Summer Days 2026: A Weekend of Fun Just Minutes from Bay Meadows

Summer is still in full swing, and one of the Peninsula’s favorite community celebrations is returning to Foster City. Foster City Summer Days 2026 takes over beautiful Leo J. Ryan Park, 650 Shell Boulevard, August 14–16 for a free, family-friendly weekend filled with live music, carnival rides, local vendors, food, and plenty of reasons to get outside. Now in its fourth year, the festival is an easy summer outing from Bay Meadows, with Leo J. Ryan Park just a short drive or bike ride from the neighborhood.

Friday evening kicks things off with a classic car show along Shell Boulevard from 4–7 p.m., followed by carnival rides and games from 5–10:30 p.m. Food trucks and beverage booths will be open from 5–8 p.m., and Mercy and the Heartbeats takes the stage at the Leo J. Ryan Park Amphitheater from 6–8 p.m. On Saturday, the festival expands with carnival rides from 11 a.m.–11 p.m., a craft vendor marketplace, food and beer and wine booths, live entertainment, and ice cream from Softee NorCal. Families can also try a floral vase painting workshop, explore the Outdoor Kitten Lounge, or take part in the Rubber Ducky Scavenger Hunt.

Sunday keeps the summer fun going with carnival rides from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., a craft marketplace, food and beverage booths, live entertainment, and more ice cream. The floral vase painting workshop and Outdoor Kitten Lounge return, while the final Rubber Ducky Scavenger Hunt runs from 10–11:30 a.m. Admission to Summer Days is free, and the event is dog-friendly as long as pups remain leashed. Carnival ride tickets can be purchased in advance or onsite, while the floral painting workshop and kitten lounge have separate fees. Event parking is available for $10 at Parkside Towers and the Century Lot on East Hillsdale Boulevard, with accessible parking at the Foster City Library.

For Bay Meadows residents, Summer Days is another example of how much there is to discover just beyond the neighborhood. With convenient connections throughout San Mateo and the Peninsula, it’s easy to spend the afternoon exploring Foster City’s parks and waterfront before heading home to Bay Meadows for dinner, drinks, or a relaxing evening outdoors. From our own 18 acres of parks and open space to nearby destinations like Leo J. Ryan Park, year round adventures are never far from home.

Visit fostercity.org/summerdays for the complete schedule, event updates, and carnival ticket information.

Midweek Made Easy: Off the Grid Night Market Returns to Foster City Near Bay Meadows

On Wednesdays we’re ready to celebrate that halfway point ahead of the weekend, and just minutes from Bay Meadows, Off the Grid Foster City Night Market offers the perfect opportunity to gather. Returning April 1, 2026, this weekly celebration – part happy hour, part food truck round-up, takes place at Leo Ryan Park every Wednesday from 5–9pm. With eight rotating food creators each week, live music, and a welcoming open-air setting, it’s the kind of outing that brings neighbors, families, and friends (even pups!) together over great food and good energy.

Set along the waterfront, Leo Ryan Park offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxed evening outdoors. Wide grassy lawns invite picnic blankets and casual lounging, while walking paths and open spaces make it easy for kids to run and play. Dogs are just as welcome, making it a go-to destination for pet owners looking to unwind midweek. As the sun sets over the lagoon, the atmosphere shifts into a lively yet laid-back gathering, where you can stroll between vendors, catch up with friends, or simply take in the view.

The Night Market is designed for flexibility and fun. Arrive early for Happy Hour from 5–6:30pm, sample bites from a rotating lineup of food creators, and settle in for an evening that unfolds at your own pace. Whether it’s grabbing a quick dinner after work, meeting colleagues for a casual hang, or making it a family outing with the kids, every visit offers something new. As one Yelp reviewer shared, “Such a great midweek event—lots of food options and a really fun atmosphere by the water.” Another noted, “Perfect place to hang out with friends, bring the dog, and try something different every time.”

Map out your week! Visit Off The Grid HERE for the upcoming schedule of food vendors and details in Foster City.

For residents of Bay Meadows, the best part is how easy it is to make this part of the weekly routine. Just a short drive or bike ride away, the Night Market extends the Bay Meadows lifestyle beyond the neighborhood, blending convenience, community, and outdoor living into one memorable evening. It’s a reminder that some of the best moments happen close to home, especially when great food, fresh air, and good company come together in sync.