→ A Note From Jess
Hey Bakersfield families,
I know we’re still in October, but my brain is already wandering into the holidays—the plans, the gifts, the calendar, and all the little things that somehow become a very long list.
Between family life and running The Bakersfield Mom, this is a busy season. And this year, I’m trying to pay attention to our capacity before we’ve already filled it.
We’ve been talking about what feels manageable for our family, how we want to spend our time, and where we can leave more room for rest. I love having things to look forward to. I also want us to have the energy to enjoy them.
That’s bringing up questions about traditions, too: what we want to keep, what we might let go of, and what we’d like to make our own.
So as you look through this week’s events, I hope you find something your family will enjoy—and feel comfortable leaving some space on the calendar, too.
— Jess
→ This Weekend, Curated
Safe Halloween at Kern County Museum
Friday, October 30 + Saturday, October 31 · 5–9 PM
3801 Chester Ave
Children $10 · Adults $5
Two nights of museum trick-or-treating. Choose the night that fits your family; the museum says tickets are valid for either day.
Tickets + details →
Buena Vista Edible Schoolyard Fall Fest
Saturday, October 24 · 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
6520 Buena Vista Road
Free entry, a pumpkin patch, face painting, winter plants for home gardens and seasonal food. Read more about the program below.
Event details →
NOR Family Run Group
Saturday, October 31 · 9–10 AM
Almondale Park · 5501 Verdugo Ln
Free · All ages · No registration
Walk or run together before the Halloween festivities begin. Bring water; participants under 15 need a parent or guardian with them.
NOR details →
Night at the Museum
Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24 · 6:30–9:30 p.m. Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
A museum outing after dark. Listed admission: $16 adults, $14 students ages 13–18, and $12 children 12 and under.
Check details and admission →
Costume Family Storytime
Saturday, October 31 · 1 PM
Beale Memorial Library · 701 Truxtun Ave
Free · All ages
A reason to wear the costume one more time—and a daytime plan that works for the whole family.
Library schedule →
Hocus Pocus Photos + a Pumpkin Hunt
Saturday, October 31 · Photos at 1 PM · Pumpkin hunt at 2 PM
Holloway-Gonzales Branch Library · 506 E. Brundage Ln
Free
Take photos with the Sanderson Sisters, then hunt for hidden pumpkins for treats. The Halloween Extravaganza also includes trick-or-treat bag decorating, games, and cornhole. Costumes welcome.
Library schedule →
Haggin Oaks Farmers Market
Sunday, November 1 · 9 AM–2 PM
8800 Ming Ave
A Sunday option for families ready to trade the candy route for a market stroll.
Market details →
Want more options? Explore the Bakersfield Family Calendar for the complete listings and event details.
I’m really glad you’re here. Let’s see what Bakersfield has for us this week.
Want to reach local families?
Put your business in front of Bakersfield parents who are actively looking for where to go, what to do, and who to know.
→ From the TBM Community
A community ofrenda, built together
Northeast Branch Library is inviting families to help build its community ofrenda for Día de los Muertos on Friday, October 30 at 4 PM.
It’s a free opportunity to take part in something shared at a neighborhood library. Families can return Saturday, October 31 at noon for a special Día de los Muertos storytime followed by a movie.
Northeast Branch Library
2671 Oswell St, Suite B · Both programs are free.
→ Put It on Your Radar
01. Dynamic Earth at the Planetarium
Thursday, November 5 · 7:30–8:30 PM
William M. Thomas Planetarium · Bakersfield College
Plan a night at the planetarium. Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and children ages 5–12. Buy ahead: tickets aren’t sold at the door. Doors open at 7 PM and lock at 7:30 PM, with no late admission.
02. The Addams Family Musical Young@Part
Saturday, November 7 · 1 PM + 6 PM
Sunday, November 8 · 1 PM
Rasmussen Center · 115 E. Roberts Ln
Keep a little spooky season on the calendar with NOR Junior Theatre’s family production. $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
03. You Belong in Medicine Summit
Saturday, November 7 · 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
MLK Community Center · 1000 S. Owens St
Free · RSVP required
For junior high through college students curious about medicine: physician and resident panels, pathways into the field, lunch, and more.
→ For Your Back Pocket
The clocks change. Children may decline.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1. At 2 a.m., clocks move back to 1 a.m.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1 at 2 AM. Clocks go back one hour.
Set any manual clocks back before bed Saturday, and check the car and kitchen clocks on Sunday. The calendar has given us an extra hour. It has made no promises about sleeping in.
→ Trunk-or-Treats
Still planning your candy route? Here are the upcoming trunk-or-treats and fall festivals with trunk-or-treating from Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31, including a few around Kern County.
BPD + Classic Dreams Trunk-or-Treat — Thursday, October 29 · 4–8 PM · 1601 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield.
Oildale Trunk-or-Treat — Thursday, October 29 · 5:30–7:30 PM · Wattenbarger Do It Center frontage road, 1616 N. Chester Ave, Bakersfield.
Kern County Powersports Trunk-or-Treat — Thursday, October 29 · 6–8 PM · 3917 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield.
Wasco Recreation Trunk-or-Treat — Thursday, October 29 · 6–8 PM · Barker Park, 1280 Poplar Ave, Wasco · Free.
Trunk and Treat Yo Self — Thursday, October 29 · Starts at 6 PM · Wood Family Funeral Service, 321 W. F St, Tehachapi.
Chuy’s Rosedale Trunk-or-Treat — Thursday, October 29 · 6:30–9:30 PM · 8660 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield.
Salty’s BBQ + PurposeBuilt Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30 · 5–8 PM · 6801 White Ln, Bakersfield · Free.
Victory Outreach Bakersfield Campus Fall Fest — Friday, October 30 · 5–9 PM · 912 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield.
New Life Church Northwest Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30 · 6–8 PM · 1300 Jewetta Ave, Bakersfield.
AltaOne Tehachapi Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30 · 6–8 PM · 665 Tucker Rd, Tehachapi.
RE/MAX Golden Empire Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30 · Starts at 6:30 PM · 3977 Coffee Rd, Bakersfield · Free.
New Life Church Southwest Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30 · 6:30–8 PM · 4201 Stine Rd, Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Unity Trunk-or-Treat — Saturday, October 31 · 10 AM–12 PM · Bell Terrace Park, 1101 E. Bell Terrace, Bakersfield · Free.
Fellowship Baptist Fall Family Festival — Saturday, October 31 · Starts at 4 PM · 3001 Stine Rd, Bakersfield.
Body of Christ Fellowship Harvest Festival + Trunk-or-Treat — Saturday, October 31 · 5–8 PM · 200 Quantico Ave · Free.
Buttonwillow Haunted House + Trunk-or-Treat — Saturday, October 31 · 5–8 PM · 556 Milo Ave, Buttonwillow.
Christ’s Church of the Valley Harvest Carnival — Saturday, October 31 · Starts at 6 PM · 13757 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield.
Check each host’s current details before heading out, especially for registration, admission and public access.
→ A Little Look at Next Week
November library programs are beginning to land on the calendar. At Holloway-Gonzales Branch Library, 506 E. Brundage Ln, a few free options include:
Tuesday, November 3 · 11 AM: Toddler Time, with a vehicles theme, for ages 1–4.
Wednesday, November 4 · 11 AM: Wednesday Watercoloring for ages 0–5.
Friday, November 6 · 11 AM: Friday Finger Painting for ages 0–5. Paint and aprons provided.
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