The best kids' activities in Woodland aren't one-off events you have to catch — they're the reliable weekly and seasonal rhythms you can build a routine around. A Saturday farmers market with a dedicated kids' section, free library story times twice a week, and a handful of big annual festivals that the whole town turns out for. If you're new to Woodland or just tired of scrambling for weekend plans, this is the local parent's guide to the recurring family events worth putting on your calendar.
This covers Woodland, CA in Yolo County. Days and times come from each organizer's own listings and were current at writing — recurring schedules do shift seasonally (summer breaks, holidays), so confirm the specific date before you go.
Every Saturday: the Woodland Farmers Market (with a Kids Market)
1st Street, next to the Woodland Public Library
The Woodland Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings on 1st Street downtown, and it's genuinely built for families — not just a produce run with a stroller. There's a dedicated Kids Market, and the Woodland Public Library brings a Farmers Market Storytime right onto the front lawn (typically 10:00–10:30 a.m.), so you can combine snacks, fresh fruit, live downtown energy, and a story circle in one easy morning.
This is the anchor of a Woodland family weekend: low-cost, outdoors, walkable, and paired with the library next door. In peak summer, go early before the heat.
The Saturday market has a Kids Market and a library-run storytime on the lawn — a full family morning that costs almost nothing.
Twice a week: free library story times
Woodland Public Library, 250 First Street
The Woodland Public Library runs family story times through the week — recent schedules have had family storytime on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, roughly 10:30–11:15 a.m., in the meeting room, with songs, stories, and activities for all ages. It's free, indoors, and air-conditioned, which makes it a lifesaver on a hot or rainy weekday.
Two things to know: the library takes a story time break during the summer reading season, when programming shifts to summer-reading events instead, and the calendar lists programs by audience (kids, teens, adults). Check the library's LibCal calendar for the current week before you plan around it.
Seasonal: Woodland's big annual family events
A few times a year, the whole town shows up. The ones worth planning around:
- Stroll Through History (early October — the 2026 edition is the 36th annual, on Saturday, October 3). Woodland's historic downtown and Victorian homes are the backdrop for a family-friendly day of tours, activities, and community events.
- Yolo County Fair (typically August, at the fairgrounds off East Main). A classic county fair — rides, animals, food — and one of the biggest family draws of the summer.
- California Honey Festival (spring, downtown Woodland). One of Woodland's signature events — hands-on bee education, honey-themed food and drinks, artisan vendors, and family activities. A genuinely kid-friendly celebration of the area's agricultural roots.
- NorCal Celtic Festival (spring, Yolo County Fairgrounds). Two days of music, dance, Highland athletics, artisan vendors, and family activities celebrating Celtic culture.
- Seasonal festivals and art walks throughout the year. Visit California notes Woodland's year-round festivals, art walks, and family celebrations centered on its historic downtown.
The California Honey Festival, a signature Woodland family event. Photo: Visit Woodland.
Because exact dates move year to year, confirm on the organizer's site as the season approaches.
How to find what's on this specific weekend
Recurring events are the backbone, but for one-off happenings — a library special event, a downtown festival, a school-break activity — check these as your weekend approaches:
- The Woodland Public Library calendar for kids' programming.
- The City of Woodland calendar for community events.
- The Woodland Farmers Market calendar for special market days (like themed Kids Markets).
For Davis-and-Woodland-area family events across the week, our homepage keeps a running community events feed worth a look before you make weekend plans.
Build a repeatable Woodland weekend
You don't need to reinvent the weekend every Friday. A reliable template:
- Saturday morning: Farmers Market + library storytime downtown, then a stop at a nearby park.
- Saturday afternoon (hot or rainy): The Kids Clubhouse or the Mosaic Children's Museum.
- Weekday mornings: library story time (Tues/Wed) as a low-effort, free outing.
- Seasonal splurge: mark Stroll Through History and the county fair on the calendar months ahead.
Practical parent notes
- Summer changes the schedule. The library swaps regular story times for summer reading, and outdoor events start earlier to beat the heat. Always check current dates in June–August.
- Downtown parking. Park near 1st and Main on Saturday mornings and you can walk the market, library, and downtown in one loop.
- Free is the default. The market (to browse), library story times, and downtown strolls cost nothing — Woodland's family calendar is genuinely budget-friendly.
- Confirm before you drive. Recurring events take holiday and seasonal breaks; a quick calendar check saves a disappointed kid.
Frequently asked questions
What family events happen every weekend in Woodland, CA? The Woodland Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings on 1st Street with a Kids Market and a library-run storytime on the lawn (about 10:00–10:30 a.m.). It's the most reliable recurring weekend family event downtown.
Does the Woodland Public Library have story times? Yes — the library runs free family story times through the week (recent schedules have had them Tuesdays and Wednesdays, around 10:30–11:15 a.m.). Programming shifts to summer reading events during the summer, so check the LibCal calendar for current times.
What are the biggest annual family events in Woodland? Stroll Through History in early October (the 2026 edition is October 3) and the Yolo County Fair in August are the two biggest family draws, along with year-round downtown festivals and art walks.
What is there to do in Woodland this weekend with kids? Start with the Saturday Farmers Market and library storytime downtown, add a nearby park or an indoor playground depending on weather, and check the library and city calendars for any special one-off events that weekend.
Sources
- The Woodland Farmers Market — Saturday market, Kids Market, and location by the library.
- Woodland Public Library — LibCal — story times and kids' programming schedule.
- Stroll Through History — annual October festival, 2026 date.
- Visit Woodland — Festivals & Events — California Honey Festival, NorCal Celtic Festival, and signature Woodland events.
- Visit California — Woodland — year-round festivals and family events.
- City of Woodland — Calendar — community event listings.
Turn an event into a full day: pair it with Woodland's playgrounds, an indoor play stop, or lunch with the kids. New to town? Start with things to do in Woodland with kids.