Special events

More than providing residents with venues for fun, play and celebration, community events and concerts create opportunities for participants to become connected to their community. There are major events held throughout the year along with summer concerts and outdoor movie nights. Be sure to "Like" us on Facebook and get the most update-to-date information on events occurring in Menlo Park. Below you will find general information on many of our annual events occurring in Menlo Park, please visit our city calendar for specific details. You can also read below to learn how you can sign-up for or Special Events Monthly newsletter.     

Fall 2018 Events

 

Halloween Hoopla   


Saturday, October 27, 2018
11:00 am to 2:00 pm   
The annual Halloween Hoopla Parade and Trick-or-Treat is held the Saturday before Halloween each year. Come in costume and participate in the parade to Fremont Park. Participants will receive a bag to trick-or-treat through Downtown Menlo Park at participating stores. Fremont Park will also host carnival games, crafts, and magic show. Activities are co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce and Cheeky Monkey Toys.

Spooky Carnival  


Saturday, October 27, 2018
12:00 to 3:00 pm
Bring your family and friends to the Onetta Harris Community Center for the annual Halloween Spooky Carnival, a Menlo Park tradition since 2008. Enjoy fun and exciting games to play, yummy snacks, face-painting, a costume contest, candy guess and more! Don’t forget to wear your costume and prepare for a spooky good time.

Winter 2018 Events 

Holiday Tree Lighting  

 
Friday, November 30, 2018
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Visit Fremont Park for the Holiday Tree Lighting presented by the City of Menlo Park and the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce. This holiday favorite event brings the Menlo Park community together to ring in the holiday season. Come enjoy live entertainment, free hot cocoa, and the lighting of the holiday tree. If you have been good boys and girls, Santa just might make a special appearance. 

Holiday Display Contest  

 
December 1-18, 2018
Get ready to be dazzled this holiday season! Menlo Park businesses will decorate their stores with spectacular, eye-popping window and interior holiday displays for all to enjoy!The winning display will be voted on by you, the Menlo Park community. Be sure to take a stroll through Downtown Menlo Park to see all the festive displays and vote for your favorite!



Breakfast with Santa  


December 2017 
7:30 to 11:30 am
Join us the first Saturday in December for our annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Don't forget to bring your camera so you can get a great photo of your child with Santa. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Fire Fighters Toy Drive and receive $1 off your ticket price. Activities are co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Rotary Club and the Menlo Park Fire District. 


Spring 2019 Events

Summer Camp Fair  


March, 2019
Learn about summer camp offerings at our annual Summer Camp Fair. Free pizza, games, and crafts will be available for attendees. Register your child for a City-run camp at the event and receive 10% off! Enter our raffle at the event for your chance to win a free week of camp! Teens and young adults will have the opportunity to submit applications for summer positions and meet & greet with potential employers.

Burgess Park Egg Hunt  


Saturday, April 20, 2019
10:00 am to Noon
Each year the Bunny visits the Burgess Park with toys and candy filled eggs for girls and boys ages 8 and under. The Burgess Egg Hunt festivities start with bounce houses, crafts, and pictures with the Bunny. Be sure not to miss photos opportunities with the fire trucks and maybe take a ride on "Old Tom", an antique fire engine. Activities are co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Firefighters Association and Menlo Park Fire District. 

Kelly Park Egg Hunt


Saturday, April 20, 2019
10:00 am to Noon
Since 2009, the Egg Hunt at Kelly Park has delighted the residents with crafts, a jelly bean  guess, magic show, music, and photo opportunities with the Bunny! Bring the family and enjoy a fun-filled morning as the kids scramble for plastic eggs filled with goodies. Activities are co-sponsored by Fire Station 77 and the Menlo Park Fire District. The Kelly Park Egg Hunt is coordinated by the staff of the  Onetta Harris Community Center.

Kite Day  


Saturday, May 4, 2019
Noon to 3:00 pm
Since our first Kite Day in 1988 there has been no better place to fly a kite in Menlo Park, then Bedwell Bayfront Park. Come enjoy kite flying, a hot dog lunch, jump houses, face-painters, and cool down with a ice cold snow cone. If the wind is just right, you'll catch a glimpse of "Mega Fish", a 46-foot giant kite. Kite Day is held in conjunction with Take it Outside California and is co-hosted by the Menlo Park Kiwanis.

Summer 2019 Events

Fourth of July Parade and Celebration   


Thursday, July 4, 2019
11:45 am to 2:30 pm
This is the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration you have heard so much about. Decorate you bike, tricycle, or wagon and parade with us down Santa Cruz Avenue from downtown (corner of Chestnut Street and Santa Cruz Avenue) to Burgess Park. The Parade starts promptly at 11:45 am. Once at Burgess Park, you and your family will enjoy live music, bounce houses, rock walls, facepainting, crafts, games and food.

Summer Concert Series - Fremont Park  


June through August, 2019
6:30 to 8:00 pm 
Join us at Fremont Park to listen to some of the best local bands. The Summer Concert Series features a variety of musical styles from Jazz to Country to hits of today and yesterday. Bring your picnic blanket and dinner, and of course there is always room for dancing. Find the entire concert series schedule here.  If you would like your band to be considered for our series, please complete a Band Application. 

Summer Concert Series - Kelly Park 


Wednesdays, August, 2019
6:30 to 8:00 pm 
Since 2013, Kelly Park has been sending off the summer in style! Bring a picnic basket, blanket or comfortable chair and enjoy on-site food trucks and an evening of great music and dancing. From hip-hop, blues, jazz, salsa and funk, this is one music series you'll not want to miss. If you would like your band to be considered for our series, please complete a Band Application. 



Menlo Movie Series   

Fridays August 2 to September 20 
Start time varies 
Welcome Menlo Park's newest community event for all ages. Launched in 2014, the Menlo Movie Series features free movies in Downtown Menlo Park. Be sure to bring a chair, blanket, and some snacks to enjoy, but most of all, don't forget to bring the family. Enjoy a night of watching the stars, under the stars. All movies are subject to change. Parental discretion advised. Movies are held at Burgess Park.

Additional information


Facebook

Join us on Facebook 


If you would like get the latest updates on Menlo Park events, then be sure to “Like” us on Facebook. Be the first to receive up-to-date information on Summer Concerts, Menlo Movie Series, parades, holiday events, sing-alongs, performing arts and MORE! Enjoy event photos and learn about what’s happening in Menlo Park by liking the official page of Menlo Park special events.  
Special Events Monthly

Special Events Monthly newsletter

If you haven't signed up for our Special Events Monthly Newsletter, then head over to Notify Me to receive information on Menlo Park Recreation Updates. Receive monthly information on event and programs occurring in Menlo Park for all ages.

Performing Arts Center

Performing Arts Center 


The City of Menlo Park organizes events at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, a 492 seat theater. We work with local performing arts organizations to support 55-day of programming in the theater each year. Programs include movie sing-alongs, variety shows, author lectures, ballet, chamber music, theater, dance, opera, jazz, and other musical performances. The City also offers the Menlo Park Grant for the Arts, designed for organizations looking to perform in a professional-grade theater.

Special Event Permits

Special event permits 

 


Special events play an important role in building community and creating vibrancy within Menlo Park. For information on holding community events in the City of Menlo Park, such as festivals, fun runs, concerts, carnivals, and block parties, please visit our special event permits page. Our goal is to help event organizers plan a safe and successful event creating minimal impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods.