With April’s arrival we have tons of spring festivals, parades and celebrations coming to a neighborhood near you. Celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossoms, try out your next two-wheeled ride and see some brand-new farm babies at these April and May events. Scroll down to find your weekend plans!
April
Coastal Wildflowers and Earth Day Festival—Half Moon Bay
Celebrate the return of spring wildflowers and the start of California Native Plant Week. Learn about native plants, how you can grow them in your garden and take part in projects to restore the coast. The event includes games and crafts for kids.
Dates: April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free, $10 parking
Location: Francis State Beach, 95 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Tinkerfest—Oakland
Build, create and innovate with the whole family at the Chabot Space & Science Center's Tinkerfest. The event showcases the work of makers, artists and tinkerers of all ages. Visitors can challenge each other in a giant game of Pac-Man, play with their food at the Tinker Kitchen, create a large-scale collaborative chain reaction machine and even dismantle an entire car and plane with the help of trained mechanics. The possibilities for DIY fun are endless.
Dates: April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Location: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Butter & Egg Days—Petaluma
Petaluma's annual Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival has become a beloved community tradition that draws tens of thousands of people. This year's theme, "It's always punny in Petaluma," promises to bring humor to this event. Petaluma's charming Historic Downtown District will be transformed into an open-air marketplace, with arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, kids' activities and more. Don't miss the Cutest Chick contest featuring dozens of tots bedecked in fluffy yellow feathers. The kids' parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and the main parade starts at noon.
Date: April 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Historic Downtown, Petaluma, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show—Half Moon Bay
A car show, air show, motorcycle show, tractor show, maker fair, music festival, food festival and living history festival all rolled into one. The kids will be enthralled by the skydiving performances and monster truck rides.
Date: April 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $25/adults, $15/kids 11-17, kids 10 and under are free
Location: Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 N. Cabrillo Highway , Half Moon Bay, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Parents Place Family Fun Day—Palo Alto
Bounce around in the toddler fun zone, rock out to live music and sample delicious treats from food vendors. Meet the Parents Place team of parenting experts, engage in games and activities provided by community partners and drop in to one of the mini-workshops on everything from mindfulness to tantrums while the kids enjoy the playroom.
Date: April 28, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Koret Family Resource Center, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
May
98th Annual May Fete Parade—Palo Alto
Parade features marching bands, decorated floats, thousands of happy kids with costumes, pets or bicycles marching down University Avenue. The parade ends at Heritage Park for the Annual May Fete Fair.
Date: May 4, 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Palo Alto, University Avenue and Emerson Street.
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
72nd Annual Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade—Los Altos
Hundreds of kids and their pets—dogs, cats, birds, chickens, turtles and even worms—participate in this annual parade. There are also youth groups, marching bands and dignitaries in vintage cars.
Date: May 18, 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Los Altos
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Silicon Valley Bikes! Festival and Bicycle Show—San Jose
Celebrate National Bike Month at this festival that includes food trucks, craft beer for the parents, a Kids’ Space, thrilling BMX stunt riding shows, music, historical exhibitions, free valet bicycle parking and a spectacular bicycle show that attracts custom, vintage, cruiser and lowrider builders and collectors.
Date: May 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Viva CalleSJ’s Emma Prusch Farm Park hub, 647 South King Road, San José and at Story & King Roads
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Maifest—Mill Valley
Celebrate this German/Austrian cultural fest with a Maypole, authentic foods and beer, music, folk dancing and children’s games.
Date: May 19, 12-6 p.m.
Cost: $20/adults, kids free
Location: San Francisco Tourist Club, 30 Ridge Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Bay Area KidFest—Concord
Looking for a fun way to spend Memorial Day weekend? Head over to Concord where it’s Kid Fest time! Puppets, singers, martial artists and even your favorite TV characters will be there to entertain all weekend. Carnival rides will get you spinning.
Dates: May 23-25, Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $7 per person ages 2 and over ($1 off with donation of canned good)
Location: Mount Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Carnaval—San Francisco
San Francisco's 41st annual Carnaval celebration is shaping up to be a party like no other. Over 400,000 people are expected to line in the streets to enjoy dancing, drumming, live music, brilliant costumes, delicious food and artistry. Don't miss the Grand Parade, which kicks off on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The parade begins at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets, then proceeds west to Mission Street, heads north on Mission to 17th Street, turns east on 17th Street and concludes at South Van Ness Avenue. The spectacular costumes and floats will take your breath away, and the infectious samba rhythms will have your whole family dancing in the streets.
Dates: May 23-24
Cost: Free
Location: Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets, San Francisco, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
San Ramon Art & Wind Festival—San Ramon
Kites are the main attraction of this event along with artists’ booths and hands-on activities for all ages. See talented musicians and dancers on multiple stages, grab a bite to eat and check out the kids zone with rides and other fun.
Dates: May 24-25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, CA
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
Civil War Battles and Encampment—Felton
Travel back in time to the Civil War where encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers re-make history right before your eyes. Ride an 1880s "iron horse" through an ancient redwood forest and witness skirmishes as the steam train ascends Bear Mountain. Then chow down on a Chuck Wagon Barbecue.
Dates: May 23-25, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Train rides are $37/adults, $28/kids. Admission to Civil War event is $5. $10 parking.
Location: Roaring Camp Railroad, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton.
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net
—Kate Loweth & Ana Picazo
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