Earth Month Guide: Events, Actions & Ways to Celebrate
April is more than just the start of spring—it’s a time to celebrate our planet, take meaningful action, and deepen our connection to nature. What began as a single day of environmental advocacy in 1970 has blossomed into a month-long movement, inspiring millions to make sustainable choices and push for a healthier world.
Whether you’re passionate about climate action, love exploring the outdoors, or want to give back through volunteering, there are countless ways to get involved this Earth Month. From rallies and community cleanups to family-friendly festivals and electrification workshops, the Bay Area is full of opportunities to learn, engage, and make a difference.
Check out our guide to Earth Month activities happening near you. This guide aims to help you find a wide range of options so you can appreciate the Earth in the way that speaks to you. Let’s dive in!
Celebration & Festivals:
Love Our Earth Festival (Co-hosted by Acterra)
Saturday, April 26, 11 am–3 pm / Belle Haven Community Campus, Menlo Park
Celebrate sustainability and community at the Love Our Earth Festival in Menlo Park! This annual event brings together local organizations, environmental experts, and families for a day of education, activities, and action in support of a healthier planet. Enjoy interactive exhibits, kids’ crafts, tree planting, live entertainment, and more. Shop with local vendors, screenprint a T-shirt (bring your own!), and grab a bite from plant-based food trucks. LINK
Sunnyvale’s Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 26, 9 am–12 pm / Ryder Park, San Mateo
Celebrate sustainability at Sunnyvale’s Earth Day Festival! Enjoy live entertainment, eco-friendly exhibits, and hands-on crafts for kids. Explore community booths on home electrification and composting, take a guided tree tour, and grab lunch from local food trucks using reusable foodware. Plus, bike to the event and take advantage of free valet parking! LINK
Palo Alto Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 27, 1 pm – 4 pm / Palo Alto Art Center
Celebrate local sustainability and climate action with an afternoon of fun, hands-on activities for all ages! Discover ways to make an impact and learn how your neighbors are contributing to a greener future. LINK
Earth Day Celebration @ Sycamore Grove Park
Sunday, April 27 · 10am – 2pm / Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore
Celebrate Earth Day with a day of action and appreciation at Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore! Enjoy drop-in crafts and activities for all ages, guided hikes through the park’s beautiful landscapes, and hands-on volunteer projects to help restore and protect the local ecosystem. LINK
Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival
Sunday, April 25-27th / Point Reyes
Experience the wonders of spring migration along the Pacific Flyway with a three-day festival at Point Reyes National Seashore. Discover diverse habitats, spot an incredible array of birds, and immerse yourself in one of the nation’s top birding destinations. LINK
Youth Movement & Rallies:
Climate Action Youth Summit
April 18th 10 AM – 1:30 PM, San Francisco Environment Department
Join young leaders tackling climate change at this inspiring summit featuring peer presentations, changemaker stories, and career pathways in sustainability. This year’s theme, Climate Action Across Careers, explores how interests like art, fashion, and technology can drive environmental solutions. LINK
Youth Action for the Planet
TBD, California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco
Youth Action for the Planet (YAP) empowers teens to lead climate action through hands-on projects, advocacy, and community engagement. The Leadership Design Council offers Bay Area youth a chance to drive real change in conservation and sustainability. LINK
Explore & Connect with Nature:
Free Entry to Muir Woods
Saturday, April 19, 8 am–7 pm / Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring the breathtaking Muir Woods! In honor of National Park Week, enjoy free admission on Saturday, April 19—perfectly timed for Earth Day weekend. Just remember to reserve your parking or shuttle spot in advance. LINK
PelicanFest: Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM / Linda Mar State Beach, Pacifica
Join PelicanFest at Linda Mar State Beach for a fun, family-friendly Earth Day event celebrating the brown pelican and the importance of ocean conservation. Enjoy interactive activities, environmental booths, and inspiring talks from marine experts. LINK
Earth Day at McInnis Park
Sunday, April 27, 9am – 12pm / McInnis Park, San Rafael
Join PelicanFest at Linda Mar State Beach for a fun, family-friendly Earth Day event celebrating the brown pelican and the importance of ocean conservation. Enjoy interactive activities, environmental booths, and inspiring talks from marine experts. LINK
Volunteer Opportunities:
Harbor & Surfer’s Beach & Bluff Cleanups
Saturday, April 26, 9 am–11 am / Half Moon Bay
Join local site captains for a beach and coastal trail cleanup at Half Moon Bay. Volunteers will help remove plastic waste, fishing gear, and other debris to protect marine life and keep our shores clean. Cleanup areas include the beach, rocks (during low tide), and the bluff trail. LINK
Earth Day Bayfront Cleanup
Saturday, April 26, 9 am–12 pm / Ryder Park, San Mateo
Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to the environment at the Bayfront Cleanup! Volunteers will help remove litter along the shoreline, protecting local wildlife and keeping our bay clean. LINK
Earth Month Volunteer Work Day at EEC
Sunday, April 13 · 9:30am – 12pm / Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR Environmental Education Center
Give back to nature by helping maintain and restore the habitat and trails at the Environmental Education Center at Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers will remove invasive plants, pick up litter, and assist with trail upkeep to support local wildlife. LINK
Family-Friendly Fun:
Earth Day Every Day
Saturday, April 12, 1 pm–3 pm / Foster City Library, Foster City
Enjoy a day of hands-on learning and creativity with interactive exhibits, sustainability demonstrations, and engaging activities for all ages. Take part in the Earth Day art contest and showcase your creativity while celebrating our planet. LINK
SF Zoo EarthFest
Saturday, April 26 & 27, 10 am–3 pm / San Francisco
Dive into a weekend of sustainability and wildlife conservation at SF Zoo’s pop-up village! Meet experts, explore interactive activities, and discover ways to protect our planet—all in the Sculpture Garden near the Elinor Friend Playground. LINK
Family Storytime: Celebrate Earth Day!
Friday, April 18 · 11 am – 11:30 am / Downtown Library in Palo Alto
Celebrate Earth Day with Librarian Heidi at a special Family Storytime! Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, and rhymes that inspire a love for our planet. Perfect for ages 2 and up, but all are welcome! LINK
SciencePalooza!
Saturday, April 19 · 11 am – 3 pm / San Jose University
SciencePalooza! is a family-friendly event where kids and families can explore fun STEM activities with local professionals, students, and organizations at SJSU and beyond. LINK
Electrification Events:
The Berkeley Home Electrification Fair
Saturday, April 19, 2 pm–5 pm / David Brower Center, Berkeley
Curious about switching from gas to electric? Visit the Home Electrification Fair at the David Brower Center to explore heat pumps, induction cooking, EV chargers, and rebates. Get expert advice through presentations and one-on-one conversations. LINK
Navigating the EV Market: Strategies for Resilience and Growth
Monday, April 21, 5 pm–7 pm / EDF Innovation Lab, Palo Alto
Join industry experts as they dive into emerging market trends and key drivers of the next wave of EV adoption. Discover the latest innovations, policies, and strategies shaping the future of sustainable transportation. LINK
Harvest Home Tour
Tuesday, April 22 · 12 pm – 1 pm / San Francisco (Registration required to see address)
Get a firsthand look at the Smart Thermal Battery in action! This innovative system combines heating, hot water, and air conditioning for ultimate comfort and efficiency. More tours (and a happy hour) coming soon—stay tuned! LINK
Documentaries to watch:
Seaspiracy (Netflix): A filmmaker passionate about ocean life sets out to document the harm humans inflict on marine species, uncovering alarming global corruption in the process.
I Am Greta (Hulu): This documentary follows climate activist Greta Thunberg’s journey from her solitary school strike to her global impact, highlighting her dedication to environmental activism.
Rotten (Netflix): A series that investigates the corruption and real dangers behind everyday food products, exposing the complex and often unethical world of food production.
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (Netflix): This documentary explores how factory farming is decimating the planet’s natural resources and examines why this crisis has been largely ignored by major environmental groups.
Polar Bear (Disney Plus): Narrated by Catherine Keener, this documentary follows a new mother polar bear as she navigates motherhood in the challenging Arctic environment, reflecting on her own youth and the realities polar bears face today.
Secrets of Life (Disney Plus): A classic Disney nature documentary from 1956 that showcases the wonders of the natural world, exploring the intricate lives of plants and animals through groundbreaking cinematography.
This Changes Everything (Amazon Prime): Based on Naomi Klein’s bestseller, this documentary presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines of climate change, challenging the idea that we must choose between capitalism and the climate.
The Year Earth Changed (Apple TV+): Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this documentary showcases how nature rebounded during global lockdowns, highlighting the positive changes in wildlife behavior across the seas, skies, and lands when human activity slowed down.
Caring for our planet shouldn’t stop when April ends! Earth Month is a great time to embrace sustainable actions, but don’t forget to step outside and appreciate Mother Earth throughout the year.