Father’s Day is Sunday!
Hi neighbor!
Father's Day is this weekend, and I want to start by saying — happy Father's Day to all the Pleasant Hill dads. I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday.
I won’t miss this opportunity to give a special shout out to my own husband, who is an amazing partner and father to our children. I hope he has a great time golfing this weekend!
I also want to say something to anyone for whom this weekend is more bittersweet. My own dad isn't here anymore and I know that Father's Day has a way of sneaking up on you, even years later. I hope you can find some peace if you're missing your dad, a father figure, or your child's dad this weekend.
There's a lot going on this week for anyone looking for a way to celebrate — a free BBQ and music festival in Martinez, a Sunset by the Lake concert, and even a car show. Scroll down for all the details.
What are your plans for Father’s Day? Reply back and let me know!
See you around town,
Jen
Here’s what happening in and around Pleasant Hill this week
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Please verify details with the event website to ensure accuracy.
View events by date
Thursday, June 18
Details: Stories, songs, and movement. Best suited for ages 0-5 with a caregiver. All ages and abilities welcome.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Uncle Jer's Traveling Bee Show
A bee show exploring habitats, colony life, and honey production. Families get to see working honeybees up close and enjoy a honey tasting.
There are two times/places to see this show:
10:30–11:30am at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
4:30–5:30pm at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway, Walnut Creek
Details: Live music and food trucks.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
Details: Live music and food trucks, featuring Purple Ones (Prince tribute)
Time: 6:30–8:30pm
Location: Moraga Commons Band Shell
Details: The popular free outdoor concert series returns for the summer, featuring Fleetwood Macrame
Time: 7–9pm
Location: Downtown Pleasant Hill Plaza near Jack’s Restaurant & Bar, Pleasant Hill
Friday, June 19
Pleasant Hill Night Market
Details: The market features local vendors, kids’ activities, and live music.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: Chilpancingo Park, Pleasant Hill
Details: A three-day outdoor festival with free admission and parking, live music, kids' rides and activities, and BBQ. Friday night kicks off with the Ruby Party Band playing 80s/90s/2000s dance hits.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: Waterfront Park, Martinez
Details: The oldest operating public Japanese Garden in North America.
Time: Enter for free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9–10am
Location: Golden Gate Park, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Details: Bring blankets, sleeping bags, or chairs to watch a movie under the stars. Crafts, lawn games, and trivia begin at 6:30pm and the movie begins at 8pm.
Time: 6:30–10pm
Location: 420 Front Street, Danville
Details: Dublin's free outdoor movie series with family games and activities before the film.
Time: Movies begin at dusk
Location: Jordan Ranch Park, Dublin
Details: Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for free telescope viewing. Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets, and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes.
Time: 7:30–10:30pm
Location: Chabot, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
Saturday, June 20
Details: Fresh produce and other food items will be available. There may also be entertainment, demos, and more.
Time: 9am–1pm
Location: Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
Details: Participate or drop by to watch others create a unique piece of art in the sand.
Time: 9am–1pm
Location: Robert Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda
Details: A full day of live music and BBQ in Martinez, including The Great Space Coaster, Garageland Rodeo, Southbound 101, and The New Frantics. Free admission and parking.
Time:11am–9pm
Location: Waterfront Park, Martinez
Details: Morgan Territory turns three! A family-friendly party with live music starting at 5pm.
Time: 12–10pm
Location: 40 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill
Details: Build your own Lego creations. All ages and abilities welcome.
Time: 2–4pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Entry to permanent collection galleries is free for all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Reservation required.
Time: 9:30am–5:15pm
Location: de Young, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Details: Entry to permanent collection galleries is free for all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Reservation required.
Time: 9:30am–5:15pm
Location: Legion of Honor, 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco
Details: Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for free telescope viewing. Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets, and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes.
Time: 7:30–10:30pm
Location: Chabot, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
Sunday, June 21
Details: The Blackhawk Museum is hosting the 5th Annual Jon Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Car Show. This event features live music from The Juke Joint Band, food trucks, and a 9-hole inflatable mini golf course.
Time: 9am–2pm
Location: The Blackhawk Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville
Details: The final day of the Father's Day weekend BBQ festival, with live music including The Landbirds, Rusty Giraffe, and Evan Thomas & The Brotherhood. Free admission and parking.
Time: 11am–6pm
Location: Waterfront Park, Martinez
Details: Free concert featuring The Floorshakers. This event features a Family Fun Zone with a bounce house, bubble station, and face painting. There is usually a food truck onsite and lots of nearby restaurants, or you can bring your own food.
Time: 6–8pm
Location: Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Kids bowl for free at Clayton Valley Bowl Monday–Sunday from 10am–5pm or Paddock Bowl Monday–Friday from 10am–4pm.
Affiliate link
Monday, June 22
Details: The oldest operating public Japanese Garden in North America.
Time: Enter for free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9–10am
Location: Golden Gate Park, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Details: Tweens, teens, and adults are invited to destress with this free art program.
Time: 1–2pm
Location: Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord
Dungeons & Dragons® at San Ramon Library
Details: Middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to join a Dungeons & Dragons® adventure with other teens. D&D at the San Ramon Library plays at level 5.
Time: 4–5:30pm
Location: San Ramon Library, 100 Montgomery Street, San Ramon
Tuesday, June 23
Details: Babies (0-1) and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and lap bounces.
Time: 12–12:30pm
Location: Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway, Walnut Creek
Details: Kids (ages 6+) can practice their skills by reading with a certified therapy dog. Sessions are 15 minutes and registration is required.
Time: 2:15–3:15pm
Location: Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Details: A calm, fun hour of yoga for kids of all ages and their caregivers, building flexibility, focus, and balance. Bring a towel or your own mat.
Time: 6:30–7:30pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 1750 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Wednesday, June 24
Details: A Storytime celebrating all types of families, inclusion, diversity, and self-love — songs, stories, and Stay & Play afterward.
Time: 10:15–10:45am
Location: Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Details: Enjoy storytime and a craft for toddlers and preschoolers provided by I Heart Art.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Have fun creating art during our studio time each Wednesday after school.
Time: 1:30–3:30pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: The oldest operating public Japanese Garden in North America.
Time: Enter for free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9–10am
Location: Golden Gate Park, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Thursday, June 25
Details: A Storytime celebrating all types of families, inclusion, diversity, and self-love — songs, stories, and Stay & Play afterward.
Time: 10:15–10:45am
Location: Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Details: Stories, songs, and movement. Best suited for ages 0-5 with a caregiver. All ages and abilities welcome.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Live music and food trucks.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
Details: Live music and food trucks, featuring Refugees (Tom Petty tribute)
Time: 6:30–8:30pm
Location: Moraga Commons Band Shell
Have an event to add to future newsletters? Reply back and let me know!
Jen