

Stern Grove Festival

San Francisco - Starts Sunday, June 18, 2023
Free
Bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy free music in San Francisco for the whole family. With a mission to bring live music that is accessible to all, every weekend brings a different band to play for the Bay Area community. There is also a KidZone where kids can do art, get their faces painted, hear a story and watch a puppet show.  READ MORE

Chalk Full of Fun 2023

Redwood City - Monday & Tuesday, July 3 & 4, 2023
Free
Put those sidewalk chalk skills to the test at the Redwood City Chalk Festival, where professionals and amateurs create works of art in Courthouse Square on Hamilton St. with the theme "Heroes and Helpers." Participants can sign up to reserve a space, or just come to the event and create at the free chalking area on Hamilton.  READ MORE

Foster City 4th of July Celebration

Foster City - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Free
The 4th of July Celebration in Foster City is back with a whole day of fun events, activities, and music for the whole family. There will be a Kid Zone, a pet parade, family games, and a giant fireworks display. READ MORE

Fisherman's Wharf 4th of July Celebration

San Francisco - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Free
Hang out at Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy some spectacular fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. READ MORE

Redwood City 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Redwood City - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Free
Go big on the 4th of July and celebrate with a day of activities in downtown Redwood City. A massive parade (the largest in the Bay Area) as well as a festival, pancake breakfast, and of course, glorious fireworks.  READ MORE

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Celebration

Pleasant Hill - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Free
Spend the day downtown celebrating all that is the 4th of July in Pleasant Hill. The morning starts with a 5K Run (and a 100-yard dash for kids) followed by a parade, a party in the park, decorating contest, and a fireworks display as the grand finale.  Decorating contest is judged on July 4 with the top 5 houses winning a prize.  The Party in the Park includes food, music, kid's slides, and a train ride.  READ MORE

Bay Area Aloha Concert & Festival

San Mateo - Saturday, August 12, 2023
Free
The day-long 2023 Bay Area Aloha Concert features a full line-up of entertainment, an Ohana Korner with activities for children, community booths, arts & crafts, vendors, food, and Lei making, READ MORE

30th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, August 12 & 13, 2023
Free
Fun for the entire family, Yerba Buenas Garden is hosting the Pistaham Parade and Festival to celebrate Filipino culture. Activities include hands-on cultural experiences in 8 pavilions featuring art, food, dance, health, heritage, innovation, sports and tavern.  READ MORE

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts

Palo Alto - Saturday & Sunday, August 26 & 27, 2023
Free
Celebrating its 40th year, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is hosting its family-friendly festival on Saturday & Sunday. Attendees can enjoy over 250 arts and crafts displays, street painters, a kids' art studio, entertainment, food, and beverages.  READ MORE

Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival

Felton - Saturday & Sunday, September 16 & 17, 2023
The 8th Annual Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival is back with a weekend full of music, camping, train rides, vendors, and food. READ MORE

2023 SF Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24
Free
Get ready for the Moon Festival in San Francisco's Chinatown. The weekend event features lion dancing, delicious food (including mooncakes), and kids' activities. READ MORE

Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Pacifica - Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24
Free
Celebrate the beauty of the Pacific Coast at Pacifica's Fog Fest with a parade, marching band, arts and crafts, food, live music, and a ton of activities for the whole family.  READ MORE
Fun at the fair! Photo courtesy of the Sonoma County Fair
Fun at the fair! Photo courtesy of the Sonoma County Fair

Top County Fairs in San Francisco This Summer

Contra Costa County Fair

Antioch - Thursday - Sunday, May 18 - 21, 2023
The Contra Costa County Fair is bringing carnival games, live music, animals, and so much more for 4 days in May. Kids can enjoy balloon twisting, furry characters, a speed raceway, and even a flying dog show. There is also delicious fair food like corndogs and cotton candy.  READ MORE

Sacramento County Fair

Sacramento - Thursday - Monday, May 25 - 29, 2023
With over 30 carnival rides for kids of all ages, pig and duck races, a petting farm, and so much more, the Sacramento County Fair is back for 5 days of fun for the whole family.  The kid's zone has programs in science, agriculture, and music shown daily and is included in admission.  READ MORE

San Mateo County Fair

San Mateo - Saturday - Sunday, June 3 - 11, 2023
The San Mateo County Fair has carnival games, pig races, a petting zoo, fair food like funnel cakes and popcorn, and so many more activities for the whole family. Live music every night, as well as free kids' activities and exhibits for everyone to enjoy.  Special days include Family Pride Day, Pacific Islanders Day, and Dia de Feria.  READ MORE

Alameda County Fair

Alameda - Friday - Monday, June 16 - July 9, 2023
There are so many things happening at the Alameda County Fair that you don't want to miss. New rides, events, activities, games, concerts, food, horse racing, movies on the lawn, and nightly drone light shows.  READ MORE

Sonoma County Fair

Santa Rosa - Thursday - Sunday, August 3- 13, 2023
Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the Sonoma County Fair. Enjoy carnival games, rides, a kids' area, barnyard animals, horse racing, live music, and plenty of fair food. READ MORE

Napa Town and Country Fair

Napa - Thursday - Sunday, August 10 - 13, 2023
Head over to the Napa Town and Country Fair for live music, great fair food, carnival games, art installations, a kids zone, a play area, livestock exhibits, dance parties and so much more for 4 days.  READ MORE

2023 Monterey County Fair

Monterey - Thursday - Monday, August 31 - September 4, 2023
Come to the Fair this Labor Day weekend and enjoy carnival rides, live music, games, an animal livestock show, and all that delicious fair food.  READ MORE

Santa Cruz County Fair

Santa Cruz - Wednesday - Sunday, September 13 - 17, 2023
A county fair with ocean air, the Santa Cruz County Fair is back and ready to greet guests of all ages. Get ready for carnival games, rides, livestock shows, education days, and great fair food. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

San Mateo County Event Center