Drums, Drones, and the Dance That Stays With You
Mother's Day Weekend on the Peninsula | May 8–10, 2026
Hi parents,
This week got away from me a little. The kind of week where the cup is full enough that things start gently spilling over the edges.
So this guide is arriving on a Friday morning instead of Thursday night, but honestly, that feels fitting for a Mother’s Day weekend issue. A reminder that most of us are carrying a lot right now.
Inside: Powwow drumming under the trees at Stanford, kids painting a real airplane, a waterfront drone show, garden mornings, concerts, crafts, and a few genuinely lovely ways to spend time together without overcomplicating the weekend.
Use this as a menu, not a plan.
Happening All Weekend
55th Annual Stanford Powwow
Fri May 8: booths from 5:00 pm, intertribal dancing 7:00–11:00 pm | Sat May 9: Grand Entries at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm | Sun May 10: 11:00 am–6:00 pm, Grand Entry at 1:00 pm | 📍 Eucalyptus Grove, Stanford
One of the largest student run Powwows in the country returns for its 55th year on Mother’s Day weekend. Three days of intertribal dancing, drum competitions, Native art vendors, traditional food, and Tiny Tots categories that younger kids love watching. Sunday’s Mother & Daughter Honor Song makes for a genuinely moving close.
All ages welcome | Free admission; parking pass may apply | Learn more
Friday, May 8
Disney’s Frozen
7:30 pm | 📍 Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto
Palo Alto Players brings Frozen to the stage for its final weekend. Big songs, full community cast, and all the Elsa energy your household can handle. Best for kids ready for a full musical with an intermission.
Recommended ages 4+; no children under 3 | From $20 | Get tickets
Saturday, May 9
San Francisco Bike Rodeo for Kids
Sessions begin at 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, and 10:30 am | 📍 Stonestown Galleria, San Francisco
Kids get helmet checks, bike inspections, hand signal practice, and a short neighborhood ride with volunteers and mechanics on site. A surprisingly fun confidence builder for newer riders.
Ages 5–17 | Free; registration required | Register
“Almost” Mother’s Day Kids’ Concert
10:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Andy Z and the Andyland Band bring their high energy kindie rock show to the square, along with inflatable play areas and Mother’s Day craft stations. Easy to pair with the History Museum event right next door.
Best for ages 2–10 | Free | Learn more
Family Past Times: Celebrating Moms and Migratory Birds
10:00 am–1:00 pm | 📍 San Mateo County History Museum, Redwood City
Bird themed crafts, scavenger hunts, and hands on activities take over the courthouse in honor of World Migratory Bird Day. A sweet add on if you’re already at Courthouse Square.
All ages | Free | Learn more
May Second Saturday at Gamble Garden
10:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 Gamble Garden, Palo Alto
Mother’s Day crafts, guided garden walks, storytime, scavenger hunts, and one of the prettiest gardens on the Peninsula fully in bloom for May. Calm and easy in the best way.
All ages | Free; timed registration recommended | Learn more
10th Hungarian Heritage Festival
12:00 pm–10:00 pm | 📍 Twin Pines Park, Belmont
This beloved Peninsula festival celebrates its tenth year with folk dance, live music, traditional food, puppet shows, children’s crafts, and a large cultural marketplace. Festive without feeling overwhelming.
All ages | Adults $20; ages 6–17 $5; under 5 free | Learn more
Hiller Aviation Museum: Starlab Planetarium
Museum 10:00 am–5:00 pm; Starlab shows at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm | 📍 Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
Explore cockpits, helicopters, and flight simulators before stepping inside the inflatable Starlab dome for a constellation show. One of those outings that works surprisingly well across age ranges.
Starlab best for ages 5+; museum all ages | Museum admission + $5 Starlab add on | Get tickets
Disney’s Frozen: Relaxed Performance
2:00 pm | 📍 Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto
This relaxed performance welcomes audience movement, noise, and flexibility, with adjusted lighting and lower sensory pressure. One of the most thoughtful theater options around for families who need it.
Recommended ages 4+; no children under 3 | From $20 | Get tickets
Rock on Water + Drone Show
Concert 6:30 pm–8:30 pm; drone show begins at 8:30 pm | 📍 Port of Redwood City, Redwood City
A waterfront Rolling Stones tribute concert turns into a 400 drone light show over the harbor after sunset. There are glow activities and kid zones before the show starts, so arriving early helps.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Sunday, May 10 | Mother’s Day
Hiller Aviation Museum: Paint A Plane
10:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
Kids get to help paint a real airplane before exploring the museum’s cockpits and helicopters. Pair it with the San Carlos Farmers’ Market on Laurel Street for a very easy Mother’s Day morning.
Best for ages 3–12 | Museum admission | Learn more
Downtown San Mateo Mother’s Day Pop Up
12:00 pm–2:00 pm | 📍 B Street, San Mateo
Live jazz and free family photos bring a little extra energy to downtown San Mateo for Mother’s Day afternoon. A nice low key option if you want something simple after brunch.
All ages | Free | Get details
Disney’s Frozen: Final Performance
2:00 pm | 📍 Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto
The final performance of the run. Good for families who’ve been meaning to make it happen all spring and finally have the weekend for it.
Recommended ages 4+; no children under 3 | From $20 | Get tickets
Whether this weekend finds you at a Powwow, watching drones over the water, or simply standing beside your child while they paint a real airplane, we hope it gives you a few moments that feel genuinely good.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the parents doing this alongside their kids.
See you next week,
Akriti