Labor Day weekend is here, and an extra day off means an extra day to GET OUT AND DO MORE!
Whether you're looking for a free local adventure, a festival, a day at the amusement park, a train ride through the redwoods, or simply somewhere to let the kids run, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the long weekend.
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, and we've rounded up 15 things happening throughout the weekend in and around the South Bay.
As always, event details can change, so we recommend confirming hours, availability, and ticket prices directly with the venue before heading out.
1. Kristi Yamaguchi's Family Literacy Festival
📍 Children's Discovery Museum | San Jose
📅 Saturday, September 5 | 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
💰 $22
Parking Discount: Use discount code LDW26 at the Woz/87 lot
Books + play = a pretty great Saturday! Kristi Yamaguchi's Family Literacy Festival takes over the Children's Discovery Museum with celebrity and author story readings, hands-on activities, art projects, family entertainment, and access to the museum.
Even better? September 5 is opening day for TapeScape, an enormous interactive structure created from more than 10 miles of packing tape that kids can climb, crawl, and slide through.
2. Visit the Children's Discovery Museum on Labor Day
📍 180 Woz Way | San Jose
📅 Monday, September 7 | 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
💰 Museum admission required
Need something that's actually open Monday? The Purple Museum will have special Labor Day hours! Spend the day exploring its hands-on exhibits, water play, Mammoth Discovery, and the brand-new TapeScape exhibit.
This is an especially great option for families with toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary-aged kids.
3. Make a Day Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
📍 886 Cannery Row, Monterey
💰 Adults: $65 | Kids ages 5–17: $50 | Ages 4 & under: FREE
Ready for a bigger adventure? Head down the coast to the Monterey Bay Aquarium: Seafood Watch Program for an unforgettable day exploring life under the sea.
Kids can watch playful sea otters, come face-to-face with sharks and giant fish, explore the incredible three-story Kelp Forest, see colorful jellies and get hands-on at interactive areas like the touch pools. There's plenty to explore for everyone from toddlers to bigger kids.
Located right on Cannery Row, it's easy to turn your aquarium visit into a full family day trip with lunch, a walk along the waterfront and time exploring Monterey.
MK Tip: Kids 4 and under are free! Purchase tickets ahead of time, especially for busy weekends and holidays.
4. Labor Day Weekend at Roaring Camp
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads | Felton
📅 September 5–7
💰 Approximately $31.75–$46.51 depending on train/ticket
All aboard! Roaring Camp is turning Labor Day into a full weekend celebration. Families can ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train or Santa Cruz Beach Train and stick around for live music and old-fashioned activities.
Look for gold panning, a working blacksmith, printing press demonstrations, Farmer John Mini Tractors, and more.
5. U-Pick Apples at Sweet Water Farms
📍 848 Buena Vista Dr. | Watsonville
📅 September 5–6 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
💰 Approximately $2–$20
Kick off fall a little early with apple picking! Wander the orchard, pick your own apples, take in the views, and let the kids experience where their food actually comes from.
Availability depends on what Mother Nature has ready, so check with the farm before making the drive.
6. U-Pick Apples at Luz del Valle Farm
📍 1875 Hames Rd. | Aptos
📅 Saturday, September 5 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
💰 $12–$15
Here's another excuse for an apple-picking adventure! Reserve a timed hour at Luz del Valle Farm and head into the orchard to pick apples. Admission includes one pound of apples, with additional fruit available to purchase.
Pair it with a beach stop and you've got yourself a pretty great Labor Day weekend day trip.
7. Free First Sunday at NUMU
📍 New Museum Los Gatos, 106 E. Main St. | Los Gatos
📅 Sunday, September 6 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
💰 FREE with registration
Add a little art and local history to your weekend without spending a dime. NUMU offers free general admission on the first Sunday of each month.
Families can explore the museum's current exhibits, plus join a free guided art tour at 11:30 a.m. or a free history tour at 2 p.m.
Registration is required.
8. Ride, Splash & Play at California's Great America
📍 4701 Great America Pkwy. | Santa Clara
📅 Labor Day Weekend — check operating calendar for daily hours
💰 Ticket prices vary
Make it a BIG adventure with roller coasters, family rides, Planet Snoopy and plenty of end-of-summer fun at California's Great America.
If the weather heats up, South Bay Shores gives families another way to cool down with water slides, splash areas, and kid-friendly water attractions.
9. Salute to Heroes & Carnival Nights at Gilroy Gardens
📍 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy. | Gilroy
📅 September 5–7
💰 Regular admission varies; qualifying heroes receive FREE admission
Gilroy Gardens is celebrating Labor Day weekend with its Salute to Heroes.
Active-duty military members, veterans, ER professionals, and first responders receive free admission September 5, 6 and 7 and can purchase up to six discounted tickets for friends and family.
Between the rides, gardens and kid-friendly attractions, this can easily become a full-day family outing.
10. Build & Play at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area
📍 Great Mall, 870 Great Mall Dr. | Milpitas
📅 Labor Day Weekend
💰 Ticket prices vary by date
Need an indoor option? Head to Milpitas for a few hours of LEGO-filled fun.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area features LEGO build-and-play areas, interactive attractions, a ride, MINILAND and a 4D cinema. It's especially geared toward families with kids roughly ages 3–10 and makes an easy half-day adventure.
11. Explore Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
📍 748 Story Rd. | San Jose
📅 Labor Day Weekend
💰 Admission required; prices vary
Animals, rides AND play areas? Happy Hollow is always an easy family win.
Visit the zoo animals, hop on kid-friendly rides, explore the playgrounds and spend a few hours outside. It's particularly manageable for families with toddlers and elementary-aged kids who aren't quite ready for a huge theme park.
Check holiday hours and tickets before visiting.
12. Take the Train at Oak Meadow Park
📍 233 Blossom Hill Rd. | Los Gatos
📅 Labor Day Weekend — confirm train/carousel schedule before visiting (most likely not open on Monday - but will be on Sat & Sun)
💰 Park: FREE; train/carousel tickets additional; Vasona vehicle parking fee may apply
This is one of our favorite ways to turn a simple park day into an adventure.
Start at Oak Meadow Park for the playground, then check the schedule for the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and carousel. The miniature train travels from Oak Meadow through neighboring Vasona Lake County Park.
Pack lunch and make a day of it with a walk, bike ride, picnic, playground time, and train ride.
13. Explore Campbell Park + Los Gatos Creek Trail
📍 E. Campbell Ave. & Gilman Ave. | Campbell
📅 Anytime Labor Day Weekend
💰 FREE
Sometimes the best long-weekend plans are the simplest.
Let the kids play at Campbell Park, then hop onto the Los Gatos Creek Trail for a family walk, scooter ride, or bike ride. You can even make your way toward Downtown Campbell for a treat or lunch afterward.
It's an easy, inexpensive outing when you want to get everyone out of the house without committing to an entire day.
14. Shop the Downtown Campbell Farmers' Market
📍 Downtown Campbell
📅 Sunday, September 6
💰 FREE to attend
Grab the stroller and spend Sunday morning wandering one of the South Bay's favorite farmers' markets.
Shop fresh produce, discover local vendors, grab something yummy to eat, and then explore Downtown Campbell. Pair it with Campbell Park or the Los Gatos Creek Trail to stretch it into a full family morning.
15. Step Back in Time at Wilder Ranch
📍 1842 Coast Rd. | Santa Cruz
📅 Saturday, September 5
💰 Activities FREE; day-use parking approximately $10
Want a Labor Day adventure that feels completely different from a typical park day?
Wilder Ranch State Park is offering several family-friendly activities Saturday, including opportunities to explore the historic ranch and coastal landscape.
Families can learn about life on a dairy ranch more than a century ago and see historic barns, the farmhouse, machine shop and other pieces of California history. There are also beautiful coastal trails nearby if your crew is up for a walk.
BONUS: Make It a Beach + Boardwalk Day!
📍 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
📅 Labor Day Weekend - Rides are open!
💰 Boardwalk admission is FREE; rides, games, food & parking additional
You don't technically need to ride a single ride to enjoy the Boardwalk!
Walk the Boardwalk, hit the beach, grab a treat, play in the sand, or purchase ride tickets if the kids want more action. You can even combine this one with the Santa Cruz Beach Train from Roaring Camp for an extra memorable adventure.
16. Take a Caltrain Adventure
📍 Hop on from San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale or another South Bay station
💰 Fare varies by distance; kids 4 & under ride FREE with a paying adult
Sometimes the transportation IS the adventure!
Hop aboard Caltrain and let the kids watch the world go by while you head somewhere new. Pick a destination like Palo Alto, San Mateo, Burlingame or San Francisco, grab lunch or a treat, explore for a bit, and then ride the train home.
For little train lovers, you don't even need a big destination planned — a short ride and snack stop can turn into an easy family adventure.
MK Tip: Bring the stroller and make a day of it without worrying about parking!
17. Spend the Day at Coyote Point
📍 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo
💰 $6 vehicle entrance fee; playground included
This one is worth the drive!
Coyote Point Recreation Area has waterfront trails, picnic areas, a beach and the incredible Magic Mountain Playground, featuring separate play areas for ages 2–5 and 5–12, 11 slides, 13 swings and a huge castle with one of California's longest enclosed playground slides.
On weekends through September 27, families can also catch the Kiddo's Chu Chu trackless train near the playground for $6 per person.
Want to make an entire day of it? Add a visit to CuriOdyssey, located right inside Coyote Point, for hands-on science exhibits and animals.
18. Jump at Altitude Trampoline Park (Milpitas or San Jose)
📍 147 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas
📍 5502 Monterey Rd., San Jose
💰 Admission varies by location and jump time
Have kids with energy to burn? Let them JUMP!
Altitude Trampoline Park has locations in both Milpitas and San Jose, giving families an easy indoor option when it's too hot outside or you simply need somewhere the kids can move.
Expect wall-to-wall trampolines and high-energy attractions that let kids bounce, climb, play and challenge themselves.
For younger kids: The Milpitas location offers Junior Jumpers Jam on select weekdays from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. for $22.99.
19. Catch a Family Movie
📍 Movie theaters throughout San Jose, Milpitas, Campbell & the South Bay
💰 Ticket prices vary by theater and showtime
Popcorn + a movie + air conditioning? Sometimes that's exactly the kind of outing everyone needs.
Check your local theater for a new family release, discounted matinee, or special kids' showing. It's an easy option when you need a lower-energy activity or want something that works regardless of the weather.
MK Tip: Look for morning and matinee showings for potentially lower ticket prices — and fewer bedtime battles afterward!
20. Play Mini Golf at Golfland
📍 Emerald Hills Golfland — 976 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose
📍 Golfland — 1199 Jacklin Rd., Milpitas
📍 Golfland USA — 855 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
💰 Prices vary by location; San Jose mini golf is currently $18 adults and $17 kids ages 4–11
Add a little friendly family competition to your day with a round of miniature golf!
Golfland has several South Bay locations, making this an easy outing whether you're closer to San Jose, Milpitas or Sunnyvale. Depending on the location, you can pair your round with arcade games and other attractions.
At the San Jose location, kids 3 and under can golf free with a paying adult, making this one especially worth considering for families with little ones.
Macaroni KID Challenge: Parents vs. kids — losing team buys the ice cream!
Additional ideas include: Try out a new park, check out our Splash Pads guide, bowling, indoor golfing and so many more!
Make the Most of the Extra Day!
Whether your perfect Labor Day weekend involves roller coasters, apple picking, museums, trains, playgrounds or simply packing a picnic, there are plenty of reasons to get out of the house.
Pick one big adventure, find a few free things nearby, or save this list and see where the weekend takes you.
Get out and do more — we'll help you skip the search and find the fun!
Please note: Events, operating hours, ticket availability and pricing can change. Always confirm details directly with the venue before heading out.
