5 Things You Can Do In NorCal That Are Free

The budget doesn't have to be a deal-breaker when looking for family and friend outings in Northern California.

We've rounded up five free events for your upcoming calendar, including the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival.

The 42nd annual festival will feature arts and crafts vendors, Japanese cultural demonstrations and exhibits, children's activities and a play area, a manga books truck, live entertainment, and food and drink vendors. The event is scheduled April 25-26 at Memorial Park in Cupertino.

Other upcoming events in NorCal that don't charge an admission fee include:

California Honey Festival

• When: May 16-17
• Where: Yolo County Fairgrounds, Woodland
• What: The festival's mission is to promote honey and honey bees and their products to the broader public. The family-friendly event will offer honey tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music and a variety of food vendors.

Pickin' on the Polk

• When: April 25
• Where: Polk Street, San Francisco
• What: The annual block party and music festival will feature multiple stages with live music, DJs, a night market, a drag show, food and drink vendors, and more.

Sacramento Earth Day

• When: April 26
• Where: Southside Park, Sacramento
• What: The annual event will offer interactive exhibits, educational workshops, live music, and food and drink vendors featuring plant-based ingredients.

Stern Grove Festival

• When: Select dates beginning June 14 through Aug. 16
• Where: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
• What: The event is described as the longest running non-profit music festival in the country, bringing free live music to San Francisco for 89 years. This year's lineup includes artists such as Al Green, Charley Crockett, Major Lazer and Patti LaBelle.

Are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!