September San Mateo Movies in the Park

Back in the hey-day, Bay Meadows played host to the wildly successful Movies in the Meadow where hundreds gathered for the GOOD Night Market + food truck round-up and beer garden with a movie after-show in Bay Meadows Park just past sunset. Popular food trucks such as El Sur, Red Sauce Meatballs and Curry Up Now lined the park while craft brews flowed in the pop-up beer garden under string lights. Entertainment kicked off with DJ music and some on-theme movie karaoke challenges for prizes and food truck gift cards, while lawn games included Hoola Hoops, volleyball and cornhole. Das Bus also rolled in for a fun photo booth to capture the evening. Guests loaded up on uniquely flavored popcorns and some booked the premium “seats” which included front row blanket spreads set-up for arrival. Local Bay Area makers, creators and artisans hosted their wares in a long row of tents selling everything from picnic blankets and pup fashion to fresh floral arrangements and bouquets of freshly spun cotton candy from Sugar and Spun.

Get ready for the reimagined annual event as San Mateo Parks and Recreation presents the Movies in the Park series every Friday night in September. Bring a blanket, chair, jacket, and enjoy the show to kick off each weekend in the open air! Admission is free and open to the whole community. Activities which include games and kids crafts start at 6:00pm with each movie beginning at dusk (around 7:30pm).

September 4 – “Zootopia” in Central Park (Fitzgerald Field)
September 11 – “How To Train Your Dragon” in Shoreview Park
September 18 – “Lilo & Stitch” (2025) in Laurie Meadows Park
September 25 – “Wicked: For Good”(2025) in Beresford Park

Food and drink sales will be offered by various local vendors at 6pm each movie night. Cash, credit/debit cards accepted.

On the hunt for more fall fun? Fall programs and classes are ready for registration! Visit www.sanmateorec.org to register and check out September Nights on B online at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/specialevents.

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.