From food and film to art, music and nature, here’s an epic sampling of ways to have some Bay Area fun this spring and beyond.
Imaginarium360: Now through April 28, Great Mall, 447 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas. Featuring more than five million lights, this outdoor immersive light festival promises to captivate visitors of all ages as they roam through 1.5 acres of vibrant visual displays. Wander through illuminated forest mazes, encounter larger-than-life fantasy creatures, enjoy a synchronized light show, get romantic in the rose garden or enjoy one of the nightly circus shows. $18 to $23. showclix.com/tickets/Imaginarium
Spring in the Garden: Now through April 28, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco. The Academy is the place to “bee” this spring. Float your own boat with Riveropolis, watch supersize animatronic insects come to life in Bugtopia, weave your way through Wander Woods and buzz into an arthropod puppet show. $28.95 to $42.95. calacademy.org/spring-in-the-garden
San Francisco Art Fair: April 25-28, 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
Stage Door Lounge Comedy at The Bankhead: 7:30 p.m. April 26, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. The Bankhead will be transformed into an intimate comedy club where the stand-ups and the audience members are all on stage together. $25 to $70. livermorearts.org/events/comedy-at-the-stage-door-lounge-2
Craft Chocolate Experience: April 26-28, Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. Join a global gathering of chocolate makers, chocolatiers and industry experts as they share their products, knowledge and love of craft chocolate. Sample and shop the marketplace while enjoying pairings, demos and lively on-stage discussions. $25 to $150. craftchocolateexperience.com
Morro Bay Kite Festival: April 26-28, Morro Rock, Morro Bay. Live in the moment with no distractions from technology, taking the opportunity to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze, the gentle lapping of waves and the sight of dozens of colorful kites taking to the sky. Free. morrobaykitefestival.com
Sonoma Valley Authors Festival: April 26-28, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, 100 Boyes Blvd. Using a “TED Talk” style format along with breakout sessions, authors from various literary genres will discuss their latest works as well as advances in science, technology, medicine and current issues. svauthorsfest.org
Blues and Brews Pacifica: 1 to 5 p.m. April 27, Palmetto at Montecito Avenue and Hilton Way, Pacifica. This afternoon of music, community and giving back will feature live bands, delicious food, refreshing brews and fun kids activities. Free admission. tinyurl.com/BluesBrewsPacifica
S.F. Mime Troupe Festival Fundraiser: 2 to 10 p.m. April 27, SFMT Studio, 855 Treat Ave., San Francisco. Enjoy a full day of festivities including music, art, dancing, an art auction and tons of talented performers at this Mime Troupe fundraiser. $20. sfmt.org
Ceili on the Lake Irish Festival: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27-28, Lagoon Park, Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Come out for a celebration of traditional Irish music, dance, crafts, food and drinks. Festivities include Irish musicians, dance sessions and lessons, sheep-herding demonstrations, poetry and storytelling, food trucks and an on-site Irish pub. $10 to $20. ceilionthelake.com
Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival: 1 to 4 p.m. April 27-28, Southside Park, 2115 Sixth St., Sacramento. This annual festival pairs grilled cheese with everything from craft beer to kids fare, 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
Pleasanton CATstravaganza: April 27-28, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Ave., Pleasanton. Get ready for a purrfect weekend where cat lovers unite for a pawsome experience. Witness an International Cat Competition, see the cats strut the CatWalk, find out who wins in Best in Show and get your furry friend a gift in the shopping village. $0 to $17. bit.ly/Catstravaganza
Antioch Urban Arts Festival: 3 to 9 p.m. April 28, El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. This festival features a student talent showcase of emerging artists from the Antioch Unified School District, a comedy party presenting Bay Area comedians, a visual art showcase of works by currently incarcerated artists and an informational legal clinic for creatives. Free admission. calawyersforthearts.org/urbanartsfestivals
RAWdance Anniversary Speakeasy: 6 to 9 p.m. May 2, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. RAWdance is celebrating 20 years with a 1920s speakeasy anniversary party. Glam it up for this night featuring live performances by the company, flowing drinks and hors d’oeuvres, prizes and a dance party. $100 to $150. rawdance.org/events/20th-anniversary-benefit
Sol Blume Festival: May 3-5, 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
Lafayette Juniors Lifestyle Tour: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4, various Lafayette locations. Take a self-guided tour of masterfully designed spaces at five beautiful homes with gorgeous interiors and pristine landscaping. $65 to $81. tinyurl.com/LifestyleTour
Kendall-Jackson Kentucky Derby Party: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 4, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. Kendall-Jackson will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Run for The Roses with fashion contests, large-screen race viewing, live music and Derby-inspired Southern cuisine paired with award-winning Kendall-Jackson wines. $150 to $175. kj.com/kyderby
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
World Goth Day Festival: 12 to 10 p.m. May 4, USS Hornet Museum, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda. The fourth annual festival will feature live entertainment including an infamous fashion show, roving performers, ghost tours, live bands and DJs and an Oddities Art Market. $15 to $45. tinyurl.com/WGD2024
North Bay Rose Society Rose Show: 1 to 4 p.m. May 4, Blue Rock Springs Golf Course, 655 Columbus Parkway, Vallejo. The annual rose show features a stunning array of award-winning rose presentations in horticultural, challenge and arrangement classes. Free admission. northbayrosesociety.org
Boonville Beer Fest: 1 to 6 p.m. May 4, Mendocino County Fairgrounds, 14400 Highway 128, Boonville. May the froth be with you! This 26th annual festival features sips from more than 80 breweries, live music on multiple stages and food vendors. $50 to $70. avbc.com/boonville-beer-fest
Tri-Valley Craft Cocktail Competition: 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 4, Bankhead Plaza, 2400 First St., Livermore. Pacific Chamber Orchestra is presenting the first-ever Tri-Valley Craft Cocktail Competition. Enjoy cocktails served up by top-shelf bartenders while noshing nibbles from local restaurants. $65. tinyurl.com/PCOcraftcomp
Benicia Art Weekend: May 4-5, various Benicia venues. Throughout theweekend, various art studios and galleries will open their doors to the public. Attendees can expect live demonstrations, exhibitions and opportunities to meet local artists. Free. visitbenicia.org/benicia-art-weekend
Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival: May 4-5, 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. $16 to $30. bbfishfest.org
California Symphony Presents ‘Brahms Obsessions’: 7:30 p.m. May 4 and 4 p.m. May 5, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. A program of Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann features pianist Robert Thies plus a world premiere by resident composer Saad Haddad. $20 to $90. californiasymphony.org/shows/brahms-obsessions
Marin Open Studios: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 4-5 and 11-12, various Marin venues. Returning for its 31st year, this self-guided open studio tour lets art lovers meet artists, enjoy their portfolio up close and purchase works. Free. marinopenstudios.org
Beer Mitzvah: 1 to 5 p.m. May 5, Temple Israel of Alameda, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. This craft beer festival features samples from 13 craft breweries, plus meads, hard cider and live music by The Vinyl 4. $36. templeisraelalameda.org/event/beer-mitzvah.html#
An Evening of Mediumship with Cindy Kaza: 3:30 and 7 p.m. May 6, Tommy T’s, 5104 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. Psychic medium Cindy Kaza is known for her ability to channel spirits through art, helping us demystify our unique energy fields and the messaging they hold. See her work in person this spring on her live tour. $25 to $35. tommyts-com.seatengine.com/events
Foodieland Night Market: May 10-12 at Sacramento’s Cal Expo and May 24-26 at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. FoodieLand is a renowned outdoor festival featuring food, shopping, games and live entertainment. This year’s edition promises more than 185 food and retail vendors. $0 to $7. foodielandnm.com
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 offering of art, music and more than 150 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
Bottle Rock: May 24-26, 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. $233. bottlerocknapavalley.com
Carnaval San Francisco: May 25-26, 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
Extraordinary Cow Palace: Now through 2026, San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. The Cow Palace has been an important part of Bay Area history for more than 83 years. Now the San Mateo County Historical Association is preserving, celebrating and sharing this history with a new exhibit exploring the landmark venue and its many events. $0 to $6. historysmc.org/exhibits/extraordinary-cow-palace
Have an entertainment event to add? Submit it online at forms.gle/Cu9J6Ks2fQiQUcKk8.
