Hi parents,
This feels like one of those weekends where summer is making a strong case for itself.
There are carnival rides by the lagoon, music on park lawns, giant kites at Coyote Point, Burlingame Avenue taken over for the weekend, and even a little Shakespeare under the trees.
You definitely don’t need to do it all. Pick one thing that sounds good for your crew, pack the sunscreen (and probably a picnic blanket), and call that enough.
Here are the ones I’d put on your radar this weekend.
Weekend Pick
Foster City Summer Days
Friday–Sunday | 📍 Leo J. Ryan Park, Foster City
Three days of carnival rides, live music, food trucks, a Friday classic car show, 65+ vendors, and a Rubber Ducky Scavenger Hunt. There’s enough happening to make an afternoon of it, but you could just as easily pop over for a few rides and dinner by the lagoon.
All ages | Free admission, carnival rides separate | Get details
Happening All Weekend
Burlingame on the Avenue
Saturday–Sunday, all day | 📍 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame
Burlingame Avenue closes to cars for a weekend of live music, food, an artisan marketplace, and family activities. Easy to wander without much of a plan, especially if you have kids of different ages in tow.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Free Shakespeare in the Park: Antony and Cleopatra
Saturday & Sunday, 6:00 pm | 📍 Red Morton Park, Redwood City
Bring a picnic and a blanket for Shakespeare under the trees. Saturday is the preview and Sunday is opening night. The performance runs about 90 minutes without an intermission, so I’d save this one for kids who can settle into a longer story.
Best for older kids & teens | Free, no reservations needed | Learn more
West Coast Asian Foodie Festival
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm | 📍 San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo
More than 100 food vendors plus live performances and cultural experiences make this a good option for families who prefer to explore by eating their way through the afternoon.
All ages | From $3.79; kids 7 & under free; parking $20 | Get details
Friday, Aug 14
Magical Bridge Summer Concert: Andy Z
6:00–7:30 pm | 📍 Magical Bridge Playground, Palo Alto
The final concert of the season pairs music, movement, storytelling, and puppetry with one of the Peninsula’s most inclusive playgrounds. A particularly good pick if you have younger kids or siblings with a wider age spread.
All ages and abilities | Free | Learn more
Music in the Park: Burnin’ Vernon Davis
6:00–8:00 pm | 📍 Burton Park, San Carlos
Funk and soul on the Burton Park lawn. Bring dinner and a blanket, let the kids move around, and ease into Friday night.
All ages | Free | Get details
Concerts on the Plaza + Outdoor Movie Night
Concert 6:00–7:30 pm | Movie 8:30 pm | 📍 Mountain View
For families with enough Friday-night stamina, make it a double-header. Start with the free concert at Civic Center Plaza, then head to Rengstorff Park for Lilo & Stitch under the stars.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Saturday, Aug 15
Coyote Point Summerfest
12:00–4:00 pm | 📍 Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo
Giant kites over the Bay, taiko drumming, Ballet Folklórico, kiddie train rides, crafts, and food trucks. There’s enough variety here for mixed-age siblings, plus plenty of room to picnic and wander.
All ages | Free event; $6 vehicle entrance fee | Get details
Millbrae Machines Car Show
All day | 📍 Broadway Avenue, Millbrae
More than 300 classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles take over downtown Broadway. A fun, easy stop for kids who love anything with wheels.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Bay Area Games Day
10:00 am–8:00 pm | 📍 Los Altos Library
An all-day gathering for board game lovers, with everything from familiar favorites to hobby games. Drop in for an hour or settle in for a longer game if you’ve got older kids.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Mandarin Storytime
11:00 am | 📍 Burlingame Main Library
A gentle bilingual Mandarin-English storytime blending stories, language, and culture. No sign-up needed, which makes this an especially easy Saturday morning option.
Ages 0–6 | Free | Learn more
Sunday, Aug 16
Burlingame on the Avenue
All day | 📍 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame
If Saturday gets away from you, the street festival continues Sunday with live music, food, local makers, and family activities.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Free Shakespeare in the Park: Opening Night
6:00 pm | 📍 Red Morton Park, Redwood City
Sunday is the official opening performance of Antony and Cleopatra. Pack an early picnic and make an evening of it before the school-week rhythm starts again.
Best for older kids & teens | Free | Learn more
Little Joy 🌼
Dahlia Competition in Golden Gate Park
Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm & Sunday 10:00 am–4:00 pm | 📍 County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park
Rows and rows of dahlias in shapes and colors you didn’t know dahlias came in. It’s free, low-commitment, and an easy little detour if you’re already spending the day in Golden Gate Park.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Whatever you choose this weekend, I hope there’s a little room to linger. Summer weekends are starting to feel numbered, and maybe that’s reason enough not to over-plan this one.
See you next week,
Akriti