Family events in Redwood City, CA

Downtown Redwood City's Music on the Square celebrates two decades of live music and community spirit. Across fourteen Friday evenings, this free series welcomes all ages with a lively mix of rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul, featuring standout performers from the Bay Area and beyond. The season opens with Carnaval’s high-energy salute to Santana and concludes with the crowd-pleasing pop and soul of Pride & Joy. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pick up a bite from nearby restaurants, and enjoy a beloved Peninsula tradition. Please note that glass bottled beverages are not permitted and this policy will be enforced.

Sunnyvale Library and Recreation Services staff present a no-cost storytime at the inclusive Magical Bridge Playground, welcoming families and individuals of every age and ability to enjoy a story together.

Aja Vu from the San Francisco Bay Area presents a tribute to Steely Dan and Chicago, recreating layered harmonies and the signature horn textures that define both bands. The set draws on Steely Dan’s sleek, jazz influenced studio sound and Chicago’s brass forward mix of rock, jazz, and pop, offering familiar songs performed with care for the originals. This concert is part of Downtown Redwood City’s Music on the Square, a community tradition marking 20 years. The season spans fourteen weeks of free performances, highlighting standout talent from the Bay Area and beyond across rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul. It begins with Carnaval’s Santana tribute and concludes with Pride & Joy. Attendees often bring a lawn chair or blanket and pick up food from nearby restaurants to enjoy during the show. Please note that glass bottles are not permitted and this rule will be enforced.

An evening under the stars features a screening of The Wild Robot as part of the Sunset Movie Series. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and plenty of movie enthusiasm. The event includes activities and snacks before the film, followed by the feature under the night sky.

Silicon Valley Robotics Fair 2026 spans two days of robotics and AI, welcoming students, families, educators, engineers, founders, investors, and technology leaders to explore where the field is headed. The schedule features 40 to 60 middle and high school teams competing for the Lobster Cup, along with AI and robot displays, talks by experts, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, exhibit booths, and opportunities for networking. Attendees can discover inventive projects, hear insights from AI and emerging tech leaders, connect with exhibitors, and participate in interactive STEM activities created for learners, families, builders, and the wider Silicon Valley community. The fair takes place at the San Mateo County Event Center.

This in-person open house features infant, toddler, preschool, and afterschool programs that provide early education and care in a safe, nurturing setting with qualified, compassionate educators, supporting working families. Visitors can tour classrooms, meet the team, and learn about the whole-child approach in daily practice. Activities include a professional magic puppet show, giant bubble play, face painting, and an orientation. Open house discounts are available.

Enjoy a visit to Gamble Garden and discover the historic house and grounds while learning about nature. Designed for adults, kids, and families alike, the program features guided tours, scavenger hunts, educational stations, crafts, storytime, and other special activities. Each month highlights a different theme, and admission is free and open to everyone.

At the San Mateo County History Museum, the Old Courthouse becomes a glimpse of Victorian California with free admission. Beneath the stained glass dome, children can enjoy era-themed craft projects and set off on a museum-wide scavenger hunt. In the restored historic courtroom, a fashion presentation showcases looks from across the period, from the voluminous skirts of the 1850s and the bustle era of the 1870s to the Gibson Girl style of the turn of the century. The program also highlights stories of nineteenth century Peninsula millionaires who wore these fashions. Every outfit comes from the museum’s educational collection used in fashion shows and reenactments. A family-friendly experience that brings history to life.

The kid-focused music series is back with live tunes, dancing, and playful energy. Host and performer Andy Z leads the festivities with his animated approach alongside the Andyland Band, shaping an interactive experience designed for children and welcoming to adults. Supported by Redwood City’s Public Library and Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, the scene around Courthouse Square buzzes with activity, including an inflatable play area that adds to the fun. Alongside the music, SF Bay Area Moms presents Summer Splash, featuring creative projects, games, STEM and sensory activities for all ages, plus take-home bags of seasonal goodies and opportunities to connect with trusted local businesses. Early arrival offers the best opportunity to participate. Andy Z is an award-winning children’s artist and educator who blends songs, movement, storytelling, and colorful characters to keep young audiences engaged while families enjoy the show. His work has appeared on the Pandora Video Series and the Pottery Barn Kids Stylehouse site. With the Andyland Band, he has performed at gatherings such as Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas, Strings Music Festival in Colorado, Facebook Scare On The Square and Family Day events, San Ramon Art and Wind Festival, Marine Science Institute’s Earth Day on the Bay, Filoli Estate Family Night, and Redwood City’s long-running Kids Rock and Almost Mother’s Day programs. His music has been featured on NBC’s Today Show and recognized with honors including Disney’s iParenting Media Award, the Parents’ Choice Foundation Award, the National Parenting Publications Award, and the Tillywig Top Fun Award.

Meet adorable rescue dogs at Petco, where adoptable pups are looking for their forever homes. Drop-ins are welcome, and appointments can be arranged to spend time with a specific dog. Each adoption includes health records and comprehensive care, including vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick treatment, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Adoption fees vary by dog and start at $250, considered a partially tax-deductible donation that helps support care for over 500 dogs. For questions or more details, call or text 888.508.8943.

Live music fills Marlin Park in Redwood Shores, with the lagoons providing a calm backdrop for an outdoor concert. Misspent Youth takes the stage with an energetic, interactive classic rock set designed for family audiences, featuring favorites from Journey, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, Heart, and more. Settle in on a blanket or chairs, bring picnic fare or pick up dinner from Grillzillas, and enjoy an evening of songs and waterfront views. A seasoned presence at city events from Foster City to Morgan Hill, the band is known for getting all ages dancing from the opening number to the last chord.

Join this full-day camp experience focused on food and fun for kids ages 7 to 13. Campers will start with a Sweet European Escape, exploring classic European baking traditions through hands-on scone-to-impress style activities. In the afternoon, Kitchen Chemist turns cooking into science, with mixing, stirring, and experiments that show the magic behind everyday ingredients. All materials are included, and you’ll need to bring a peanut-free snack, lunch, and a refillable water bottle, plus wear sunscreen and closed-toe footwear.

Woodworkers Academy is a hands-on woodworking camp for kids ages 5 to 13. Campers will learn woodworking basics, including how to use a variety of hand tools and build using practical techniques and math. Beginners start by making a spin top to get familiar with the tools, then choose from pre selected projects or create ideas of their own, with options like birdhouses, toys, treasure chests, and shelves. The week includes tool use such as brace drills, egg beater drills, coping saws, hand saws, and clamps. Kids should bring a peanut-free snack, lunch, and a refillable water bottle, and wear sunscreen, a hat, and closed-toe footwear. All materials are included.

Music in the Park at Stafford Park features the Anthony Arya Band with a rock forward blend of folk and pop. Expect emotionally charged vocals, poetic grit, and energetic anthems in a relaxed outdoor setting that is great for spending time with friends and family. This concert is part of a ten week series offering free live music and a mix of new faces alongside returning favorites. Anthony Arya is an indie folk artist from the San Francisco Bay Area whose captivating performances channel the Laurel Canyon sound for a modern era. He first drew widespread attention at 16 through appearances on NBC’s The Voice. Now 23 and an award winning songwriter with four full length albums, he performs frequently and has headlined well known venues and festivals across the West Coast, racking up more than 150 shows in 2024 and 2025. In February 2026 he released the acoustic single Sugar On Your Shades, and live versions of the song have earned over one million views on social media, with additional releases planned throughout the year leading to a new album by the end of 2026.

Bookasaurus staff hosts a weekly storytime for all ages. Each session includes reading a new book plus a favorite selected by the staff.

Courthouse Square turns into an outdoor movie hub with free back-to-back films the whole family can enjoy. This screening features Lilo & Stitch, a PG-rated live-action retelling of the 2002 Disney favorite about a young Hawaiian girl and a runaway alien whose arrival helps mend her family. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and starring Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Magnussen, it runs 108 minutes and was released in 2025. The series also showcases indie shorts along with a mix of beloved classics and recent releases.

Courthouse Square transforms into an open-air cinema with free double features for all ages. Programming starts with family selections or Bravemaker independent shorts, followed by a full-length feature. On select nights, the series shifts to Soccer on the Square community watch parties with live match screenings. Films are presented in high definition with surround sound, and a large LED screen provides clear views throughout the Square. There is space to spread a blanket, and nearby restaurants offer takeout to enjoy while watching. The lineup ranges from family comedies and thrillers to independent highlights, continuing a long-running tradition in Redwood City.

Enjoy an open-air screening as part of Movies on the Square. This showing features Jurassic World: Rebirth (PG-13), with the movie starting in the evening and running until late. Courthouse Square becomes a vibrant outdoor cinema for a family-friendly night out with the big-screen experience and immersive surround sound.