Can’t-Miss Things to Do with Kids in Sacramento This July 2026
This post is currently being updated for 2026!
July starts with a bang—fireworks! From Elk Grove to Rancho Cordova to the Folsom Pro Rodeo, there are tons of places to see 4th of July fireworks in Sacramento this holiday.
The month heats up with the annual summer tradition of the California State Fair. If you’re planning on going to the fair, don’t miss out on these money-saving tips for the California State Fair!
Kids will love conquering the interactive and zany obstacles in the Fair Oaks Summer Fun Run, and paddlers of all levels can get on the water during Paddlesplash at Lake Natoma.
For even more fun in July, check off all the things in my Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Kids in Sacramento—your go-to guide for a summer packed with adventure. If you’re looking to save money this summer, bookmark these free summer things to do in Sacramento with kids.
Want the best things to do in Sacramento with kids delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Sactown Supermom newsletter.
A free Party in the Park takes place in Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This family-friendly summer party will have free art activities, games, music, giveaways, and more.
Grow Resilient Families will be providing free music to families on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Belle Cooledge Library.
The annual Ducky Derby at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025. There will be rubber duck races, a BBQ fundraiser, hat contest, and local vendors.
A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove will be having Bluey Day at the bookstore on Saturday, July 12, 2025. A Bluey themed storytime for kids will take place at 11:30am.
Enjoy a Summer Festival at Space to Play in Elk Grove on Saturday, July 12, 2025. There will be ice cream, games, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. Open play is also included. Registration is required for this event.
Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park in Elk Grove this summer at Laguna Town Hall. Twelfth Night will be performed for the run dates of July 18 – August 3, 2025 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
Race over to a free Touch-A-Truck event at Freedom Park in North Highlands on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Kids will be able to get up close to machines and a helicopter will even land at the park (weather pending).
BusyKids in Folsom will celebrate its birthday on Sunday, July 20, 2025 with face painting, scavenger hunts, giveaways, and $12 play all day long.
Fly over to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Davis for Bats and Crafts on Sunday, July 20, 2025. This event is for young kids who have early bedtimes. There will be bat meet and greets, arts and crafts, games, and other bat-themed things.
Ruby’s Books in Folsom will celebrate the first landing on the Moon with a storytime and activities for kids that are space-themed on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Brett Hoffstadt, a local author, will read his book, Goodnight Moon Base.
Get on the water during the annual three-day Paddlespash SUP Festival on July 25-27, 2025 at Lake Natoma. All levels of paddlers are welcome to participate. The most popular races are the 2, 5, and 8 mile races. There is also a Grom short course race for kids on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Celebrate a vibrant morning of chalk art at Chalk Your Walk on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Vernon Street Town Square in Roseville. This free event will have an art gallery, interactive art projects, games, a sidewalk chalk contest, music, vendors, and more. Limited quantities of Chalk Your Walk Kits will be available.
The annual Historic Folsom Hometown Parade & Cattle Drive will march through Historic Folsom on Wednesday evening, July 1, 2026. This free, family-friendly tradition will march down four blocks of Sutter Street with floats, vehicles, horses, Wild West re-enactors, marching bands, color guards, and more.
The Folsom Pro Rodeo takes place for three days from July 2-4, 2026. In addition to a thrilling rodeo tradition of bull riding, there is also plenty of family fun, and each night concludes with a fireworks finale. There will be live music, activities for kids of all ages, and food for purchase.
With a carnival, circus, and fireworks, Rancho Cordova will have the ultimate two-day family-friendly 4th of July celebration on July 3 & 4, 2026. The carnival will take place each day from 4-11pm and feature various amusement rides for kids of all ages. There will be a Ferris wheel, kiddie rides, and midway games. Note[…]
The Sacramento Yacht Club will have a boat parade on July 4, 2026 at 1:30pm. The boat parade will float along the Sacramento River and begin at the Sacramento Marina. It will travel upriver through Old Sacramento to the Virgin Sturgeon and then return via the same route. The boat parade will be viewable from[…]
Celebrate 4th of July in Elk Grove at the Salute to the Red, White and Blue at Elk Grove Park. A drone show and fireworks show will take place at 9:40pm. There will be food trucks and a concert before the fireworks. This is a free event. Parking is $15 per vehicle.
The 2026 California State Fair returns to Cal Expo from July 17 – August 2, 2026. Enjoy pavilions full of exhibits, fair food, rides, entertainment, and so much more.
Go ice skating for free at Fridays in the Grove: Christmas in July on Friday, July 17, 2026 at District 56 in Elk Grove. Get in the holiday spirit with a free pop-up ice skating rink and jolly atmosphere. Bring socks to the event. All ice skates are provided for free!
Conquer fun obstacles like an inflatable water slide and navigate through a foam frenzy during the 1.2-mile Fair Oaks Summer Fun on Saturday, July 25, 2026. This 1.2-mile course for kids will take place in Phoenix Park.
The annual Pear Fair will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in the Sacramento River Delta town of Courtland. Entry to the fair is free. There will be a kids’ area with a wide range of fun activities, a Youth Duck Calling, a Fun Run, and more. While there is no admission fee to[…]
