Family events in Oakland, CA

Enjoy the 25th annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival, a vibrant community celebration featuring global music, art, makers and crafters, folkloric traditions, and food. It is designed for all ages and abilities and takes over more than 8 blocks for a full day of performances and cultural fun.

Monster Jam brings thunderous horsepower to Oakland Arena and Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with massive 12,000 pound trucks, spectacular stunts and nonstop thrills for all ages. Watch drivers balance on two wheels, launch over obstacles and keep the excitement revving from start to finish. Fan favorites like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Sparkle Smash and more power the action for an adrenaline filled showcase of motorsports fun.

Gaia Guides hosts family-friendly paddling sessions on the calm, protected waters of Ballena Bay Marina in Alameda. These relaxed, beginner-focused outings welcome first-time kayakers and seasoned paddleboarders alike, with instructors nearby to offer safety guidance, technique tips, and encouragement. Families with children ages 5 to 14 are the focus, and a parent or guardian participates alongside each child. All essential gear is provided. Pricing is $40 per adult per session, and kids paddle free on their first visit with the code kidspaddlefree. Pre-registration is required to reserve equipment.

On Tuesdays, two guests of any age can enjoy museum admission for a combined price of $22. Spend the day exploring exhibits and playing more than 100 machines spanning the 1940s through the 2020s. Choose songs on three jukeboxes at no extra cost. Reentry is allowed, making it easy to step out for breaks and local food and drinks, then return to keep playing.

Play Cafe is a fun, kid-friendly session for families with children ages 0 to 5. Come for stories, songs, and plenty of playtime.

Wednesday afternoons feature a kid-friendly craft session, Crafternoon for Kids, also offered as Manualidades para Niñ@s. Following the MOCHA program on the first Wednesday of each month, every week brings a different hands-on project. Children can get creative with activities like painting, cutting, and gluing, all centered on exploration and fun. Accessibility information is available.

This event honors the late legendary Coach Beam and his family for the impact he made on the Oakland sports community. The occasion is dedicated to remembering his legacy and acknowledging his family with gratitude and respect.

Join for Toddler Storytime at the Rockridge Branch Library, a weekly session designed for children ages 1 to 3. The stories and songs are geared toward toddlers, and the group may meet outdoors in the staff parking lot behind the library or indoors in the upstairs meeting room depending on the weather. After storytime, families are welcome to come inside to check out library materials.

Lincoln Summer Nights offers a lively 2026 season of park gatherings that welcome everyone. These evenings create space to celebrate and connect with neighbors, stay up to date on local happenings, and discover ways to participate in the community. The lineup also includes a night featuring Circus Bella, adding an extra splash of excitement to the season.