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August 2, 2025

Quote of the week

"Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves." – Alejandro González Iñárritu

Movie Night at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center

Join us for a fun-filled family movie night featuring The Bad Guys! This action-packed, family-friendly film is perfect for kids and adults alike. Bring your blankets and settle in for a cozy indoor screening as you enjoy a relaxed evening of laughter, fun and great entertainment. All ages are welcome, so gather the whole crew and get ready to make some unforgettable memories together. Admission is free, but registration is required. Join us on Friday, Aug. 8, from 7:15–9 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. Learn more and register.

Music in the Park – Aug. 6 and Aug. 13

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and pack all your favorite picnic essentials for live music in the park! This Wednesday, Aug. 6, Given to Fly, an energetic rock, pop and soul fusion band, will be at Fremont Park serving up dance-worthy tunes. We saved a Menlo Park crowd favorite for last! Additionally, the Sun Kings will be bringing beats from 60 years of Beatles songs to Fremont Park on Friday, Aug. 13. Concerts start at 6 p.m. See event details.

Fall activity guide: Enrollment opening this week!

Learning is a lifelong adventure! The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality recreational classes for all ages. City recreation centers host fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts, crafts, cooking and much more, all with a welcoming and supportive community spirit. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned student, there's something to pique your interest. 

The fall 2025 activity guide preview is available now. Enrollment opens at 9 a.m. on:

• Menlo Park hyperlocal residents – Thursday, Aug. 7
• Menlo Park residents – Saturday, Aug. 9
• Unincorporated Menlo Park and non-residents – Wednesday, Aug. 13

NEW! Introducing SwimFit pass – Enjoy Belle Haven Pool and Fitness Center access

For Menlo Park residents ages 18 and up. Get unlimited swimming and fitness center workouts with the new SwimFit monthly pass. Sign up for a monthly swim pass at the regular price and receive a FREE monthly pass to the amazing new Belle Haven Community Campus fitness center! 

How to get a SwimFit pass:

1. Get a monthly swim pass. Don't have one? Sign up at Belle Haven Pool or online at menloswim.com.
2. Visit Belle Haven Pool at 100 Terminal Ave. Show your swim pass at the entrance to get a SwimFit voucher.
3. Redeem your Swimfit voucher. Turn in your voucher at the Belle Haven Community Campus front desk and receive a FREE pass good for unlimited workouts in the amazing new workout room. 

Questions? Visit the Belle Haven Pool customer service window at 100 Terminal Ave. or call (650) 781-5578. Visit our website for additional details.

Adult co-ed softball league is back! Registration closes Aug. 20

The fall adult softball season is here! Registration is now open for both the men's and co-ed leagues. All skill levels are welcome, so start a team with your local group, organization or business and join us on the ball field! Don't have a team? Don't worry, you can sign up as a free agent. Registration fees are $950 per resident team and $1,045 per non-resident team. The season runs from Aug. 27–Oct. 23 at Nealon Park. Learn more.

• Men's: Wednesdays, 7–10 p.m.
• Co-ed: Thursdays, 7–10 p.m.

August Swim Lessons

August is the perfect month for swim lessons! Menlo Swim & Sport offers lessons Monday through Thursday (four lessons per session) or Saturday single booking lessons at Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool. Resident discounts, Belle Haven Hyperlocal discounts and scholarships are available. Registration is open now! Visit menloswim.com for more information and to book your lesson in August!

Let's do lunch at Menlo Park Senior Center

For active adults ages 60 and older. Check out the lunch menu at the Menlo Park Senior Center. Freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals are made with local ingredients and paired with health, recreational, social, cultural and educational programs, plus opportunities for conversation and fun! Free, reliable transportation service is available. Join us Monday through Friday from morning to early afternoon at Menlo Park Senior Center, 100 Terminal Ave. See the August lunch menu.

National Night Out

National Night Out is this Tuesday, Aug. 5! Find a block party near you and mingle with your neighbors. Learn more. 

National Night Out block parties are open for all to attend:

• 1929 Menalto Ave. (Cafe Zoe) from 4–8 p.m.
• 946 Florence Lane from 6–9 p.m.
• University Drive and Cambridge Avenue from 4–8 p.m.
• 1100 Monte Rosa Drive from 5–8 p.m

eLibrary spotlight: Comics Plus – Digital Comics from the Library

There's a new way to read comics, graphic novels and manga from the Menlo Park Library. With Comics Plus, Menlo Park residents with a library card that starts with 29044 will have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and manga from dozens of major publishers. Every title is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone—no holds or wait lists required. Start reading now by downloading the LibraryPass app on your smartphone or tablet. Learn more.

Free literary and cultural programs 

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Summer Reading Game. August is the final month of the Summer Reading Game! Track your reading and win great prizes (while supplies last). Check out a book in person or check out our eBooks and other electronic resources. Learn more.
• English Conversation Club. Practice your English with people from all over the world! Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Drop in and join us on Tuesdays from noon–1 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., or Saturdays from noon–1 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.
• Teen Media Nights. Join us for Teen Media Nights, where we'll be watching a film or playing video games in the library's Teen Zone. Participate on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., or Fridays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. 
• Teen Paint and Plant. For ages 12–17. Teens, paint your own succulent pot and enjoy a tasty frozen treat on the patio! Join us on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 1–3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Concert – Deep River: The Flow of Negro Spirituals through Time. Join us for this special one-man musical performance as Alexander Taite explores an often-neglected part of American society: the Negro Spiritual. Participate on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 1–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month, we discuss Fearless and Free, a memoir by Josephine Baker. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, Aug. 4, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
• Garden Talk: Fall Crops to Grow Now. Join us to learn about easy-to-grow veggies and greens for the fall. Participate online via Zoom or in-person at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Japanese Folk Tales with Megumi. Join us outside to enjoy enchanting Japanese folktales with the storyteller Megumi on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 10:15–10:45 a.m. on the Menlo Park Library lawn, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Film Screening: Shock Treatment. Join us after hours as we celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" by screening "Shock Treatment," the little-known sequel! Watch with us on Friday, Aug. 8, from 6:30–8:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Summer Puppetry Festival: Steve Chaney and Corney Crow. Our Summer Puppetry Festival continues with ventriloquism, comedy, magic and juggling with Steve Chaney, Corny Crow and friends! Join us on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Black Business Roundtable. Join us online to meet a panel of business owners from around the Bay Area and beyond to learn about their experiences, challenges and triumphs. Participate online via Zoom on Monday, Aug. 11, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
• Peanuts Naturally Science Festival. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is returning to Menlo Park with a host of fun, nature-related interactive exhibits just for elementary school children. Explore and learn from these engaging art and science activities on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 1–2:30 p.m. on the Menlo Park Library lawn, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!