Summer 2022 is going to be a season of celebration and redemption as we all slowly move past the pandemic and return to normal. It’s been more than two years of lockdowns, work-from-homes, and travel bans. It’s time to make the most of the summer heat and get social in person. Festivals, concerts, and events in Sacramento are going back in full swing this season. Join the celebration and redeem all those lost summer affairs from being stuck indoors. 

Here are 5 of our favorite events in Sacramento that you would not want to miss this summer:

California State Fair and Food Festival, July 15–31 @ Cal Expo

We’ve missed the California State Fair in the past 2 years. But they’ve been away for good reasons – helping the state respond to Covid-19 since the pandemic began. The good news is they are back bigger and better this year! For more information about the festival, check out our blog about what’s happening at the California State Fair and Food Festival this year. 

Farm to Fork Festival, September 8-24, 2022 

One of the biggest and most anticipated festivals in Sacramento every year, the Farm to Fork Festival is a celebration of Sacramento’s glorious agricultural bounty. The Festival has 3 main highlights starting with: 

Legends of Wine – a wine tasting event featuring varietals from regional wineries and food from select farm-to-fork restaurants in Sacramento on September 8 at the State Capitol.

The Tower Bridge Dinner – a one-of-a-kind farm-to-fork dinner experience prepared by some of the region and the world’s top chefs, including Nina Curtis, Greg Desmangles, Q Bennet, Patrick Prager, and more at the Tower Bridge on Sunday, September 11 from 4:30 pm to 10 pm. 

The Street Festival – This free event offers an exciting plethora of local farm-to-fork food, craft beers, wines from within the region, cooking demonstrations, interactive booths by local farmers, grocers, and ranches, and much more. The festival is held at the Capitol Mall on September 23, Friday, from 4 pm-9 pm, and on September 24, Saturday, 11am-9pm.

Sacramento Banana Festival, August 20 & 21, 2022, at William Land Park

This summer, go bananas at the 10th Annual Banana Festival: ‘Banana International.’ This multicultural event celebrates various cultures that use bananas as food or as a part of art and their culture, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 

Prepare for a fun-filled family day with all kinds of entertainment, including live bands and performances, multicultural food, beer, wine, games, contests, art exhibits, shopping, a kids zone, carnival rides, and more! 

Proceeds from the festival will help support the National Academic Youth Corps, a non-profit organization working closely with the Sojourner Truth Art Museum.

Concerts in the Park, May 6 – July 29, Cesar Chavez park

Bring your blankets and lawn chair, and see you at Cesar Chavez Park every Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm for one of the best free concerts in Sacramento – Concerts in the Park. It’s free! So unless you have a very important appointment set for the night, join the party and jam with local artists, including Picturesque, Nappy Roots, Cannons, Mod Sun, and many more!

Great American Triathlon, July 16, 2022, American River Parkway

This summer-time tradition is back again. The event has race categories for all ages and skill levels. So, don’t be shy, tell your friends, sign up and be part of this great athletic competition benefitting the American River Parkway Foundation and CASA.

The Great American Triathlon is a no-swim triathlon benefit that includes a 5.82-mile run, a 12.5-mile bike ride, and a 6.10-mile paddle’. For more information, visit their website. 

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There are many things to do in Sacramento this summer, and they’re all guaranteed to be fun and exciting! If you’re coming over to attend one of the festivals or events in Sacramento or looking to get out of your own home without going too far, stay with us at Lion’s Gate Hotel for a relaxing and relaxing stay. Explore Sacramento with us and fall in love with our historic city.

The California State Fair 2022 is finally back. Cal Expo’s Board of Directors has officially announced the California State Fair 2022 dates: July 15-31, 2022.

Every year, the California State Fair, also called Sacramento State Fair, attracts over 750,000 visitors from within California and neighboring states. The award-winning festival started in San Diego in 1854 and moved around California before settling in Sacramento in 1859. The mission was initially to promote California’s farming industry and has since expanded as a celebration of California culture. Agriculture, diversity, technological innovations, culinary prowess, and world-famous traditions make the California State Fair an experience for all.

With traditional Cal Expo events, competitions, concerts, food festivals, carnivals, contests, and exhibits on the line-up, the Cal Expo Fair is a must-do this summer. Add it to your summer bucket list this year, and head to Sacramento! For tickets, visit Cal Expo’s website. 

Here’s a rundown of our favorite Cal Expo events in this year’s fair:

Competitions

It really isn’t a proper state fair without a little friendly competition! There will be over 19 competitions in the California State Fair 2022, including the traditional livestock competitions, art competitions, County Fair Best Of Show, best wine, best cheese, best craft beer, best homebrew, best California cannabis, and a whole lot more!

For a complete list of the competitions and their schedules, click here. 

Toyota Concert Series On The Golden 1 Stage

This year’s Cal Expo Fair concert series has a blowout lineup with performances from internationally acclaimed artists including Chaka Khan, Neon Trees, TLC, Los Lonely Boys, Night Ranger, Queen Nation, as well as other incredible local talent. 

All the concerts at Golden 1 Stage are free with each California State Fair & Food Festival General Admission Ticket. If you want to really get up close and personal, reserved seats are available from $15 up. 

You can find the line-up and schedule of performance here. 

Read to Ride Program

The Sacramento State Fair is a whole family affair catering to fair-goers of all ages. Included in this year’s fair is the Read to Ride Program. Students from kindergarten through 8th grade can get two free rides and a monorail ticket at the CA State Fair & Food Festival. All they have to do is read two books, write a summary about it in the form provided by the fair (download it here), and bring the completed form to the California State Fair Guest Services located inside the main gate to redeem your tickets.

Food Festival

With over thirty food vendors joining the fair’s food festival this year, you’re guaranteed to go home happy! From savory to sweet, there’s a plethora of cuisine to choose from for all appetites. Visit all the award-winning stalls from 2019 and try to find new winners for this year. 

Get your Food Festival Pass online or at the Main gate for only $28 for 4 tickets. Each ticket is redeemable at any of the participating vendors. 

Save Mart California’s Kitchen

Enjoy sampling booths from California’s best produce, products, and beverage vendors. You’re also invited to check out kitchen demonstrations from the state’s best restaurants, chefs, and magazines! There will be classes where you can learn about California’s most outstanding products and test your cooking skills by participating in cooking challenges for all skill levels! Find out more and check out all the activities and schedules here.

Silent Disco

Never heard of Silent Disco? You won’t hear a thing but the disco is a sure thing. Come get your groove on at California State Fair 2022 in Exhibition Building #5! Put on some headphones and dance with family and friends to the music of 3 live DJS playing Top 40 Dance Hits/ EDM; ’80s, 90’s & 2K Throwbacks; and Hip Hop/R&B/Latin. 

Join the fun every Monday to Thursday from 1 pm to 10 pm and every Friday to Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm.

Visit The Horse Arena For The Cavalcade Of Horses

This is not your average horse show! At the Cal Expo we’re talking equestrian aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, dancers, fire artists, trick riders, and much more! The Horse Arena will be holding shows throughout the day so you’re sure to catch the fun! Heart-stopping shows include spectacles from Capital City Equestrian Aerialist, Olympius Dream Team, and the Turn ‘N Burn Trick Riders, among others.

Out at The Fair

Now in its 5th year, Out at the Fair is a celebration of diversity in the Golden State. Join the special day on Saturday, July 30, 2022 and have a blast at Drag Queen Bingo at the Miller Lite Grandstand, horse racing, and a variety of entertainment at the Promenade Stage. 

Head to the Main Gate for a group photo with the joiners at 6:15 pm, then boogie over to Expo Building #5 for the Silent Disco.

Exhibits

The learning never stops, especially at the California State Fair 2022. There are plenty of exhibits at the fair to visit: Cannabis Exhibit in Expo Center Building 1, California Fresh Exhibit in Building A highlighting California’s diverse specialty crops, the new Cats and Dogs Exhibition at Expo Center Building #4, and Toytopia in Expo Center Building 6 where you can learn about well… toys!

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The celebration will be bigger and better this year at the California State Fair 2022. Don’t miss out on all the fun Sacramento has to offer!! When you do, we have a room waiting for you at Lions Gate Hotel. Located in a quaint part of Sacramento and less than an 18-minute drive to Cal Expo, you’ll be near enough to the celebration but also far enough to relax and unwind. Click the link below to book or give us a call at (916) 640-0835 for reservations.