It’s summer, the season of fairs and festivals! From pirates to the America’s Cup, the Bay Area has it all. We have chosen a diverse range of options to suit every age and interest. So get out and experience the food, drink, art, music, comedy, antiques, boat racing, swashbuckling or a combination of all—the lineup guarantees an enjoyable day in the sunshine.
June
Danville Fine Arts Faire
June 22 & 23, 10am – 5pm
Hartz Ave., Danville
Over 200 artists offering one-of-a-kind sculpture, glass, painting, jewelry, ceramics, photography, Italian street painters, live music, food, fine wine and microbrews. Free, mlaproductions.com.
San Francisco 59th North Beach Festival
June 15 & 16, 10am – 6pm
North Beach District, San Francisco
Over 125 arts and crafts booths, 20 gourmet food booths, two stages with live entertainment, Italian street painting, beverage gardens, kid’s chalk art and the blessing of animals. Free, sresproductions.com.
San Francisco Union Street Spring Celebration
June 1 & 2 10am-6pm
Union Street from Gough to Steiner
Over 150 boutique artists from across the country offering unique art, jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, furniture and more. Two stages with live jazz and Bay Area indie bands. Free, unionstreetfestival.com.
July
34th America’s Cup Racing
July 4-Sept. 21
July 4, Opening Ceremony, July 5, Special Fleet Race, all teams
America’s Cup Village & America’s Cup Park, Pier 27/29, San Francisco
45 days of racing with shoreline and grandstand viewing, live music, family shows, comedy, community & business events, race footage on big screen, food and beverages. Tickets starting at $15, americascup.com
Benicia Main Street Freedom Festival
July 3 & 4
Torch Light Parade, July 3, 6:30pm
Picnic in the park, July 4, Noon-7pm
Fireworks, July 4, 9pm
First Street & City Park, Benicia
Benicia’s Independence Day Torchlight Parade along First Street; Picnic in the Park with arts & crafts, food, live entertainment & children’s activities and fireworks at the foot of First St. Free, beniciamainstreet.org.
Benicia Waterfront Festival
When: July 27 & 28, 11am–6pm
First St. & East B St.
Live music, microbrew tastings, arts & crafts marketplace, gourmet foods, and kids activities on Benicia’s beautiful waterfront. $10 (13+) or Weekend Pass $15 and $5 (65+), beniciamainstreet.org.
Solano County Fair
July 31 – August 4
Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo
Home Grown Fun featuring live music, cultural entertainers, singers, comedians and variety acts, carnival rides and competitions including talent, dance, vocal, livestock and food. $10 adults, $6 children 6-12, $6 seniors 60+, free 5 & under and military with valid ID, scfair.com.
Northern California Pirate Festival
June 15-16, 10am-6pm
Waterfront Park, Vallejo
Fun for all ages, this 7th annual event features pirate entertainers, musicians, singers, swordfighters, craftspeople and more. Vallejo's waterfront turns into a Pirate Town for a swashbucklin' good time. Tickets $10 at the gate, children 11 and under free, norcalpiratefestival.com.
August
Benicia Peddler’s Fair
August 10, 8am–5pm
First Street, Downtown Benicia
Over 300 select vendors, antiques, collectibles, period furniture, vintage textiles & fashion, pottery, depression glass, paintings, jewelry, food and much more. Free, beniciapeddlersfair.org.
22nd Annual Fairfield Tomato Festival
August 17, 11:30am–8:30pm & August 18, 12pm–6pm
Downtown Fairfield
Fairfield’s downtown plays host to Solano County farmers, creating Tomato Alley with over 100 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, tomato eating contest, live music and food. Free, fairfieldmainstreet.com.
Vacaville Art, Wine & Brew Festival
August 30, 6:30pm–9pm & August 31–Sept. 1, 2pm–6pm
Town Square Plaza & Downtown, Vacaville
Live music, art, crafts, beer, wine and food. 10 tastes/$15 (with souvenir glass), downtownvacaville.com.
