7 fun things to do around town on Memorial Day weekend
Whether it's dancing in the streets of Old Sacramento or indulging in an IPA in Elk Grove, here are 7 fun ways to spend Memorial Day weekend.
Elk Grove Brewfest
May 26 Say “cheers” at this second annual festival that will fill Elk Grove’s Old Town Plaza for a Friday evening of suds and sustenance. Join other beer enthusiasts as you sip samples from local favorites like Rubicon, Knee Deep, Big Sexy and Bike Dog brewing companies, as well as regional contenders like Lagunitas and Sierra Nevada. If you’re more of a wino than a beer drinker, don’t miss pours from area wineries like The Dancing Fox and Pondl. Food trucks including Bella Familia Wood Fired Pizza, Fuzion Eatz, Tailgater 44 and Che Buono will be on hand to serve up festival fare that pairs perfectly with a pint. $40. 6-10 p.m. Old Town Plaza. Elk Grove Blvd. and Railroad St. Elk Grove. 229-8681. elkgrovebrewfest.com
Off the Grid
May 27 & 28 This regional food truck series will host two events over Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday night, the Barn in West Sacramento will be aglow with twinkling lights and surrounded by food trucks like Sophia’s Mini Kitchen, Rudy’s on the Roll and The Sweet Spot. Settle in under the swooping wooden canopy and sip craft cocktails from the bar while you sway to the sounds of San Francisco-based band Korynn O'Connell & The Knockouts. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Off the Grid will offer more chances to fulfill your foodie cravings—from mulitas to Dole whips—as the food truck fête hits Folsom Premium Outlets with purveyors like Chando’s Tacos, OMG Yogurt and Cousins Maine Lobster. The Barn: Sat. 5-10 p.m. 985 Riverfront St. West Sacramento. Folsom: Sat. & Sun. 12-4 p.m. Folsom Premium Outlets. 13000 Folsom Blvd. Folsom. offthegrid.com/sacramento
Sacramento Colonial Fest III
May 26-27 Now in it’s third year, this high-energy music festival will get Tahoe Park’s Colonial Theatre and its neighboring venues rockin’ and rollin’ with more than 25 regional acts over two days, like heavy alternative group Lightupsuperheroes, punk rock trio Three Second Rule and Kryptic Memories, a hard rock metal band from Fairfield. This year’s event will also feature gaming tournaments and a chance to play friendly bouts of Street Fighter II, Smash Bros. Tournament and Rock Band on retro home consoles like Atari, Dreamcast and Nintendo 64. $20 day pass; $35 weekend pass. Fri. 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Sat. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Colonial Theatre. 3522 Stockton Blvd. saccolonialfest.squarespace.com
Sacramento Music Festival
May 26-29 Old Sacramento’s streets will come alive with the eclectic sounds of many musical genres—from New Orleans jazz to bluegrass—for an event that has taken place every Memorial Day weekend since 1974. Over four days, music fans can catch 100 performances from the likes of jazz outfits The Crescent Katz, Cornet Chop Suey and Cell Block 7, as well as SuperHuey (a Huey Lewis tribute group) and Cajun band Tom Rigney and Flambeau. On Saturday at 10 a.m., watch a parade through the historic district and meander through a show of classic hot rods. If your stomach is rumbling after dancing in the streets, look out for food trucks like Jimboy’s Tacos and Cecil’s Taste. $110 for full weekend pass. $20-$55 for one-day ticket. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Old Sacramento. 444-2004. sacmusicfest.com
Sacramento County Fair
May 25-29 Cal Expo will host five days of festive fun over Memorial Day weekend. Ring in the summer season and celebrate the California heartland with agricultural displays, a corn-dog-eating contest, and of course, plenty of indulgent fair fare, like s’mores funnel cakes and bacon-wrapped hotdogs. Musical acts like Led Zeppelin cover band “In the Led” and Rebel Yell, a five piece band that performs ’80s hits from artists like Madonna, Bon Jovi and Duran Duran, will take to the main stage for nostalgia buffs, but there's something for everyone in the family, from an equestrian competition to a monster truck derby to a bull riding contest. $6 (free for children 12 and under). Hours vary by day. Cal Expo. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 263-2975. sacfair.com
Spring Strawberry Music Festival
May 25-29 Dozens of acts will play that funky music at this 65th iteration of the beloved festival, which features a lineup spanning blues, funk, folk, rock and alt-country, including Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, famed English guitarist Richard Thompson, rising Texas folk star Sarah Jarosz, and Northern California band The Steep Ravine. The music festival, set inside the Nevada County Fairgrounds—considered the state’s most beautiful—will offer overnight camping, yoga, dance and art workshops, and a kids parade. Prices and times vary. Nevada County Fairgrounds. 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley. 209-984-8630. strawberrymusic.com
Vettes & Vets and American Muscle
May 29 This annual car show hosted by the California Automobile Museum will feature American-made muscle cars and Corvettes from all generations. Veterans, active military members and their families get free admission to the museum, and the event will kick off with a military color guard and national anthem performance to honor our nation’s heroes. Admire the sleek, souped-up vehicles, like original 1954 Corvettes, new 2018 Corvettes and Mustangs, while you nosh on barbecued ribs and hot dogs and a DJ plays rock ’n’ roll hits throughout the afternoon. Free. $10 ($5 for children ages 5-17; free for ages 5 & under) for museum entrance. Free for military members and their families. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. California Automobile Museum. 2200 Front St. 442-6802. calautomuseum.org
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