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January 2026
Lunar New Year Celebration in Downtown San Mateo
Date: Saturday, January 24, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: B Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave) San Mateo, CA
Official Event Page: Lunar New Year in Downtown
Details: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with cultural activities, performances, and community festivities downtown.
Why Families Will Love This:Families love the Lunar New Year Celebration because it’s a fun, family-friendly event with live performances, delicious food, and interactive activities. It’s a great way to experience the culture and traditions of the holiday while enjoying time together!
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February 2026
Shadow Day / Parent Tours
Date: Feb.12
Location: Summit Prep Redwood City
Official Event Page: Shadow Day/Parent Tours
Details: **Feb 12 | Shadow Day & Parent Tours**
Summit Prep Redwood City (9-12) invites families to experience their innovative college-prep model. Students shadow classes while parents tour campus. Free, RSVP required via Eventbrite.
Why Families Will Love This: Perfect for San Mateo families planning high school transitions. [Register]
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February 2026
ART SHOW San Mateo
Date: Fridays/Thursdays Feb 6, 12, 13+ (2-4PM recurring thru May)​
Location: San Mateo County Library branches (multiple venues)
Official Event Page: Art Studio Events
Details: Catch ongoing exhibits at San Mateo County Libraries (Art Studio workshops) and Art Bias (figure drawing/open studios). Perfect family outings or date nights.
Why Families Will Love This: Library Art Studios offer hands-on workshops kids love (free, drop-in Feb-May). Creative bonding + new friends.
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March 2026
Mid-Peninsula Camp & School Fair
Date: Sunday, March 15, 11AM-2PM
Location: Hillsdale High School (3115 Del Monte St)
Official Event Page: Let’s Glow SF
Details: FREE family event w/50+ exhibitors, STEM camps, crafts, raffles.
Why Families Will Love This:
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50+ camps/schools in 3 hours
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Free swag backpacks (first 200 families)
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Kids do crafts + win raffles
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Free parking, 11AM-2PM
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One-stop summer planning done.
March 2026
Family Storytime
Date:
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Weekly (Mar 10, 13, 17, 20+), multiple library branches
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Time: 30-minute sessions (typically 10:30AM mornings)
Location: San Mateo County Libraries (Bayside, San Mateo, other branches)
Official Event Page: Family Story Time
Details: Weekly Mar | Family Storytime** 30-min songs/books for babies-toddlers. Free crafts. All County Libraries.
Why Families Will Love This:
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Free books/music/crafts for ages 0-5
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Babies + toddlers wiggle/dance together
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Parents network with local moms/dads
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Repeatable weekly habit builds library friends
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April 2026
Earth Day Festival
Date: Saturday, April 18, 10AM-3PM
Location: Japanese Tea Garden/Central Park
Official Event Page: Earth Day
Details: Free family event - recycling crafts, live animal shows, tree planting.
Why Families Will Love This: Hands-on eco crafts + baby animals thrill kids; parents love green networking.
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April 2026
48th Annual Eggstravaganza
Date: April 19, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Central Park, San Mateo
Official Event Page: Eggstravaganza
Details: FREE egg hunts (0-11 yrs), Bunny photos, puppets, costume parade. Central Park 9AM-12:30PM. **Free wristbands required** - register Apr 2 @sanmateorec.org
Why Families Will Love This:
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Age-group egg hunts (0-3 small, 4-11 large)
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Free Spring Bunny photos
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Crafts + live puppets (9:15AM)
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Costume contest/parade (10:15AM)
May 2026
Family Craft Days
Date: Friday, May 8, 3:30-4:30PM (recurring)
Location: Multiple library branches​
Official Event Page: Family Craft Days
Details: Free take-home projects - paper flowers, clay pots, all ages. Siblings create together while mom chats.
Why Families Will Love This:
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Free take-home crafts
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Sibling-friendly (all ages)
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Mom break + kid focus time
Juneteenth Celebration
May 2026
PAL's 5K & Wellness Fair
Date: Saturday, May 30, morning
Location: Local San Mateo venue
Official Event Page: PAL's 5k & Wellness Fair
Details: Weekly Mar | Family Storytime** 30-min songs/books for babies-toddlers. Free crafts. All County Libraries.
Why Families Will Love This:
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Stroller-friendly walk option
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Free kids' activities + health fair
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Family medals + community vibe
June 2026
San Mateo County Fair
Date: Sat May 30-Fri Jun 8 (closed Mon/Tue), 11AM-10PM daily
Location: 1346 Saratoga Dr, Event Center
Official Event Page: Fair Website
Details: Carnival rides, pig races, petting zoo at Event Center. Kids 12 & under FREE select days.
Why Families Will Love This:
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Kids 12 & under FREE Thu Jun 5
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Pig races + Creative Kids crafts
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Family Pride Day (Jun 6)
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Carnival rides all week
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June 2026
Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Thursday Jun 18-19 (library events all day)
Location: County Library branches + city facilities closed Jun 19
Event Page: City Calendar
Details: Cultural storytimes, crafts, city holiday at County Libraries. Family learning + day off together.
Why Families Will Love This:
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Cultural storytimes + crafts for kids
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Holiday day off school/work
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Community picnic gatherings
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Family learning tradition
July 2026
4th of July Fireworks Events
Date: Thursday, July 4, evening (8-10PM)
Location: Multiple viewing spots (waterfront, parks)
Official Event Page: City Special Event
Details: Fireworks viewing parties, waterfront picnics, family BBQs.
Why Families Will Love This: Classic holiday tradition, neighborhood block parties, kids get sparklers.
July 2026
Free First Friday
Date: Friday, July 3, evening (5-8PM typical)
Location: Redwood City (10min drive from San Mateo)
Official Event Page: Museum Link
Details: Free museum night, history crafts, ice cream for kids.
Why Families Will Love This: Classic holiday tradition, neighborhood block parties, kids get sparklers.