Top Events in Sacramento for Kids in August 2026
August means the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Speaking of the school year, here’s a list of backpack giveaways in the Sacramento area for families who could use these free resources.
Monster trucks zoom into Sacramento this month, and things get a little spooky at Summerween at Dave’s Pumpkin Patch. Go bananas at the Sacramento Banana Festival, and let the kids embrace getting messy and gooey at Mess Fest at the Sacramento Children’s Museum.
Muggles will have not one but two chances to celebrate the world of wizardry this month at the Harry Potter Drone Art Show at Cal Expo and during Harry Potter Night at the Sacramento River Cats.
If you’re already missing the California State Fair, the Yolo County Fair takes place in August. Kids can also celebrate bats, bees, bubbles, and reptiles at various events this month in the Sacramento area.
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Franklin Boulevard’s 9th Annual Backpack Giveaway will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at part of National Night Out at La Familia’s Maple Neighborhood Center. There will be free backpacks for children, free meals for the first 500 guests, face painting, family-friendly activities, train rides, bounces houses, free popsicles and ice cream, and more.[…]
A free National Night Out celebration will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Derr-Okamoto Park. There will be a bounce house, carnival games, and fun activities for families.
The circus rolls into Roseville. See Circus Vargas from August 6- 31, 2026 at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville. This is a two-hour family-friendly show. Kids under 2 receive free admission (but must sit on an adult’s lap).
The Yolo County Fair takes place for two weeks in 2026, from August 7-9 & 12-16, 2026. The “Hog August Nights” fair has free entry at the gate. Parking is $10 per car.
Head to North Natomas Regional Park for a free community AAPI Celebration on Friday, August 7, 2026. There will be kids activities, food trucks, lion dancers, a hula performance, vendors, and more cultural performances.
The Reptilian Nation Expo comes to @the grounds at Roseville on Saturday & Sunday, August 8 & 9, 2026. There will be thousands of reptiles and educational presentations. Plus, the chance to see alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and other reptiles up close during presentations and photo ops.
Spooky season comes early in West Sacramento. Summerween at Dave’s Pumpkin Patch takes place on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The mischievous summer day will have BBQ, a jumping pillow, pony rides, live music, and family fun. Costumes are welcome but optional. Admission is free!
The Sacramento Zoo will have a $10 Community Day on Friday, August 14, 2026. Enjoy the zoo for a discounted admission rate.
Attention, muggles! A DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ will light up the Sacramento skies for two summer nights on August 14 & 15, 2026 at Cal Expo. Be amazed at 1,200 drones recreating characters and favorite moments from Harry Potter™ films. Arrive early for themed food and drinks. This show is family-friendly and for all ages.[…]
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary will be buzzin’ on Saturday, August 15, 2026 for National Honey Bee Day. Kids can participate in bee-themed activities while learning about pollinators. There will also be live bee demos. Stop by the honey tasting tables, and don’t forget to pick up a jar of honey harvested at the Folsom[…]
The Sacramento Banana Festival will take place for two days on August 16 & 17, 2025 in Land Park. The Banana Festival is a multicultural family-friendly festival where countries are celebrated that grow bananas. There will be a kids’ zone with banana-themed activities, reptile meet & greets, hands-on art activities, a kids’ inflatable obstacle course,[…]
Monster Jam revs and rolls into Sacramento for two days on August 15 & 16, 2026. The action takes place at the Golden 1 Center. Pit parties will also occur at select shows.
Celebrate Natomas returns on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at South Natomas Community Center. There will be bounce houses and face painting at this free, family-friendly community event. There will also be live music, food vendors, and live performances.
Calling all wizards and muggles: The Sacramento River Cats will have Harry Potter Night on Saturday, August 22, 2026. There will be themed entertainment during the baseball game. Additionally, fireworks will take place after the game.
The A’s will have a KPop Demon Hunters Night & Giveaway at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Fans arriving early will receive an exclusive A’s x KPop Demon Hunters co-branded jersey.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm opens for the 2026 fall season on Friday, August 28, 2026. Participate in all the fall festive activities at this beloved pumpkin patch near Sacramento.
Kids can climb into various vehicles, honk horns, and meet operators of Orangevale service vehicles at the free Big Wheels & Mighty Machines on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Orangevale Community Center Park from 9am to 12pm.
Join Fairytale Town as they celebrate their 67th birthday on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Humpty Dumpty will lead a “Happy Birthday” sing-along at 12pm in the Story Center. There will be photo ops, crafts, and egg-themed games. This event is included with regular museum admission.
The free South Sacramento Festival will take place at Valley Hi Park on Saturday, August 29, 2026. There will be activities for kids, cultural performances, music, food, and community resources.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Dog Man graphic novels on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at a free celebration at the Franklin Library in Elk Grove. There will be themed activities such as making a Dog Man hat, creating buttons from recycled books, producing your own comic strip, and making your own Dog Man food.[…]
Prepare for kids to get dirty at Mess Fest at the Sacramento Children’s Museum on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Kids are encouraged to dress for messy fun in either a swimsuit, play clothes, or rain boots. There will be sticky, gooey, messy, and dirty fun. A wash-off station will be available. A change of clothes[…]
Families can check out Careers on Wheels on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. Kids can get up close with a variety of vehicles from 10am to 2pm. This event is included with regular museum admission.
