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MLK Weekend 2026 in San Francisco: 11 Great Things to Do With Kids

Take the free NorCalMLK Celebration Train to SF for the MLK Day March. Photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen, via Flickr. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Take the free NorCalMLK Celebration Train to SF for the MLK Day March. Photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen, via Flickr. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
1/15/25 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area during MLK weekend? Add these family-friendly events to your list for the long weekend. 

2026 might have just started, but it's already time for a long holiday weekend. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is this Monday, and the Bay Area has a variety of events honoring the trailblazing civil rights leader.

Start the historic day by taking the free Caltrain NorcalMLK Celebration Train, which picks up passengers at various Bay Area stops and takes them to the 2026 MLK March in San Francisco. Then, bring the kids to the MLK2026 Music Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens to continue celebrating while learning history outside of the classroom.  

Cheer on the Harlem Globetrotters and enjoy lively basketball games as they take the court doing trick shots in San Jose and San Francisco this weekend. Lastly, Remember Claude the albino alligator at Golden Gate Park on Sunday.

More Things To Do in the San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

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Watch the Harlem Globetrotters basketball wizardry in San Francisco or San Jose. Photo courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters
Watch the Harlem Globetrotters basketball wizardry in San Francisco or San Jose. Photo courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters

MLK Weekend Events in the Bay Area

San Carlos Week of the Family

San Carlos
Thursday, January 15-Thursday, January 29, 2026
With a focus on strengthening family relationships and the special bond they are, San Carlos is hosting Week of the Family, with local businesses offering activities that everyone can enjoy (most of them free!). Activities include storytime, family scavenger hunt, read-a-thon, fire station tours, and hikes.  READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters in San Jose

San Jose
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Harlem Globetrotters are on tour and stopping by San Jose to showcase their amazing tricks, skill, and athleticism to the Bay Area. Watch them go head-to-head against the Washington Generals and see who wins. READ MORE

Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy

San Francisco
Saturday, January 17, 2026
A fun experience for young explorers, this family-friendly overnight stay lets kids and adults sleep at the Cal Academy and find out what 40,000 live animals get to do after hours. Special programs, late-night planetarium shows, and rainforest access until 8 p.m. complete the evening.  READ MORE

SF Giants FanFest Tour - San Jose

San Jose—FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Giants FanFest Tour 2026 visits three cities across Northern California, culminating in an open house at Oracle Park in March. The free tour includes current Giants players, coaches, and broadcasters. Lou Seal will meet fans in their local communities, including San Jose, San Ramon and Sacramento. Attendees can expect autographs, question-and-answer sessions, games and more. READ MORE

Remembering Claude at Cal Academy

San Francisco—FREE
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Bring the family for a day of memories, music, and mementos honoring the life and legacy of Claude, San Francisco’s beloved albino alligator. The free community celebration is in Golden Gate Park, or worldwide via livestream. The lineup is packed with stories, speeches, performances, and activities for Claude fans of all ages. READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters at Chase Center

San Francisco
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Get ready for all the amazing basketball spins, slams, and dunks that you’ve come to expect at every Globetrotters game, plus enjoy some new tricks as players vie to see who can pull off the most astonishing shots and more.  See your favorite Globetrotter stars and their renowned rivals, the Washington Generals as they challenge themselves and each other to new moves, new shots, and new innovations. READ MORE

Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival

San Francisco
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Hosted by the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at Davies Symphony Hall, the Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival is a benefit concert showcasing some of the region's most talented youth ensembles. The benefit concert features performances by each orchestra along with the Festival Orchestra, made up of representatives from all five participating ensembles. READ MORE

2026 MLK March

San Francisco—FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
A symbolic journey that pays homage to the Selma-to-Montgomery marches and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Bay Area community comes together to parade from the SF Caltrain Station to the Yerba Buena Gardens. Enjoy a lively tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to justice and equality.  READ MORE

Caltrain NorcalMLK Celebration Train

Multiple Bay Area Locations—FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
Families can take the Caltrain NorcalMLK Celebration Train for free to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March in San Francisco. The train stops in San Jose, Palo Alto, San Mateo, and Millbrae. Attendees who RSVP receive a complimentary ticket worth a free return trip after 1 p.m. READ MORE

MLK2026 Music Festival

San Francisco—FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The music festival, now in its 16th year, celebrates MLK with amazing talent performing on the Esplanade Stage. With Grammy Award-winning and acclaimed artists and performers taking center stage, it's an afternoon of celebration for the whole family.  READ MORE

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service

San Francisco—FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The Museum of the African Diaspora celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service and free admission to the museum and all the programs offered. Activities and programs include dance performances from Destiny Arts Junior Company, and a screening of the documentary Stamped from the Beginning.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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