Ah… spring has sprung.
And with it, spring fever. A time of year when everyone is itching to get out of the house to enjoy some beautiful weather… and maybe a beer.
If you’re in the Sacramento area, there is no shortage of fun ways to enjoy socializing in the great outside.
Here are 9 sensational Sacramento spring events that you won’t want to miss!
1. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Old Sacramento Waterfront
March 16th, from 11am – 3pm
Cost: Free
This year the Downtown Sacramento Partnership presents the 23rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a tradition not to be missed.
With everything from dancers in elaborate Celtic costumes and bagpipers to bands and military regiments to police and fire representatives, every
March the parade draws thousands to the Old Sacramento Waterfront to celebrate.
In 2018, more that 35K people joined in the fun!
- This free event along the Old Sacramento Waterfront will feature:
- hundreds of marchers donned in green
- Irish and Highland dancers
- pipe and drum bands
- historic re-enactors
- a variety of cultural organizations
At 1pm, the parade will begin at Neasham and Front Street by the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum. The parade will head East on L Street to 2nd Street. From there it will proceed past the reviewing stand on 2nd & K Streets and then will head West on J Street. Heading North on Front Street, the parade will finish where it began, at the intersection of Neasham and Front Street.
Over 50 participating units – with close to 1,000 marchers – will make this year’s parade a diverse and entertaining celebration.
Parking will be available in the Old Sacramento Garage at 2nd & I Street, the Tower Garage at Capitol & Neasham, and Macy’s West at 3rd & L Street.
2. I Street Bridge Lantern Festival
West Sacramento Parking Lot, at the base of the I Street Bridge
March 23rd, from 7 – 9 pm
Cost: Free
An event to kick-off and encourage community engagement in the I Street Bridge Deck Conversion Feasibility study, the I Street Bridge Lantern Festival will act as a symbolic bridging of Sacramento and West Sacramento.
Beginning with a brief welcome and introduction, the festival will then move forward with a 0.8 mile lantern walk featuring live music and entertainment along the way.
Arrive early to create your own unique LED lantern – between 6-7pm – to carry during the walk.
These cities have received a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant to help study how best to facilitate the transformation of the upper deck of the existing I Street Bridge to serve pedestrians and cyclists exclusively.
Along the route there will be points where community members can:
- learn about the study
- provide input via interactive boards
- celebrate the region’s cultural heritage
Participants are encouraged to come by foot, bike, or transit, with a complimentary bike valet provided for those cycling to the event.
Many of the surrounding streets will be closed for the festival, but there will be street parking available on the West Sacramento side for those who are driving.
3. Festival of the Arts
California State University of Sacramento
April 2nd – 7th
Cost varies. See specific events for details.
A six day celebration, the Festival of the Arts CSUS celebration showcases the Sacramento region’s cultural and creative excellence.
With the College of Arts & Letters will be presenting events throughout the week – sponsored by the departments of Humanities & Religious Studies, English, Design, History, Art, and the School of Music – there is something for people of all interests to enjoy.
The week culminates on April 7th with Sunday Funday, an event from 11am to 3pm on the Sac State Campus that will include:
- Cultural Faire
- Games
- Activities
- Puppet Shows
- Kids Zone
- SactoMoFo Food Trucks
- Music in Multimedia Discussion
- Guest Artist Sudha Ragunathan
Sacramento Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Transcontinental Railroad
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Sacramento!
4. Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival
Southside Park
April 13th from 1–4pm & 14th from 11am – 5pm
Cost varies. See events for details.
A full weekend celebrating a food that unites us all… grilled cheese!
From craft beer to bounce houses, the Grilled Cheese Festival is sure to be an ooey, gooey, melty, decadent good time.
Read through the offerings of Saturday and Sunday and choose which event best suits you – or come out for both.
Saturday:
- Ages 21+ only
- UNLIMITED Grilled Cheese, Beer, & Wine Tasting
- Collectible glass
- The area's best chefs
- Local craft breweries and vintners
Sunday:
- All ages – Kids 5 and under are free
- Live music & entertainment
- Tickets are for admission only – bring cash to purchase samples (quarter sandwiches), beer, soda, and water.
- Kid Zone with bounce houses, face painter, and more.
- Groups rate available
5. Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
April 20th, 1 – 5 pm
Cost varies. See event for details.
Featuring a chili cook off competition – with awards for industry, individual, vegetarian, and People’s Choice – coupled with tasty tastings from local breweries, the Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival is sure to be a palate pleaser.
Participating breweries include:
Feel free to pedal over as bike parking will be available or bring Fido as the festival is a dog-friendly event.
Kiddos are welcome – and free if they’re under 10 – but be sure to keep them with you at all times. Kids over 10 will need a ‘chili-only’ ticket.
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s festival will be donated to the Sacramento Preparatory Music Academy, whose mission is to support and advance access to lifelong learning opportunities in music arts education.
6. BrickFest LEGO Experience
Sacramento Convention Center
May 4th from 9am – 5pm and May 5th from 10am – 5pm
Cost varies. See event for details.
LEGO® lovers rejoice!
The Brick Fest Live® LEGO® Fan Experience is coming to Sacramento! Filled with hands-on attractions and activities engineered to inspire, educate, and entertain, over a million LEGO® Bricks will be on display and ready for play.
Hands-on LEGO® Attractions and Activities Include:
- Neon City and Glow Gallery
- Brick Fest Speedway
- Guinness World-Record Setting LEGO Mosaic
- Inspiration Stations
- Video Game Arena
- Mini Golf
- Mosaics
LEGO® shopping is also available. Indulge your inner kid with choices ranging from new LEGO®, mini figures, vintage LEGO®, and accessories.
7. Sac Fry Fest
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
May 11th from 3 – 7pm
Cost varies. See event for details.
Local chefs put their own culinary twist on loaded fries that you’ll love.
With offerings that are savory, sweet, and everything in between, you’re sure to find the loaded fry creation that you never knew you needed.
Cast your vote! The 2nd annual Sac Fry Fest will feature a fry battle for the history books and the people will decide who wins.
The festival will also include:
- Live music
- Fry-themed entertainment (!)
- Craft brews
- Ciders
- A local makers bazaar
- Kids zone
8. Wine and Brew at the Zoo
Sacramento Zoo
May 18th from 5 – 8pm
Cost: See event for details.
Enjoy samples of wine and beer from local vintners and breweries, while taking in the zoo landscape and exotic animals.
An after hours, 21 and over event, the annual Wine & Brew at the Zoo is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the zoo sans kids.
You will be able to enjoy dinner – purchased either from local food trucks or the zoo’s Kampala Cafe – while listening to live music.
A VIP ticket gets you earlier entry (4:30pm) as well as a dinner voucher for an entrée and side at Kampala Café OR two ice cream cones.
Proceeds from the event – along with 15% of food sales – benefit the care of animals and maintenance of the zoo.
Tickets sales begin on April 5th at noon.
9. Sacramento County Fair
Cal Expo
May 23rd through 27th
Cost varies. See event for details.
The Sacramento County Fair returns this May, bringing your favorite exhibits and activities, including the livestock pavilion, carnival games and rides, grandstand events, and competitions and contests galore.
Taking place over Memorial Day Weekend, the Sacramento County Fair draws over 100K attendees annually.
In a family-friendly atmosphere, the fair offers:
- Traditional county fair competitions
- Agriculture displays
- Hands-on family activities
- Carnival games and rides
- Great entertainment
- Specialty foods
With no shortage of sensational Sacramento spring events to enjoy, which ones will you choose?