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July brings the best of summer to the Peninsula, with outdoor concerts, community celebrations, family-friendly festivals, and unforgettable evenings under the stars. From Fourth of July festivities and live music in local parks to garden strolls at Filoli and hands-on activities for kids, there are countless ways to make the most of the season just minutes from Bay Meadows.

This month’s lineup features beloved traditions like Music on the Square, Music in the Park, and the Central Park Music Series, alongside unique experiences including outdoor yoga and brunch, model train and aviation exhibits, artisan marketplaces, and culinary classes. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing evening of live music, a fun family outing, or a new local adventure, July offers something for every age and interest across San Mateo and the surrounding Peninsula.

When you live just steps from Caltrain, getting from here to there is easy and car-free. Grab the Hillsdale Caltrain schedule and dive into our monthly event roundup to discover all the ways to celebrate, create, explore, and connect throughout the month ahead.

Bay Meadows Run Club with Basecamp San Mateo. Join this free fun run Wednesday evenings at 6pm and Saturday mornings at 8am. Meet at 3050 S. Delaware for a 2-, 3-, 4- or 6-mile loop (something for everyone) to get moving. Run, jog, or walk. Happening weekly – rain or shine. All paces and people are welcome. Members often gather in Town Square for a Blue Bottle coffee or at Fieldwork Brewing Beer Garden after each run. Plus, there’s no fee! You heard right – membership is not required. This is a community building fun run, compliments of our neighbors at Basecamp Bay Meadows.

Sunday Downtown San Mateo Farmers Market. West Coast Farmer’s market runs year-round at 222 East 4th Avenue Sundays from 9am to 2pm in Downtown San Mateo. The farmer’s market has a curated selection of fresh fruits, veggies, and a couple of tasty food trucks to fuel your morning stroll.

College of San Mateo Farmers’ Market. Shop seasonally and fresh each Saturday from 9am to 1pm (year-round) at San Mateo’s largest farmer’s market located at 1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard.

The 25th Avenue in San Mateo Farmers’ Market. May through October 20 on Tuesdays from 3pm to 7 pm, this farmers market is an easy walk or bike ride from Bay Meadows (~0.8 mi), bringing the best Peninsula produce and makers moments from your door.

July Summer Nights. Chase the sunset at Filoli. Summer Nights brings a softer, more laid-back vibe than Summer Stage. Think of it as the more chill little brother. Held every Wednesday and Thursday, it is all about golden-hour garden strolls, drinks, bites, and live acoustic music in a relaxed midweek atmosphere.

July 1-25, Camp Pinstripes. Make the most of summer Saturdays at Camp Pinstripes in San Mateo, where kids can enjoy free hands-on activities like tie-dye, friendship bracelets, magic shows, princess visits, and more, plus complimentary brunch every week in June and July.

July 3, San Mateo County History Museum FREE First Fridays. Visit the SMCHM every Friday for free First Friday events, where children enjoy special programs including crafts and storytime, and adults can join a docent-led tour of the museum.

July 4, 4th of July in the Park. Celebrate red, white, and blue with a special concert on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Central Park in San Mateo.

July 4, Celebrate July 4th in Redwood City. Enjoy a full day of patriotic fun to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with family-friendly activities, community traditions, and the exciting return of fireworks.

July 4, Fourth of July Celebration. Foster City’s hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration! Festivities include breakfast, lunch, live entertainment, family games, and bike, family, and dog parade.  

July 9-August 6, Central Park Music Series. Enjoy summer evenings at Central Park in San Mateo featuring live music, local food vendors, family-friendly activities, and plenty of sunshine every Thursday through August.

July 10-August 14, Summer Concert Series. Spend your Fridays nights from 6-8pm in the Leo Ryan Amphitheater for free live music in Foster City.

July 10-August 21, Music in the Park Concert Series.Spend your summer evenings at Burton Park in San Carlos during the free 2026 Music in the Park Concert Series, where live music, picnic-friendly vibes, and community fun come together every Friday from June through August.

July 11, Pub in the Park. Enjoy a day in Redwood City with music, drinks, and a welcoming community atmosphere in an inflatable British-style pub.

July 11-12, Trains & Planes Eurowest Expo. Come and see both Planes and Trains, in a skillfully crafted display of HO scale model trains featuring the scenery and villages of Europe at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos.

July 12, Brunch & Burn. Start your day with an energizing outdoor yoga session at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, followed by a refreshing mimosa and a delicious brunch at Pinstripes. The yoga class will take place in the North Block Plaza, with brunch hosted inside Pinstripes immediately after.

July 18, HEAD WEST Marketplace. Spend the day exploring Downtown San Mateo’s B Street during the HEAD WEST Marketplace, where you can shop handcrafted goods from local makers and artists while enjoying the neighborhood’s vibrant retail shops and dining scene.

July 18, Sounds of the Shores. Enjoy live music in the scenic surroundings of Redwood Shores across three Saturdays. Held at Marlin Park.

July 19, Paint-A-Plane. Join the excitement with special activities just for kids!  Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airplane or helicopter, and more at the Hiller in San Carlos.

July 26, Neapolitan Style Pizza. Learn how to make a classic pizza made with hand stretched dough in the Neapolitan style at Baking Arts in San Mateo. Each student will make their own pizza dough from scratch that will be taken home.

Thru August 19, Music in the Park. Spend your summer evenings at Stafford Park in Redwood City with free live music! The 2026 lineup kicks off with the vibrant Brazilian jazz sounds of Masha Campagne, followed by a dynamic blend of funk, soul, Latin rock, and beyond. It’s an ideal setting to socialize with friends and family in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.

Thru September 4, Music on the Square. Downtown Redwood City’s Music on the Square offers something for all ages. Featuring the best of rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul on Friday nights. Grab food from acclaimed nearby restaurants, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy the show; it’s the Peninsula’s go-to Friday night tradition!

June-Aug Sessions at Clayroom. When signing up for 6-week classes, one signs up by selecting (signing up for) the 1st class. Classes 2-6 will occur on a weekly cadence during the same day of the week and timeslot. 6-week in-studio classes for pottery.

Discount Tuesday (at Cinemark Century San Mateo 12). There’s never been a better time to turn up on a weekday, because every Tuesday at Cinemark is Discount Tuesday—cheap movie tickets are always within reach.

Bel Mateo Bowl Friday, Saturday and Sundays in San Mateo.
Karoake – Fridays from 7:30 – 11:30pm hit the mic with friends for some Karaoke.
Planet Bowling – Bowl in the dark under black lights on Fridays from 9:30 – 11:30pm and Saturdays from 8- 11:30pm.
Incredibowl – Fridays 9:30 – 11:30pm and Saturdays from 8 – 11:30pm interactive graphics elevate your bowling game with Incredibowl.
Family Pizza Night – Sundays from 5-8pm Family Pizza Nights and all you can bowl 8-10pm!
All You Can Bowl – Sundays enjoy unlimited bowling for 2 hours 8- 10pm! 

Bicycle Sundays. From 9am – 3pm, a 3.8-mile segment of Cañada Road along Crystal Springs Regional Trail is closed between the Filoli entrance and Highway 92 allowing for non-motorized activities including jogging, bicycling, hiking, roller-skating, and walking. Cañada Road between Edgewood Road to the Filoli entrance will remain open to vehicles. Check for holiday closures.

All month long, residents can explore everything from outdoor concerts at Central Park, San Mateo and Burton Park to creative workshops, community hikes, Pride celebrations, and pop-up markets throughout San Mateo, San Carlos, Belmont, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for live entertainment, local makers, or family activities, June offers something happening nearly every weekend just minutes from home.

Experience Midurban life. Bay Meadows is a family-friendly neighborhood with lots of open space to enjoy all-year long. Whether it’s growing your own vegetables in an organic community garden, playing a game of pick-up basketball after work, team building over bocce in the beer garden, picnicking with family on warm summer nights or with a run around the park, there’s no shortage of green space to explore. Check out life out and about at Bay Meadows by following us on Instagram.