With summer just around the corner, festival season has arrived!  Outdoor festivals are an awesome celebration of culture, music and food- and I’m here for all of it.  As much as I love to explore new places, there are some great events right in my backyard.  If you’re looking for something to do this summer, I’ve got you covered with a roundup of some of my favorite Bay Area festivals.

1. Carnaval SF (May)

Every Memorial Weekend, the Mission District comes alive for Carnaval San Francisco.  A colorful, vibrant and festive event, Carnaval SF is the largest multicultural celebration on the West Coast.  The two-day festival is free and spans 8 city blocks, featuring music, dancing, food, vendors and bringing out people of all ages.  If you’re an early bird, you can catch the Carnaval parade on Sunday.  Complete with Brazilian and Caribbean contingents, as well as African, Polynesian, Central American and Japanese parade groups, this festival captures both the Carnaval spirit and the diversity of Bay Area culture.

2. Stone Soul Concert (May)

Technically Stone Soul isn’t a festival, but with food trucks, concession stands and vendors, Stone Soul has all the necessary vibes for a great festival.  Recently adding a second day, the Stone Soul Concert now boasts two full days of music. A Memorial Weekend tradition for many Bay Area natives,  Stone Soul is like going to a huge family reunion.   It’s not uncommon to have three generations in attendance.  Grandma in a seat in the shade, her kids on the lawn with picnic baskets full of food, and grandchildren running around taking selfies and socializing while the ‘OGs’ perform.  Lineups at Stone Soul in past years have included everyone from The Delfonics and the Isley Brothers, to Frankie Beverly and Maze, Joe and Lalah Hathaway.

3. Fillmore Jazz Festival (July)

An annual festival in the historic jazz district of San Francisco, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is a great way to celebrate 4th of July weekend.  The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, the Fillmore Jazz Fest stretches over 12 city blocks. With multiple stages of live music, an extensive collection of vendors and great food options, this festival reflects the history of the neighborhood and diversity of the City.  In recent years, I’ve missed this festival since it’s usually the same weekend at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.  This year though, it looks like I’m in luck.  The Fillmore Jazz Fest is the weekend before Essence, so I can go to both!

4. Art + Soul Oakland (July)

Right in the heart of downtown, Art + Soul Oakland has been a festival season favorite for years.  In addition to having great musical performances on multiple stages, Art + Soul embodies Bay Area spirit with dance battles, beautifully crafted jewelry, art and clothing by local entrepreneurs and a diverse crowd of all ages.

Dancing to Tony, Toni, Toné, eating a piece of sweet potato pie and shopping for organic body butter and soy candles.  I love the Bay, I really do.

5. San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (August)

I have a confession- this one almost didn’t make the list.  San Jose Jazz Fest is a lot of fun- but I remember when it was free.  And when it was $5.  And then when it was $10.  You see where I’m going with this, I’m sure.  For $20 general admission, I’m gonna need a meal voucher, or at least a drink ticket.  Okay, apologies for my mini rant.  Moving past the price of admission, the festival does have its high points.  With multiple stages, diverse music from jazz to salsa and R&B and people dancing to live music in the intersections, the festival has a great energy.  Just when I thought I might not go this year, I saw that both Goapele and Lalah Hathaway will be performing.  So, I just might make that trip to San Jose after all!

6.  Sundays in the Redwoods (September – October)

A series of music concerts, Sundays in the Redwoods is a great way to hold onto summer for just a bit longer.  Much like the Stone Soul concert, this isn’t quite a festival but it makes for a great Sunday afternoon.  Surrounded by redwood trees in the Oakland Hills, Woodminster Amphitheater is a beautiful venue.  If you plan to go with a group of friends, check out the VIP package.  You can rent a picnic table for the afternoon for 6-8 people.  The year my girls and I went, it was about four thousand degrees outside and the amphitheater is uncovered.  Having a covered VIP table backstage saved us from heat stroke.  If you plan to just buy a ticket to the show, wear lots of sunscreen and bring a hat or an umbrella.  I’m keeping my eyes open for this year’s lineup- I’d love to have a girls afternoon with snacks and wine in the redwoods again!

What Bay Area festivals do you look forward to every year?