THIS WEEK IN BAKERSFIELD
Whatever your version of "back in the swing of things" looks like right now, here's your permission slip to actually plan ahead instead of just reacting to the week in front of you. Here's what's on the calendar before September arrives.
And there's plenty happening around town this week. We've got a family festival with sessions for every age group, a hands-on reptile show at the library, Bluey character visits at a local coffee shop, four farmers markets across the weekend, and more storytimes than any one family could possibly attend.
Heads up: next week's lineup below is lighter than you're used to from us — and there are two real reasons why, not just a slow week. September's event calendar is still rolling out; a lot of organizers haven't posted next month's programming yet. And our own events get added to the calendar every Monday, so anything going up this coming Monday wasn't in the system yet when we pulled this list. Expect a much fuller Week Ahead next issue.
Everything below is what’s actually on the TBM calendar — not just a highlights reel, but the whole list — so you can find what works for your family and get on with your week.
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.
This Weekend
Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
Mini Makers — 10:00 AM · Kern County Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
Sensory Play — 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Northeast Branch Library
Preschool Storytime (Back to School) — 11:30 AM · Wilson Branch Library, 1901 Wilson Rd.
Free Women's Self Defense Seminar — 6:00–8:00 PM · 1921 19th St. · Free
Audiobooks + Art — 2:00 PM · Kern County Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
Family Storytime and Craft (Ages 6–11) — 3:30 PM · Kern Library, 1400 Baker St.
Dungeons and Dragons Club — 4:00 PM · Northeast Branch Library, 2671 Oswell St.
LEGO League — 4:00–5:00 PM · Library Center, Southwest Branch Library
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
Community Paint Day at the Kern County Fair — 7:30 AM–1:30 PM · Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. · free breakfast/lunch, middle/high schoolers
F Street Farmers Market — 7:45 AM–12:00 PM · 2819 F St.
Bluey Month (Morning Session) — 9:15 AM · Drip House Coffee Co, 2808 F St Suite D · $10/child
Riverlakes Farmers Market — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · 3825 Riverlakes Dr.
Frankenstein Craft (Ages 6–11) — 11:00 AM · Northeast Branch Library
Preschool Storytime and Craft (Ages 3–6) — 11:00 AM · Kern Library, 1400 Baker St.
Kids (Under 10) Skate Free — 11:00 AM–1:00 PM · Rollerama, 1004 34th St.
Family Storytime (Back to School) — 11:30 AM · Wilson Branch Library, 1901 Wilson Rd.
Monster Movie Matinee (All Ages) — 12:00 PM · Northeast Branch Library
Teen Dungeons and Dragons — 1:00–3:00 PM · Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
Halloween Donation Box Decorating Day — 2:00–5:00 PM · 3G Activities, 2500 New Stine Rd Unit 205 · free
Bluey Month (Evening Session) — 7:15 PM · Drip House Coffee Co, 2808 F St Suite D · $10/child
SUNDAY, AUG. 30
Haggin Oaks Farmers Market — 8:00 AM · 8800 Ming Ave.
Rio Bravo Farmers Market — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · 15701 Hwy 178
House Party x Temblor: Family Day — 3200 Buck Owens Blvd. · Mommy & Me 11:00 AM, Ages 3–5 (two sessions) 12:00 PM & 1:30 PM, Ages 6–12 3:00 PM · registration required via Eventbrite
The Week Ahead
Monday, August 31 – Friday, September 4
MONDAY, AUG. 31
Mondays Date Night Showing — Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave. ALL DAY
Middles Makerspace — 4:00 PM · Middles Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. · Ages 8–12
Teen Craft Club — 4:00 PM · Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
TUESDAY, SEP. 1
Baby Cafe — 8:00 AM · Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
Toddler Time Storytime — 9:30 AM · Library Center, Southwest Branch Library
Toddler Time — 10:00 AM · Southwest Branch Library, 8301 Ming Ave.
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 2
Family Storytime — 9:30 AM · Library Center, Southwest Branch Library
Teenage Dirtbag Inspired Mom Walk — 6:30–8:30 PM · Riverwalk Park · 2000s/emo-themed mom walk hosted by Bakersfield Mommies Club
THURSDAY, SEP. 3
Kids Get Crafty — 4:00 PM · Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
FRIDAY, SEP. 4
Mindful Mornings at the Library — 8:00 AM · Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.
LEGO League — 4:00 PM · Library Center, Southwest Branch Library
Worth Knowing
Bakersfield's spray park season is ending soon
City of Bakersfield spray parks close Sunday, September 7 (11 AM–6 PM, closed Mondays except holidays). NOR spray parks close Sunday, September 13 (daily 12–7 PM).
One Local Find
Sweet Fix Creamery
Bakersfield's handcrafted ice cream spot just leveled up: they've launched Ice Cream Cake-by-the-Slice: Blackberry Bramble & Sweet Cream, Cookies & Cream/Chocolate Fudge version, and a Reverb Coffee–Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake collab are already in the case. There's also a grab-and-go Cookie Scoop Cup (a warm cookie stacked on ice cream) to stash in the freezer for later.
Catch their farmers market flavors before they are gone: Strawberry Basil, Blackberry Bramble & Sweet Cream, Wildflower Honey Ricotta & Fig, Dark Chocolate Brownie & Fresh Mint, and Pain au Chocolat Croissant & Vanilla Bean, with free samples at the counter.
Quantities are genuinely limited on all of it, so check their Instagram before making a special trip for a specific flavor. 8200 Stockdale Hwy, open daily.
Sweet Fix Creamery
8200 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield
Open daily, noon–10/11pm.
For Your Back Pocket
Over 30 Little Free Libraries in Bakersfield
Bakersfield has several Little Free Libraries tucked into neighborhoods around town — find the one nearest you at littlefreelibrary.org/map.
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.
For Businesses
Building something for Bakersfield families?
Whether you’re opening something new, hosting an event, or looking to reach more local families, I’d love to hear about it. Submit an event, introduce your business, or explore ways to partner with The Bakersfield Mom.
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