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Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in San Francisco Best Things To Do With Kids

Carnaval San Francisco is a multicultural celebration of music and dance. Photo by Michael Ray in collaboration with Don't Blink Photography.
Carnaval San Francisco is a multicultural celebration of music and dance. Photo by Michael Ray in collaboration with Don't Blink Photography.
5/21/25 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is here, kicking off summer and honoring our veterans with events for families all over San Francisco and the Bay Area. Little ones can ride rides, ponies, and a train at the Annual KidFest in Concord. Carnaval San Francisco is free, with over 50 acts on five stages, in the heart of the Mission District. Memorial Day weekend also means the Sacramento County Fair begins in our State Capital—an easy day trip packed with Gold Rush history and family fun.

Honor the veterans and our fallen heroes with Memorial Day celebrations: our picks include a train ride, gold panning, and rope tricks at Memorial Day at Roaring Camp and an official Memorial Squadron Flyover at the USS Hornet Memorial Day Celebration.

Heading out of town for the long Memorial Day Weekend? We've got loads of travel inspiration ideas in our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.  

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area this Week with Kids:

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All aboard for Rail Fair! Photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Ardenwood
All aboard for Rail Fair! Photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Ardenwood

Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area

Sacramento County Fair

Sacramento
Thursday - Monday, May 22 - 26, 2025
With over 30 carnival rides for kids of all ages, pig and duck races, a petting farm, and so much more, the Sacramento County Fair is back for 5 days of fun for the whole family.  The kid's zone has programs in science, agriculture, and music shown daily and is included in admission.  READ MORE

Marin Greek Festival

Novato
Friday - Sunday, May 23 - 25, 2025
Experience Greek culture, dance to live music by the Kymata Band, enjoy delicious Greek food and wine in Marin for its 50th anniversary celebration.  READ MORE

Rail Fair at the Railroad Museum of Ardenwood

Fremont
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Visit the Ardenwood Railroad Museum this Labor Day weekend for all things trains! See a 1910 steam locomotive and mobile displays, take a train ride, enjoy live music, and take part in the many kids' activities available.  READ MORE

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical

San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2025
This brilliant, true-to-life tale is the epitome of children's theatre, the story itself already proclaimed a "kid favorite."  Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the Laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has left her Knuffle Bunny back at the laundromat. Trixie does everything in her power to make her father understand the emergency, but her father fails to see the issue at hand. READ MORE

Carnaval San Francisco

San Franciscon - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2025
Immerse in the Latin-American culture of music, dancing, and color for Carnaval in the Mission District. The 2-day festival has a lot for families of all ages, including international food, dancing, and entertainment for a complete cultural experience.  READ MORE

Memorial Day Weekend at Roaring Camp

Felton
Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2025
The Redwood Forest Steam Train is going up to Bear Mountain and back on Memorial Day with special family-friendly activities to celebrate the holiday. Activities include live music from the Watsonville Community Band, gold panning, bounce houses, Faro Card Game with Doc Holiday, and rope tricks and comedy by Karen the Cow Girl.  READ MORE

34th Bay Area KidFest

Concord
Saturday - Monday, May 24 - 26, 2025
Head over to Concord for KidFest, an action-packed, weekend-long fun for kids of all ages. With live entertainment, arts and sports activities, rides, and crafts, as well as food favorites, this 3-day festival is all about celebrating kids and the kid in you.  READ MORE

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Saturday - Monday, May 24 - 26, 2025
Celebrate the official kickoff to summer and join the “Salute to Heroes” at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park on Memorial Day Weekend. READ MORE

Aloha, Summer! Moana Sing-Along Party

Palo Alto - FREE
Sunday, May 25, 2025
What better way to celebrate the Spirit of Aloha and honor AANHPI Heritage Month than with a Disney sing-along? Celebrate culture, community, and the joy of summer in true island style with a screening of Moana. Families can enjoy light snacks, get creative with character-inspired crafts and accessories (while supplies last), and sing along with their favorite characters on the screen. READ MORE

Movie Camp Nights at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Sunday & Monday, May 25 & 26, 2025
These fun overnight experiences include dinner and a movie with popcorn at night, camping out under the stars, then breakfast and a full day of fun in the park the next day. READ MORE

The Art & Wind Festival

San Ramon - FREE
Sunday & Monday, May 25 & 26, 2025
Let's go fly a kite! The annual event features fine arts, crafts and specialty food vendors, 3 entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands and variety entertainers, children's shows, 2 festival food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop.  READ MORE

Memorial Day at the USS Hornet

Alameda - FREE
Monday, May 26, 2025
The USS Hornet is celebrating all Veterans on Memorial Day with special events throughout the day. Activities include a ceremony, honorary live music, a special guest book signing, and an official Memorial Squadron Flyover. READ MORE

157th annual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony

San Francisco - FREE
Monday, May 26, 2025
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs hosts the 157th annual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio. After the ceremony, the Interfaith Center will hold a meditative organ concert next to the cemetery at the Presidio Chapel. READ MORE

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About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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