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Things to Do on St. Patrick's Day in the Bay Area CA

There’s something for everyone in the Bay Area, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception! If you’re looking for things to do on St. Patrick’s Day around the Bay, you’re in luck, because there are plenty of activities leading up to next weekend’s Irish holiday. From classic bar crawls to family events and activities, you can learn about some of our favorite things to do around San Francisco, Hayward, Redwood City, and all the surrounding areas. 

Parades

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 lands on a Friday - and we couldn’t be luckier! Kick off the week-long celebration with San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 11, taking place starting at 2nd and Market all the way to City Hall. The parade starts at 11:30, but make sure to get there early for the best views!

Eat, Drink, and Be Irish

If you want to taste the brews that the Bay Area has to offer, there are a few bar crawls you can take part in. Start at Mayes on Friday or Saturday for group fun the Irish way. Maybe you’d rather get a taste of Irish cuisine instead. In that case, there are plenty of delicious options, like the Buena Vista Cafe’s feast of Irish soda bread, corned beef with cabbage, and of course the Irish coffee. There’s also Alhambra Irish House, combining traditional Irish cuisine with a range of drink specials. You have no shortage of food options with choices like Johnny Foley’s, The Irish Bank, and many more.

Runs, Races, and More

Don’t want to load up your belly? Why not take a run instead! Meet up for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K at the Courthouse Square to benefit Santa Rosa Recs & Parks. Register ahead of time for this fun run open to all ages! It’s always a party at the San Jose Shamrock 5K Run; once you’re done, finish up at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub for a free Guinness after the race. There’s even a Leprechaun chase just for the kids! Want to get competitive? The Go Green St. Patrick’s Day Run has different race lengths for runners of all levels. Go for the gold, or go home with a race tee to mark the occasion.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure to stay safe on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend! From the team at Carnamic, we hope you enjoy your holiday with flair. 

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Halloween 2024 Events Around Hayward, San Leandro, Redwood City, and San Jose 🎃

As Halloween approaches, the Bay Area is ready to transform into a spooky wonderland with tons of events happening throughout Hayward, San Leandro, Redwood City, and San Jose. Whether you're on the hunt for haunted houses, kid-friendly pumpkin patches, or community parades, you’re in for a treat (and maybe a few tricks!) this year. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top Halloween events in these cities to make your 2024 Halloween celebration as spooky or sweet as you like it. Let’s get started! more Hayward Halloween Events 2024 👻 Hayward offers a great mix of spooky and family-friendly events during the Halloween season. Whether you're a fan of ghostly thrills or just looking for some festive fall fun, there's something for everyone. 1. Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park If you're in the mood for a good scare, Pirates of Emerson is one of the Bay Area's top-rated haunted attractions. Located at the Alameda County Fairgrounds (just a short drive from Hayward), this spooky theme park features several haunted houses, creepy mazes, and live actors waiting to give you a fright. Dates: Select nights from September 29 – October 31, 2024 What to Expect: Multiple haunted houses with different themes, live performers, and plenty of scares around every corner. It’s perfect for those who love a heart-pounding, fear-filled experience. Pro Tip: If you want to maximize your time, grab the Fast Pass to skip the long lines, especially on weekends. 2. Hayward Harvest Festival For those seeking a more family-friendly vibe, the Hayward Harvest Festival offers a day of fun activities, food, and entertainment for all ages. This fall celebration has everything from pumpkin carving contests to a kids’ costume parade. Date: October 26, 2024 What to Expect: Games, craft vendors, face painting, and a pumpkin patch. It’s perfect for families with younger kids or anyone who wants to enjoy Halloween without the scares. Family-Friendly? Absolutely! This event is all about wholesome Halloween fun. San Leandro Halloween Events 2024 🎃 San Leandro’s Halloween celebrations are all about bringing the community together with fun-filled events and a bit of spooky flair. From pumpkin carving contests to haunted houses, San Leandro doesn’t disappoint during the spooky season. 1. Fear Overload Scream Park If you're looking to test your courage, Fear Overload in San Leandro is not for the faint-hearted. Known for its extreme scares and horrifying haunted houses, this event will have you jumping at every shadow. Dates: Select nights from September 29 – November 5, 2024 What to Expect: Two major haunted house attractions: "Night Terrors" and "The Tooth Collector," both guaranteed to terrify. With pitch-black mazes and terrifying actors, it's an immersive horror experience. Pro Tip: Consider visiting on a weekday to avoid long lines and crowds. Redwood City Halloween Events 2024 🎃 Redwood City, known for its community spirit, goes all out for Halloween with a mix of events that range from spooky scares to charming family fun. 1. Redwood City’s Annual Spooktacular The Spooktacular is one of Redwood City's favorite community events, perfect for families looking for a fun Halloween experience without the fright. Enjoy trick-or-treating around downtown Redwood City, along with a kids' costume contest and plenty of entertainment. Date: October 19, 2024 What to Expect: Trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and arts and crafts stations. The streets of downtown Redwood City will be filled with decorated storefronts and families in costume. Family-Friendly? Absolutely! This event is designed with kids in mind and focuses on creating a safe, fun environment for little ones. 2. 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What to Do in the Bay Area for Labor Day 2024

Labor Day weekend often marks the official transition into fall, although our Bay Area weather might not show it yet. What once served as a celebration of the Industrial Revolution and fair labor practices is now a long weekend of fun in the sun. If you’re overwhelmed by your options or aren’t sure where to start, no worries! Here are a few of our favorite things to do in the Bay Area for Labor Day 2024. more Free Labor Day Activities in the Bay Area You don’t have to break the bank to get in the celebration! There are plenty of free activities on Labor Day across the Bay Area, so pack up the friends and family and head out for some of these fun adventures. If you’ve always wanted to visit the Asian Art Museum, now’s your chance to do so for free. Be sure to get your tickets online in advance! Take a free walking tour offered by the San Francisco Public Library. Tour different areas all weekend, including Chinatown, Billionaires’ Row, and so much more. Book ahead of time to make sure you get the tour you want. Enjoy Free Fishing Day in the Bay! August 31 is one of two days during the year when you can fish without a license. Cultural festivals, Bonfire Night on the beach, concerts, and more! Cruise around the city for all the free and fun events all weekend long. Paid Labor Day Activities in the Bay Area Did you save some cash staying home from Burning Man? Then these paid activities might be for you! Baseball fans can root for the Oakland A’s on their kickoff series against the Seattle Mariners starting on Labor Day at the Oakland Coliseum at 4:07 pm.  Or, check out the Giants vs. the Marlins all Labor Day weekend. See the bay from a new perspective during a sailboat tour under the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn all about the local wildlife and take in the views starting at Schooner Freda B. You’ll love the beautiful sunset views as you sail across the bay! One of the things we love about the Bay Area is that there’s always something for everyone! The Carnamic team wishes everyone a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.

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What to Do July 4th, 2024 in the Bay Area

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