Here are this month’s top family activities around the Bay Area.
Aug. 1
“Bubbling Up!”
This new outdoor exhibit at the Children’s Discovery Museum allows visitors to experiment with bubbles of all different shapes, colors and sizes. In addition to being fun, the exhibit teaches science and math concepts related to elasticity, surface tension, chemistry, light and geometry. 9:30am-4:30pm. $16-18.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose,
180 Woz Way, San Jose
“Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm”
EXTENDED THROUGH OCT. 5. Due to popularity, this de Young Museum exhibit featuring more than 250 personal photos by Paul McCartney has been extended. It includes candid, behind-the-scenes photos, video clips and archival materials of McCartney’s Beatlemania years. 9:30am-5:15pm Tue.-Sun. $11-20, 17 and under FREE.
Golden Gate Park,
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
THROUGH AUG. 31. Enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works under the trees and stars at Audrey Stanley Grove. Check website for times. $20-70.
DeLaveaga Park,
501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz
santacruzshakespeare.org/season-2025
Aug. 2
World Dog Surfing Championships
Dogs show off their surfing skills and raise money for charities at this surfing competition for our four-legged furry friends. Prizes awarded for first, second and third place. 9am-1:30pm. FREE to watch.
Pacifica State Beach (a.k.a. Linda Mar Beach),
5000 Highway 1, Pacifica
Nihonmachi Street Fair
THROUGH AUG. 3. This annual event includes live entertainment, food and vendors with an Asian and Pacific Islander flair. It also includes a Children’s World with Asian-inspired crafts and games. 11am-6pm. FREE.
Japantown,
Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore streets
Aug. 3
Abhinaya Dance Company: “Natya Dhara”
The performance traces the progression of the classical south Indian style of Bharatanatyam, from its traditional roots to its current expression in the United States, through the extensive repertoire of the Abhinaya Dance Company. There will also be panel discussions exploring the evolution and impact of Bharatanatyam and live music. 3pm. $35-50.
Cañada College Main Theatre,
4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City
Pupusa Fest
Enjoy pupusas, live music, games for kids, a pupusa eating contest, traditional clothing and merch and more. 11am-6pm. $45 in advance, $50 day of the event.
Marin Center – Lagoon Park,
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Aug. 8
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” in Concert
THROUGH AUG. 9. See this Harry Potter classic accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. Rated PG-13. 7:30pm Fri., 1pm Sat. $95-170.
Davies Symphony Hall,
201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Outside Lands
THROUGH AUG. 10. This three-day music festival includes performances by Doja Cat, Beck With Symphony, Gracie Abrams, Ludacris, Tyler the Creator, Hozier and many more. Check schedule for times. Tickets start at $235 for a single day.
Golden Gate Park,
Main entrance is near Music Concourse Drive and Middle Drive West, San Francisco
Aug. 9
Bay Area Aloha Festival
THROUGH AUG. 10. The Pacific Islanders’ Cultural Association’s annual Bay Area Aloha Festival features family-friendly activities, live entertainment, arts & crafts, ‘Ohana Keiki Corner (activities for kids), Hawaiian and Pacific Islander food vendors, community booths, live hula and more. 10am-5pm. $5 suggested admission, kids are FREE, $20 for parking.
San Mateo County Event Center,
1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo
Second Saturdays at Gamble Garden
Enjoy nature hunts for families, crafts and more. Each month includes a different theme. Registration required. 10am-12pm. FREE.
Gamble Garden,
1431 Waverly St., Palo Alto
gamblegarden.org/events/category/second-saturday
Pistahan Parade and Festival
THROUGH AUG. 10. This festival, celebrating Filipino culture, features a parade, live entertainment, food, kids’ activities, eating contests, art and more. The parade is today from 11am-12pm and is on Market Street between Eighth and Fourth streets. The festival is both days at Yerba Buena Gardens between 11am-5pm. FREE.
Yerba Buena Gardens,
Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets
Planes, Trains & Cool Cars
Check out unique aircraft, model trains and cool cars. 10am-2pm. $15-24, 4 and under FREE.
Hiller Aviation Museum,
601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
Aug. 10
SFMOMA Second Sunday
Enjoy art making and storytelling around a different theme each month at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Second Sunday for Families event. 10:30am-3pm. Museum admission is $23-30, 18 and under FREE, Second Sunday event is FREE.
SFMOMA, Floor 2, Koret Education Center,
151 Third St., San Francisco
Aug. 15
Caterpillar Puppets
Master puppeteer Joe Leon entertains kids and parents with his Caterpillar Puppets. His eccentric menagerie draws audiences of all ages into seemingly familiar stories that take unexpected turns. 11-11:30am and 12-12:30pm. FREE.
Yerba Buena Gardens,
760 Howard St., San Francisco
ybgfestival.org/event/caterpillar-puppets-2025-1
Aug. 23
WildCare Family Nature Day
Meet some of WildCare’s non-releasable wild animals and learn about their unique adaptations that allow them to survive. Registration is required. 11am-12:30pm. FREE.
Stafford Lake Park, Area 2,
3549 Novato Blvd., Novato
Aug. 30
Belmont Greek Festival
THROUGH AUG.31. This annual event includes Greek food, dancers, musicians, a mythology play, church tours, craft boutiques and more. 12-10pm. $5 general admission, $3 seniors and youth 13-17, 12 and under FREE with adult.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross,
900 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont
Kings Mountain Art Fair
THROUGH SEPT. 1. Walk through redwoods while enjoying fine art, crafts and food at this annual Labor Day weekend event that raises money for the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Kings Mountain Elementary School. 10am-5pm. Admission is FREE.
Kings Mountain Community Center and Firehouse,
13889 Skyline Blvd., above the town of Woodside
Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
THROUGH AUG. 31. A Bay Area tradition since 1866, this event celebrates Scottish competition, culture and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. It includes Women’s Scottish Heavy Athletics World Championship, the U.S. Scottish Heavy Athletics Championship for men and women, Scottish Highland dancing, soccer competitions, Scottish folk musicians, Celtic rock bands and more. 8am-6pm. Single day is $39.20 general admission, $22.40 for ages 12-17 and seniors, $5.60 for ages 6-11, 5 and under FREE; parking $15.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Ave., Pleasanton