Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Stockton–Modesto this week: we found three free outings, including Halloween at the Fair, Trick-or-Treat Market and Día de los Muertos Festival at Big Valley Ford. Five free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And one place never charges admission, like Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Stockton list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds · San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206
A Halloween festival at the fairgrounds, with Trunk-or-Treat Friday 5:30–7:30pm and Saturday from 4pm, plus fireworks at 7pm Saturday.
Modesto Certified Farmers Market · 1522 H St., Modesto, CA 95354
Kids in costume trick-or-treat from the farmers market stalls, and some booths have teal-pumpkin treats for kids with allergies.
Big Valley Ford · 3282 Auto Center Cir., Stockton, CA 95212
Mariachi, folklórico dancers and a kids’ trunk-or-treat at this free Sunday festival.
Nothing free on this day yet. Try an always-free place.
Mark the calendar
Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds · Stockton
Weber Point Events Center · 221 N. Center St., Stockton, CA 95202
3–7 p.m.; tree lighting 5:30 p.m., lighted boat parade around 6:30 p.m. Snowfall, cookies, hot chocolate and live performances by the water. Bring blankets or lawn chairs; the event lot is closed to the public, so plan on street or city-lot parking.
Downtown Tracy · Central Ave. and 10th St., Tracy, CA 95376
6–8:30 p.m. A lighted parade through downtown followed by the tree lighting near Front Street Plaza. Streets close from mid-afternoon, so park a few blocks out.
Weber Point Events Center · Weber Point Events Center
3–7pm; lighting at 5:30. The city tree lighting downtown.
Downtown Modesto · Downtown Modesto
5:30pm. Modesto’s nighttime holiday parade.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Check the library calendar for baby and toddler storytimes.
Storytimes at branches through the week
Keep planning
November: things to do in StocktonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in StocktonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Thanksgiving weekend in StocktonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in StocktonParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in StocktonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in StocktonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedThis week in StocktonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
This week we found three free outings for ages 0–6, including Halloween at the Fair, Trick-or-Treat Market and Día de los Muertos Festival at Big Valley Ford. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Halloween at the Fair: Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Stockton Tree Lighting and Delta Reflections Boat Parade and Tracy Holiday Light Parade and Tree Lighting are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.
Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes. Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library runs free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Stockton that weekend, free ones flagged.
