Your Ride to Summer Stride: Enjoy Free Programs for All Ages at Local Libraries

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Group of people hover over a piece of paper in a grassy field near a hill for a Summer Stride program.

Summer Stride programs can help you explore nature, the arts and much more.

Looking to make friends, learn skills or explore neighborhoods this summer? You can do it all at Summer Stride 2025.

This special summer series features free youth programs and adult programs at public libraries across the city. It started in June and runs all the way through Aug. 31.

The Summer Stride series includes:

Author talks, reading lists and book giveaways
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workshops
Nature activities
Art, music and dance workshops

We’re proud to partner with the San Francisco Public Library to help get the word out through our PSA program, social posts and more.

Today, we’ll highlight some of the exciting programs on the schedule for children, teens and adults. We’ll also share resources and travel tips that will help you take Muni to Summer Stride.

Youth program highlights

Photo of a girl standing near a plant and holding a Summer Stride printout activity tracker.

A Summer Stride activity tracker is a great way to chart your progress exploring programs around the city.

Summer Stride youth programs offer lots of ways to learn about science, art and nature. Workshops and activities also give kids a chance to move around, de-stress and meet friends!

This full list of youth programs lets you filter by date, topic and library location.

Since locations vary, we recommend checking our Trip Planner webpage to reach the branch that’s best for you. And don’t forget: Muni is free for everyone 18 years old or younger!

Here are some youth program highlights:

Workshop: Fairy Tale Engineering with Bay Area Discovery Museum
- What: In this workshop, young people work together to solve problems for a set of fairy tale characters.
- Where: Multiple branches - West Portal (June 24), Chinatown (July 15), Parkside (July 24) and Bernal Heights (Aug. 7)
Workshop: Upside Down Yoga Kids
- What: Students learn how to reduce stress and regulate their emotions. Event includes games, storytelling and music plus a yoga session.
- Where: Multiple branches - Anza (July 12), Oceanview (Aug. 2), Ingleside (Aug. 2), North Beach (Aug. 16) and Mission Bay (Aug. 16)
Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshops
- A Game Called Capoeira
  - What: Learn about the Afro-Brazilian art form Capoeira in a relaxed, play-based environment. Workshop features a mix of martial arts, acrobatics, dance and even the chance to practice self-defense.
  - Where: Multiple branches - Marina (June 17), Golden Gate Valley (June 21) and Potrero (June 21)
Rhythm and Movement
- What: Learn the moves for Maculele, a West African tribal dance. Build skills in rhythm and drumming in a fun environment.
- Where: Multiple branches - Parkside (July 9), Eureka Valley (July 30), Excelsior (Aug. 2) and Ingleside (Aug. 7)
Beeswax Candles and Pollinators in Your Neighborhood
- What: Summer Stride offers two great ways to learn about pollinators! You can take a creative beeswax program or go on an observational walk through a neighborhood.
  - Workshop: Beeswax Candles
    - Where: Bernal Heights (July 9)
    - How to get there: Take the 24 Divisadero.
  - Workshop: Pollinators in Your Neighborhood
    - Where: Multiple branches - Potrero (July 9), Noe Valley (Aug. 10), Glen Park (Aug. 10)
Library Day at the New Farm
- What: Come check out live music, arts and crafts, book giveaways and more. And don’t miss the goats and chickens!
- When: July 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: The New Farm / Bay Natives Nursery, 10 Cargo Way, SF, CA 94124
- How to get there: You can take the 19 Polk or 44 O’Shaughnessy.

A green and cream F Market streetcar stops at 8th and Market across the street from the Main Branch Library. People wait to board the streetcar.

Many Muni routes will get you to Summer Stride events. When you’re heading to the Main Branch, you can even take one of our historic streetcars!

Teen program highlights

Summer Stride offers several programs geared towards teens. Here are some highlights:

Workshop: Cricut Custom Design
- What: Design your own mug, bag or vinyl decal with Cricut Design.
- Where: Main Branch Library
- When: Workshop offered June 17, 4 to 6 p.m. and July 15, 4 to 6 p.m.
- How to get there: You can take Muni Metro to Civic Center Station. More options: the 19 Polk, 7 Haight/Noriega, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid or the F Market & Wharves.
Gaming events
- Nintendo Switch Sports
  - What: Join friends or meet new ones and enjoy multiplayer Nintendo Switch Sports on a big screen.
  - Where: Main Branch Library
  - When: June 22, 3 to 5 p.m.
  - How to get there: You can take Muni Metro to Civic Center Station. More options: the 19 Polk, 7 Haight/Noriega, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid or the F Market & Wharves.
- Mario Kart 8 Tournament
  - What: Enjoy a multiplayer showdown of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch.
  - Where: Main Branch Library
  - When: July 20, 3 to 5 p.m.
  - How to get there: You can take Muni Metro to Civic Center Station. More options: the 19 Polk, 7 Haight/Noriega, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid or the F Market & Wharves.
Workshop: Succulent Planters
- What: Learn about plant care and biology as you plant cuttings of succulents to take home.
- Where: Multiple branches – Bayview (July 7), Anza (Aug. 2) and Parkside (Aug. 6)
Workshop: Kimchi and Krautchi
- What: Learn how to make kimchi and krautchi in this hands-on workshop.
- When: June 21, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
- Where: Main Branch Library
- How to get there: You can take Muni Metro to Civic Center Station. More options: the 19 Polk, 7 Haight/Noriega, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid or the F Market & Wharves.
Workshop: DIY Back-to-School Supplies
- What: Learn how to put together your own notebook, create a pencil or make an eraser.
- When: Aug. 2, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Parkside Branch Library
- How to get there: You take the L Taraval, 28 19th Avenue or 28R 19th Avenue Rapid.

Person smiles while holding a large, multi-colored activity bingo card.

Summer Stride offers skill-building workshops, musical performances and more for adults.

Adult program highlights

Summer Stride has a wide range of free programs for adults. You can learn everything from self-defense to hand embroidery!

Once you choose which library branch is best for you, check out our Trip Planner webpage for Muni directions. Here are some highlights from the adult programs:

Workshop: Self Defense for the People
- What: Learn street-smart self-defense that can help you protect yourself, loved ones and peers. Open to people of all fitness levels and ages.
- Where: Multiple branches - West Portal (June 10), Ortega (June 12), Presidio (June 18), Eureka Valley (July 15), Excelsior (July 25), Potrero (Aug. 7) and Western Addition (Aug. 17)
Workshop: Artful Stitches
- What: Discover how to draw with thread and create an original piece of art. Beginner-level workshop covers several hand embroidery techniques.
- Where: Multiple branches - Glen Park (July 19), Noe Valley (Aug. 9) and Parkside (Aug. 20)
Presentation: Summer Pickling
- What: Learn about the health benefits of pickled foods and enjoy a hands-on demonstration of two refrigerator pickling methods.
- Where: Multiple branches - Ocean View (July 19) and Parkside (Aug. 10)
Performances:
- Japanese Taiko Drumming
  - What: Performance includes Japanese taiko drumming, bamboo flute music and folk tales.
  - Where: Multiple branches - Bayview (Aug. 13) and North Beach (Aug. 13)
- Kalimba for All
  - What: Hear and learn all about the kalimba, an African thumb piano. Enjoy jazz, blues, gospel music and more – and play the kalimba yourself.
  - Where: Multiple branches - Eureka Valley (Aug. 23) and Richmond (Aug. 28)