Year Round Cultural Festivals and Events in Stockton, California

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Feb 22, 2014, 03:00 ET

Stockton, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2014 -- From food fests to cultural celebrations Stockton is home to some of the best events in Northern California. With great weather year-round and its central location,Stockton is the ideal venue for great festivals, celebrations and events.

A sampling of the key events for 2014 are:

  • Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration – March 2, Downtown Stockton and Civic Auditorium. A family favorite, celebrating the “Year of the Horse” 2014.
  • Brubeck Festival – March 27-29, Various locations throughout Stockton. An annual event that celebrates and explores the musical, intellectual, and philosophical ideas of Dave Brubeck, as well as his influence on the world of music and ideas. The Festival features performances of jazz, contemporary concert music, lectures, and academic symposia. Featured performers include Al Jarreau, Eddie Palmieri and Terri Lyne Carrington. http://www.pacific.edu.
  • Great Stockton Asparagus Dineout – April 5-20, Restaurants throughout Stockton will celebrate our favorite spear by featuring asparagus inspired appetizers, entrees, desserts and cocktails. http://www.dineoutstockton.com.
  • 26th Annual Stockton Earth Day – April 6, Victory Park. A festival focused on helping people recognize the importance of caring for our earth and natural resources. http://www.livegreensanjoaquin.org.
  • Stockton Cambodian Temple New Year Celebration – April17-20, Cambodian Buddhist Temple. Held each year in early spring, the celebration blends traditional dances, games, foods and rituals with modern entertainment at the Carpenter Road temple, a special source of pride and connection for the local Cambodian community. Wat Dhammararam is among the largest Cambodian Buddhist temples in California.
  • Stockton Asparagus Festival – April 25-27, Downtown Stockton Waterfront. The Central Valley’s largest food festival with 100,000 people enjoying such delicious dishes as deep-fried asparagus, asparagus pasta, and asparagus ice cream! A family friendly, entertainment packed event. 2014 main stage entertainment includes Meghan Linsey, Soul Asylum, Berlin and War. http://www.asparagusfest.com.
  • El Concilio’s Cinco de Mayo Family Festival - May 4, Weber Point. Mexican-American festival of food, music, culture and fun. $5 for ages 14 and up.
  • 41st Annual Temple Israel Jewish Food Fair & Festival – June 1, Temple Israel. A celebration of Jewish culture with brunch, a bake shop, great food, music, games and tours.
  • DeltaFusion – June 28, Victory Park. The DeltaFusion parade and pageant uses giant puppets, masks and music, to tell the story of the people of the Delta region and their connections with the land and water. Free event.
  • Stockton Obon Bazaar – July, Stockton Buddhist Temple. The Cultural Bazaar is a two-day celebration that includes Japanese food booths, arts and crafts and games as well as a raffle.
  • Miracle Mile 4th of July Parade – July 4, Miracle Mile. Led by local veterans organizations, this family-favorite event takes place on Pacific Avenue between Harding Way and Tuxedo Avenue.
  • Stockton Beer Week – August 22-31. Restaurant and bars throughout Stockton celebrate regional craft and micro brews with tap takeovers, tastings and beer paring dinners. http://www.stocktonbeerweek.com.
  • Reggae on the Delta – August 23, Breadfruit Tree on the Delta. Jam to reggae music and enjoy the regions best Caribbean food at this boat friendly event.
  • Stockton-Con – August 9 & 10, Stockton Arena. The goal of Stockton-Con is to raise awareness of outstanding artists in the San Joaquin Valley area – and to give attendees the chance to experience Popular Culture (Comics, Card Games, Video Games, Cards, Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, Toys, Television and Movies). http://www.stocktoncon.com.
  • Stockton Pride Festival – August 23, Oak Grove Regional Park. The local LGBT community will come together at a festival to celebrate diversity and educate the public about the importance of respect, tolerance and equality. The family friendly event will feature a children’s play zone, a teen dance tent and local cultural performances. http://www.stocktonpride.weebly.com.
  • The Record’s Family Day at the Park – September 20, University Park. This free event celebrates literacy in Stockton and features a variety of fun family activates including making bookmarks, greeting cards, art projects and storytelling! Meet and be inspired by published children's authors and illustrators. They will be telling stories, teaching, signing books and answering questions. Also, be sure to check out the more than 5,000 book titles offered by The Friends of the Library Used Book Sale.
  • St Basil Greek Festival – September 12-14, St Basil Greek Orthodox Church. Enjoy fine Greek cuisine and pastries to the tune of authentic Greek music and dancing, tours of the church with choir performances and plenty of games.
  • Horse Racing at San Joaquin County Fairgrounds – September, San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. Live horse racing. http://sanjoaquinfair.com/horseracing.html.
  • Stockton Is Magnificent – October 4, Victory Park. Show your civic pride and celebrate a town like no other: Stockton, California! Now in its fourth year, this annual family-friendly event brings Stocktonians together to celebrate the talent, great deeds, and history of our great city. Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, community booths, local history, artist’s alley and more! http://www.stocktonmagnificent.com.
  • Stocktoberfest – October 4, Waterfront Warehouse, Downtown Stockton. Keg lifting competitions, craft beers on tap, sausages, home brews, chicken dance dance-offs and, of course, beer stein holding competitions, Stocktoberfest is not to be missed! Modeled after a German Octoberfest with a Stockton twist, Stocktoberfest seating is outdoors on the waterfront with long tables, wooden benches and BIG glass steins.

http://www.stocktoberfest.com.

  • Thanksgiving Run or Walk Against Hunger – Thanksgiving Morning, Downtown Stockton. Join 5,000 runners and walkers, burn calories, have a great time on the scenic Stockton waterfront, and help raise money for the nutrition programs of the Emergency Food Bank! http://www.runagainsthunger.org.
  • Stockton Hmong New Year Celebration – November, San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. Celebrating Stockton’s Hmong culture with sporting events, all types of folkloric, colorful, traditional outfits, a variety of merchant booths, delicious traditional Hmong food, on-stage cultural performances, live bands, and music.
  • Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade – December 6, Downtown Stockton Waterfont. The Marina West Yacht Club sponsors the lighted boat parade as a gift to the community. The parade begins and ends at Light 39 in the Stockton Deep Water Channel, and cruises to the Weber Point area where it turns around. Dozens of brilliantly lit boats usually reach downtown Stockton around 6:00pm. This is a wonderful family holiday event.

For the most current list of Stockton events, festivals and attractions visit http://www.VisitStockton.org.

Wes Rhea, http://www.VisitStockton.org, +1 (209) 938-1551, [email protected]