Family events in San Mateo, CA

Downtown Redwood City's long running concert series marks 20 years of live music and community spirit, welcoming all ages with fourteen weeks of free Friday night performances. The music spans rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul, showcasing talent from the Bay and beyond. The season opens with the high energy Santana tribute Carnaval and concludes with the pop and soul of Pride & Joy. Plan to bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a bite from well regarded nearby restaurants, and settle in for a Friday night tradition on the Peninsula. Please note that glass bottled beverages are not permitted and this policy will be enforced.

Join a hands-on drone camp where you’ll learn how aerial robotics works from the inside out. Campers will explore the physics and hardware behind flight, practice manual control skills like pitch, yaw, and roll, and work as a team to research how drones are used in real industries such as agriculture, filmmaking, and search and rescue. You’ll also wrap up with a team tech presentation and a pilot challenge using a controlled obstacle course.

Head to College Terrace Library for LEGO Fridays, a fun drop-in time where kids can bring their imagination and build something creative with LEGO. The LEGO pieces stay at the library, so be sure to snap a photo of your finished creation. This STEAM-focused program supports early childhood development through problem-solving, teamwork, confidence, and creativity, and it’s suitable for kids ages 18 months through 11 years.

Get ready for the Lobster Cup International Robotic Competition as part of Robotics Fair 2026. This in-person event invites elite FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams to compete in an off-season invitational where teams face high-stakes “rule twists” that test real-time engineering and strategy. Watch the matches and see international teams go head-to-head throughout the weekend.

Silicon Valley Robotics Fair 2026 is a two-day celebration of robotics and AI at the San Mateo Event Center. Expect a mix of students and families alongside educators, engineers, founders, investors, and technology leaders exploring what is next in the field. Between 40 and 60 middle and high school teams compete for the Lobster Cup, joined by AI and robot showcases, expert talks, hands-on workshops, live demos, exhibitor booths, and networking opportunities. Attendees can discover inventive robotics projects, learn from leaders in AI and emerging technology, connect with exhibitors, and participate in practical STEM activities created for students, families, builders, and the wider Silicon Valley community.

Victorian Days at the Old Courthouse transforms the San Mateo County History Museum into a window on 19th century California. Admission is free, inviting visitors beneath the stained glass dome where children can dive into hands-on crafts inspired by the era and set off on a museum scavenger hunt. In the beautifully restored courtroom, a Victorian fashion show presents adults and youngsters in styles spanning the full skirts of the 1850s, the bustled silhouettes of the 1870s, and the Gibson Girl look at the turn of the century. Along with details about the garments, discover stories of the Peninsula’s nineteenth century millionaires who would have worn them. All outfits come from the museum’s education collection, designed for fashion programs and reenactments. It is a welcoming, family friendly celebration that lets local history step into the spotlight.

Kids Rock brings a high-energy family concert led by MC Andy Z and the Andyland Band. Live music, dancing, and playful audience interaction keep children engaged while adults enjoy the lively scene at Courthouse Square. Sponsored by Redwood City's Public Library and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the program blends music, movement, and colorful characters in a welcoming setting with an inflatable playland for extra fun. SF Bay Area Moms presents a Summer Splash alongside the show, featuring arts and crafts, games, STEM and sensory activities for all ages, opportunities to pick up a bag of seasonal goodies, and connections with local businesses highlighted for families by SF Bay Area Moms. Andy Z is a children's performer, songwriter, and educator whose work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, the Pandora Video Series, and the Pottery Barn Kids Stylehouse site, and the Andyland Band has taken the stage at notable festivals and community celebrations such as Austin City Limits and Strings Music Festival. His music has earned honors including Disney's iParenting Media Award, the Parents' Choice Award, the National Parenting Publications Award, and the Tillywig Top Fun Award.

Enjoy the Bay Area Aloha Festival at the San Mateo County Event Center, featuring festive island fun for the whole family. Admission is $5 suggested for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Festival parking is $20 per vehicle, and carpooling is encouraged.

Andy Z brings a kids-focused concert to Courthouse Square in Redwood City. The show is scheduled for late morning, with the lineup highlighting this featured performer.

Second Saturday at Gamble Garden offers a morning of discovery in the historic home and garden with opportunities to learn about nature. Adults, children, and families can take part in guided tours, scavenger hunts, learning stations, hands-on crafts, storytime, and other special activities. Each month highlights a unique theme, and the event is free and open to everyone.

Bring the whole family for a FREE Touch-A-Truck event featuring a hands-on lineup of vehicles like fire trucks, police cars, and utility trucks. Kids can honk horns, push buttons, and explore how these vehicles work. It is a fun, interactive way to spark imaginations for all ages.

Enjoy the 25th Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival, a big, all-ages celebration of global rhythms and local culture. Expect a festival atmosphere with music performances, makers and crafts, folkloric traditions, and plenty of food, stretching across multiple blocks. The event runs throughout the day and is designed to be welcoming for all ages and abilities.

Get ready for the new school year with EPACENTER’s Back to School Carnival. This family-friendly event runs on Saturday, August 8 from 11 AM to 4 PM and features games, hands-on activities, live entertainment, and more. Students can also pick up free school supplies while they last, so it’s a great chance to celebrate with your community and come prepared for school.

This event takes place at the HUSD Performing Arts Center.

Celebrating 25 years, the Laurel StreetFair brings a lively mix of music, dance, and community spirit from near and far. The main stage features Halau Makana with Polynesian dance, Nzuri Soul with soul and R&B, MJ’s Brass Boppers with traditional New Orleans brass, In Lak'ech Danza Azteca with Aztec dance, Bululú with tropical Latin sounds, Non-Stop Bhangra with Punjabi dance music, Bongo Sidibe with Guinean and West African dance, Duniya Dance & Drum Company with West African and South Asian drum and dance, and the Shabnam Bellydance Ensemble with Middle Eastern and Egyptian styles, plus more. Highlights include a kid’s carnival presented by Jain Williams State Farm, the CA Draft Tech craft beer garden, specialty cocktails, and a vendor marketplace for local shopping. Admission is free and the atmosphere is family friendly. The festival is supported by sponsors including Laurel Ace Hardware, Dolan Law, Domino’s Pizza, the City of Oakland, Oaklandside, Becker Boards, AC Transit, IKE Smart City, Supervisor Nate Miley, Oaktoberfest, Kos Read Group, Jain Williams State Farm, Tante's, California Draft Tech, Black Cultural Zone, and Oakland Recycles.

Monster Jam brings larger-than-life action to Oakland Arena and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, showcasing massive trucks, gravity-defying stunts and huge air. See 12,000-pound machines balance on two wheels and take flight. Fan favorites such as Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Sparkle Smash and more are part of the lineup. This live experience packs nonstop excitement for audiences of all ages.

Settle in beside the lagoons at Marlin Park for Sounds of the Shores, a relaxed live music series in scenic Redwood Shores. This concert features Misspent Youth performing high-energy classic rock covers tailored for outdoor, family friendly crowds, with standout vocals, tight musicianship, and a steady stream of favorites from Journey, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, Heart, and more that keeps all generations moving from the first song to the last. Bring a blanket or chairs, meet up with friends and family, and enjoy picnic fare or grab dinner from Grillzillas while taking in waterfront views. Known for lighting up municipal stages from Foster City to Morgan Hill, the band is celebrated for getting audiences dancing, singing, and swaying throughout the show.

First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro and Rise Against Hunger are teaming up for a hands-on volunteer event to package 10,000 meals for families facing hunger around the world. Volunteers of all ages can take part in an assembly-line style effort, working alongside friends, relatives, and neighbors to help provide nutritious food to communities in need. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Registration is required to participate. Organizers are looking for meal-packaging helpers, about 3 to 5 people to assist with setup and cleanup, and a few volunteers who can help with lifting up to 50 pounds.

Monster Jam brings a one of a kind spectacle to Oakland Arena and Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, filled with giant trucks, gravity defying stunts, and nonstop thrills. See 12,000 pound machines balance on two wheels and launch into the air. Catch fan favorites like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Sparkle Smash and more. It is a live experience that delivers the kind of awe you rarely see elsewhere, and many leave as lifelong fans.

Young artists from Sunnyvale, Fremont, San Bruno, and Milpitas are invited to a kids drawing competition that celebrates creativity. Participants can bring their ideas to life on the page while connecting with peers in a friendly setting. Winners will receive medals, certificates, and special prizes. This is a chance for children to build confidence, make new friends, and showcase their artistic talent. Space is limited, and registration details are available by calling 408-590-5226.

An engaging stage event weaves folk traditions, storytelling, and music into a richly textured journey suitable for all ages. Timeless narratives come alive through song and expressive performance, creating a vivid cultural experience. Presented at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center in the Bay Area.

Two Wheelers Club Peninsula is a full-day cycling camp for kids ages 5 to 8 focused on building balance, coordination, and confidence on two wheels. Sessions cover bike basics like starting, stopping, and controlled forward movement, with a special emphasis on getting riders ready for more advanced rides later on. Throughout the week, kids also enjoy activities like swimming at Rinconada Pool and a trip to the Palo Alto Jr. Museum and Zoo. The camp runs each day from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with optional aftercare available until 5:30 PM for an additional cost.

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.

Rookies Camp is a beginner-friendly music camp for kids ages 6 to 7 with no prior experience. Campers will explore different rock instruments and get an introduction to music theory, ear training, rhythm patterns, and group playing. Each day runs in the morning, and students are asked to bring lunch, snacks, water, and hearing protection.

Take part in a rotating set of mindfulness activities designed to help you relax and recharge, then tour the community, meet the team, and learn how the application process works. Created with teachers, school employees, and their families in mind, this Palo Alto community offers affordable studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartment homes that are ready for move-in. To confirm whether your school participates, please refer to the community website. A Summer Special may be available on select homes for qualified applicants, featuring two months of free rent, a waived $30 application fee, and a flexible move-in date. Approval is required and restrictions apply. Lease documents must be signed within five business days of approval and the lease must begin within 30 calendar days. Details are subject to change without notice; see the website for full terms. The property is pet friendly and blends welcoming indoor and outdoor spaces, including elevated courtyards with views and ground level public plazas in a walkable setting with a European feel. It sits near El Camino Real and the Oregon Expressway, with convenient access to major roadways, public transportation, and Caltrain. The community is located within the Palo Alto Unified School District, making resident students eligible to attend local public schools.

Play Cafe is a family-friendly storytime and play session designed for parents and caregivers with kids ages 0 to 5. It includes stories, songs, and a chance for little ones to play together.

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.

Courthouse Square turns into an outdoor movie venue with two free films that welcome all ages. This screening features Lilo & Stitch (PG), a live action retelling of Disney’s 2002 story about a lonely Hawaiian girl and a fugitive alien who helps bring her family back together. The cast includes Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Magnussen, with direction by Dean Fleischer Camp. The film runs 108 minutes and was released in 2025. The series blends early family selections and later independent shorts with a mix of celebrated classics and recent feature releases across the season.

Part of the returning Summer Concert Series, this outdoor concert features Carnaval on the lawn at the Colma Community Center. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic to relax on the grass and enjoy live music with neighbors. Free admission and welcoming to all ages.

Courthouse Square hosts a weekly outdoor movie series featuring free double features for all ages. The lineup begins with family-friendly selections, includes Bravemaker independent films, and continues with a full-length evening feature. Screenings are presented in high definition with surround sound on an LED screen that provides clear views throughout the Square. Some nights shift to Soccer on the Square community watch parties with live FIFA World Cup viewing. Arrive early to claim a spot, spread a blanket, and enjoy takeout from nearby restaurants. Celebrating 20 years, this series offers classics, new releases, and indie discoveries 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.