One Last Spin: The Fair's Final Weekend, Pride in the Park & a Little Bit of Space
June 12–14, 2026
Hi parents,
This is one of those weekends where the calendar feels generous.
The San Mateo County Fair wraps up its centennial run Sunday night, Pride lands in Central Park, the Fillmore hosts California’s biggest Juneteenth celebration, and the Exploratorium launches a new exhibition about life in space.
You don’t need to do it all. One good outing, maybe two, is plenty. Pick what fits your crew and let the rest go.
Happening All Weekend
San Mateo County Fair: Final Weekend
11:00 am – 10:00 pm daily | 📍 San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo
The centennial “In Bloom” fair closes Sunday night. Carnival rides, racing pigs and ducks, daily Make It & Take It crafts for kids, and a packed stage lineup. Saturday brings Winds of the Pacific with hula and Māori performances, while Sunday’s Día de la Feria finale features Ballet Folklórico, mariachi, and the kids’ champion eating contest.
All ages | Admission varies (kids 12 and under free Friday) | Get details
Life in Space Festival at the Exploratorium
11:00 am – 4:30 pm Sat & Sun | 📍 Exploratorium, San Francisco
The museum’s new summer exhibition opens with a festival weekend. Meet astronomers, hear what Beethoven sounds like on Mars, build a mini Mars rover, and try on a replica astronaut helmet. The exhibition runs all summer, but the festival extras are this weekend only.
All ages | Free with museum admission | Learn more
Friday, June 12
Music on the Square: Shades of Blue
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | 📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Redwood City’s free Friday concert series returns with an evening of classic blues. Bring a blanket, grab dinner nearby, and let the kids dance while the sun goes down.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Saturday, June 13
Foster City Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 1010 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City
A relaxed year-round market with fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods. Easy with strollers and close to the Bay Trail if you want to turn it into a longer morning.
All ages | Free to browse | Learn more
Coastside Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 Shoreline Station, Half Moon Bay
Fresh coastal produce, seafood, artisan goods, and ocean air. Pair it with a beach walk and you’ve built a pretty great Saturday morning.
All ages | Free to browse | Learn more
Second Saturday at Gamble Garden
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | 📍 Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, Palo Alto
This month’s theme celebrates pollinators and Pride. Expect scavenger hunts, flower crowns, bee crafts, garden tours, and plenty of room to wander.
All ages | Free (registration required) | Get details
Biggest Little Air Show
10:30 am – 12:00 pm | 📍 Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
RC jets, aerobatic helicopters, model rockets, a Coast Guard rescue demonstration, and full-size aerobatic performances. Kids can fly drones inside the museum afterward.
Best for ages 5+ | Tickets required | Get details
Disco Dance Party with DJ Chico Chi
11:00 am | 📍 Library | Parks and Recreation Center, South San Francisco
The Summer Learning Challenge kicks off with music, a photo booth, and a glowing dance floor. Sparkles and costumes encouraged.
Ages 0–11 | Free | Learn more
San Mateo County Pride Celebration
11:00 am – 5:00 pm | 📍 Central Park, San Mateo
A family-friendly Pride celebration with live performances, food trucks, community booths, and activities for kids under the park’s shady trees.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
11:00 am – 6:00 pm | 📍 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
Live music, a Kids Zone with rides and games, local vendors, food, and community celebration. One of the largest Juneteenth gatherings in California.
All ages | Free | Get details
Rock the Dock: Neon Velvet
3:30 pm – 6:00 pm | 📍 Port of Redwood City, Redwood City
A waterfront Pride dance party with live music, food vendors, lawn chairs, and Bay breezes. An easy afternoon outing that wraps up right around dinner time.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Sunday, June 14
San Carlos Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 Laurel Street at Cherry Street, San Carlos
A neighborhood favorite with local farms, artisan bakers, fresh flowers, and plenty of people-watching along Laurel Street.
All ages | Free to browse | Learn more
SFMOMA Family Day: Line, Shape, and Color
10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 📍 SFMOMA, San Francisco
The museum opens free to families with hands-on art making, storytimes, block building, artist-led activities, and take-home projects throughout the day.
All ages | Free with RSVP | Get details
Viva CalleSJ
10:00 am – 3:00 pm | 📍 Starts near Japantown, San Jose
Six miles of city streets close to cars and open to bikes, scooters, skates, strollers, and wandering feet. Activity hubs along the route make it easy to join for an hour or stay all day.
All ages | Free | Get details
Little Joy
If your kids are the kind who collect treasures everywhere they go, hand them a small paper bag before heading out this weekend and challenge them to bring home three things that remind them of the day.
A flower petal. A ticket stub. A sketch. A funny quote.
Sometimes the smallest souvenirs become the stories they remember most.
Whatever you choose, a last fair corn dog, a flower crown, or six miles of open road, we hope it leaves room for a slow Sunday evening too.
If this guide saved you a planning headache, pass it along to another Peninsula parent. That’s how this little community grows.
Akriti