Things to Do in Bakersfield This Weekend

Looking for something to do in Bakersfield this weekend? You picked a GOOD weekend!

From farmers markets and car shows to live music, comedy, racing, art classes, Village Fest and a Mexican Independence celebration, Bakersfield has a little bit of everything happening September 11–13.

Here’s your Bakersfield Weekend Guide so you can stop saying, “There’s nothing to do here.” 😉

Friday, September 11

🇺🇸 September 11th 25th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony — Bakersfield Fire Department Station 15
9:30 AM & 7:30 PM | 1315 Buena Vista Rd
Two community ceremonies honoring and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11.

🏎️ Fast Friday — Famoso Dragstrip
5–10 PM | Racing begins at 6 PM
Street-legal cars, trucks, motorcycles and NHRA race vehicles take over the dragstrip. Spectator admission is $20.

🎨 Form Friday: Sock Puppets — Art with Heart
5:30–7:30 PM | 2021 Chester Ave
A creative community art night for ages 18–32. Admission is $10 and includes materials while supplies last—just bring a sock.

🇺🇸 Annual 9/11 Memorial Ruck — The Park at River Walk
6 PM
A 9.11K memorial walk bringing veterans and first responders together to honor those lost on September 11. Note: the information provided for this event could not be independently confirmed.

🐂 Friday Faith Nights — Bibles and Bulls
6–8 PM
Worship, a message and prayer from 6–7 PM followed by a Bull Riding Jackpot from 7–8 PM. All ages are welcome.

🧠 Trivia Night — Historic Woolworth
6:30–8 PM
The Luncheonette hosts its first trivia night with prizes for the top three winners.

🛍️ BAKO Market — Centennial Plaza at Dignity Health Arena
6–10 PM
Local vendors, food, shopping and a community night downtown.

🎮 Friday Night Magic — Bakersfield Esports Center
6:30 PM
Weekly Friday Night Magic gaming meetup.

✨ Decorate Your Kindle Cover — Girls Girl Social Club
6:30 PM | $30
Decorate your Kindle cover with stickers, charms, gems, rhinestones and more.

😂 We Own the Laughs Presents Jack Jr. — The Well Comedy Club
7 PM
Stand-up comedy featuring nationally touring comedian Jack Jr.

💃 Friday Night Dancing — Fairfax Grange
7–9 PM | $10
Two hours of social dancing at the Grange.

🎨 Crushed Glass Art Party — Corks & Strokes
7–9 PM | 2623 F Street, Suite M
Create a decorative butterfly piece using crushed glass.

🎶 Cruise Night — Jerry’s Pizza & Pub
7 PM | No cover
Classic oldies and old-school music with DJ Dos Muchoz in the Basement Venue.

⛵ Yachty Bingo — STIR Cocktails & Kitchen
Check-in 7 PM | Bingo 7:30 PM | 3900 Coffee Rd
Yacht rock, bingo and games. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

🎳 BLVD After Dark — BLVD Bakersfield
9 PM–Close
Late-night bowling, black lights, music and food and drink specials.

🎧 Psychadelica: The Rave — Bottleshock Wine & Brew
9 PM
A night of house, techno, global, bass and classic rave sounds.

Saturday, September 12

Saturday is PACKED.

🏃 Judgment Day Preview Run — Sam Lynn Ballpark
6 AM | FREE
An 8-mile preview of the Judgment Day Half Marathon course, including Judgment Hill.

🥕 F Street Farmers Market — In Your Wildest Dreams Parking Lot
7:45 AM–12 PM

🥊 Llamas Competition Team Exhibition Fights — 2505 Alta Vista Dr
Doors 9 AM | First fight 10 AM | $15 donation
Boxing, jiu-jitsu, MMA, grappling and live performances.

🏎️ Cars & Coffee — Porsche Bakersfield
9–10:30 AM | 3105 Auto Mall Dr
Cars, coffee and conversation for local automotive enthusiasts.

🥕 Riverlakes Farmers Market — CHS Parking Lot
9 AM–1 PM

🌿 Kernville Summer Festival — Circle Park, Kernville
9 AM–3 PM | FREE
The final festival of 2026 features vendors, arts and crafts, jewelry, woodworking, plants and live music.

🍪 Fall Cookie Class — In Your Wildest Dreams
9:30–10 AM
An all-ages fall cookie decorating class with supplies included.

📚 Breakfast Book Club Kit — 1512 18th St
10 AM | $30
Coffee, donuts, a fall-themed book and a collection of book-club goodies.

🌳 Breathe With the Trees — Hart Memorial Park “Peacock House”
10–11 AM | FREE
A Heart Rhythm Meditation session focused on slowing down and reconnecting.

🎉 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Bakolandia — California Truck Center
10 AM–2 PM | 5800 Wible Rd
Food, music, local vendors, shopping and family-friendly community activities.

🚘 West Coast Barbershop Car Show — 6300 White Ln
10 AM–4 PM | FREE admission
Lowriders, classics, street rides, bikes, vendors and music.

☕ Cards & Coffee — In Your Wildest Dreams
11 AM–2 PM | 2819 F St
A Pokémon-themed meetup with trading cards, themed drinks and pastries.

🎀 Junk Journal — Jerry’s Pizza & Pub
11:30 AM | $15
A Barbie-themed junk-journal event and watch party.

🎨 Fall Bear — Corks & Strokes
1–2:30 PM | 2623 F Street, Suite M

🎭 Bakersfield Community Theatre Volunteer Meetup
Refreshments 1 PM | Presentation 1:30 PM
Learn how to get involved with BCT as it kicks off its 99th season.

🪨 Roadside Geology of Kern County — Buena Vista Museum
1:30 PM | 2018 Chester Ave
A photographic and geological tour of some of Kern County’s most interesting roadside formations.

🎨 3-Week Beginner Oil Painting — Art with Heart
2–5 PM | 2021 Chester Ave

🎮 Madden 27 Tournament — Bakersfield Esports Center
3–6 PM | $20 preregistration / $30 day-of

🏁 All American Saturday Night — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway
Grandstands 5:30 PM | Hot Laps 6 PM | Racing approx. 7 PM
Sprint cars, dwarf cars, hobby stocks, American stocks, mini stocks and vintage racing.

🎉 30th Annual Village Fest — Kern County Museum / Pioneer Village
6 PM
Food, drinks and live entertainment throughout Pioneer Village while raising money for children in Kern County.

😂 Basile the Comedian — St. George Greek Orthodox Church Hellenic Center
Reception 6 PM | Show 7:30 PM | 401 Truxtun Ave

🎬 Bakersfield Movie Club: Hope — Regal Edwards
Meetup 6 PM | Movie 6:20 PM

🤼 Rodeo Pro Wrestling: Clash in the Valley — B-PAL Center
Doors 6 PM | Bell 7 PM | 301 E. 4th St

🔥 Jokes On You Roast Battle — The Well Comedy Club
7 PM

🎨 Midnight Margaritas — Corks & Strokes
7–9 PM | 2623 F Street, Suite M

👻 Fright Night Market — Wall St Alley
7–11 PM | 1817 Chester Ave | FREE
Spooky shopping, alternative vendors, creepy creations, food, drinks and music.

😂 Max Amini Live — Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater
Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM

🎤 Karaoke Nites — Bakersfield Community Theatre
7:30 PM | $10

🎸 Daisyhead x Keep Flying — Temblor Brewing Company
8 PM

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
8:15 PM

🎳 BLVD After Dark — BLVD Bakersfield
9 PM–Close

🎸 One Loud Drawing — Jerry’s Pizza & Pub
Jonah & Friends celebrate 30 years of Tin Cans with Strings to You. Tickets are $18 in advance or $25 at the door.

🥂 Village Fest After Party — Brazas Afterhours
10:30 PM | 4208 Rosedale Hwy | 21+
DJs, drinks, food and bottle service. Free entry with a Village Fest wristband.

Sunday, September 13

Sunday slows down a little—but there’s still plenty going on.

🥕 September’s Farmers Market — The Phoenix at Sundale
8 AM–12 PM | 6218 Sundale Ave

🛍️ Community Market at Rio Bravo Ranch — Rio Bravo Ranch
9 AM–1 PM
More than 40 local businesses with food, coffee, baked goods, artisans, produce, boutiques, self-care and wellness vendors.

🥕 Haggin Oaks Farmers Market — 8800 Ming Ave
9 AM–2 PM

🎶 Vince Galindo Sunday Live Music — Jerry’s Pizza & Pub
11:30 AM–2:30 PM | FREE

🎵 Dedicated to You — Bottleshock Wine & Brew
12–5 PM | 1002 19th St | $10
Oldies on the patio with DJ Wifey, Southtown Sodapop and firme rolas.

💍 Bridal & Quinceañera Expo — Junior League of Bakersfield
12–4 PM
Local vendors, show specials, giveaways, expert advice and prizes.

🎸 Soda Crackers — Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe
1–5 PM

🎨 Reflections of Change — Corks & Strokes
3–4:30 PM | 2623 F Street, Suite M

📚 Book Swap & Book Bedazzling — 18th St Collections
4–6 PM | 1512 18th St | $25
Bring three books, leave with three new-to-you reads and bedazzle a book while you’re there.

🎮 Iron Fist Challenge: Tekken 8 Tournament — Bakersfield Esports Center
5–8 PM | $20

🇲🇽 Mexican Independence Night Market — Brundage Swapmeet
6–10 PM | 2207 Brundage Ln | FREE
Local vendors, food and a traditional Aztec dance performance by Ameyaltzin Yolihuani.

🎤 Clay Walker: Doin’ What I Love Tour — Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater
Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM

So… What Are You Doing This Weekend?

Whether you’re looking for something family-friendly, a date night, live music, shopping, racing, art, comedy or just somewhere to get out of the house, Bakersfield has plenty going on this weekend.

My challenge: pick one thing on this list you’ve never done before. Then go do it.

And if you’re new to Bakersfield—or just want to discover more of what our city has to offer—check out my A–Z Bakersfield Guide for more local favorites, neighborhoods, restaurants and hidden gems.

I’m Kristin Zaben with Amjadi Zaben Trifecta Group.
Where we have you covered from A–Z!