Palo Alto offers a lifestyle that’s every bit as inspiring as its real estate. From arts and athletics to music and local markets, the city thrives on connection, creativity, and community.
The prestigious Palo Alto Unified School District just wrapped up its school year on June 6th, and with that, summer officially begins! And not to shine too brightly, but Palo Alto kicked things off in style with Coldplay’s sold-out performances at Stanford Stadium on May 31st and June 1st. How’s that for setting an exciting tone for the Summer events ahead!
So, whether you’re already a Palo Alto insider or considering making a move, here’s a look at what Summer 2025 has in store from one of the Bay Area’s most vibrant communities:
Summer 2025 Highlights in Palo Alto
Palo Alto Players “SWEAT”
When: June 13–29, 2025
Where: Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road
Why It’s Great: A critically acclaimed play exploring class, community ties, and lifelong friendships.
Summer Chamber Concert
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 7:30 PM
Where: First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave
Why It Matters: An opportunity to experience an intimate performance from the Palo Alto Philharmonic. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for youth reddit.com.
Farmers’ Markets – Every Saturday & Sunday
Downtown Palo Alto Farmers’ Market
When: Open weekly, Saturdays year round, rain or shine, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Where: Gilman St. between Birch & Hamilton
Why It Shines: Fresh produce, artisanal foods, and a buzzing social atmosphere
- This is my go-to every Saturday!
California Avenue Farmers’ Market
When: Open weekly, Sundays year round, rain or shine, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Where: California Ave @ El Camino
Why It Shines: 4x the size of the Palo Alto Farmers Market, so put your walking shoes on!
Menlo Polo Club
When: May – August
Where: 190 Park Lane, Atherton (It is the field adjacent to the Menlo Circus Club, you can’t miss the horse trailers!)
Why It Shines: Whether you want to learn to play, watch some matches, or support one of their charity events it is so worth coming out to this beautiful spot in Atherton. There is nothing pretentious here, truly!
- I am taking part in their 6 week Academy, which me luck!
When: Early June to Late October
Where: One Amphitheatre Parkway in Mountain View. Yes, I know, not in Palo Alto but it is so close to Palo Alto it had to make the list.
Why It Shines: An amazing music venue since 1986.
When: June to Late
Where: Stanford’s main campus
Why It Shines: Recently refurbished and reopened, it is an absolute gem of a venue to see music.
When: June – August
Where: Adjacent field to Menlo Circus Club. 190 Park Lane, Atherton, CA.
Why It Shines: I am doing their Academy, I know NOTHING! That said, they have amazing tournaments and if you haven’t seen polo up close the horse and the horsemanship will leave you in awe. It’s also a reason to sip a libation mid-day!
When: Year round
Where: California Ave @ El Camino.
Why It Shines: Sponsored by the City of Palo Alto. They kept the pedestrian island created during Covid so a wonderful walk-about to visit stores, try a new restaurant and treat yourself!
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
When: August 23–24, 2025, 10 AM–6 PM
Where: University Ave between Webster & High
What to Expect: Over 250 artisans, interactive kids’ art exhibits, Italian street painters, live music, food and drinks—free admission .
Beyond Events: Year-Round Gems
- Palo Alto Baylands Preserve: 15 miles of trails, kayaking, wildlife viewing—a natural sanctuary minutes from home en.wikipedia.org+1reddit.com+1.
- Palo Alto Art Center & Pacific Art League: Regular gallery exhibits, creative workshops, and family-friendly arts programming en.wikipedia.org.
Just Beyond Palo Alto… Sports, and more sports!
BayFC | National Women’s Soccer League
Where: Paypal Stadium, San Jose, California
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
Oakland Roots SC | United Soccer League
Where: Oakland Coliseum, 7000 S Coliseum Wy, Oakland, CA 94621. This venue is so dated and brute it is fantastic!
San Francisco Giants | Major League Baseball
Where: Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA