After a difficult year when most of us were stuck at home instead of being out at our favorite fairs and festivals, things are looking much better for the summer of 2021. But not every outdoor gathering will be coming back this year, and those that are may require masks, have capacity limits or other changes.
And a lot can change throughout the summer, so check with the events’ websites for updates.
What’s On
SoFA Music Festival: A hybrid version of the music-filled event in downtown San Jose will take place May 29-30, with in-person audiences watching band performances that will also be streamed. www.sofamusicfestival.com.
San Mateo County Fair: Ferris wheel rides, animal exhibits and more will be returning for the in-person event scheduled for June 4-10 at the San Mateo Event Center. Masks must be worn and online reservations are required for specific time slots. www.sanmateocountyfair.com
Gilroy Garlic Festival: The annual tribute to the Stinking Rose will feature both virtual and socially distanced events in July, with music, wine and Gourmet Alley favorites. www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.
Marin County Fair: Taking place virtually July 2-4, with a drive-thru fair food event. www.marinfair.org
Santa Clara County Fair: This year’s fair will be a drive-thru event, with favorite fair foods and displays of iconic California sights on weekends, July 29-Aug. 8.www.thefair.org
Hot San Jose Nights/Airport Day: The popular air/car/music show will return to Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose on Aug. 28. Organizer Mike Hennessy says the charity-driven event will honor first responders and COVID survivors. www.hotsanjosenights.com.
Sausalito Art Festival: The annual Labor Day art event on the waterfront will take place Sept. 4-6, albeit at a smaller scale with less crowded sections. www.sausalitoartfestival.org.
Bay Area KidFest: The family-friendly event in downtown Concord moves its lineup of rides, entertainment and food from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6. www.kidfestconcord.com
Silicon Valley Sculpture Fair: The second annual outdoor art festival — one of the few Peninsula art events to happen during the pandemic — returns Sept. 23-26 at Menlo College in Atherton. www.siliconvalleysculpture.com.
Alameda County Fair: The summer tradition at the Pleasanton fairgrounds moves to fall, with a run of Oct. 22-31. www.alamedacountyfair.com.
What’s Off
A la Carte & Art: The traditional festival season opener held in downtown Mountain View in early May was canceled a second straight year. Organizers say they’re aiming for a 2022 return. alacarte.miramarevents.com.
Rotary Downtown Fireworks: The fireworks display on July 4 at downtown San Jose’s Discovery Meadow will remain dark for a second year. www.rotaryfireworks.org.
Art + Soul Oakland: Organizers have decided to push back the popular music and art festival’s 20th anniversary event until 2022. Look for a free Facebook event in the fall, however, that’ll start the countdown to next year’s festival. artandsouloakland.com
SubZERO: The music-filled, arty street mid-summer festival in downtown San Jose plans to return in 2022. www.subzerofestival.com
What’s in limbo
San Francisco Pride: The parade and festival are off this year, but Pride 2021 — with the theme “All in This Together” — will have several events in June, including an exhibitor expo, a Juneteenth collaboration and a partnership with the Frameline film fest. www.sfpride.org.
Juneteenth in the Park: The 40th annual celebration in Santa Clara County is scheduled for June 19, but the format and location have not been announced. www.sjaacsa.org/juneteenth/home
San Jose Jazz SummerFest: After losing last year’s festival (and this year’s WinterFest) to the pandemic, San Jose Jazz is working on a scaled-back version that celebrates jazz, blues and Latin music on Aug. 13-15. www.sanjosejazz.org.
