The Creamery Festival returns August 15-18 with four days of events for the whole family.

The events commence on Thursday, August 15 at 7 p.m. with the first of six performances from Mendocino County’s own Flynn Creek Circus. This charmingly nostalgic and surprisingly fresh all-human circus will perform in their vintage big top tent with top quality acts including tightrope walkers, aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, and comedians in an all-new show Out of Hat.  www.flynncreekcircus.com   

Friday, August 16,  from 6 to 9, the historic Creamery District will be abuzz with Third Fridays,  highlighting local artisans, cider, food, music, and a family-friendly atmosphere. www.creameryfestival.com

Continuing on Saturday, August 17 at 8pm  is the Playhouse’s signature outdoor performance spectacle Elemental with giant puppets, dancers, stilt walkers, live music and beautiful paper lanterns, all happening around the Creamery building. This free family-friendly event, features our Elemental Pageantry workshop students, Fairies from Redwood Raks and professional artists.  Gather at the Flynn Creek Circus tent on 8th and L Streets at 7:30 pm for lanterns.

The Playhouse will two music events and a Creamery District Night Market Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 & 22, 2018.

First on Friday, Sept. 21 at 8pm Tenacious, innovative string musicians/dancers with a pulsing neo-trad heart, the Evie Ladin Band – Evie Ladin, Keith Terry and Erik Pearson – throws down soulful folk songs with a four-dimensional live show. Tickets at Wildberries Marketplace or online.  arcataplayhouse.org 

From 5-9 pm on Friday the Creamery District invites all community members to its monthly Night Market on Friday Sept. 21, at 824 L St. in the Creamery District. This free, family-friendly event will host local artists, businesses, a tie-dye station, music and food.

On Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 pm come out and shake off the dust to some hot Latin dance music and support the Playhouse!

Called the "best Latin band north of the Bay Area,” Humboldt's own Latin Peppers always bring irresistible, high energy salsa and Latin dance music with an Afro-Cuban feel. Led by Jimmy Durchslag on trombone with Orlando Morales on timbales, congas and percussion, Tim Randles on piano, Andy Barnett on trumpet, Lee Phillips on bass, Jon Lewis on congas and Arnold Morales on bongo.  

Cocktails and snacks will be available. Tickets at Wildberries or online.