Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

WALNUT CREEK--Understanding wild animals and exploring the differences between wild and domestic animals are focuses of this year’s Family Wildlife Festival, Feb. 3 at the Lindsay Museum in Larkey Park, 1931 1st Ave. Live animal presentations, films, wildlife stories, exhibits and interactive games are among the offerings, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $3, general; $2, kids 3-17 and seniors; free for members and those under 3. (Reservations recommended for hourly wild animal demonstrations.) (510) 935-1978.

SAN LUIS OBISPO--Join in a day of Fat Tuesday revelry at the 18th annual Mardi Gras Festival on Feb. 17. A Mardi Gras street fair on Garden Street, featuring a gumbo cook-off and much more, is 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; a colorful parade travels down Marsh Street at 5:30 p.m., and a Masked Ball is at 8 p.m. ($25; costumes required). (805) 541-2183.

DEL MAR--In the Chinese lunar calendar, the Year of the Rat begins Feb. 19. Celebrate this event at the Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Faire, Feb. 17-18 in the Exhibit Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Featured: food, costumed Chinese folk dancers, and Chinese brush painting, cooking and martial arts demonstrations. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $4, general; $3, seniors; $1, kids under 12. (619) 234-4447.

SAN FRANCISCO--More Chinese New Year festivities are scheduled in San Francisco, including: Chinese New Year Flower Market, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 17-18 in Chinatown on Grant Avenue from Broadway to Jackson Street, and Pacific Avenue from Stockton to Kearny Street; Chinatown Community Street Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 2-3 (same location), and the San Francisco Chronicle Chinese New Year Parade, 6 p.m. March 2, beginning in the Financial District and ending in Chinatown. Information on these events and others: (415) 391-9680.

DANA POINT--The Dana Point Festival of Whales pays tribute to the migrating California gray whales and celebrates its 25th anniversary with a variety of events, Feb. 17-March 3. Among the highlights: Festival of Whales Community Parade, 10 a.m. Feb. 17 in Blue Lantern Plaza, and Festival of Whales Street Faire, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 17-19 in La Plaza Center (free). Other festival family activities include tide pool hikes, whale-watching excursions and ranger campfires. (800) 290-DANA.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.