Hotels in Newark: History and Festivals

On this page

Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

If you’re planning a trip to Newark around its local history and festivals, you can explore two different perspectives: Old Town and the Thornbury Building represent historical themes, while Newark Days and the celebrations at Swiss Park offer fixed points on the calendar. When choosing when to travel, you can decide whether to focus on the city’s history or a particular festival.

History Between Old Town and the Thornbury Building

Old Town is Newark’s historic center. Its historic industries included agriculture, oyster farming, manufacturing, stove building, and salt mining. This range includes agricultural and maritime activities as well as production and resource extraction. If you’re interested in local history, you’ll find a broad spectrum of economic activity here rather than just one industry.

The Thornbury Building is a historic commercial building at 7327–7355 Thornton Avenue in Newark, California. Built around 1926, it was an important social and cultural center for Newark residents. It originally housed a movie theater, one of the earliest forms of popular entertainment in Newark. Its history thus brings together architectural history and the history of early entertainment. The building offers a tangible point of reference if you’d like to explore the development of city life through a single historic structure.

Festivals in August and September

Newark Days is a four-day festival held every September to celebrate the birthday of the city of Newark, California. The celebrations take place mainly around the MacGregor Playfields and the Newark Community Center at 35501 Cedar Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560. Newark Days features food, drinks, snacks, and desserts sold by dozens of local vendors. If the food selection matters to you as well as the occasion, this could factor into your choice of festival to attend.

Swiss Park at 5911 Mowry Avenue, Newark, CA 94560, offers another cultural perspective. Annual celebrations take place there, including Schwingfest, a Swiss wrestling festival, and the Swiss National Day Festival, held every August. This gives you two named celebrations and a specific month for the Swiss National Day Festival to help guide your travel planning.

For planning purposes, the distinction is less about ranking and more about the type of trip: Newark Days is a four-day September festival, while the Swiss National Day Festival takes place in August. The historical themes of Old Town and the Thornbury Building complement this seasonal guide with a focus on local history. If a festival is the main reason for your trip, check the specific event dates before booking.

Discover more destinations: Union City, Piedmont, Oakland, Dublin, Sunol, Pleasanton, Alameda, San Leandro

Search accommodationAdvertisement · We may receive a commission if you book.

Back to the main travel overview: Alameda.