Summer arrives in the Tri-Valley with a full calendar of reasons to get away. June brings the debut of a brand-new regional festival, Father’s Day celebrations, the return of the Alameda County Fair, growing excitement around the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a Fourth of July celebration marking America’s 250th birthday. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, a family adventure or a wine country getaway, there’s no shortage of ways to experience Northern California at its best.
Summer officially gets underway June 5-7 with the inaugural Tri-Valley Twist Weekend, a three-day celebration of art, culture, music, food, and community that spreads across Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and Danville. While more than 25 events are planned throughout the region, Pleasanton takes center stage with a downtown takeover that transforms Main Street into a pedestrian-friendly festival destination for the entire weekend.
Beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, June 5, Main Street closes to vehicle traffic from Bernal Avenue to St. John Street and remains closed through early Monday morning. The closure creates the perfect backdrop for a packed lineup that includes outdoor dining, live entertainment, and community gatherings in the heart of our historic downtown corridor.
Festivities begin Friday with Concert in the Park at Lions Wayside Park. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., local favorite, Other People’s Money takes the stage, giving visitors an excellent excuse to grab takeout from a downtown restaurant, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a summer evening of music.
Saturday brings one of the largest car shows of the season when more than 200 classic cars roll into downtown for the Fifth Annual Hot Rod Row from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vintage cruisers, custom builds and automotive treasures will line Main Street, creating a dream day for car enthusiasts.
That evening, the community gathers around one giant table. The Longest Table returns from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., transforming downtown into a shared picnic experience unlike anything else in the Tri-Valley. Guests bring their own meals, reusable plates, utensils, and napkins while organizers provide tables and chairs. This year’s event is already sold out, a testament to its popularity and the community spirit that makes Pleasanton a special place to live and visit.
The weekend wraps up Sunday with a distinctly country flair with events sponsored by the Downtown Pleasanton Association. Bubbles & Boots invites guests to stroll through downtown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visiting participating businesses while sporting their best Western wear. At the same time, Country Fest fills Main Street with live country music, vendors, a petting zoo, BBQ cookoff, beer garden, line dancing, shopping, and family-friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beyond downtown Pleasanton, Twist Weekend offers plenty more reasons to explore the Tri-Valley. The 3rd Annual Taste of Greece Festival returns to the Pleasanton Senior Center June 6-7, serving up gyros, spanakopita, baklava and loukoumathes alongside live music by the Mythos band and traditional dancing.
Music lovers can catch Deja Vu: A Musical Retrospective of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at the Firehouse Arts Center, while Livermore hosts events ranging from Palate: The Art of Cuisine and the ARTÉ Film Festival to wine experiences, gallery tours and Legends of New Country, a tribute to Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson at Wente Family Vineyards.
For the complete Twist schedule and event information, visit the Tri-Valley Twist website.
Not every dad wants a necktie. Fortunately, the Tri-Valley has better ideas. Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy some of the Tri-Valley’s favorite pastimes.
Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 5th Annual Jon Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Car Show at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, visitors can admire everything from classic cars and custom builds to movie vehicles and rare collectibles.
The event also features live music by The Juke Joint Band, food trucks, a Lucid Motors display, family activities and even a nine-hole inflatable mini golf course. As a Father’s Day bonus, dads receive free admission to the museum.
Wine country joins the celebration as well. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Father’s Day, Concannon Vineyard welcomes guests to its Main Lawn for an afternoon of vineyard views, local wines and food from Pacific Drip Kitchen and Fratelli’s Pizzeria.
Later that day, Buzzin On Hops Bottle Shop & Taproom hosts a curated beer and cheese pairing experience beginning at 4 p.m., pairing craft brews with artisan cheeses in a relaxed Livermore setting.
Of course, Father’s Day weekend is also an ideal time to explore the region’s wineries, breweries, and golf courses, many of which will be offering special promotions and events.
It’s baaaaack! For generations, the Alameda County Fair has marked the unofficial start of summer in Pleasanton, and this year’s lineup may be one of its strongest yet.
Returning June 19 through July 12, the fair transforms the Alameda County Fairgrounds into a celebration of food, entertainment, and family fun. One minute you’re watching pig races, the next you’re debating whether to ride the Ferris wheel before grabbing a funnel cake and heading to a concert.
This year’s entertainment lineup includes The Beach Boys, Flo Rida, Lonestar, the Gene Simmons Band and Twist on Taylor, along with Wine Fest, grandstand attractions, shopping, carnival rides, monster trucks, and demolition derbies. Whether you’re visiting with young children, planning a date night, or gathering a group of friends, everyone can find something they love at the fair.
The Alameda County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Complete schedules, admission information and concert tickets are available on their website.
You don’t have to score tickets to Levi’s Stadium to get caught up in World Cup fever this summer.
The Bay Area will host six FIFA World Cup matches beginning June 13, bringing soccer fans from around the globe to Northern California. As anticipation builds, restaurants, breweries, and sports bars throughout the Tri-Valley are expected to host viewing parties and special events celebrating the world’s most popular sport.
Pleasanton’s central location makes it an ideal home base for visitors attending matches or exploring the region between games. Spend the morning wine tasting in Livermore Valley, the afternoon shopping and dining in downtown Pleasanton and the evening cheering on your favorite team with fellow fans.
Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights
While June is packed with activities, many visitors are already looking ahead to one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in recent memory. As America marks its 250th birthday, communities throughout the Tri-Valley are preparing for a memorable holiday weekend.
The centerpiece of the celebration will once again be the Alameda County Fair. On Saturday, July 4, visitors can enjoy rides, live entertainment, shopping, food, and patriotic festivities before the Fireworks Spectacular lights up the sky above the Michelob Ultra Grandstand at 9:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, Livermore’s 3rd Annual Fourth of July Celebration takes place at the Livermore Municipal Airport from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering family-friendly activities and plenty of hometown spirit. Danville’s beloved Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade steps off at 9 a.m. along Hartz Avenue, while San Ramon welcomes families to Central Park for an evening of music, picnics, and community celebration.
In Dublin, designated parks throughout the city provide family-friendly locations for Safe and Sane fireworks activities, allowing residents and visitors to celebrate close to home.
Whether your ideal Independence Day includes a parade, picnic, concert, fireworks show or all the above, the Tri-Valley offers plenty of ways to celebrate summer and America’s milestone birthday.