Monkeys, Bluey and Dinos star at 33rd Bay Area KidFest in Concord

CONCORD, CA (May 15, 2024) — KidFest opens its door next Saturday for the 33rd version of the Bay Area’s longest-running family event on the Memorial Day Weekend. A full lineup of attractions, arts and sports activities, jam-packed entertainment, rides, food and fun will be available at Mt. Diablo High School in Downtown Concord.

In a spacious outdoor setting, the low KidFest admission price includes Meet and Greets all day with children’s favorites Bluey, Super Mario, Princess Peach and Sonic the Hedgehog, free non-stop entertainment on the Community Stage, traveling attractions Wild About Monkeys, Dino Encounters and Kids’ Town America.

There are dozens of other free kid’s activities including balloon hats, spin art, keepsake handprints, inflatable slides and crawls, kiddie golf, soccer and much more included for the low admission price.

For the 13th year, KidFest presents a special Memorial Day Ceremony at 12 noon Monday, May 27, with the 21-time World Champion Concord Blue Devils C Drum and Bugle Corps and Mt. Diablo High School Jr. ROTC color guard honoring America’s service people past and present.

On Saturday and Monday afternoons from 1-4 p.m., Bike East Bay will once again present the popular free Bike Rodeo.

Dinosaurs and monkeys

Dino Encounters makes its KidFest debut direct from Missouri with three interactive shows focusing on the Cretaceous period with music and songs daily at 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Throughout the day at KidFest the fun and educational Dino Fossil Zone is open for attendees to enjoy with hands-on activities.

Wild About Monkeys is the most popular show ever with KidFest audiences and returns this month for the first time since 2017. The presentations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily feature Mickey the Baboon, Chiquita the Capuchin Monkey, Chewy the American Alligator and Monti the Burmese Python.

KidFest’s perennial attraction Kids Town America has 10 activity stations for youngsters to play at all day.

Food and rides

KidFest offers an all-day, all-ride wristband to be used on all 20 thrilling rides such as Dragon Wagon roller coaster, Bungee Spider Jump, Water Ballerz, giant slide, Spider Mountain, Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides, Stars ‘n Stripes train and more. All-day KidFest discounted ride wristbands are now on sale through Eventbrite.

There are two eclectic Food Courts, arts and crafts and exhibitor booths in the KidFest Marketplace surrounding the Marketplace Pavilion sponsored by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health where children’s favorite characters Bluey, Super Mario, Princess Peach and Sonic will meet their fans every half hour all three days.

Admission is just $8 with a donation of canned food to the Monument Crisis Center or $9 without donation to the Food Bank. On Saturday, May, 25, a donation of two cans will get $2 off one admission. Babies under 24 months and seniors 65+ are free.

Helping the community

Proceeds from the 33rd Bay Area KidFest benefit local educational, health and sports non-profit groups. KidFest continues for the 27th year as one of the major annual food donation events in the area.

KidFest has donated over $100,000 in cash to local educational, health, arts and sports programs since the move to its spacious Mt. Diablo High School location in 2010 and KidFest attendees have donated over 150,000 pounds of food.

The first 500 families each day receive a KidFest Goody Backpack presented by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

KidFest is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Memorial Day Monday. KidFest is at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. in downtown Concord, just off Highway 242. On-site vehicle parking is $10 with plenty of free street parking around the festival site.

For more information and schedule updates visit the KidFest website KidFestConcord.com