Things to Do in Bakersfield, CA This Weekend | August 21–22, 2026
Kristin Zaben August 21, 2026
Kristin Zaben August 21, 2026
Okay, Bakersfield, CA — here are some last minute but fun ideas for the whole family, girls night, date night or just some down right fun! 🎉
We’ve got splash pads, vintage shopping, live music, comedy, family events, farmers markets, theater, monster trucks, art classes, a shelter-dog day out, and enough Saturday options to make choosing just one thing genuinely difficult. 😂
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, a date night, a girls’ night, or just an excuse to get out of the house, here’s your Weekend with Kristin guide for Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22.
Event details can change, so always confirm tickets, availability, and registration requirements directly with the organizer before heading out.
Time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Location: Chase, 1515 17th St.
An all-ages community event featuring financial workshops, games, prizes, a backpack giveaway, and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Polo Community Park
The Mom Walk Co. Bakersfield hosts its final splash pad meetup of the summer. RSVP is available through their link in bio.
Time: 5:30 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Art with Heart, 2021 Chester Ave.
Admission: $10
A weekly 18+ creative gathering where young adults can make art, connect, and spend the evening doing something a little different.
Doors / Music: 6:00 PM
Location: Jerry’s Pizza & Pub, 1817 Chester Ave.
Admission: $10
Age: All ages
Live music featuring Forget Me Nots, Metophelion, Limerence, and Strange House.
Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe
Karaoke, food, and cold drinks for an easy Friday night out.
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bakersfield Esports Center
Weekly Magic: The Gathering meetup for local players.
Time: 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: The Hobby Gym
Admission: $15 general, $10 members, $5 spectators
A Friday-night Driftkhana event for anyone who loves cars and motorsports.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Spotlight Academy Theatre, 5415 Woodmere Dr.
Tickets: $20
The adult cast at The Spotlight Academy Theatre presents Shrek The Musical.
Time: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Corks & Strokes, 2623 F St., Suite M
A guided Friday evening painting class featuring the “Free Spirit” design.
Times: 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Location: The Well Comedy Club
Comedian Craig Conant performs two Friday-night stand-up shows.
Time: 7:30 PM–10:30 PM
Location: BarrelHouse Bakersfield, 4200 Resnik Ct.
Reissued performs live emo, pop-punk, and nu-metal covers from Blink-182, Green Day, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, and more.
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: The Ovation Theatre, 1622 19th St.
Opening-weekend performance of Come From Away, which runs through September 13.
Time: 9:00 PM–2:00 AM
Location: Xol Lounge, 1610 19th St.
Gui2in makes a Bakersfield debut at Xol Lounge.
Time: 10:00 PM–2:00 AM
Location: Mariscos Uruapan
A Jersey Shore-themed neon party presented by What’s Poppin Bako Ent.
Saturday is where things really get busy. 👀
Meetup: 7:00 AM
Run: 7:30 AM
Location: lululemon River Walk
A community run featuring giveaways, pre-run stretches, ice baths, and more.
Time: 7:30 AM–11:30 AM
Location: The Campus, 912 New Stine Rd.
Grand opening of The Campus Vintage Market, presented by The Campus Vendors Market.
Time: 7:45 AM–12:00 PM
Location: In Your Wildest Dreams Parking Lot
Weekly Saturday farmers market featuring local vendors, food, and fresh finds.
Time: 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
Location: Kern River Parkway Nature Center / Peacock House, 8000 River Rd.
A community cleanup event with grabbers, gloves, and trash bags provided.
Time: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Meraki Creative Work, 3311 Fairhaven Dr.
Cost: $275
A hands-on welding workshop where participants create a steel Venus flytrap sculpture. Materials, equipment, and PPE are included.
Time: 8:30 AM–10:45 AM
Location: Mondavi Park
Cost: Free
Saturday morning pickup soccer.
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: The Snuggle Barn
Cost: $30
A picnic-style painting experience with canvas, supplies, and roaming alpacas.
Time: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: The Playful Space
Cost: $25 per child or $40 for two siblings
A drop-off workshop for children ages 7+ where they can create and submit an art entry for the Kern County Fair.
Time: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Bakersfield PAL, 301 E 4th St.
Cost: Free
An all-ages card show with more than 50 tables featuring trading cards, collectibles, and opportunities to buy, sell, and trade.
Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: CHS Parking Lot
Weekly Saturday farmers market.
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, 8653 Station Rd., Buttonwillow
Cost: $8 per vehicle
A guided program featuring the history of the tule elk herd, a visitor-center tour, and a drive through the reserve.
Pickup: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Return by: 3:30 PM
Location: Kern County Animal Services, 3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Take a shelter dog out for the day through Kern County Animal Services’ Streets of Bakersfield program.
Time: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: nX Annex, 616 18th St.
Weekly mat Pilates focused on strength, balance, flexibility, and mindful movement.
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Studio Movie Grill
Cost: Free for family members of guests with special needs
A sensory-friendly screening with the lights up and volume lowered.
Time: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
Location: 901 20th St.
The award-winning Kabob Guy celebrates its grand opening with food from the truck, drinks, and an outdoor patio.
Time: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Gallery RAM, 614 Kentucky St.
Cost: Free
A summer market featuring more than 30 local and regional artists, live vinyl, and matcha.
First Show: 11:30 AM
Second Show: 6:30 PM
Location: Dignity Health Arena
Two Saturday performances of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.
Time: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Sky Zone, 3500 Stine Rd.
A grand-opening celebration with jumping, festivities, prize giveaways, and swag bags for the first 200 attendees.
Times: 9:00 AM–10:30 AM & 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Locations: MokhaMena Cafe, 6515 Panama Ln. and Crema Cafe, 5458 California Ave.
A silent-reading meetup starting at MokhaMena before moving to Crema Cafe.
Time: 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Dagny’s Coffee Company
Live old-fashioned bluegrass as part of Dagny’s weekly Saturday music series.
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Bakersfield Esports Center, 7104 Golden State Hwy.
Cost: $20 per player
A Marvel vs. Capcom tournament for local gamers.
Time: 4:00 PM–6:00 PM
Location: The Empty Space, 5417 Woodmere Dr.
A reception celebrating The Art of Minami Marina exhibition.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Taft Historic Fort, 915 N 10th St., Taft
An end-of-summer celebration featuring food, desserts, fruit-themed treats, a watermelon-eating contest, and a human slot machine.
Time: 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Independence High School Parking Lot, 8001 Old River Rd.
A night market featuring more than 130 vendors, food, and a live DJ.
Doors: 6:00 PM
Location: Jerry’s Pizza & Pub, 1817 Chester Ave.
Admission: $8
A heavy-music show featuring Vicious, Hostile Takedown, and more.
Doors: 6:30 PM
Movie: 7:00 PM
Location: The Padre Hotel, Clover Room
Status: Sold Out
An immersive screening with movie-inspired food, cocktails, and interactive elements.
Time: 6:50 PM
Location: Regal Edwards Bakersfield
A group screening followed by a meetup at Applebee’s with select discounts and Regal gift-card giveaways.
There are a LOT of choices this weekend, but a few stand out to me.
If your kids love anything loud, fast, and completely over the top, this one is an easy pick.
I LOVE this idea. You get to take a shelter dog out for the day, give them a break from the shelter, and maybe even help them meet their future family.
Two completely different local-shopping experiences and a great excuse to support local vendors and artists.
More than 130 vendors, food, and a live DJ makes this an easy option if you just want to walk around, eat something good, and see what you find.
Painting. Picnic. Alpacas.
I really don’t think I need to explain this one any further.
That’s exactly why I create Weekend with Kristin.
There are so many things happening around Bakersfield, CA every week that are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.
My goal is to make it a little easier to find something new, support a local business, spend time with your family, or just get out and enjoy the community we live in.
For more local events, neighborhood spotlights, community guides, and Bakersfield, CA real estate resources, explore the rest of the A–Z Bakersfield Guide.
Kristin Zaben with the Amjadi Zaben Trifecta Group
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