Hi parents,
August is going out on a delightfully playful note.
There are zucchini cars racing through a farmers market, a baby flamingo getting its own storytime, art and Bowie in Redwood City, and quite a lot of Pokémon around San Francisco.
The official Pokémon convention is sold out, but you don’t need a badge to join all the fun. There’s a free movie in Union Square, drone shows over the waterfront, and a local library party closer to home.
This might be a good weekend to choose the slightly odd plan. Race a vegetable. Fold a dragon. Dance in the park.
⭐ Weekend Pick
Zucchini Car Race
Sunday • Race starts at 11:00 am |📍 Mountain View Farmers’ Market, Mountain View
Bring a zucchini and turn it into a tiny race car using free wheels and decorating supplies at the market. Cars must be checked in by 10:45 am before racing down the track, with prizes for speed and creativity.
All ages | Free | Get details
Happening All Weekend
Creating Home at Filoli
Friday–Sunday • 10:00 am–5:00 pm |📍 Filoli, Woodside
This is the final weekend to explore Filoli’s summer family experience. Track down giant nest sculptures, follow a redwood scavenger hunt, visit the hands-on Discovery Den, and climb inside Rose, the estate’s 27-foot wooden troll.
All ages | General admission from $35 | Get tickets
Pokémon, No Badge Needed
PokémonXP and the World Championships are sold out, but these free events are open to everyone.
Pokémon Drone Shows
Friday • Approximately 9:35 pm
Saturday & Sunday • Approximately 9:20 pm |📍 Near the Ferry Building, San Francisco
Hundreds of drones will light up the waterfront with Pokémon characters each night. It’s a late one for younger kids, but potentially worth stretching bedtime for serious fans.
Best for older kids | Free | Get details
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu in Union Square
Saturday • Preshow 5:00 pm • Movie 8:00 pm |📍 Union Square, San Francisco
Settle in for a free outdoor screening of Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, timed to celebrate Pokémon’s big weekend in the city. Arrive early for the preshow and bring an extra layer for the evening.
Best for 7+ | Free | Learn more
Friday, Aug 28
Flamingo Chick Storytime
2:00–3:00 pm |📍 Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto
Celebrate the zoo’s newest baby flamingo with flamingo-themed stories and songs from Palo Alto City Library. Stay for the 3:00 pm feeding and a closer look at the chick.
Best for 2–8 | Museum admission and advance reservation required | Get tickets
ART on the Square + Starman SF
5:00–8:30 pm |📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Browse work from local artists and makers while Starman SF performs a free David Bowie tribute concert. An easy Friday plan if you want dinner downtown, live music, and room for the kids to move around.
All ages | Free | Get details
San Bruno Concerts in the Park
6:00–8:00 pm |📍 San Bruno City Park, San Bruno
Bring a blanket and settle in for blues and R&B from High Water Blues. Food, drinks, and frozen treats will be available, making this an easy picnic evening without much planning.
All ages | Free | Get details
Saturday, Aug 29
Foodwise Tomato Celebration
11:00 am–1:00 pm |📍 Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco
Taste different tomato varieties, vote for a favorite, and pick up recipes and cooking tips while you wander the market. There will also be tomato-themed games and activities for kids.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Pokémon Party
11:00 am–12:30 pm |📍 San Bruno Public Library, San Bruno
Trade Pokémon cards, catch characters at the library’s PokéStop, and try themed crafts, puzzles, games, and a scavenger hunt. A much calmer local alternative to the crowds around Moscone Center.
Best for 5–12 | Free | Get details
Imagine Together Festival
11:00 am–3:00 pm |📍 Barrett Community Center, Belmont
Spend the afternoon trying short classes, playing games, browsing craft vendors, and meeting more than 30 local community groups. There will also be food, tours, and family-friendly activities focused on emergency preparedness.
All ages | Free admission; food available for purchase | Get details
San Mateo Main Library 20th Anniversary
12:00–3:00 pm |📍 San Mateo Main Library, San Mateo
Celebrate the library’s birthday and the opening of its new café with taiko drumming, folklórico dance, ukulele, jazz, and Persian music. Performances run throughout the afternoon, with light refreshments available.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Rock the Gates Summer Fleadh
2:00–10:00 pm |📍 United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco
Three stages bring together Celtic rock, Irish music, dance, jazz, and classic-rock tributes. Kids can dip into crafts, storytelling, face painting, a bounce house, and a new Irish Mini Camp designed for ages 6–10.
All ages | Adults $25–30; under 18 free with an adult | Get tickets
Sunday, Aug 30
Origami Palooza
11:00 am–4:00 pm |📍 Hotel Kabuki and Japan Center East Mall, San Francisco
Drop into free folding stations for beginner and intermediate models, watch origami competitions, or learn from visiting artists Boice Wong and John Collins, also known as the Paper Airplane Guy. Paid classes are available for families who want more instruction.
Best for 5+ | Free activities; classes from $10 | Get details
Chinatown Family Block Party
11:30 am–2:30 pm |📍 Grant Avenue between Clay and Sacramento, San Francisco
This community celebration begins with a traditional lion dance, followed by cultural performances, music, games, and gifts for kids. There are no commercial vendors, so the focus stays on families, culture, and community.
All ages | Free | Get details
BonPOP 2026
2:00–6:00 pm |📍 San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park
Spend the first half of the afternoon exploring vendors and activities, then join the circle for communal Bon Odori dancing from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Memorial lanterns and a yukata dressing station add to this welcoming Japanese summer tradition.
All ages | Free for SF residents and children 4 and under; garden admission otherwise | Get details
A Little Joy
Save one summer moment
Ask everyone in the family to name or draw one moment from this summer they want to remember. Tuck the notes into an envelope marked “Summer 2026” and open it together next year.
No scrapbook required. A scribble, a sentence, or a printed photo counts.
Whatever you choose, I hope it gives everyone a little room to play before September begins.
Have a lovely weekend,
Akriti