Things to do with kids in Pleasanton, CA
Storytimes, classes, shows and festivals for kids in Pleasanton, CA: 22 listed, checked by a local editor.
Everything in Pleasanton →Saturday, October 24
Pumpkins After Dark: glowing jack-o'-lantern trailThu–Sun nights through Oct 31, 6:45–10pm · Alameda County Fairgrounds (parking Gate 8 off Valley Ave) · $28.80 adults, $22.80 youth (4–17), 3 and under freeA nighttime walk-through trail lit by more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns (pumpkins carved with faces and lit from inside) at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Fine for all ages, with no jump scares; tickets are timed and sold online, and parking is $15 at Gate 8 off Valley Ave.
Blue Oaks Church trunk-or-treat12:00 – 1:30 PM · Blue Oaks Church · Price not listedGames, a bounce house, cookie decorating and candy. Trunk-or-treat means kids in costume collect candy from decorated car trunks in a parking lot.
Sunday, October 25
- Pumpkins After Dark: glowing jack-o'-lantern trailThu–Sun nights through Oct 31, 6:45–10pm · Alameda County Fairgrounds (parking Gate 8 off Valley Ave) · $28.80 adults, $22.80 youth (4–17), 3 and under freeA nighttime walk-through trail lit by more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns (pumpkins carved with faces and lit from inside) at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Fine for all ages, with no jump scares; tickets are timed and sold online, and parking is $15 at Gate 8 off Valley Ave.
Halloween Spirit Run on Main Street8:30 AM · Main Street, downtown Pleasanton · $59.30 adults, $54 under 17, $27.50 kids' runPleasanton Rotary's 5K and 10K through downtown, plus a kids' run at 10am. Costumes welcome. Prices go up after Oct 24.
Coming up
Paws to Read: kids read to therapy dogs (Halloween)Tue Oct 13, 20 & 27, 7pm & 7:30pm · Pleasanton Library · FreeKids in 1st to 5th grade read aloud one-on-one to a calm therapy dog from Valley Humane Society at Pleasanton Library, in 25-minute sessions; reading to a patient dog helps kids build confidence. Free, but sessions are full; join the waitlist online.
Toddler and family storytimes at Pleasanton LibraryWed 7pm (family), Thu 11am (toddler) · Pleasanton Library · FreeFree weekly storytimes where a librarian reads picture books and leads songs: Thursday mornings for ages 2–5, and Wednesday evenings for the whole family with guitar sing-alongs. Just drop in, no sign-up; the Wednesday room changes week to week, so check when you arrive.
Baby Storytime at Pleasanton LibraryFri Oct 16 & 23, 11–11:30am · Pleasanton Library – Library Meeting Room · FreeA gentle library session of books, songs and lap bounces (rhymes while bouncing baby on your knee) for babies who aren't walking yet, with stay-and-play time afterward. Register online; sign-up opens a week before each session and every person counts, so 2 adults and 1 baby is 3 attendees.
Valley Community Church trunk-or-treatSat Oct 31, 3–5pm · Valley Community Church · FreeBounce houses, food trucks and decorated cars on Halloween afternoon. Trunk-or-treat means kids in costume collect candy from decorated car trunks in a parking lot.
Día de los Muertos celebrationSat Nov 7, 1–3pm · Pleasanton Senior Center · FreeFirehouse Arts hosts a free Day of the Dead afternoon with an ofrenda (altar) display, bilingual stories, folk dance, crafts and face painting.
Sensory StorytimeSat Nov 14, 10am–10:30am · Pleasanton Library · FreeJoin us for an inclusive storytime that focuses on providing a relaxed environment for kids with sensory needs. After storytime, you are welcome to come into the library to check out books and materials.
Firehouse PYTC: Shrek the Musical KIDSJan 16–24, 2027 · Firehouse Arts Center · Price not listedA youth theater production of Shrek the Musical KIDS.
Ultra Dance CompetitionFeb 6–8, 2027 · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA dance competition in Pleasanton.
Major League Table TennisFeb 13–15, 2027 · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA Major League Table Tennis pro event.- Showstopper Dance CompetitionMar 6–8, 2027 · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA dance competition in Pleasanton.
NorCal Reptile ExpoMar 14–15, 2027 · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA reptile and exotic pet expo.
Tri-Valley Innovation FairSaturday, Apr 17, 2027, 10am–5pm · Tri-Valley Innovation Fair · FreeA free tech and innovation expo for families, hosted by Quest.
Alameda County FairJun 18 – Jul 11, 2027 (Wednesday to Sunday) · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedThe county fair with rides, horse racing, concerts and fair food.
Pleasanton Concerts in the ParkFridays, June – August; 2027 dates TBA · Lions Wayside Park · FreeFree Friday concerts at Lions Wayside Park.
Diwali DhamakaOctober; 2027 dates TBA · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA Diwali celebration at the fairgrounds.
626 Night MarketAround May; 2027 dates TBA · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedAn Asian-flavored night market.
Pirates of Emerson Haunted ThemeparkOctober; 2027 dates TBA · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedA haunted theme park at the fairgrounds.- Pumpkins After DarkOctober; 2027 dates TBA · Alameda County Fairgrounds · Price not listedAn evening walk among carved pumpkin displays.
Pleasanton Hometown Holiday CelebrationEarly December; 2027 dates TBA · Main Street · Price not listedA holiday parade and tree lighting on Main Street.