The Cherry Festival Returns to Downtown San Leandro

After a three-year hiatus, the popular Cherry Festival returns to Downtown San Leandro on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The Cherry Parade returned last year, and a privately organized event called “The Gathering” took place in tandem with the parade. Both were met with much enthusiasm.

San Leandrans will be excited to know that the festival is now back in full force, with live music, food vendors, fun zone, a cherry pie baking contest (including a category for bakers under 13 years old), a cherry pie eating contest, a beer garden, and more!

The Cherry Parade will run from 10AM to 11AM and the festival from 11AM until 6PM in the historic Downtown area (near Casa Peralta). Like last year, the parade will start on San Leandro Boulevard, head East on Parrott Street before turning northbound up E. 14th Street, ultimately terminating at the Main Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue.

There will be two stages for entertainment, over 110 booths hosted by artisans, food vendors, and community organizations. Some stand-out vendors include laser-cut jewelry by Unpossible Cuts, Bay Area-inspired designs by Lemonade510 and Si Hardinera Plant Shop.

To satiate your appetite, there will be 23 food vendors, including Jollof Kitchen, Austin’s Southern Smoke BBQ, and Aunt Betty’s Corndogs. And don’t skip dessert! San Leandro favorites Koolfi Creamery and As Kneaded Bakery will be there!

Music will be provided by the San Leandroids, Hella Fitzgerald, the Purple Ones, and the Latin Rhythm Boys. To learn more about the festival, visit the official web page.

The Fun Zone has something for everyone, including community performances, pickleball, The Hoop Bus, photo ops, stilt walkers, face-painting, and amazing interactive Giant Puppets Save the World.

The first Cherry Festival took place in 1909 to celebrate a bumper crop of cherries, orchards for which covered much of San Leandro’s land back then. Since then, San Leandro earned the moniker “Cherry City” and the festival has taken place on and off ever since. This year’s event is the 111th Cherry Festival since 1909.