Fairs and Festivals to Attend this Summer with Kids in Sacramento
May 9, 2017

Summer Fairs & Festivals for Kids in Sacramento

As the weather warms up, many Sacramento parents look for fun events to attend with their families. Luckily, there’s no shortage of  kid-friendly summer fairs and festivals in our region. These celebrations are perfect opportunities for family entertainment, so if you’re looking for fun this summer, look no further… we’ve put together our top 15 summer fairs and festivals to attend with your kids:

 1. Orangevale Pow Wow Days Town and Country Fair (June 1-4)

This community event takes place every year in beautiful Orangevale Community Park. This popular event started in 1963 and draws thousands of attendees each year. The celebration is fun for the whole family and includes a parade, country fair displays, hands-on activities, a carnival, yummy specialty foods, festival style entertainment, special attractions and events, unique crafters and a variety of vendors. The event supports local youth programs and promotes local vendors. Admission is free. For more information, visit the event website.

2. Antelope Summer Fest (June 3)

This free, family-friendly celebration offers an exciting mix of activities and fun for all ages. The event happens at Antelope Community Park and features local food vendors, live music and attractions for kids.  The adjacent Antelope Aquatics Complex also hosts public swimming during the event, allowing families a fun and safe way to cool off after the festival. For more information, download the event flyer.

Performers – Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento

3. Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento (June 4)

This fun, free cultural festival takes place annually in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. Held at Sacramento’s Rizal Community Center, the event draws thousands of families each year and is sure to bring smiles to the faces of everyone who attends. The event includes a parade, carnival games, learning activities, crafts as well as traditional Filipino foods such as lumpia, halo-halo and pancit. For more information, visit the event website.

4. PanGaia Festival (June 10-11)

Held annually in Fair Oaks, this delightful event features vendors, performers and presenters to bring magic, fun and light-hearted festivities to Sacramento families. The festival’s mission is to foster loving, inclusive, and joyful relationships while celebrating Summer Solstice. Event highlights include contests, raffles, a children’s area, food vendors, live music, performers and more. A portion of the event proceeds supports The Wildlife Care Association. For schedules, vendor info and general event information, visit the festival web site.

Carnival Rides – Placer County Fair

5. Placer County Fair (June 22-25)

As one of the most popular fairs in the region, the Placer County Fair is considered Roseville tradition. This event brings family fun and community spirit to thousands of attendees each year. The fair offers Sacramento-area families a wholesome, fun celebration featuring carnival games, amusement, rides, tasty foods, and lively entertainment suitable for any age. This year’s event is free to attend. For scheduling, vendor lists and general information, visit the fair website.

State Fair

6. California State Fair (July 14-30)

Held annually at CalExpo, this event is by far the largest of the fairs of the region. The State Fair is a favorite of Sacramento area families and offers something for everyone. There is lots to see and do, so it is easy to spend multiple days at this event. In addition to exhibits, contests, animal shows and carnival rides, the event also features live music and a wide assortment of delicious fair food. For hours, admission, attractions and more, visit the California State Fair Website.

7. Amador County Fair (July 27 – 30)

Also one of the more popular fairs is the region is the Amador County Fair. Enjoy a day of good ol’ family fun in neighboring Amador County with a visit to their annual county celebration. Held each year in at the Amador Fair Grounds and Event center in Plymouth, this wholesome event is a family-favorite. The event features a “Miss Amador” competition, a variety of exhibits, vendor shows and animal competitions. Children will love the carnival, destruction derby and various kid-friendly attractions. For more information, visit the Amador County Fair website.

Performers – Strauss Festival of Elk Grove

8. Strauss Festival of Elk Grove (July 27-30)

The Strauss Festival of Elk Grove is a free outdoor event that draws tens of thousands families each year to enjoy the enchantment and wonder of this magical cultural gathering. The festival is perfect for all ages and offers youngsters an introduction to major classical productions. Attendees will be taken back in time as they experience Old World culture and charm while enjoying choreographed productions set to music by the family of Austrian composer Johann Strauss. To learn more about this year’s event, visit the Strauss Festival website.

9. Courtland Pear Fair (July 30)

This fun festival has been a Delta tradition for over 40 years. The event is held every year on the last Sunday in July, and is one of the largest agricultural fairs in Northern California. The event is very kid-friendly and features a parade, crafts, a children’s area, a car show, quilting exhibition, delicious pear-themed food, and much more. To learn more about the Pear Fair, visit the event website.

10. Festa Italiana Sacramento (August 5-6)

Organized by the Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento, this annual event is great for attendees of all ages. The festival takes placed in Croatian Park in Sacramento and is a celebration of Italian food and culture. The event attracts area families with kid-friendly attractions such as bounce houses and slides, games, face painting, kids craft booths, salami toss, and more. For more information, visit the Festa Italiana website.

Vendor Booths – Woodland Tomato Festival

11. Woodland Tomato Festival (August 12)

This fun agricultural festival takes place each year along Woodland’s historic Main Street and is a celebration of the 42,000 acres of tomato production in the county. The festival is known for its unique attractions, which include kid-friendly activities such as face painting, to yummy food-centric activities like tomato tasting. True to its theme, the event is chock-full of tomato-themed foods and competitions, including a salsa competition with offers free samples to attendees. Kids especially love meeting and photo opportunities with Tommy Tomato, the festival mascot. To learn more about this fun-filled event, visit the festival’s website.

12.  Japanese Food & Cultural Festival (August 12-13)

Now in its 71st year, this two-day cultural event takes place at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento on Riverside Blvd. The event features Japanese exhibits and demonstrations including flower arranging, classical dancing, a Japanese tea ceremony, Taiko Drummers as well as other cultural activities. Thousands of attendees come from all over the Sacramento region to enjoy the annual event. The festival is kid-friendly in every aspect, including volunteers as young as age 7. Proceeds of the celebration fund a variety of youth and senior activities in the region. For more information on this unique event, visit the festival website.

Banana Festival Sacramento Banana Festival

13. Sacramento Funky Banana Festival (August 12-13)

The 8th annual Sacramento Funky Banana Festival will be held in beautiful William Land Park, and is an exciting family-friendly event celebrating the countries and cultures that use bananas. The event is a two-day celebration offering fun for all ages including banana-themed cuisine, live entertainment, cultural exhibits, a marketplace, food trucks and more. The festival benefits the National Academic Youth Corps, which provides art and educational programs for over 15,000 youth and adults every year in Sacramento, as well as over a dozen other worthy local charities. To learn more about this unique celebration, visit the festival website.

14. Sacramento Scandinavian Festival (August 19)

Now in its 34th year, this celebration of Scandinavian culture welcomes all ages. The  family-friendly event brings the culture of Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) directly to Sacramento with this festive celebration. Held in Orangevale, the event features Scandinavian food, baked items and Nordic-themed merchandise for attendees to enjoy. Kids and adults alike will love the Viking reenactments, as well as the fun, interactive learning activities. The event also features live music and folk dancing throughout the day. Attendees will learn about Nordic countries through the music, entertainment, and attractions of this fun-filled event. To plan your visit to this event, visit the festival website.

Fairs & Festivals: Multi-Cultural Festival Elk Grove Dancers – Multi-Cultural Festival Elk Grove

 15. Multi-Cultural Festival (August 26)

Learn all about a variety of cultures through music, art, food and entertainment at this free, family-friendly event. The festival happens at Elk Grove Regional Park and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our region. Attendees can travel the world without ever leaving Sacramento County! To learn more about this festival, visit the event website.

The Sacramento region is home to dozens of fun, kid-friendly fairs, festivals and events held throughout the summer months. These exciting celebrations keep families entertained while supporting our local businesses and organizations. Looking for even more opportunities for fun? Check out our Places to Go directory for additional kid-friendly events and ideas.


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About Michele C.

Michele is a freelance writer based in Sacramento county. She lives in Elk Grove with her husband, two children and four cats. Michele is proud of her role as a working mother and maintains a full-time career. Writing is one of Michele’s passions and she aims to share her unique perspective on parenting through the written word.

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