Weekend Planner: July 27th
You’ve worked hard all week, and now Friday’s here again! It’s time to start planning your weekend! Welcome to Weekend Planner, your weekend update on fun.
Every Friday we put together a list of the weekend events we think look most interesting and provide them here. Keep in mind there is always a lot more going on, and all it takes is a little digging to find something that will be the perfect activity for you.
Click on any of the event titles for a link to the event.
Friday, July 27th
Christmas Hill Park, Gilray
All Day, All Ages
$18
The heart of the Garlic Festival is Gourmet Alley, the gigantic outdoor kitchen where the world-famous “Pyro Chefs” put on a spectacular flame-up show while preparing garlic-laced calamari and scampi in huge iron skillets.
Other Festival favorites include pepper steak sandwiches, pasta con pesto, fried calamari, and sausage sandwiches, as well as Gilroy garlic fries and garlic bread. And you’ve got to try the only-in-Gilroy garlic ice cream.
This year the Gilroy Garlic Festival proudly welcomes Iron Chef Michael Symon, Olympic Champion and Food Network star Brian Boitano, and MasterChef Season 7 Winner Shaun O’Neale to host exciting cooking competitions on the Challenge Butter Cook-Off Stage.
Food and beverages may be purchased from Gourmet Alley or from the vendors. Prices range from $2 to $15 or more depending on the item, which is typically a full-size serving, not a sample.
2018 Highlights:
Gourmet Alley / Food / Beverage The heart of the Gilroy Garlic Festival is the world-famous Gourmet Alley. In this gigantic outdoor kitchen, the “Pyro Chefs” put on a spectacular flame-up show while preparing garlic-laced calamari and scampi in huge iron skillets.
Cooking Events Watch exciting cooking competitions and celebrity chef demonstrations
-Champions for Charity (Friday) -Garlic Chef Jr. (Friday) -Great Garlic Cook-Off (Saturday) -Gilroy Garli-Que BBQ Challenge (Saturday/Sunday) -Garlic Showdown (Sunday)
Entertainment Enjoy live music on three stages going on all weekend long
Children’s Area Find lots of fun & games for younger visitors and their families
Arts & Crafts Discover exceptional arts and crafts booths on both sides of the park
Art Poster Contest A competition of artists around the country
Shop Stock up on festival swag to show your garlic pride
View General Information & FAQ’s
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
3 PM, All Ages
$5
NorCal Night Market aims to bring the electric spirit of night markets and taste of international cuisines to Northern California. Suitable for all ages, the festival will feature 150+ food and merchandise vendors, games, art and live music for two weekends.
Attendees can munch on food from a diverse offering of vendors for the ‘gram, shop for crafts and merchandise, commission special pieces from artists at the Art Walk, and enjoy live music and performances on the Entertainment Stage or break out some moves on the DJ dance floor.
Parking $10 at the door, cash only. Most vendors accept cash only. ATMs are available. Alcohol is available with a valid ID.
Saturday, July 28th
Berkeley Kite Festival
Berkeley Marina, Berkeley
10 AM, All Ages
Free
Kites aren’t just for kids any more. Experience the artistry of modern kite flying at the 33rd Annual Berkeley Kite Festival & West Coast Kite Championships. You’ll find something for everyone, from giant creature kites as big as houses, to free kite making and free candy drops for kids.
2018 Happenings Hands-on Activities:
Free Kite Making
Free Candy Drops
Free Kite Flying Lessons
Event Highlights:
Kite Team of Japan
Team Kite Flying
20,000 sq. ft. of Giant Creature Kite Expo
Taiko Drummers
Japanese-Style Rokkaku Kite Battle for the Skies
Giant Kite Sales Tent
Kids’ Zone
Food & Music
Arts & Crafts Booths
Admission is free, but parking in Golden Gate Fields is $15 and includes free shuttles to and from the festival.
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
12 PM, All Ages
$12
Celebrate Oakland’s vibrant art and music scene at the biggest street party of the year, 2018 Art & Soul Festival, in downtown Oakland.
The 18th annual festival features live performances on 4 stages, a Family Fun Zone, an Urban Dance Stage, an Artisan Marketplace, and many more.
2018 Highlights:
Live Music & Dance on 4 Stages
The Pointer Sisters
Lyrics Born
Jazz Mafia
Alphabet Rockers
Urban Dance & Salsa Stages
Blues & Gospel Showcases
Turf Dance Battle
Artisan Marketplace
Craft Beer, Wine & Food
Family fun zone and more
Sunday, July 29th
“Hawaii in July” Treasure Fest
Treasure Island, San Francisco
All Day, All Ages
$5
The TreasureFest (formerly Treasure Island Flea) is a modern urban market for 15,000+ each month that houses around 400 curated vendors selling originally-made and designed items, artists, and antique/vintage collectors.
Plus there’s typically 35+ food trucks, live local music, workshops, kids games, and bars with seasonal cocktails and local wines and brews.
The two-day flea market, which takes place the last weekend of every month, is on the east side of Treasure Island facing the East Bay.
Get ready for a full on “Hawaii in July” festival as part of TreasureFest.
RSVP on Facebook (Click “Going”) to enter to win a $100 spree. Winner announced Friday
Hawaii July highlights:
First 1000 each day get lei’d! (free leis)
A food truck Luau with a secret menu – 30+ food trucks will each have a Hawaiian inspired dish made just for TreasureFest guests.
The event will feature 3 tiki bars. Happy hour 10am to 11am buy one get one Mai Tais. The bar will also feature tropical cocktails made from local ingredients and Hawaiian beers.
Live Hawaiian music and other awesome musical acts.
Buy tickets in advance (same price as at gate) for expedited entry through a dedicated line and be entered into raffle to win 5 day 4 night resort stay in Hawaii
And of course as you know the shopping…. Shop California’s top crafters, makers, artists, vintage curators, and antique collectors all under one roof.
Main Post Lawn, San Francisco
11 AM, All Ages
Free
San Francisco’s favorite family picnic is back for 2018. Presidio Picnic brings together the best of the Bay Area food scene with the beauty of this national park site and views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Held on the seven acre Main Parade Ground lawn, this weekly community event features food and drink from more than 25 local vendors, food trucks & pop-ups.
But it’s not just about the grub; visitors can enjoy an ever-changing array of free activities including yoga classes, lawn games, a Presidio photo booth, free kids bike-riding lessons from the Presidio YMCA, and nature-based arts and crafts for kids in the Presidio Adventure Zone tent.
New for 2018 is a series of monthly cultural performances.
Cultural Performances
March 18: Ohlone Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe performs a traditional welcome blessing to open the season
April 29: SF Awakkoren Dance Group performs Awa Odori, one of the most well-known Japanese traditional dances with 400 years of history
May 27: Ballet Folklórico México Danza appears in a colorful, high-energy performance
June 24: Alafia Dance Ensemble demonstrate the beauty of African Haitian dance
July 22: China Dance Theatre celebrates the rich heritage of Chinese ethnic and folk dance
Food Trucks & Pop-Ups
The rotating lineup of 25 of the Bay Area’s best mobile food concepts at this year’s Presidio Picnic includes:
Senor Sisig: A mashup of the best that Filipino food and Mexican taquerias have to offer, serving sisig-style (24-hour marinated pork shoulder) tacos, burritos and fries
Hot Bird: Oakland-based Nashville-style fried chicken and first-timer at Presidio Picnic
Little Green Cyclo: Vietnamese street food hits like garlic noodles and banh mi
Del Popolo: Neapolitan-inspired pizza from a wood-fired oven featuring local, artisanal ingredients
Slightly Skewed: Asian-style skewers and street foods influenced by the ingredients and flavors of Central and Southeast Asia
Gyro Stop: Gourmet Mediterranean fusion concept specializing in gyro sandwiches, falafels, hummus, and dolmas
Jackrabbit: Creative sliders, sides, and fresh baked treats made with local ingredients from Northern California’s farms and ranches
Seoul of Taipei: Korean and Taiwanese mash-up concept serving outside-the-box rice bowls, burritos and tacos
El Pipila: Authentic Guanajat cuisine launched through San Francisco’s culinary incubator for low income entrepreneurs, La Cocina and appearing at Presidio Picnic as a Mexican fruit stand
Cielito Lindo: Mexican Street Kitchen: Mexican street food favorites like tacos and tortas topped with roasted steak ranchero, beef barbacoa, chicken mole and veggie estofado
Spork and Stix: Thai and Korean fusion purveyors serving inventice rice boxes, noodle bowls and sliders
DUM Truck: Indian soul food classics like chicken biryani, paneer kati rolls and mango lassis
A full bar presented by Rye on the Road featuring wine, beer, spirits and craft cocktails