From tasty food and drinks to awe-inspiring art, film and cultural celebrations, the festivities ahead look near-endless. Here are all the fabulous fairs and festivals that are coming to the Marin and beyond in 2024.
January
Napa Truffle Festival: Jan. 12 to 15, Napa Valley venues. Savor some of the finest truffle cuisine in the world, paired with magnificent wines from Napa wineries. Learn the trade’s traits of truffles from the best Michelin star and master chefs, explore a working truffle orchard and see where and how truffles are harvested. Prices vary according to event. napatrufflefestival.com/
Novato Comedy Festival: 8 p.m. Jan. 12 and 13, Novato Theater Company, 5420 Nave Drive, suite C, Novato. Ten of the Bay Area’s best stand-up comics will perform as part of the Novato Comedy Festival. $25 for one night, $40 for both. Go to tickettailor.com/events/novatotheatercompany/1063563.
Winter Wineland: Jan. 13 to 14, Sonoma County venues. Explore Sonoma’s Wine Road at the 30th annual Winter Wineland. Taste current vintages, restock your cellar and chat with other wine lovers while exploring more than 50 local wineries. $75 to $95. wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland/
MLK Music Festival: 2:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 15, Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street, San Francisco. The MLK Music Festival celebrates its 14th year with a spectacular celebration of artistry, culture and unity featuring Grammy-winning and acclaimed artists. Free admission. ybgfestival.org/event/mlk-2024-music-festival/
SF Sketchfest: Jan. 18 to Feb. 4, San Francisco venues. This multi-day festival includes more than 200 shows featuring major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts for sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, all-star reunions, live podcasts and workshops. Prices vary according to event. sfsketchfest.com/
Harajuku Foodie Fest: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, City Park, 1149 First St., Benicia. Get excited for the Bay Area’s cutest foodie marketplace. Enjoy a kawaii food court with tasty food selections, photo opportunities with iconic characters, and an artisan marketplace offering handcrafted goods. Free admission. bit.ly/HarajukuFoodieFest
Napa Lighted Art Festival: Jan. 20 to Feb. 18, Downtown Napa. This annual festival showcases innovative techniques using light technologies as a growing art medium. This walkable outdoor experience includes 10 lighted art sculptures and projection artwork on three iconic downtown Napa buildings. Free. bit.ly/NapaLightedFest
Seafood & Sips Mendocino: Jan. 26 to Feb. 4, Mendocino venues. This annual salute to the sea offers an extravaganza of all things crustacean. Belly up for a round-up of epicurean adventures including a Sparkling Wine & Oyster Celebration, a Crab Cake Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition and a family-style Cioppino Feast. Prices vary according to event. visitmendocino.com/seafood-sips-2024/
February
Yountville International Short Film Festival: Feb. 1 to 4, various Yountville venues. Now in its seventh year, the YISFF will screen more than 100 short films and offer events including filmmaker Q&A sessions and wine and food experiences. $15 to $249. yisff.com
Oakland’s Sooooooo Chocolate Festival: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2, Uptown Station, 1955 Broadway, Oakland. Prepare your taste buds for a journey through the world of chocolate from rich truffles to silky-smooth chocolate fondues. The festival promises an array of delicious treats that celebrate the artistry and joy of chocolate. $100. bit.ly/SoooChocFest
Homesick Music Festival: Feb. 2 to 3, 1300 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Come out to the Regency Ballroom for an alternative music festival bringing together all kinds of subversive wanderers for two nights of performances on the punk-to-indie-rock spectrum. $40 to $65. bit.ly/HomesickFest2024
Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend: Feb. 2 to 4, Lodi venues. Fall in love with this premiere wine growing region while sampling Lodi wines and delicious chocolate pairings at one of Northern California’s most popular and decadent weekend experiences. Event offerings include various winery experiences, tours and the Winemaker’s Toast. $75 to $125. lodiwineandchocolate.com/
Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest: 4 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 3, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Come out to the 34th annual festival for fabulous pairings of wine, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, fresh Sonoma Coast crab and accompaniments and a live auction. $150. bit.ly/SonomaCrabWineFest
San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade: Feb. 3 to Mar. 3, San Francisco venues. Festivities include the Flower Market Fair (Feb. 3 to 4), Chinese New Year Celebration and Choy Sun Doe (Feb. 10), a Chinese New Year Parade (Feb. 24) with floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers and a 288-foot long Golden Dragon, and a Community Street Fair (Feb. 24 to 25) with Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and more. Free admission. chineseparade.com/
SF Beer Week: Feb. 9 to 18, Bay Area venues. This 10-day event celebrates the vast community of Bay Area beer lovers and brew makers with hundreds of tours, tastings, whimsical events and more. Prices vary according to event. sfbeerweek.org/
California International Antiquarian Book Fair: Feb. 9 to 11, Pier 27, The Embarcadero, San Francisco. This three-day event features fine and rare materials from around the globe, including manuscripts, first editions, illustrated books, ephemera, maps and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics. $0 to $25. abaa.org/cabookfair
Cloverdale Citrus Fair: Feb. 16 to 19, 1 Citrus Fair Drive, Cloverdale. This small town fair features live music by local bands, carnival rides and games, a Friendly Farm Petting Zoo and agricultural shows. Find updated ticket information at cloverdalecitrusfair.org/
Noise Pop Festival: Feb. 22 to March 3, San Francisco venues. Back for its 31st year, this multi-venue festival will once again transform San Francisco into a music lover’s playground with 100+ concerts taking place at more than a dozen venues, not to mention art shows, happy hours and secret after-hour parties. $180+. noisepopfest.com
Marin Arts and Crafts Show: Feb. 23 to 25, Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. This event offers a vast showcase of artisan exhibits and workshops, as well as fine foods and live music. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, the show is a grand celebration of today’s makers and artisans. Free admission. marinartsandcraftsshow.com/
March
The Great San Francisco Crystal Fair: March 2 to 3, San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave., San Francisco. This gem and mineral show features minerals, crystals, beads, gems and jewelry, plus healers, psychics, aura readers and masseuses. $0-$14. crystalfair.com/
Oakland Running Festival: March 15 to 17, Oakland venues. Nationally recognized as one of the country’s best running festivals, this three-day series offers distance running for all skill levels, as well as other events featuring food, drinks and fun activities. Find updated ticket information at Oaklandmarathon.com
Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: March 16 to 17, Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin. This annual celebration features all sorts of live entertainment from Celtic rock and bagpipes to Irish folk music and dancing, authentic Irish foods and beverages, an Irish marketplace, a firefighters pancake breakfast, plus carnival rides and, of course, a parade. Free admission. bit.ly/DublinSPD
SF Salsa Festival: March 21 to 23, SF Airport Marriott Waterfront, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame. Celebrating samba — the dance, not the condiment — the 14th annual festival offers a weekend of world-class performances, dancing, competition and workshops with top salsa instructors. $20 to $170. sfsalsafestival.com/
California Artisan Cheese Festival: March 22 to 24, Sonoma County Event Center, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. This celebration brings together lively experts and presenters from the artisan cheese world to promote awareness and enjoyment of those delicious products. Enjoy tours, tastings, seminars, a cheese crawl and an artisan marketplace. $25 to $175. artisancheesefestival.com/
San Mateo Wine Festival: March 23 to 24, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. Come out to the grand San Mateo Event Center to raise a glass and enjoy a weekend of wine, spirits, casual bites, shopping and live music. $79 to $99. bit.ly/SanMateoWineFest
April
Pebble Beach Food & Wine: April 4 to 7, Pebble Beach Resorts. Land. Sea. Food. Wine. Over the course of four days, 125 global chefs, 150 wineries, mixologists, sommeliers, and beverage personalities will gather for this premier food and wine destination event. Find updated ticket information at pebblebeachfoodandwine.com/
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival: April 10 to 17, Morgan Hill and Gilroy venues. This award-winning regional film festival promotes inclusion, diversity and female empowerment through independent film, music and art. Find updated ticket information at pjiff.org/
International Ocean Film Festival: Apr. 12 to 14, Cowell Theater, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. This educational series features films about marine life, coastal cultures and conservation and environmental preservation. Find updated ticket information at intloceanfilmfest.org/
Bay Area Printers Fair & Wayzgoose: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13, History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose. Join this annual celebration of printmaking, book arts and letterpress printing. The fair features a wide range of activities, book artists, letterpress printers, live demonstrations and a marketplace with more than 40 vendors. Free admission. printersguild.wordpress.com/
Whalefest Monterey: April 13 to 14, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park. This festival features live, engaging and educational activities for all ages, including live music, a symposium and dozens of fascinating marine-related interactive exhibits by local and national organizations. Free admission. whalefest.org/
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival: April 13 to 21, Japantown, San Francisco. Enjoy one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the largest Cherry Blossom Festival on the West Coast. Each year, more than 220,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing vibrant Japanese culture and the rich heritage and diversity of the Japanese American community. Free admission. sfcherryblossom.org/
San Joaquin Valley Portuguese Festival: April 19 to 21, location TBD, San Joaquin. The annual festivities traditionally include a Portuguese parade, folklore performances, wine and cheese tastings, carnival rides and plenty of Portuguese food and craft vendors. Find updated ticket information at carlosvieirafoundation.org/events/sjvportuguesefestival.html
Bay Area Brew Fest: 12 to 10 p.m. April 20, Presidio Main Lawn, San Francisco. The Bay Area Brew Festival returns with an extravaganza featuring more than 60 breweries, food trucks, DJs and more. Admission includes unlimited beer samplings, with VIP attendees getting an extra hour with limited release beers. $50 to $90. bayareabrewfestival.com/
San Francisco Art Fair: April 25 to 28, Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, San Francisco. The Bay Area’s longest running art fair returns this year with exhibits from top galleries around the world and a carefully curated program of public projects, events, talks and performances. $35 to $65. artmarketsf.com/visit/
CBCA Clayton Art & Wine Festival: April 27 to 28, Main Street, Downtown Clayton. Browse arts and crafts stalls, sip wine or beer and sample the fare in the food court. There’s a play zone for kids and live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Free admission. claytoncbca.org/cbca-events/clayton-art-and-wine-festival
Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival: 1 to 4 p.m. April 27 to 28, Southside Park, 2115 Sixth St., Sacramento. This annual festival pairs grilled cheese with everything from craft beer to kids activities, so there’s fun for everyone. Enjoy unlimited samples while sipping from your souvenir tasting glass, playing games and enjoying live music. $10 to $95. sacgrilledcheese.com/
Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28, Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 N. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay. This annual show features the West Coast’s biggest, baddest gathering of cars, trucks, motorcycles and aircraft, with more than 2,000 ultra cool antique, vintage, classic, custom and exotic machines of all kinds on display. The festival also traditionally features kids activities, food and drink vendors and live entertainment. $0 to $30. dreammachines.miramarevents.com/
Bay Area & Sacramento Short Film Festival – Part 1: 4:30 to 10 p.m. April 28, Bay Area location TBD. This semi-annual film festival showcases locally produced shorts and mini features by award-winning directors as well as amateurs breaking into the industry. $12.50 to $20. bit.ly/BASHpt1
May
DocLands Documentary Film Festival: May 2 to 5, Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael. This annual festival features in-theater programming, screenings, panel discussions and in-person filmmaker conversations. Find updated ticket information at doclands.com/
CabFranc-A-Palooza: May 3 to 5, Livermore venues. Cabernet franc lovers and wine producers are descending upon Livermore Valley for the second annual CabFranc-A-Palooza featuring more than 50 wineries, special events and tastings. Find updated ticket information at cabfrancapalooza.com/
Sol Blume Festival: May 3 to 5, Discovery Park, Downtown Sacramento. Enjoy music performances by some of the most sought-after R&B, soul and hip-hop acts, plus family-friendly activities, wellness experiences, immersive art activations and local vendors. $249 to $449. solblume.com/
Bay Area SpringFest: 12 to 7 p.m. May 4, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord. This spring celebration includes live music on the Todos Santos stage, eclectic food vendors, a beer and wine garden, fun activities for kids and myriad shopping opportunities. Free admission. bit.ly/BAspringfest
Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival: May 4 to 5, traditionally held at Westside Park, Bodega Bay. Commemorate 50 years of local lore at this family-friendly celebration packed with local culture, delicious seafood, live music and a boat parade. Find updated ticket information at bbfishfest.org/
Central Valley Brewfest: 12 to 5 p.m. May 11, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. Celebrating its 11th year, the Central Valley Brewfest returns to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds with a fabulous offering of art, music and more than150 brews to sample. $45 to $65. cvbrewfest.com/
SF Beer Fest: 12 to 10 p.m. May 11, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. Head for Fort Mason to try the best beer in town, all under the same roof. Enjoy a vast selection of specially curated beers set to an absolutely jamming soundtrack. $45 to $65. bit.ly/SFBeerFest2024
Mill Valley Music Festival: May 11 to 12, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. This two-day outdoor arts and culture event, produced by the Mill Valley Chamber and Noise Pop Industries, features a diverse, multi-genre mix of national acts and local lights, coupled with delicious food and drinks and great art. Find updated ticket information at millvalleymusicfest.com/
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival: May 17 to 19, Anderson Valley venues. This region of Mendocino County is known for its pinot noir, celebrated during this three-day festival featuring delicious samplings and food pairings, educational seminars, a sunset barbecue, a grand tasting and a VIP Bubble Lounge. $75 to $500. bit.ly/AVPNF2024
Sun, Wind & Wine Festival: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 18, 1290 River Road, Salinas. The 16th annual fest includes a strolling wine tasting through the barrel cellar of Mer Soleil Winery, which is not normally open to the public. Festival guests will enjoy limited-release Santa Lucia Highlands wines poured by the vintners themselves, plus live music and gourmet bites. Find updated ticket information at santaluciahighlands.com/events/wine-festival/
Livermore Downtown Street Fest: May 18 to 19, Stockmen’s Park and Bankhead Plaza, Downtown Livermore. Browse this annual festival’s extensive food, wine and brew booths while enjoying craft vendor stalls and live entertainment. Free admission. livermoredowntown.com/events
Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival: May 18 to 19, traditionally held in Downtown Pleasant Hill. This annual festival offers a diverse array of local food, wine, beer and arts and crafts vendors, plus tons of kids events and live entertainment. Free admission. pleasanthillchamber.com/art-wine-music/
Bottle Rock: May 24 to 26, Napa Valley Expo, 575 Third St., Napa. This annual Wine Country music festival features a fabulous lineup of live entertainment from nationally known artists, singers and bands, as well as gourmet food, wine and beer stalls and a culinary stage. Find updated ticket information at bottlerocknapavalley.com/
California Roots Music and Arts Festival: May 24 to 26, Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. This annual reggae, roots and hip hop music festival features live music, local food vendors and unique art installations. $310 to $750. californiarootsfestival.com/
Carnaval San Francisco: May 25 to 26, San Francisco venues. The 46th edition of this annual multicultural celebration and parade will feature a rich assortment of food, music, dance, arts and crafts, games and live entertainment for all ages to enjoy. Free admission. carnavalsanfrancisco.org/
Bay Area KidFest: May 25 to 27, Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. This annual festival features non-stop live family entertainment, fascinating traveling attractions, arts and sports activities for the kids, plus a wide array of food and drink vendors. $0-$8 admission, rides priced separately. kidfestconcord.com/bay-area-kidfest
June
Rocklin Brewfest: 1 to 5 p.m. June 1, Johnson-Springview Park, 5480 Fifth St., Rocklin. Sample beer from more than 40 breweries with several wineries on hand to offer beer alternatives. $20-$100. rocklinbrewfest.com/
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival: June 1, Main Street, Half Moon Bay. This annual festival traditionally features California wines and local eats, plus local and nationally-known jazz artists and tribute acts. Find updated ticket information at hmbwineandjazzfest.com/
Bay Area Book Festival: June 1 to 2, Downtown Berkeley venues. Authors descend on this festival from all over the world, bringing the best of contemporary literature to local book lovers. In addition to author readings and discussions, this festival traditionally features literary exhibitors, gourmet food booths and children’s activities. Free admission. baybookfest.org/
Festa Coloniale Italiana: June 1 to 2, Stockton Street between Union and Filbert, San Francisco. Enjoy a celebration of Italian culture featuring live Italian music, authentic Italian wine and cuisine, a vendor marketplace, a pizza toss and a kids corner with tons of fun activities. Free admission. sfiacfoundation.com/festa-coloniale-italiana
Festival La Onda: June 1 to 2, 575 Third St., Napa. La Onda by BottleRock will provide a premium experience with two full days of music featuring major Latin touring artists, DJ sets, local and regional Latin cuisine and specialty beverages, and immersive activities including a spa, dance club and silent disco. $169+. laondafest.com/
Redwood Mountain Faire: June 1 to 2, Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. Dance the day away to live music while enjoying tasty, locally made food, cold beer, cider and wine in an open field surrounded by redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Find updated ticket information at redwoodmountainfaire.com/
Monterey Artichoke Festival: June 8 to 9, Monterey County Fair and Event Center, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. This annual festival features an extravaganza of delicious artichoke-centric food and wine tastings. Find updated ticket information at artichokefestival.org/
The Fairfax Festival & Ecofest: June 8 to 9, throughout Fairfax. The annual festival celebrating sustainability, community and fun features a bustling parade with decorative cars, floats and performers, arts and crafts, a flea market, live music and much more. Free. Find more information at fairfaxfestival.com.
Dia de Portugal Festival: June 9, History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. In June, Americans of Portuguese heritage join together with others throughout the world in a celebration of Portuguese culture. Enjoy a day of entertainment, savor Portuguese foods and watch a traditional Portuguese parade. Free admission. diadeportugalca.org/
Alameda County Fair: June 14 to July 7, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fair returns for an all-out bash featuring all your favorite fair fun, plus new rides, shows and food experiences. Find updated ticket information at annual.alamedacountyfair.com/
Monterey Wine Festival: June 15 to 16, Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. Now in its 45th year, the Monterey Wine Festival has established itself as one of the region’s premier wine and food events. Enjoy savory bites, delicious sips, live music, great views and good times. $79-$99. bit.ly/MontereyWineFest
Lakefest Oakland: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 22 to 23, Lake Merritt, Oakland. This annual festival attracted more than 20,000 attendees in 2023. It traditionally features an artisan marketplace, tasty food vendors, a beer and wine garden, a tech pavilion, a kids fun zone and live music. Free admission. lakefestoakland.com/
— IJ Lifestyles Editor Colleen Bidwill contributed to this report.
