What's happening this week (Oct 16-22)
Family-friendly events across the San Francisco Peninsula
Hi friends! Here’s your guide for the week(end). A mix of hands-on kids’ activities, seasonal fun, arts, food, and community events - family tested, many free!
🎃 Seasonal Highlights
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Oct 18–19, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | 📍 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Giant gourds, harvest eats, live music, parades, pie-eating, kids’ zone, costume parade.
All ages | Free | Event DetailsPumpkin Run
Oct 19, 8:00 am | 📍 Downtown Half Moon Bay
5K, 10K, half marathon & kids’ fun run. Not a runner? It’s still a great event to cheer on and soak up the fun, and yes, there’s pie and cider at the finish!
Best for ages 4+ (strollers welcome) | From $15–$40 | RegisterTop of the Hill Festival
Oct 18, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm | 📍 Mission St & John Daly Blvd, Daly City
Neighborhood block party with food, rides, games, vendors, pet show & live music.
All ages | Free entry | Event DetailsFostoberfest
Oct 18, 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm | 📍 Leo J. Ryan Park, Foster City
Food trucks, beer garden, live music, kids’ games & crafts by the lagoon.
All ages | Free (Activities require wristband) | Event DetailsWitches’ Tea at Filoli
Oct 17–19, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, & 2:30 pm | 📍 Filoli, Woodside
Fancy tea party with a magical twist; costumes encouraged.
Best for ages 5–12 | $85/person | Tickets
🎠 For the Kids
Family Fun at Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
Oct 18-19, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm | 📍 Half Moon Bay
The oldest sustainable pumpkin farm in San Mateo County. Hay maze, train rides, pony rides, petting zoo & pumpkins. Tickets can be purchased based on the experiences.
Ages 2–12 | Entry $12 (rides/activities extra) | Event DetailsSan Mateo Rotary Fun Run
Oct 19, 9:00 am | 📍 Seal Point Park, Bay Trail
All-ages fun run with snacks & prizes; stroller-friendly. Children start at 10:00 am.
All ages | Fee supports Rotary | Register
🥕 Farmers Markets
Burlingame Farmers Market
Oct 16, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm & Oct 19, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm | 📍 Howard Ave, Burlingame
Shop local produce & artisan foods with live music; kid-friendly vibes.
All ages | Free | Market infoMenlo Park Farmers Market
Oct 19, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | 📍 Chestnut St & Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park
Fresh local produce, baked goods, and live acoustic music—easy parking and plenty of snacks for kids.
All ages | Free | Market info
✨ Community & Culture
Diwali Celebration - Belmont
Oct 19, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | 📍 Twin Pines Park, Belmont
Festival of Lights celebration. The Belmont Library and the City of Belmont are curating a colorful event, filled with music, dance, crafts, and refreshments!
All ages | Free | DetailsHalloween Extravaganza - South San Francisco
Oct 18, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | 📍 Orange Memorial Park, SSF
Carnival games, costume contests, a bounce house, and trick-or-treat booths.
Ages 2–12 (teens welcome as volunteers) | Free | Event Details
🎨 Arts & Performances
Fork n’ Film: **The Nightmare Before Christmas**
Oct 17–18, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | 📍 Grand Bay Hotel, Redwood City
A unique concept that fuses two of life’s greatest pleasures, food and film, into an immersive journey. A multi-course meal gets curated, where each dish is meticulously crafted and is served at the exact moment it appears on the screen.
All ages | $199.99 (Meal & Movie) | TicketsCeramics Sale @ San Mateo Central Park
Oct 18, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | 📍 Central Park, San Mateo
Ceramics sale presented by the San Mateo Ceramics Studio and the City of San Mateo’s Parks & Rec Dept. Featuring items like mugs, planters, vases, bowls, gifts, and more.
All ages | Free | Info
🌈 All-Week Favorites
CuriOdyssey Science Playground
Daily, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | 📍 Coyote Point, San Mateo
Hands-on science + small zoo; great outdoor play zone.
Best for ages 2–10 | $22 adults, $16 kids (under 2 free) | curiodyssey.orgHiller Aviation Museum
Daily, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | 📍 601 Skyway Rd, San Carlos
Explore planes & simulators; look for seasonal STEM activities.
Ages 4+ | $22 adults, $18 kids (under 4 free) | hiller.org
Thanks for reading! 🍂 I’d love your support in sharing this guide with another local family.
AND if you attend any of these, hit reply and tell me what you loved (or didn’t). Your feedback helps shape future guides.
See you next Thursday for a fresh roundup - same place, more family fun.
💛 Akriti
Parent Pocket Guide