Big Peninsula Weekend
Hometown Days, Baby Prom and Stargazing | May 14–17, 2026
Hi parents,
This weekend feels Peninsula in the best way.
San Carlos Hometown Days runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon with parades, rides, pancake breakfasts, and the kind of old-school community energy that feels harder to find. Around it, the rest of the calendar fills in beautifully. Baby Prom in Palo Alto. Stargazing in Los Altos Hills. Samba at Magical Bridge Playground. A nature hike at Edgewood with local families.
And if you want to make a day of San Francisco, Laurie Berkner is at the Palace of Fine Arts on Saturday morning.
There’s a little something for every age and every energy level this weekend.
Happening All Weekend
San Carlos Hometown Days
Friday, May 15, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday, May 17, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
📍 Burton Park & Downtown San Carlos
One of the Peninsula’s most beloved community festivals returns for three full days of rides, live music, food vendors, local artisans, and warm neighborhood energy. Saturday brings the parade through downtown while Sunday starts with a family fun run and pancake breakfast before the festival continues through the afternoon.
All ages | Free entry; rides, food, and fun run registration extra | Get details
Friday, May 15
Dragons Love Tacos
Multiple showings | 📍 Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View
The wildly popular picture book comes to life on stage with silly humor, bright visuals, and just enough chaos to keep preschoolers completely locked in. A sweet first theater experience.
All ages | Tickets required | Get tickets
Friday Night Stargazing
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm | 📍 Foothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills
Free public stargazing through a real observatory telescope. Planets, star clusters, and night sky views that feel genuinely magical for curious school-age kids.
Ages 6+ | Free; parking $3 | Get details
Saturday, May 16
College of San Mateo Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 Galileo Parking Lot, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo
A dependable Peninsula favorite for fresh produce, flowers, and local vendors. Stroller-friendly, easygoing, and a nice slower-paced alternative if the parade crowds feel like too much.
All ages | Free entry | Learn more
San Carlos Hometown Days Parade
9:45 am | 📍 Downtown San Carlos
School bands, floats, dancers, and community groups take over downtown before the festival opens. Loud, joyful, and old-school in the best possible way.
All ages | Free | Get details
Solar Viewing at Foothill Observatory
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | 📍 Foothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills
Safely observe the sun through professional solar telescopes and spot sunspots, flares, and solar activity in real time. A surprisingly cool STEM outing.
All ages | Free; parking $3 | Get details
Baby Prom
10:30 am – 11:00 am | 📍 Children’s Library, Palo Alto
Music, dancing, sensory play, and tiny formal outfits for the under-two crowd. This one is exactly as adorable as it sounds.
Ages 0–2 | Free | Learn more
Laurie Berkner: The Greatest Hits Solo Tour
11:00 am | 📍 Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
The queen of children’s music performs all the classics live, including “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “Victor Vito.” Expect lots of dancing, singing, and deeply enthusiastic kids.
Ages 2–8 | Tickets required | Get tickets
Also in SF on Saturday: de Youngsters Day Out at the de Young Museum with free family art-making and performances, plus the Songkran Southeast Asian New Year Festival at Civic Center. Both are worth the trip if you’re already making a city day of it.
South Bay AANHPI Festival
11:00 am – 4:00 pm | 📍 History Park, San Jose
A vibrant celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage with cultural performances, food trucks, games, crafts, and community booths throughout History Park.
All ages | Free; parking $10 | Learn more
Sunday, May 17
House of Samba Kids at Magical Bridge Playground
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | 📍 Magical Bridge Playground, Redwood City
Live samba music and movement at one of the Peninsula’s most loved inclusive playgrounds. Easy, joyful Sunday energy.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Children’s Business Fair
11:30 am – 2:00 pm | 📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Young entrepreneurs run their own booths and businesses for the day. Quietly inspiring for creative and business-minded elementary-age kids.
All ages | Free to attend | Learn more
Little Explorers Nature Club: Edgewood Hike
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | 📍 Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, Redwood City
A relaxed, kid-friendly Peninsula hike designed more for connection than cardio. Kids can explore trails at their own pace while parents actually get to finish conversations. This month’s hike includes local nature docents helping guide the group and teach kids about local flora and fauna.
All ages | $15 per parent; kids free | Get details
Super Family Sunday
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | 📍 Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto
A quieter evening at the museum created specifically for families with children with disabilities and learning differences. Thoughtful, welcoming, and free with registration.
All ages | Free; registration required | Register
Parade in the morning, samba in the afternoon, stars on Friday night. This is a Peninsula weekend doing what it does best.
However much of it you catch, we hope it feels like a breath of fresh air this weekend. See you out there.
— Akriti