Top Spring Festivals to Attend with Kids near Sacramento

Festivals – Throughout the Sacramento region, the arrival of spring brings dozens of kid-friendly festivals and events that are sure to delight parents and children alike. With this in mind, we’ve put together our top 15 upcoming festivals to attend with your kids:

Asparagus Festival

The Asparagus Festival

This is one of the region’s best and delicious festivals! Held from April 21-23, the Asparagus Festival in the biggest event of its kind in the West! Held in nearby Stockton at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, this festival features a fantastic lineup of events and entertainment, and is sure to be an enjoyable time for the entire family. Parents can try a wide array of asparagus-themed foods (like deep-fried asparagus, or asparagus ice cream), while the kiddos play in the Kids Zone. The event features bounce houses, crafts, rides and carnival games . There are even special photo opportunities with princesses and superheroes! Admission for kids age 5 and under is free, youth tickets are $12 and adult entry is just $15.

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Sacramento Valley Scottish Games

Sacramento Valley Scottish Games & Festival

Also one of the best regional festivals is the Scottish games in Woodland. It’s held on April 29 & 30, and is considered a must-attend celebration for all families. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy the sound of bagpipes, marvel at highland dancers or watch people throw telephone poles! This celebration is held at the Yolo County Fairgrounds in Woodland and features fun, food, entertainment, competition, activities, and unique merchandise. Ticket prices start at just $6 for kids and $15 for adults and can be purchased online or at the gate. To learn about the schedule, entertainment or vendors, visit the event website.

Kids Ninja Warrior & Healthy Family Festival

Kids Ninja Warrior & Healthy Family Festival

Hosted by CSD on April 29, this is one of many festivals that take place throughout the year at Elk Grove Regional Park. Bring out the Ninja Warrior in your kids by letting them join the fun with a warm-up, timed run, or trip through the giant obstacle course. Or, come along to the Healthy Family Fest where the whole family will enjoy a BMX Bike Stunt Show, interactive booths, obstacle courses, inflatables and more. Registration for the Ninja Warrior event is $20 (including t-shirt) and the Healthy Family Festival is free. For more information, visit the event website.

Kids Day in the Park Festival

Kids Day in the Park Festival

This fantastic event has been a favorite Rancho Cordova for 27 years and celebrates healthy bodies and good sportsmanship. Held on April 29 in Hagan Community Park, the festival features a health and resource fair with providers to engage parents and provide information. Over 100 vendors will be on-site, bringing a day fun day of activities for children and their families. For a complete list of activities, visit the event website or download the event flyer.

Healthy Kids Day Event

Now in its 17^th year, this popular festival will be held on May 6 at the brand new Golden 1 Center Plaza. This family-friendly, outdoor event is free and features health screenings, an organic Farmers’ Market, community resources, games, activities and more. Sacramento Regional Transit is even offering free rides to/from the event! For more information, visit the event website.

Western Festival

Western Festival

Held each year in Elk Grove Regional Park, this three-day festival of family fun and excitement offers attendees a weekend of wonderful entertainment, great food, classic cars, Student Art Exhibitions, a Kid’s Zone, Crafter’s fair and fabulous carnival of fun. This year’s event takes place May 5 through May 7^th. For directions, parade details or festival history, visit the event website.

Meet the Machines

Meet the Machines Event

On May 13, this annual event will be held at the Mather Sports Center near Rancho Cordova. Children of all ages have the opportunity to touch, climb on and explore vehicles such as fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, tow trucks, garbage trucks, cranes, boats, tractors, school buses, segways, military vehicles, and John Deere equipment. Additionally, children can visit the Kids Zone filled with bounce houses, games, balloon animals and face painting. The first hour of the event is horn-free to accommodate children with special needs and sensitive ears. The event is free to attendees of all ages. For more details, visit the event website.

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Get Energized!

Get Energized! Festival

Enjoy a day of creativity and exploration through hands-on experiments and fun for the whole family. Held on May 13 in Rancho Cordova, this event offers a variety of fun activities such as building your own solar race car ($10 fee), doing hands-on experiments in the Energy Olympics, or cooking snacks with renewable cooking sources. You may even get the chance to have your photo taken with a trophy in the Winner’s Circle. The event is free and is organized by the city of Roseville. For more information, visit the event website.

Pacific Rim Festival

Celebrating cultural richness and diversity, this festival showcasess all facets of the Asian Pacific Islander values through cultural programs, entertainment, art and food. The event aims to enhance the community’s knowledge of Pacific Island cultures in a fun and positive environment. The festival will be held on May 13 at Southside Park near downtown Sacramento. Kids will love the lively entertainment, vendor displays and yummy food of this family-friendly event. For more information, visit the event website.

Roseville BerryFest

Roseville BerryFest

Held on May 13 & 14 at the Placer County Fairgrounds, this popular festival celebrates the strawberry harvest and features loads of strawberry treats, shopping, live music, and more. BerryFest offers fun for kids with Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, a Princess Pageant, Circus imagination and Clown college, Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest, Amazing Animal World, special performances on the Kids Caboose Stage, as well as a full kid’s carnival and fun zone. Kids 5 and under are free, older kids are $5 and adults are $10 (tickets can be purchased online in advance). To learn more, visit the event website.

Whole Earth Festival

This student-run event takes place on May 12, 13 and 14 on the UC Davis campus and attracts 30,000 attendees each year. The family-friendly festival features art, food, music and education on wellness and environmental sustainability in an interactive and creative way. Kids will learn about zero waste philosophy and will enjoy the assorted food and fun vendors at the event including artists and crafters offering hand-made goods. For more information, visit the event website.

Tents in Town

Enjoy this fun family event organized by the Arden Park & Recreation Department. Families will enjoy all the fun of camping without all the work! Grab your gear and kids, and spend a night under the stars. The event comes complete with swimming, BBQ, games, a rock wall, campfire stories and stargazing. This event is held May 20-21 in Sacramento and is $20 per person. The fee covers the campsite, Saturday dinner, swimming, Sunday breakfast and a t-shirt. Attendees must register by May 1st to guarantee a t-shirt. For more information, or to register, visit the event website.

Walk on the Wildside

Walk on the Wildside Environmental Fair

Bring the family and enjoy a local celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. This free family-friendly event take place on May 20 and includes hiking tours of local wetlands and forests, presentations, a live animal show, performers as well as children’s hands-on activities and informational exhibits. Walk on the Wildside has grown to be one of Sacramento’s favorite outdoor environmental events. The fun activities are held at the beautiful Beach Lake Preserve, near the town of Freeport. For more information, visit the event website.

Yarmaka International Festival

Yarmaka International Festival

Enjoy a day of family fun while learning about the cultures of more than a dozen ethnic groups including Slavic, Asian, Hispanic, Native and African American, Jewish, Armenian and many others! Held on May 21 in Southside Park near downtown Sacramento, the festival attracts thousands of attendees annually. Kids will love watching performers and entertainment, playing games, visiting food booths, arts & crafts vendors and checking out products from merchants. For more information, visit the event website.

Sacramento County Fair

Citrus Heights Block Party

Held on June 3 at Van Maren Park in Citrus Heights, this family-friendly event celebrates Citrus Heights’ 20^th year. The event features a kid’s zone, live music, entertainment, food, shopping, a classic car show, and more. The event is free, but vendor proceeds benefit the Citrus Heights Police Activities League and the American Legion. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the event website.

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Sacramento and the surrounding area has dozens of fun, kid-friendly festivals and events held throughout spring and summer. These events allow parents to support local businesses and organizations while spending quality time with their children. Looking for more opportunities for fun? Check out our Places to Go directory for additional kid-friendly ideas.