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5/15/24 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list. ​

Summer is near and summer fairs are here! Check out the San Mateo County Fair opening this weekend and the popular SJMade Fest in San Jose. Pride month is celebrated with Filoli Pride in Woodside and Family Pride Day in Santa Cruz.

Read on for more of our top picks for the weekend, which include delicious cherries, books, sand castle contests, and so much more!

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

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Celebrate May the 4th by watching Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back with a live orchestra. Event photo courtesy of the SF Symphony
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Best Things To Do in the San Francisco Bay Area This Weekend

San Jose Giants Games and Fireworks Show

San Jose
Friday, May 31
Enjoy a San Jose Giants game with a fireworks show immediately after on select days!  READ MORE

Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest

Alameda - FREE
Saturday, June 1
This free, family-friendly event is putting sand castles and sculptures to the test, with prizes for the best and most creative piece of sand art! Attendees can either participate or come and watch the action.  READ MORE

Proud of My Family at Children's Discovery Museum San Jose

San Jose
Saturday, June 1
Every day we recognize that families come in all configurations, and during Pride Month we celebrate even more! Enjoy activities designed to honor all types of families, especially LGBTQ+ parents, relatives, and friends. Make rainbow streamers to spin, twirl and whirl, march in a visitor parade, strike a family pose for a commemorative photo, and craft rainbows and magical designs on your face, hands, and arms. Get your groove on in the Rainbow Dance Zone and learn the meaning of the Pride colors. There’s so much to celebrate.  READ MORE

San Leandro Cherry Festival

San Leandro - FREE
Saturday, June 1
The Cherry Festival is a San Leandro tradition! Enjoy live music from all genres, a parade, games (there is even a Fun Zone), local vendor booths, and tons of food at the Cherry Mart.  Bakers can also enter the cherry pie contest for a chance to win the "Best Cherry Pie in the Cherry City." READ MORE

San Mateo County Fair

San Mateo
Starts Saturday, June 1
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

Festa Italiana

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, June 1
The 2-day festival celebrates all things Italy with food, drinks, music, culture, and even the running of the 102nd Statuto Race.  Activities include a pizza toss demonstration by 13-time World Champion Tony Gemignani of Tony's Pizza in North Beach, a performance by a symphony of accordions, wine tasting, music from Moreno Fruzzetti and others, and a Kids Corner with tarantella dancing and face painting.  READ MORE

Fairy Fun Fair

Oakland
Through June 6
A night event for families, Children's Fairyland combines circus fun and carnival games for one night only. Activities include music from a live DJ, a bounce house, circus-themed food stations, and even a child-friendly fortune teller.  Cirque Masquerade is performing all evening long throughout the park, as well as an aerial dance performance in Aesop's Playhouse.  READ MORE

Oakland Carnaval Wellness Festival

Oakland - FREE
Saturday, June 1
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary, Oakland Carnival & Wellness Festival operates with the mission to present Caribbean music, dance, food, African Diaspora culture and community wellness as uniting platforms.  READ MORE

SJMade Fest at History Park San Jose

San Jose - FREE
Saturday -Sunday, June 1-2
Featuring over 200 makers, artists, designers and creative small businesses at History Park in San Jose, SJMade is a popular family-friendly event.  Enjoy food from over 50 food trucks, food stalls, dessert vendors, packaged food vendors and specialty beverages curated by our sister company Moveable Feast.  Families can enjoy the huge kitten lounge by local kitten rescue non-profit Mini Cat Town. Hear live K-Pop entertainment by K-Pop-Up including live K-Pop dance performances from over 12 groups, K-Pop dance lessons, games and activities. In other... READ MORE

Filoli Pride

Woodside
Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a weekend of joyful creative performances and experiences with rainbow with colorful decor, Pride-themed flower arrangements, and artwork. Live performances by Drag Queen Storytime, Queer Taiko, the Gay Freedom Band, a sound bath by Banyan Tree Women's Collective, and colorful Mexican folk dancing by Folclorico Colibri. READ MORE

Drag Story Hour with Per Sia

San Francisco
Saturday, June 1
Drag Story Hour is back at de Young with two shows and is welcoming kids of all ages. Per Sia is a performer and educator to share what a positive queer role model looks like, all in the form of great storytelling.  READ MORE

Redwood Mountain Faire

Felton
Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2
The annual fare is at Roaring Camp, bringing together music on two stages for families with kids of all ages. Activities include arts and crafts, kids' activities, food and beverages from local breweries, and live music.  READ MORE

Bay Area Book Festival

Berkeley
Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2
Bring the family for a two-day festival celebrating the world of books in downtown Berkeley. Readers and writers can discuss books, and authors are available to take questions and sign your favorites. A Family Fun Zone has author booths, games, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts. The literacy marketplace features a bookstore, writing programs, book art, and a youth expo, hosting award-winning YA, middle-grade, and picture book authors.   READ MORE

Union Street Festival

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2
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

Pride Family Day in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz - FREE
Sunday, June 2
Enjoy a full day of activities at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History to celebrate Pride. Activities include a scavenger hunt and free art activity at the MAH.  READ MORE

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