The summer months are the time to be outside in the Bay Area; every day is warm and the sun doesn't set till late into the evening. Every summer the Bay Area plays host to festivals of all kinds. If you're trying to watch your spending, but still want to enjoy the summer months, local festivals are a great way to take a staycation. Here are some of the great upcoming festivals all around the Bay Area. Stern Grove Festival (Every Sunday till August 23) — For the last 72 years visitors and residents of the Bay Area have been able to watch a diverse array of performing arts at Sigmund Stern Grove absolutely free as part of the Stern Grove Festival. This great Bay Area tradition is a great way to expose the entire family to the arts and enjoy a beautiful summer day in San Francisco. The festival is held every Sunday during the summer months at 2 p.m., but be sure to arrive early if you want to get good seating.Connoisseurs’ Marketplace (July 18-20) — Menlo Park’s annual Connoisseurs’ Marketplace is a great place to take the kids, have some good food and drink, check out fine art and listen to some local musicians. This art and wine festival is a great place to walk around and browse eclectic art, tasty food, and healthy living displays. Who knows, you might meet some of the Center’d team while you’re there. Be sure to check out Connoisseurs’ Corner, where you’ll find artisan specialty foods. Connoisseurs' Marketplace is held on Santa Cruz Ave in downtown Menlo Park. Berkeley Kite Festival (July 25-26) — Held at the Cesar E. Chavez State Park on the Berkeley Marina, the kite festival is a great place to spend a weekend just staring at the sky. You’ll be able to see kites as big as houses in the shapes of dragons and other mythical creatures. The kite festival is also a great place to bring the kids and learn how to fly a kite, make one of your own and just enjoy an afternoon. Nihonmachi Street Fair (August 8-9) — The Nihonmachi Street Fair is the perfect way to visit Tokyo without boarding a flight. Held in Japantown in San Francisco, the Nihonmachi Street Fair has lots of great cultural booths and shows to educate visitors about Japanese traditions and customs. Be sure to try some tasty Japanese delicacies like home made mochi. Outside Lands Music Festival (August 28-30) — The Bay Area plays host to one of the largest music festivals on the West Coast every year at the end of August. Set in Golden Gate Park, the Outside Lands Music Festival draws some of the best rock bands in the world. This year Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and Beastie Boys headline the festival. But the best part about a music festival is the chance to listen to some great up and coming bands like Band of Horses, Thievery Corporation, or Tom Jones. The entire lineup is comprised of 65 bands over three days, so buy a ticket for the day or the whole weekend and head up to the park. Photo credit: flickr cc Ronnie44052