Quote of the week
O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Swim centers are OPEN on Fourth of July!
Celebrate the holiday with a splash! Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool are open for recreational swimming on the Fourth of July. Splash down and cool off with the family. Open Swim Hours are from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Pools close early at 5 p.m. for the holiday. For more details and entry fees, visit menloswim.com.
4th of July Celebration
O say can you see… a parade, picnic and circus! Join your friends and neighbors for a day of family-friendly fun, entertainment, games and prizes. Sign up in advance to receive important event information and the chance to win some very cool prizes.
Event details
- Date and time: Friday, July 4, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Burgess Park, 701 Laurel St.
- People parade: Decorate your wagons and strollers! Line up at 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot at 600 Alma St. (between the library and gymnasium). See the parade route.
- Picnic: Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and join a community picnic on the big lawn.
- Food trucks: Onsite with food for purchase starting at 11:30 a.m.
- Complimentary treat: Available starting at 1 p.m. during the community picnic. Visit the Dessert Token Booth onsite to receive your dessert token (1 per person, while supplies last).
- Circus: Set up your blankets and watch in awe as the vibrantly colorful Circus Bella Company performs (all ages show). Enjoy two free performances at noon and 2 p.m.
- Admission: Free! Sign up in advance for the chance to win some very cool prizes.
The 4th of July Celebration is hosted by the City of Menlo Park with support from event sponsors Cheeky Monkey Toys and Menlo Swim and Sport. Special thanks to our supporting partners for their participation and help: Menlo Park Police Department, Menlo Park Firefighter’s Association, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and American Medical Response.
Enter the prize drawing |
Teen summer activities
Check out these free activities for teens this summer:
- Teen media hangouts. Join other teens for a free movie and video games every Wednesday and Friday from 3:30–5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., and Fridays at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
- Teen tabletop gaming. Drop-in to play Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop roleplaying games on the first Wednesday of each month. Our next game day is Wednesday, July 2, at 4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Learn more.
- Teen zone. The teen zone is an area created specially for teens to hang out, relax, read a book, socialize and play games. Teens are welcome during all open hours at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., and Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
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Teen drop-in sports. Stop by this summer for a game on the court with your friends! Drop-in sports are free for ages 17 and under at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
- Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday from 3–5 p.m.
- Basketball: Tuesday from 3–4 p.m. and Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 3–5 p.m.
- Volleyball for fifth and sixth graders. Sign up for a five-week volleyball class designed for fifth and sixth-grade beginners. Build a knowledge of basic skills and have fun while doing it. Participate on Wednesdays from July 2 through 30 at Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, 600 Alma St. Learn more and see fees.
- Apply for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Applications are now being accepted for the Youth Advisory Committee. YAC members advise the Parks and Recreation Commission and City staff on youth-related issues in the City. Become a future leader of Menlo Park. Learn more or apply.
Summer recreation programs
Learning is a lifelong adventure! The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality recreation programs including fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts, crafts, cooking and much more. Check out our Activity Guide to learn more about summer recreation programs including:
- New! Xtreme Hip Hop and Soul Line Dance. These classes bring movement and joy together one step at a time in a no-judgment zone! Have a good time while burning calories. Join us on Thursdays at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Check the activity guide for registration details and fees.
See more recreation programs |
Free literary and cultural programs
These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.
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Summer Reading Game. The Summer Reading Game has officially started! Track your reading and win great prizes (while supplies last). Check out a book in person or check out our eBooks and other electronic resources. Learn more.
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Summer Puppetry Festival: The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Join us for a classic tale of a six-foot wizard, an enchanted broom, an impish imp and a magical cat that make for a mesmerizingly different version of the sorcerer's tale! Enjoy the show on Sunday, June 29, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
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Garden Talk: Caring for Succulents. Join our experts to learn about the many varieties of succulents and how to grow and propagate them. Participate online or in person at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., on Wednesday, July 2, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.
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Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month we discuss The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. Join the discussion online via Zoom on Monday, July 7, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
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Book Discussion. Join our Fiction Book Group online via Zoom to discuss Evil Eye, by Etaf Rum on Tuesday, July 8, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!
See more free programs |
Fourth of July City Closures
In observance of the Fourth of July, City facilities will be closed on July 4. Regularly held hours of operation will resume the following day, with the exception of the Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center, which will open on July 8. The pools will remain open on the holiday.
Summer Concert Series begins July 9
Get ready for an incredible summer of music and fun at Fremont Park and Karl E. Clark Park with the City of Menlo Park Summer Concert Series! Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and pack all your favorite picnic essentials as you enjoy music at twilight with your family and friends. All concerts start at 6 p.m. The series begins on July 9 and runs weekly through Aug. 13. See specific dates, locations and bands.
Register your block party for National Night Out 2025
Aug. 5 is National Night Out, a nationwide community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and crime prevention by inviting neighbors out to mingle at neighborhood-centric block parties from 5–10 p.m. It's a great chance to meet your neighbors, City staff and Menlo Park police officers!
Register to host a block party |
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