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Crowds at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival YBGF
Crowds at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (YBGF)

3 Free Things to Do Outdoors This Weekend in the Bay Area

3 Free Things to Do Outdoors This Weekend in the Bay Area

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Looking for free things to do in the Bay Area this weekend? Want to get outdoors? Feel free to borrow our ideas:

Cinco de Mayo in San Francisco — or Oakland

Performers at SF’s 2017 Cinco de Mayo Festival (Katia Fuentes)

There’s no shortage of Cinco de Mayo events around the Bay this weekend, including the Mission District’s long-standing festival in San Francisco on Saturday, attended by 6,000 each year.

For East Bay folks, Oakland is hosting its second-ever Cinco de Mayo party in Jack London Square, which boasts lowrider cars, wrestling, traditional Aztec performance and dancing horses. You can also check out Mercado Latinx, showcasing Latinx vendors offering locally-made food, art and design.

Saturday, May 4 (10.00 a.m. — 6 p.m in San Francisco, 12.00 p.m. — 7 p.m in Oakland)
San Francisco details
Oakland details

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in Downtown San Francisco

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (Yerba Buena Gardens Festival)

Saturday is the opening day of this months-long festival, with regular live performances in the downtown oasis of Yerba Buena Gardens. This weekend’s kickoff is a tribute to Charlie Palmieri, the bandleader who was an integral force on the New York Latin music scene from the 1940s onward – performed by a combination of NYC and Bay Area musicians. (Don’t be too gloomy if you miss Saturday’s festivities – the festival runs through October.)

Saturday, May 4 (1.00 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.)
Details

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A La Carte & Art Festival in the South Bay

The A la Carte and Art Festival in Mountain View (Bradley Wittke)

At least Mountain View’s weather is meant to break into the 70s this weekend. If you’re looking for warmth, this strollable festival of performances, food and exhibits along downtown’s Castro Street might be up your alley. Organizers are promising live music, a classic car show, a juried arts and crafts display featuring 200 West Coast artists, a kids’ activity zone and, apparently, the chance to have your picture taken with the U.S. Open Trophy.

Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 (10 a.m. — 6 p.m.)
Details 

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