Cherry Festivals in California in 2024: Where, When and More to Find a Cherry Festival Near You!

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Cherries at a cherry festivalCalifornia Cherry Festivals in 2024

Update for 2024:

It looks like most festivals are returning, aside from those that were killed off by the lockdowns of the past 2 years. That took a heavy toll on their finances. I am checking with them day by day, if you have an update for an, please tell me via the Feedback form.

Looking for a Cherry blossom festival or cherry fruit festival in California in December 2024? There is no other listing as complete and current as this list, just updated! Cherry  All the Cherry festivals we can find in California are listed on this page! If you love Cherries, look for a festival near you below! And I'm looking for more Cherry festivals! Please write me, if you know of any to add!  I update the dates as soon as the festivals publish their information, but you can always click on the links (usually the name of the festival) to see the current information on the festival's own website. 

Especially this year, due to Coronavirus, be sure to click on the links (the blue, underlined name of the each festival) to confirm this year's dates on the website for each festival. If they don't have a website, call the phone number provided, but ALWAYS CONFIRM THIS YEAR'S DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING.

Click here for the form to add a festival and have detailed information; or click here if you have general information and are not connected with the event!

Cherry Festivals in California in 2024: Where, When and More to Find a Cherry Festival Near You!

California

June and July are the big months for harvesting cherries. Cherries typically ripen from late May (in the South) through June and July in the upper Midwest and New England. There are two main types of cherries; sweet cherries and sour cherries (also called pie cherries). Sweet cherries obviously taste sweet and are good for eating fresh. Sour cherries are much more tart and are usually used in making cherry pies. Sweet cherries also require more cold weather to set fruit, so they are rarely groiwn successfully in warm climates like the Deep South.

There are two general types of cherry festivals 1) community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local Chamber of commerce or a town and 2). Cherry festival held at and by a orchard. They are different in what they offer, and community festivals tend to be less expensive so they are grouped separately. (of course not all states and areas have both.)
Following the festival listings are links to our easy to follow directions about making cherry jam, freezing cherries, cherry pies and much more.

Community Cherry Festivals

  • Beaumont Cherry Festival - June - see the website for updates
    Stewart Park, 9th and Orange Street, Beaumont, California. Kids Under 5 FREE!  $1 CHERRY FESTIVAL DISCOUNT BY USING THE FREE CHERRY FESTIVAL PARKING AND BUS SHUTTLE!!! the Cherry Festival has been the biggest community event in Beaumont. Virtually the entire community participates in this four-day celebration, which features games, rides, booths, music, entertainment, and the best food and drink the Pass Area has to offer. Come out and join us! We look forward to seeing you at this year's festival!  Remember there are lots of amazing raffles and plenty of delicious desserts. $5.00 entry fee and dessert, $10.00 entry fee with spaghetti dinner.
  • Leona Valley Cherry Parade and Festival - It is usually on the first Saturday in June;  (eg, June 2, 2018)
    8367 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Leona Valley, CA. Phone: 661-270-0771. Email: lviacherryfestival@yahoo.com. Admission is free. Celebrate the beautiful Cherry Trees and Blossoms of Leona Valley at the annual Cherry Parade and Festival. Plenty of food and craft vendors after the parade along with fun family activities like the popular Cherry Festival Pie Eating Contest!! Lots of fun for the whole family. This will be our 40th anniversary. We have over 20 u-pick cherry orchards, most of which are organic (a few are certified organic). 
  • Linden - Stockton Cherry Festival - typically held in mid May from 11am to 4pm
    Linden Elementary School Grounds, 18100 E. Front Street, Linden, CA 95236. Email: indencherryfestival@aol.com.. Parade Start Time: 10am. Starting at Front and Market. Free, no Entry Fee:  FRESH CHERRIES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FESTIVAL! Also  live bands, car show, vendors, games for the kids, and lots of family fun! Join us for a great day of fun and, of course, fresh cherries! Featuring a Cherry Queens' breakfast, parade, car show, vendors, and more. Queens' Breakfast: at 8:30am, the parade starts at 10am at Front and Market.
  • >Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival - Late April - see their website for this years dates.
    Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Avenue, Monterey Park, CA. Admission: Free. Planned and coordinated by community volunteers! See, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair. Also, games & crafts for children, and numerous cultural displays. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE  DIRECTIONS & PARKING, HISTORY  PICTURES  PRESS SECTION
  • Pasadena Cherry Blossom Festival - The Cherry Blossom Festival SoCal officially closed in 2011.
    We are working to bring back the Festival in 2020. If you would like to help in these efforts or interested in being a sponsor - please contact Wendy at wowproductions2@gmail.com. Thank you!
    FOR UPDATES - LIKE US AT https://www.facebook.com/cbfsocali/
  • San Francisco Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival - mid-April - see their website for this years dates.. San Francisco, CA
    San Francisco's Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown provides two weekends of Japanese singing, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, food and a parade! he Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival®, one of California's most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the biggest on the West coast. Starting in 1968, the festival serves to cultivate the continued alliance between Japan and United States using culture as its bridge. Each year, over 220,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the color and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community. We expect this year to be filled with special events and new attractions. . All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco's Japantown! The festival will be held within the borders of Laguna and Fillmore Streets between Geary Boulevard and Bush Street. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on Sunday, beginning at 1pm starting from City Hall and concluding in Japantown.
  • San Leandro Cherry Festival - late May or June - see their website for this years dates.  (jUNE 2 IN 2018)
    San Leandro, CA.  Cherry Festival Information,  Cherry Pie Bake-Off . 11 am - 6 pm  Parade at 10 am - San Leandro Blvd.
  • See this page for harvest dates for each variety of cherry in California

Farm Cherry Festivals

In addition to community and church festivals, some private farms have their own cherry festivals.  See each farm for this year's dates (they often do not announce them until the end of May).  Also, scroll down to see the links to recipes, freezing, canning and jam making directions at the bottom of the page.

  • Murray Family Farms - first weekend in May
    6700 General Beale, Bakersfield, Ca , CA 93307. Phone: (661) 330-0100. Alternate Phone: (661) 371-0400. Email: t.hargrove@murrayfamilyfarms.com. Open: Monday to Sunday 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Come join Murray Family Farms in celebrating our favorite time of the year, CHERRY SEASON! Visit us at the Big Red Barn to sample dozens of varieties, and enjoy age old farm fun! Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We are certified organic for some crops. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. Typical dates for crops (always see current info on our website) areApril - May: Strawberries, Asparagus April - July: Sweet Cherries (17 varieties) May - July: Apricots, Apriums May - Aug: Blueberries, Blackberries May - Oct: Yellow and White Nectarines May - Oct: Plums and Pluots May - Oct: Summer Veggies May - Oct: Sweet Corn, Melons June - Oct: Heirloom Tomatoes September - Nov: Asian Pears September - Jan: Apples October - Nov: Pumpkins and Gourds Nov - April: Winter Veggies Nov - July: Mixed Citrus All Year: Oranges. Certified Organic, apples, apricots, avocados, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, figs, flowers, grapefruit, lemons, loganberries, marionberries, melons, nectarines, olallieberries, oranges, other berries, other citrus, pears, peaches, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), tangerines, strawberries, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, face painting, jumping pillow, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)(UPDATED: April 02, 2018)

Related Cherry Information: Freezing, Making Jam, Jelly, Canning, Cherry Pies, Recipes and More

Also, see our pages on easy illustrated cherry directions:

For other fruit and vegetable festivals, see this page!

Also, see our pages on easy illustrated directions about

United States

Colorado

This page was updated on

 

Picking Tips

[General picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How much do I need to pick? (Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting the right varieties to pick] [All about apple varieties - which to pick and why!]  [Picking tips for Vegetables] [ Strawberry picking tips] [ Blueberries picking tips]

Canning Books, Supplies and Accessories

These are my favorite essential canning tools, books and supplies. I've been using many of these for over 50 years of canning! The ones below on this page are just the sampling of. my preferred tools. but you can find much more detailed and extensive selections on the pages that are linked below.

The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and Preserved Recipes Paperback

This is THE book on canning! My grandmother used this book when I was a child.; It tells you in simple instructions how to can almost anything; complete with recipes for jam, jellies, pickles, sauces, canning vegetables, meats, etc.

If it can be canned, this book likely tells you how! Click on the link below for more information and / or to buy (no obligation to buy)The New Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving

Canning and Preserving for Dummies by Karen Ward

This is another popular canning book. Click here for more information, reviews, prices for Canning and Preserving For Dummies

Of course, you do not need to buy ANY canning book as I have about 500 canning, freezing, dehydrating and more recipes all online for free, just see Easy Home Canning Directions.

Home Canning Kits

I have several canners, and my favorite is the stainless steel one at right. It is easy to clean and seems like it will last forever. Mine is 10 years old and looks like new.

The black ones are the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce.

This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, Jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer,  It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. It's only missing the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book.

You will never need anything else except jars & lids (and the jars are reusable)!

The complete list of canners is on these pages:

 

Pressure Canners

If you plan on canning non-acidic foods and low acid foods that are not pickled - this means: meats, seafood, soups, green beans corn, most vegetables, etc., then you ABSOLUTELY must use a Pressure Canner.

Of course, you can use a pressure canner as a water bath canner as well - just don't seal it up, so it does not pressurize. This means a Pressure Canner is a 2-in-1 device. With it, you can can almost ANYTHING.

There are also other supplies, accessories, tools and more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Basic Canning Accessories

From left to right:

  1. Jar lifting tongs to pick up hot jars
  2. Lid lifter - to remove lids from the pot of boiling water (sterilizing )
  3. Lids- disposable - you may only use them once
  4. Ring - holds the lids on the jar until after the jars cool - then you remove them, save them and reuse them
  5. Canning Jar funnel - to fill the jars

Strainers

These are very useful for making sauces like applesauce, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, jellies, etc. Below are my favorites. The complete list is on these pages:

Inexpensive Old School Strainers: hand cranked Foley Food Mills

  • The hand-cranked Foley food mill (see this page or clock the ad box) has been used for well over 100 years in homes all over America (and variants around the world). It is effective and inexpensive, and ideal for small batches.  However, if you need to make many quarts, you will sure end up with tunnel carpel syndrome or some other repetitive strain injury.

Norpro 1951 Manual Food Strainer and other brand stariners, with optional motors; (almost identical to Victorio V250, Villaware and Roma models, all discontinued)

This is The next step up from the Foley food mill. First, it's far more ergonomic, and its handle is easier to use. Next, it works in continuous mode rather than batch mode. So you can do much larger volumes easily. Finally, It has an optional motor, so you can. remove the manual labor.  It also offers many different size strainers to use for different types of berries, vegetables and fruit.

See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!

KitchenAid - Best Large Volume Strainers

If you're going to do large volumes of fruit or vegetables , or do it year after year, then. you really should think about getting a higher end kitchen. utility device. Kitchen aids are the cream of the crop. Once you buy one of these, you keep at the rest of your life and it gets handed down to the next generation. . My sister is using one she inherited from my mother 25 years ago, who got it in the 1940s as a wedding gift. So, although the initial cost is high, they literally last for many lifetime. So the cost on an annual basis is pretty trivial, especially when you consider the cost of therapy and treatment for. the repetitive strain injuries you will get from manual cranking day after day. Add to that of course the cost of therapy for the emotional injuries you'll get from going insane, standing there hand cranking something for hours.

KitchenAid's with a sieve/grinder (with the attachments, costs about $400, but it lasts a lifetime and is fast and easy to use - I can make 100 quart jars of applesauce per day with one of these).

FREE Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes

Don't spend money on books. that you don't need to. Almost everything you can find in some book sold online or in a store is on my website here for free. Start with theEasy Home Canning Directions below. That is a master list of canning directions which are all based upon the Ball Bblue book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation and other reputable lab tested recipes. Almost every recipe I present in addition to being lab tested com. is in a step by step format with photos for each step and complete. explanations. that tell you how to do it, where to get the supplies and pretty much everything you need to know. In addition, there almost always in a PDF format so you can print them out and use them while you cook.

[ Easy Home Canning Directions]

[FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems]

[Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!]

[Free canning publications to download and print]

McSunley Stainless Steel 21QT Canner, Any Stovetop

Pressure Canners for all stovetops

Looking for canning equipment and supplies?

Water bath canner with a jar rack

Electric pressure canner

Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt

Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)

Ball Blue book (most recent version)

Jars: 8oz canning jars for jams

Lids: Regular canning lids

Wide mouth canning lids

 


Find Other types of farms:

Easter egg hunts

Children's consignment sales

Farm markets and roadside stands

Road trips and camping resources

Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers

Local Meat, Milk and Eggs

Consumer fraud and scams information

Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!

Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals

Environmental information and resources

Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.

Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals

Pumpkin patches and corn mazes

Christmas Tree Farms and lots


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most recent version of
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With this Presto 23 quart pressure canner and pressure cooker, you can "can" everything, fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, salsa, applesauce, pickles, even meats, soups, stews. Model 01781
Pressure Canners for all stovetops  

You can make jams, jellies, can fruit, applesauce, salsa and pickles with water bath canners, like this Granite Ware 12-Piece Canner Kit, Jar Rack, Blancher, Colander and 5 piece Canning Tool Set
McSunley Stainless Steel 21QT Water Cath Canner, Any Stovetop  

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