Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of August 25th & 26th. Kid fun runs, fishing in the city, free gardening inspiration for the whole family, a fun dinner night at WAL, a photography walk, nachos festival, Jewish food fest, and family comedy show… wow. Plus one of our absolute faves, the Waste-a-Polooza, which teaches kids how we take care of our water and sewer systems. It’s actually really great. The weekend forecast is sunny highs of 89/84 for Sat./Sun. Enjoy the cooler weather and stay outside and play!
[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2018
Race for the Arts in Land Park. Entertainment along the racecourse and a free arts festival – what’s not to love? Come out for the race and stay for the arts festival with food, hands-on booths, artists, musicians, and fun.Race for the Arts raises funds and awareness for California nonprofit visual, performing, culinary arts and cultural arts organizations and school programs. They receive 100% of pledges designated to them. Kids Fun Runs are 1/4th of a mile or 1/2 a mile. Sat. 8:10am: Kid’s Fun Runs. 8:35am: 5k Run/Walk. $15 for Kids Fun Run. William Land Park. More info…
xHope’s Caring for Kids Run. xHope’s specific focus is to shine a light on community groups that focus on at-risk youth, foster care and adoptive services within Elk Grove and the Greater Sacramento region. This event is designed to raise monies and awareness for xHope and our network of partner organizations that provide needed resources, programs and support for children throughout our community and abroad. Fun Run starts at 7:45am on Sat. in Elk Grove. $12 & up. More info…
Start your fall family garden! Drop by the Fall Gardening Clinic and Organic Plant Sale at Soil Born Farms. Learn how to grow vibrant, tasty and healthy plants from knowledgeable staff and community educators. Visit the organic plant sale to start your fall garden: vegetable starts, edible perennials, medicinal and culinary herbs, succulents and floral bouquets. Guests can also shop at the Soil Born farmstand, Phoebe’s Tea and Snack Bar and Greenhouse Garden and Gift shop. A lunch fundraiser, Magpie Cafe baked goods and assorted beverages will be available. Free, with cost of purchases. All ages. Sat. 8am – 1pm. Soil Born Farms American River Ranch. More info…
Fishing in the City. Come out to the newly renovated Florin Creek Park and join in this free community event on Saturday, August 25, 2018. We partner with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring fishing to the children in the community who may not have a chance to experience catching a fish. The event is for children up to the age of 16 and children do not need a fishing license to participate. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will have fishing poles and bait available for those who need it. We plan on catching a lot of fish in our newly renovated pond at Florin Creek Park. The event will start at 8:15am with a free demonstration from DFW volunteers and staff. We will begin fishing at approximately 8:30am and we will ask for all fishing poles to be out of the water at 11:00am. Each registered child will receive an opportunity to win some great donated items and we will give prizes to the first catch, smallest fish and largest fish caught. Please contact 916-395-0601 for more information. Sat. 8am – 12pm. Free. Florin Creek Recreation Center. More info…
Beginner’s Bird Walk in Coloma. Join in for a morning Summer Beginners’ birding walk designed for people of all ages. Bird enthusiast Parker Flickinger returns to lead the program. The event begins with an introductory presentation on bird watching. Next we will take a bird walk through the Marshall Discovery Park. We will be looking for the resident species, as well the summer migrants. Parker joins us through the AmeriCorps program. He loves the outdoors, and has a BS in Environmental Science. This is an easy hike for everyone. Call for meeting location (Coloma area) and to sign up. Sat. 9am – 11am. Suggested donation: $5/person or $10/family. American River Conservancy. More info…
Travel through time with Time Travelers Bazaar 2018. Featuring vendors from around the globe and throughout time, this event also hosts Fan Groups, Clubs, Performers and Special Guests.
Cosplay, Steampunk, Star Trek, Dr. Who, Pirate, Anime, Renaissance Faire, Costuming, Magical, and Fairy and Fantasy. Kids 0-6 Free. Adults $10. Sat. 10am – 6pm. More info…
Back-To-School Celebration and Teacher Appreciation Event. Families of pre-school or school-aged children, teachers, and homeschoolers can get back into a Back-To-School grove with products, prizes, and all kinds of specials to make this school year memorable. Gifts from the Heart of Elk Grove’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Celebration and Teacher Appreciation Event will feature: hands on demonstrations of toys and games that make learning fun for everyone, free curriculum ideas and give-aways for teachers and homeschoolers featuring favorite Candlewick book characters Maisy and Judy Moody, special discount for teachers and homeshcoolers (with your I.D.), free back-to-school craft project, Jelly Belly guessing jar, Door Prize Drawings, including Not Bummer Summer books signed by author Megan McDonald, plus Special Order privileges and prices from awesome vendors. Sat. 10am – 5pm. Free, cost of purchases. Gifts From the Heart of Elk Grove. More info…
Barnes & Noble’s Storytime and Activities Featuring We Don’t Eat Our Classmates. It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so delicious. That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine. Join us and get a coupon from our Cafe for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4! Sat. 11am. Free. Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Natomas, Arden, Folsom, Birdcage, and Roseville). More info…
Capital City SDA Community Fair. This all-ages event will feature healthy cooking demonstrations, informational booths, live entertainment, a school supplies give-a-way, medical and dental screenings, CPR/First Aid/AED for infants, children, and adults, and much more. Sat. 12pm – 5pm. Free. Capitol City Seventh-Day Adventist Church. More info…
Sactown Nachos Festival. Pick up some new books at the library and then head over a block to the Sactown Nachos Festival, a massive event focused around the delicious Hispanic dish, nachos! This is a family-friendly event flooded with live music, entertainment, beverages, and an enormous variety of nachos! A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non profit Project Optimism that benefits children, homeless, and individuals diagnosed with cancer. Kids 8 & under Free. $10 & up. Sat. 4pm – 8pm. Cesar Chavez Plaza. More info…
Curby the Recycling Robot invites you to join him at Waste-A-Palooza – a family event full of exciting activities. Get flushed down the sewer swim as you discover where backups can occur and help unclog the pipes. Watch out for those sticky wipes – they don’t belong there! Challenge yourself in the game room where you can flip one of the “Three Ps” into a toilet and knock out household hazardous waste. Do FOG (fats, oils, and grease) belong down the drain? Find out in the FOG Buster Relay – it’s as fun as it sounds! Talk to Curby and find out what should and shouldn’t go in your One Big Bin. Curby’s Creation Corner features a build-it activity and a chance to compete for prizes in the trash-talking quiz show! Free. Sat. 10am – 2pm. Roseville Utility Exploration Center. More info…
Let the River Run Clean. Take a hike to the river and learn some ways you can help take care of it and the salmon, egrets, beavers and other wildlife that depend on its clean water. As you learn, you’ll put on some gloves and help clean the river by collecting trash along the banks. Free, $5 parking. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. Space is limited, arrive 30mins prior. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…
Guided Photography Walk at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Recommended for teens with a parent. With their cameras in hand, Volunteer Naturalists will await your arrival at the Cosumnes River Preserve’s Visitor Center. These guided photo walks give visitors the chance to walk along the Cosumnes River Preserve’s Wetlands Walk, a 1+ mile loop trail that takes you through wetlands and riparian forest. Expert advice from your guide will enable you to take the finest pictures of the flora and fauna that surrounds you. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. Be sure to bring your camera along! Meet at the Visitor Center Deck (Bring a Camera!) Tour departs the Visitor Center on Sat. at 8:00 a.m. More info…
Teens Create. Teens Create is a new club at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center. Teens meet once a month to discuss and create art at the center or around the community. Past projects have included creating banners for the center. The group is currently working on a mural design for the art center building. New members are always welcome. Sat. 1pm – 3:30pm. Free. Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael. More info…
Fire Station Open House… Tour a real fire station, meet some real-life heroes, and greet Sparky the Fire Dog at Fire Station 13, 1100 43rd Ave, Sacramento. Free. Sat. 2pm – 4pm. More info…
Tales & Ales Fundraiser. Celebrate Fairytale Town’s 59th anniversary at an all-ages fundraiser featuring beer tastings, food trucks, and live music! Local craft breweries will be pouring unlimited tastes of their beers. Enjoy live music by AKAlive on the Mother Goose Stage. Plus, local food trucks will be onsite with food and beverages available for sale. Proceeds from Tales & Ales will support Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. Tickets go on sale July 1. Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $6 for children ages 2-12. Fairytale Town members receive $5 off per adult ticket on advance tickets, and member children are free. VIP Adult tickets are $75. Day-of tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Children 1 and under are free. Tickets are available at fairytaletown.org or (916) 808-7462. Sat. 5pm – 9pm. Fairytale Town in Land Park. More info…
Our Street Night Market. Sacramento’s one and only Night Market returns! Enjoy street food from a vast amount of vendors served by chefs from all different types of backgrounds, drinks, activities, and a great community environment. All ages. Vendors include Ramen Kodaiko, Yolanda’s Tamales, Nash & Proper, Fire Wings, Bambi Vegan Tacos, Journey to the Dumpling, Conscious Creamery, and more. Free, plus cost of purchases. Sat. 7pm – 1am. WAL Public Market. More info…
Rock of Ages: High School Edition. Musical Mayhem Productions Broadway Stars Series featuring talented actors ages 10-19 Rock of Ages: High School Edition Book by Chris DArienzo Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp Its the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, Heavy Metal flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where legendary rocker Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and groupies line up for their chance at an autograph. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri, and the gang save the stripand themselvesbefore it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. Sat. 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm. $10. Cosumnes Oaks High School Performing Arts Center in Elk Grove. More info…
Sacramento River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s. Catch a baseball game with $10 lawn tickets. Sat. 7:05pm. Raley Field. More info…
Keyboard Conversations with Jeffery Siegel. Got a piano player? This unique series is perfect for older kids interested in music because prior to performing each work, internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel briefly, and in non-technical language, engagingly speaks about the music. These programs enrich the listening experience for the avid music lover as well as provide an inviting, entertaining, instantly accessible introduction to great music for the novice.. The year 2018 marks the 75th and 100th anniversaries of the deaths of beloved composers Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Program includes the famous “C Sharp Minor Prelude,” “Clair de lune,” and stirring Etudes of both composers. This talk/concert focuses on Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Future Keyboard Conversations concerts feature Chopin and Beethoven. Sat. 7:30pm. Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. Students with ID and Kids 12 & under $6.50. Adults $13 & up. 2 1/2 hours long with a post-Q&A. More info…
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2018
Head out of town for a farmers market you’ve never been to… El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts a Sunday Farmers Market 8am – 1pm. Explore the area or go on a walk in a nearby park. Free. More info…
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Festival 60th Anniversary. Enjoy delicious, authentic Mexican dishes and live entertainment. There will be everything from tacos, pupusas, tortas, mole oaxaqueno, tamales, and much more! There will be live musical entertainment throughout the day, ballet folkloric dancers, bingo, and many fun activities for the kids and family. Todos estan invitados! Sun. 8am – 7pm. Free, cost of purchases. National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe on T St. More info…
Sacramento Jewish Food Faire. Now in its 41st year, the Faire features traditional and modern Jewish cuisine, live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, activities for all ages, and an opportunity for the entire community to come together for a delicious and unique cultural experience. Feast on traditional and modern favorites such as corned beef, pastrami and brisket sandwiches, lox & bagels, Jewish breakfast combos, blintzes, latkes, falafel, chopped liver, stuffed cabbage rolls, noodle kugel, chicken matzo ball and vegetarian mushroom barley soups, falafel, hummus, Israeli pickled vegetables, expanded vegetarian and gluten-free choices, hard to find specialty foods and lots of noshes. Breakfast and lunch items are served all day and the expanded chilled & frozen food section offers pickled vegetables, chopped liver, blintzes, pickles and corned beef & pastrami packs to take home. Sun. 9am – 3pm. Free, cost of purchases. Congregation Beth Shalom, Sacramento. More info…
Curtis Fest Artisan Fair. The 12th Annual Curtis Fest will feature over 60 local artisans under the beautiful canopy of trees at Curtis Park. Art and craft work including paintings, sculpture, decor, textile arts, jewelry, ceramics, soaps, lotions, homey, ice cream, and Kombucha. Live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, children’s fairy and a pet refreshment station makes this a great way to finish out the summer. Sun. 10am – 4pm. Free, cost of purchases. William Curtis Park. More info…
Sketch It at Crocker Art Museum. Visitors ages 5 and older can sketch at their own pace while receiving drawing instruction. This drop-in program meets in a different gallery each month. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. Sun. 10:30am – 12:30pm (drop-in). Free, with admission. Crocker Art Museum. More info…
Gold Fever Tours by the Sacramento History Museum, for older kids. Guests to Old Sacramento can experience what it was like to catch gold fever while getting actively involved in the intriguing “Gold Fever!” guided tours available every weekend this summer through the end of the year. Tour guests take on personas of characters in history — or “real-life rascals” — who scratched and clawed their way to make this area the center of the Gold Rush. “Gold Fever!” tours relive Sacramento’s early days when gold fever ruled amid horrible disasters that threatened fates and fortunes. To spice things up even more, elements of chance are introduced that could change the fate of tour guests. Through the course of the lively tours that meander through Old Sacramento, visitors discover if they successfully escaped the many floods, if they managed to keep their gold dust (or lose it all at the gambling tables), and if they survived the fires, disease, and occasional steamboat explosion! Sun. 11am (also on Sat.). $6 for Kids 6-17 (not recommended for under 6, although they get in free). $10 Adults. Sacramento Visitors Center. More info…
Super Science Bubbles. Explore the molecular makeup of a classic outdoor summer activity. After you learn what makes up a bubble try your hand at bubble art and experiment with different bubble blowing techniques using our super strong science bubbles. What makes them so strong? You will have to show up to find out! Sun. 11am – 4pm (drop-in). Avail. on Sat. too. Free with admission. Powerhouse Science Center. More info…
It’s Science Sunday at Sacramento Children’s Museum. Drop in to do hands-on science experiments! 12pm – 5pm (drop-in). Free with admission. More info…
Cheer on the SacState Hornets Women’s Soccer team as they battle it out against UC Davis! Sun. 1pm – 4pm at Sacramento State. Free. More info…
Owl Be Seeing You. When are owls most active? Can they turn their heads all the way around? Discover how you can find out exactly what they have eaten. Meet a resident owl of the Nature Center and learn the answers to these questions and more. Free, $5 parking. Sat. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Space is limited, arrive 30mins prior. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…
Off Track: All Ages Comedy in Rocklin. Off Track is the laugh-a-minute family show. This improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestion. No two shows are alike. Best of all, children who want to participate have opportunities to be on stage and take part in the fun! Catch some of Placer’s most talented improvisers along with the wonderful teachers from the Blacktop Kids and Teens program perform a completely improvised show right before your eyes. The Family Show is best for children ages 4-12. Sun. 2pm – 3:30pm. $5. Blacktop Comedy in Rocklin. More info…
Music in the Park. Held the last Sunday of June, July and August, Music in the Park is a free summer concert series hosted by SCNA in William Curtis Park. This is a great way to relax with your family, friends and neighbors. With a blanket and picnic basket you can enjoy the music in a wonderful outdoor venue. The August 26th concert will conclude the 2018 Music in the Park series with a performance by On Air. The band’s powerfully popular horn section and energetic choreography will follow a day of art and food at Curtis Fest. On Air is known for its pulsating renditions of the classics from Tower of Power, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Local children’s favorite, Mr. Cooper, will get the evening started and entertain the young at heart in between sets. Sun. 6pm – 8pm. Free. Sierra 2 Center. More info…
Listen to some classic, big band jazz music by the John Skinner Band while frolicking in Carmichael Park, for the last Carmichael Concert in the Park this summer. Bring your family, friends, blankets and lawn chairs and join in for free music at the Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion at Carmichael Park. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Sun. 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Free, cost of purchases. There will also be a concert by a different band, the Dave Russell band, on Sat. night. Carmichael Park. More info…
[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]
Happy Adventuring!
xo, sabrina : )
For more activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>