Bay Area Festivals And Events Announce 2023 Dates

SAN FRANCISCO — Every year as temperatures heat up so does the festival scene throughout the Bay Area and this year is no different. With a plethora of returning favorites, festival aficionados will have no shortage of fun things to see and do.

Here is a list of just a few events returning to the Bay Area for 2023.

In San Francisco live music returns for a third season at Golden Gate Park's iconic Golden Gate Bandshell stage with another series of free outdoor concerts beginning in June so plan to spend some time enjoying free live music at the Golden Gate Bandshell. The all ages concerts run through November and feature a different genre on different days of the week. Music aficionados will find Folk/Rock on Wednesdays, Jazz/Soul on Fridays, Cultural/Community Performances on Saturdays, and Reggae on Sundays. For the full calendar click here.

San Francisco's North Beach Festival is set to return to the city's North Beach District June 17 and 18 and will include gourmet food vendors, several stages of live music, and more than 100 art and crafts vendors. There will also be a kids' chalk art area, Italian street painting, and a 'blessing of the animals' ceremony on both afternoons of the free event which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more about the North Beach Festival, click here.

Jazz lovers are sure to be excited with the return of the San Francisco Jazz Festival from June 6 to June 18. This year marks the 40th Annual SF Jazz Festival, offering over a week of incredible music from acclaimed jazz musicians, including those such as Gregory Porter, Christian McBride, Dianne Reeves, and more. Find out more on the SF Jazz Center site by clicking here.

Other upcoming events throughout the Bay Area will celebrate everything from Star Wars to Art and Wine.

Coming this weekend to San Ramon is the City Center May The 4th' Star Wars Event. City Center Bishop Ranch will host a series of “Star Wars” characters at Alexander Square. From 4-7 p.m. Danville is also getting in on the fun with a May the Fourth, Star Wars themed scavenger hunt awarding winners a grab bag of galactic treasures.

Livermore’s Downtown Street Festival, one of the longest running celebrations of wine, craft brew, arts, crafts, shopping, dining, entertainment, is also returning to the city May 14 and 15.
A total of 14 bands will play over the weekend at both Bankhead Plaza Stage and Stockmen’s Park Stage. Visit livermoredowntown.com for more information on each of the performers, and to buy Street Fest tickets.

The San Leandro Cherry Festival is set to return June 4 after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s event promises to bring fun for the entire family with the annual Cherry Festival Parade, live music and entertainment, games, vendors, food, drinks and much more.

Other upcoming special events include Fourth of July celebrations in Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Pleasanton, Redwood City, Napa Valley and Healdsburg to name a few.

Also returning this year is the Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Fairscheduled for July 29 and 30. the 43rd Annual El "Día De San Juan" Salsa Festival on Saturday, June 17, in Newark, the Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music on Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11 and of course the always popular BottleRock Napa Valley, the 3-day music, wine, food and brew festival in Napa scheduled for May 26-28.

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