If you live anywhere between San Ramon and Livermore, the next five months are stacked with festivals that hit the dad trifecta: smoked meat, cold beer, and a folding chair on the grass. Here are six picks already on the calendar — most under a 30-minute drive from Gale Ranch.
Pleasanton Country Fest — Sunday, June 7, 2026, Downtown Pleasanton.
This is the inaugural year, and per the Pleasanton Downtown Association, Main Street “transforms into a full-blown country playground with 4+ live band stages featuring country artists all day long, a BBQ smoker cook-off, corn hole tournaments, line dancing, a petting zoo, and local vendors.” A BBQ smoker cook-off and corn hole on Main Street. Pricing is still TBA on the PDA site. All-ages, meltdown risk: low.
10th Annual Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival — Saturday, May 9, 1–5 PM, Las Positas College, 3000 Campus Hill Dr.
Twenty-five-plus NorCal breweries pouring unlimited tastings, including Sierra Nevada and Altamont. HomeBrew Alley features 28 home-brew club entries, four bands, eight food vendors (tri-tip sandwiches, tacos, pizza). Designated Driver $20, GA $65, VIP $95. 21+ only — no kids, no pets. This is your guys’ day…