San Leandro Cherry Festival
SATURDAY, JUNE 6th, 2026
Parade from 10 AM - 11 AM
Festival from 11 AM - 6 PM
Located on W. Estudillo Ave in
Historic Downtown San Leandro
Come to historic Downtown San Leandro on June 6th for the San Leandro Cherry Festival! Check out live music, vendors, local food, fun zone, and most of all… Cherries!
The San Leandro Cherry Festival has been a long-standing San Leandro tradition since 1909. Kick off the festivities with the San Leandro Cherry Parade from 10 AM to 11 AM! Cheer on community organizations and local businesses as they make their way down E. 14th Street in festive floats, classic cars, and creative costumes! Then make your way over to the Cherry Festival at 11 AM for live music on the main stage, a vendor market with over 150 booths, the fresh cherry market, the family fun zone, a car show, and more!
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2026 Cherry Festival Participant Applications
Food vendors, artisan vendors, community organizations, and community performers are invited to apply to be a part of the San Leandro Cherry Festival. For questions about how to be a future vendor or to follow up on a current application, please email cherryfest@downtownsanleandro.com
Artist & Interactive Booth Application
Application Deadline: 2/15/26
Artisan vendors provide handcrafted or originally designed items for sale, which may include cherry-themed, packaged foods meant for in-home consumption. Only original handcrafted or originally designed articles or artwork will be accepted. Interactive booths include face painting, sand art, wax hands, spin art, and other interactive pieces that the participants can purchase and take home or games such as spin the wheel, ring toss, etc.
NEW: Small Business/Non-Aristan Application
Application Deadline: 2/15/26
A limited number of small businesses will have the opportunity to promote their products and services at the Cherry Festival.
A small business/non-artisan is a for-profit small business that does not fall under the artisan or community resource category. A small business is defined as having 20 or fewer employees. Space is limited, and priority is given to San Leandro-based businesses.
Food Vendor Application
Application Deadline: 2/15/26
Food vendors include those preparing food or drinks for consumption onsite. If your food is pre-packaged, please apply for an "Artisan & Interactive Booth" space. All applicants are required to have a cherry item or cherry-themed item on their menu. Approved menus will be strictly enforced. The City of San Leandro attempts to limit the number of similar items.
Community Resource Application
Application Deadline: 2/15/26
The City of San Leandro is looking to provide festival participants with a wealth of information about volunteering, health/fitness, academic enrichment, faith-based groups, the arts, and much more. The City strongly encourages you to apply as a community resource for the Cherry Festival and share information about your agency with thousands of community members.
A Cherry Festival Community Resource is an agency that provides important information pertaining to children, families, seniors, or other valuable social services in the San Leandro community. A community resource must be a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Community Entertainment Stage
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Community Groups and individuals are invited to perform on our Community Stage. This is an unpaid performance opportunity.
Please include these items with your application:
- A photo of your group performing
- An audio file of your group performing
Cherry Parade Applications
The Cherry Festival Parade will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on June 6, 2026, traveling just under one mile along East 14th Street, beginning near the BART South Parking Lot and concluding at the San Leandro Main Library on Estudillo Avenue.
We invite San Leandro residents, community groups, businesses, and organizations to participate in this signature City event. Parade spots are limited. Accepted groups will be notified by Friday, April 24, 2026.
Application Deadline: April 17th
Cherry Festival Car Show
Enter to be a part of the Fourth Annual San Leandro Cherry Festival Classic Car Show! The show is open to vehicles from 1980 and older.
Show Rules We ask that the following rules be followed to ensure that everyone has a good time and is safe while attending the event. Those who do not follow these rules will be asked to leave the festival completely.
- Each vehicle MUST be parked for the duration of the festival from 11 AM - 6 PM;
- Evidence of insurance in your vehicle is required;
- Proof of DMV registration, valid sticker, and license plate is required;
- All entry vehicles must display registration placards visibly on the vehicle dashboard or front windshield.
- No loud music is allowed to be played from vehicles. Any display of questionable music, videos, art, or other media is not permitted and will be removed from the show.
- Listen to Cherry Festival Staff directions and or requests.
- All entries must be driven into the show on their own power and be able to pull forward, backward, turn, and stop on their own power.
- All persons operating the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
Cherry Pie Eating Contest
Do you have what it takes to be crowned the Cherry Pie Eating Champion? Enter our Cherry Pie Eating Contest at the San Leandro Cherry Festival and show off your pie-eating prowess! Whether you're a speed eater or just love the taste of cherry pie, this contest is for you. Sign up for a chance to win bragging rights as the ultimate cherry pie champion!
Photo of Latu Fanaika, who made history on Saturday, June 3rd 2023 as San Leandro's FIRST Pie Eating Champion!
Cherry Pie Baking Contest
TRADITIONAL PIE CATEGORY
Pie must consist of a pie crust filled with cherries and topped with a lattice crust or regular pie crust top.
NON-TRADITIONAL PIE CATEGORY
Pie MUST consist of a variation of cherry filling and crust. Toppings, fillings, and crusts may vary.
YOUTH PIE CATEGORY
Kids ages 13 and younger are invited to compete with a homemade traditional or non-traditional cherry pie.
- Pie must be homemade, both filling and crust, and in a non-returnable baking dish.
- Bring your pie, pie recipe (on a 3 x 5-inch index card) and complete this entry form.
- Pie must be turned in between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM to the Pie Contest Booth. No late entries are accepted.
Cherry Festival and Parade Map
The San Leandro Cherry Festival is located in Historic Downtown San Leandro on W. Estudillo Ave. between San Leandro Blvd. and Hays st.
The Cherry Parade will take place starting at San Leandro BART, down Parrot St., up E.14th St., and towards the San Leandro Main Library on Estudillo Ave. These streets will be closed to traffic from 8 AM - 12 PM on June 7th.