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Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in San Francisco: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things To Do

Honor veterans with a Memorial Day celebration at Roaring Camp. Photo courtesy of the railroad
Honor veterans with a Memorial Day celebration at Roaring Camp. Photo courtesy of the railroad
5/24/23 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend has arrived, and it brings ceremonies to honor our veterans and loads of events for ample family time in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and beyond. Little ones will have a blast at the 32nd Annual KidFest in Concord, a three-day festival with games, rides, and food. Carnaval in San Francisco takes place, and the action happens in the heart of the Mission district. Memorial Day weekend also means the Sacramento County Fair begins in our State Capital—an easy day trip packed with gold rush history and family fun. 

Honor the veterans and our fallen heroes with Memorial Day celebrations at Roaring Camp and the USS Hornet.

Heading out of town for the long Memorial Day Weekend? We've got ideas for the best day trips from San Francisco and even more travel inspiration ideas in our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.  

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area this Week with Kids:

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Kites will soar at the Art and Wind Festival. Photo courtesy of the City of San Ramon
Kites will soar at the Art and Wind Festival. Photo courtesy of the City of San Ramon

Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Ballet School 2023 Spring Festival

San Francisco - Wednesday - Friday, May 24 - 26, 2023
The San Francisco Ballet School is celebrating Patrick Armand’s final season as School Director and the 90th anniversary of the SF Ballet School at the SF Ballet School 2023 Spring Festival. Enjoy on-stage performances, a fundraising dinner, and more opportunities to learn about ballet. 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

Free Saturday at de Young Museum

San Francisco - Saturday, May 27, 2023
Free
Every Saturday, the de Young Museum offers free general admission to residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Families can enjoy special exhibits, programs, and all that the museum has to offer for free.   READ MORE

HEAD WEST Marketplace - Berkeley

Berkeley - Saturday, May 27, 2023
Free
Shop local at HEAD WEST on Fourth Street in Berkeley on select Saturdays through the end of the year. Shop hand-made ceramics, locally sourced vintage, and more. See what your community can make, make connections, and help small businesses.  READ MORE

Carnaval San Francisco

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, May 27 & 28, 2023
Free
Immerse in the Latin-American culture of music, dancing, and color for Carnaval in the Mission District. The 2-day festival has a lot for families of all ages, including international food, dancing, and entertainment for a complete cultural experience.  READ MORE

Roaring Camp BBQ Cook-Off

Felton - Saturday & Sunday, May 27 & 28, 2023
Pit-Masters and local grill experts are battling it out for cash prizes, trophies, and the title of Best BBQ at Roaring Camp in Felton. Families can enjoy live music, entertainment like Karen the Cow Girl doing rope tricks and comedy, pedal tractors, bounce houses, and more.  READ MORE

32nd Bay Area KidFest

Concord - Saturday - Monday, May 27 - 29, 2023
Head over to Concord for KidFest, an action-packed, weekend-long fun for kids of all ages. With live entertainment, arts and sports activities, rides, and crafts, as well as food favorites, this 3-day festival is all about celebrating kids and the kid in you.  READ MORE

49th Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen's Barbecue

Mill Valley - Sunday, May 28, 2023
The 49th Annual Firemen's BBQ is hosting a Memorial Day weekend event with a day full of activities the whole family can enjoy. BBQ chicken and veggie tamales as well as other delicious food is available, as well as live music, raffles, and a kid's play zone.  READ MORE

Marine Science Sunday

Sausalito - Sunday, May 28
Free
Learn about what the Marine Mammal Center is doing to help save marine mammals along the coast. These educational and eye-opening sessions are completely free to attend, but reservations are required as space is limited. READ MORE

The Art & Wind Festival

San Ramon- Sunday & Monday, May 28 & 29, 2023
Free
Fly a kite, pick up a craft, check out some art, and enjoy delicious food at the San Ramon Kite & Wind Festival. For 2 days, attendees can hear live international music, enjoy performances, see a children's show, play in amusement zones, see some excellent kite-flying demonstrations, and even attend a kite-making workshop.  READ MORE

Slumber with the Stars Family Sleepover at Chabot Space and Science Center

Oakland - Sunday - Monday, May 28 - 29, 2023
Have a family sleepover at the Chabot Center for a special and unique annual overnight camping experience.  READ MORE

Memorial Day at Roaring Camp

Felton - Monday, May 29, 2023
The Redwood Forest Steam Train is going up to Bear Mountain and back on Memorial Day with special family-friendly activities to celebrate the holiday. Activities include live music from the Watsonville Community Band, gold panning, bounce houses, Faro Card Game with Doc Holiday, and rope tricks and comedy by Karen the Cow Girl.  READ MORE

Memorial Day at the USS Hornet

Alameda - Monday, May 29, 2023
The USS Hornet is celebrating all Veterans on Memorial Day with special events throughout the day. Activities include a ceremony, honorary live music, a special guest book signing, and an official Memorial Squadron Flyover. READ MORE

Fantastical Flowers at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy - Now through Monday, May 29, 2023
Gilroy Gardens is celebrating Spring and the flowers that bloom in their all-new event, Fantastical Flowers Spring Celebration. Family activities include a station to make your own music, create colorful chalk drawings, plant a seed that you can grow at home, and learn about the cycle of life for flowers, bees, and insects.  READ MORE

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