The Morro Bay National Night Out 2026 takes place on Tuesday, August 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cloisters Park, 2501 Coral Ave. This free community event is hosted by the Morro Bay Police Department is all about building a stronger, safer, and more connected community by fostering great police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Come out, meet your local officers, connect with your neighbors, and enjoy an evening packed with community spirit. There will be free food, raffle prizes and goodies bags along with local police meet and greets and community booths.
•••
Central Coast families are invited to enjoy the end of summer with a day full of playing and learning at the County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries Extravaganza event on the Cuesta College campus in San Luis Obispo Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can attend scheduled performances in the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center: Musician Dino O’Dell kicks off the event with performances at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.; magician Shawn McMaster closes the day with a magic show from 1-2 p.m.
Attendees can also meet the Library’s mascot, Quincy the Quail, as well as Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion, and a dragon from the storybook “Dragons Love Tacos.” The characters will be available for photos throughout the day.
Other all-day activities include a photobooth, carnival games, food trucks from Big Wave Sushi and Wandering Eats, and a treasure hunt. Several local family support agencies will also have booths with activities and information. Extravaganza admission and parking is free and open to the public; the event is sponsored by the SLO County Library Foundation and the Friends of Library groups. For the complete schedule of Extravaganza activities or more information about the library, go to SLOLibrary.org.
•••
Free programs at Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades Ave.
Storytime – Thursdays, 10:30 – 11a.m. Stories, dance, and music for toddlers and preschoolers.
Paws to Read – Wednesday, August 5 and August 19, 3 – 4 p.m. Come and read your favorite book to Lucy and Pauli! School age.
Fiber Arts Club – Thursday, August 6, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Join us for our monthly Fiber Arts Club. Bring your project and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded sewers, stitchers, knitters, and anything fiber arts. Adults.
Art Part – Friday, August 7, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Unleash your creativity at our monthly art party! Use your imagination to make unique art pieces using paper, pens, pencils, scissors, glue and more. All materials provided – you bring the inspiration! Creative options available for ages 3-12.
Pokemon Card Trading – Saturday, August 8, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Do YOU wanna be the very best like no one ever was? Then bring your Pokémon cards to meet, compete, and trade with other collectors your age! All attendees will receive 1 card of their choosing from the librarian, while supplies last.
Bears Book Club – Tuesday, August 11, 6 – 7:30 p.m. “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman. Adult, drop in.
Make and Decorate Seashell Butterflies – Friday, August 14, 3 – 4 p.m. Decorate clam shells with sequins, baubles, and even more shells to transform them into beautiful butterflies. All materials provided! School age, tween.
Snap Circuits – Friday, August 21, 2:30 – 4:30pm
Hands on circuitry fun for kids! Come tinker with our Snap Circuits kits. For ages 5+.
Plant Swap – Friday, August 21, 1 – 5 p.m. and Saturday, August 22, 1– 4 p.m. Bring a plant and take a plant! Or being a plant and pick up some seeds, or don’t bring anything and take a plant or some seeds! Anything goes at our popular Plant Swap.
Teen Advisory Board – Saturday, August 21, 3 – 4 p.m. Calling all teens! Looking for volunteer or community service hours? Help Librarian Emily run the Teen Advisory Board! Participation can be listed on job, scholarship and college applications. Help plan teen events, create content for social media, create contest ideas, recommend books, movies and more. Tell me what rad stuff you want to see happen! There will be snacks. Teens 13-18.
Nintendo Switch – Friday, August 28, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Master your gaming skills and make new friends with our Nintendo Switch! We will provide one Switch for up to 4 players at a time – feel free to bring your own too. Games include Mario Kart, Just Dance and Super Smash Bros. School age, tween, teen.
•••
Enjoy a summer morning of live music on the waterfront with the Morro Bay White Caps Community Band! Under the direction of conductor/composer Brenda Hascall, the band will present a lively outdoor concert on Saturday, August 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the South TPier in Morro Bay. The performance features guest vocalist Mitch Latting, bringing bigband charm to classics including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Mack the Knife,” and “New York, New York.” He will also perform Hascall’s original song, “Moonlight in Morro Bay,” written especially for our coastal community.
Families and fans of all ages will love the band’s spirited selections from the Star Wars universe, including “Cantina Band,” “The Mandalorian,” and “Ahsoka’s Theme.” Additionally, the band will perform a Cartoon Symphony and the lively Bare Necessities. This performance has something for everyone!
•••
Upcoming free youth programs at the Morro Bay Library, 625 Harbor St.
Instrument Petting Zoo – Wednesday, August 5, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Violins, horns, percussion, and more: Kids, teens, and adults are invited to play a variety of instruments from the San Luis Obispo Symphony petting zoo menagerie. Learn about different types of instruments, how each one creates a unique sound, and how they are played.
Art Party – Wednesday, August 12, 3 – 5 p.m. Use your imagination to make unique art pieces using paper, pens, pencils, scissors, glue and more. All materials provided – you bring the inspiration! Creative options available for ages 3-12.
Sensory Playtime – Saturday, August 15, 10 – 11 a.m. Let your little ones lead the way in this open-ended playtime! Parents & caregivers: we also have early literacy tips for you! For ages 0-5.
Build with Legos – Wednesday, August 19, 3 – 5 p.m.
Kids ages 5-11 are invited to engineer, build, and create amazing structures with Legos. All bricks provided by the library.
PG Movie Day – Saturday, August 22, 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. This month’s feature is the nostalgic superhero movie “Sky High.” Will the son of two superheroes be a hero or a sidekick? Find out when you attend this movie about a secret school floating in the sky for the children of superheroes.
Play Nintendo Switch – Wednesday, August 26, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Master your gaming skills and make new friends with our Nintendo Switch! We will provide one Switch for up to 4 players at a time – feel free to bring your own too. Games include Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Just Dance.
•••
Save Cuesta Inlet will hold the Art for the Inlet event on Saturday, September 12, at the Sea Pines Golf Resort, 1945 Solano St., Los Osos. The community is invited to enjoy a day of art, music, and festivities while helping protect one of the Central Coast’s most treasured natural wild spaces. Every piece of artwork purchased supports the ongoing stewardship and care of Cuesta Inlet.
Attendees will enjoy mingling with local artists, hearing the stories behind their work, and discovering original paintings, photography, and handcrafted creations. In the afternoon the celebration comes alive with the Celtic-inspired sounds of two bands–The Flogging Seagulls, bringing their signature Celtic punk energy, and Celter Skelter, performing their bluegrass Celtic tribute to the Beatles.
The Art Show is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and live music: 2 – 8 p.m.
•••
The Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) will offer a film screening of “Western Monarch Butterflies: Protecting Our Pollinators” on August 10 at the Morro Bay theater. All proceeds from the film will support critical western monarch habitat!
Every autumn, millions of western monarch butterflies migrate across the American West, many ending up right here on the Central Coast, but their numbers have plummeted in recent decades. Western Monarch Butterflies: Protecting Our Pollinators, filmed by Ian A. Nelson, takes you inside their remarkable journey and the efforts to bring them back. Join us for a one-night screening at The Bay Theater, seats are limited, so get your tickets today!
Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at centralcoastparks.org under events.
•••
“In the Shadows” Step into a world of mystery, contrast, and intrigue with “In the Shadows” August 6 – September 14 from 12 – 4 p.m. daily at Art Center Morro Bay 835 Main St. Morro Bay. This evocative exhibit explores the beauty and power of darkness, where light reveals only part of the story and shadows spark the imagination. Through a variety of artistic styles and mediums, artists interpret the hidden, the overlooked, and the unexpected, inviting viewers to discover what emerges when we look beyond the obvious. Join us for this captivating exhibition and experience the drama, depth, and wonder found In the Shadows. There is an artist reception on August 9 from 2 – 4 p.m.
•••
Hosted by veteran science journalist Shankar Vedantam, NPR’s “Hidden Brain” has spent the past decade exploring the unconscious patterns that shape human behavior, helping millions of listeners better understand themselves and the world around them. Through a unique blend of science, storytelling, and psychology, the award-winning podcast tackles some of life’s most compelling questions: Why do we feel stuck? How can we become more creative? What strengthens our relationships? And what hidden forces influence the choices we make every day?
Now, Vedantam brings “Hidden Brain” to the stage, sharing seven powerful insights from the show’s first ten years. Whether you’re a longtime listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this engaging live experience offers fresh perspectives on how our minds work and how we can live more intentional, connected lives. Join Shankar for an evening of thought-provoking stories, fascinating research, and conversation that may change the way you think about yourself and others.
Tickets range from $35 to $95. They can be purchased at calpolyarts.org.
•••
Wine Country Theatre presents “Matilda the Musical” opening July 31 at the Templeton Performing Arts Center. Packed with humor, heart, and unforgettable music, this award-winning musical promises an inspiring theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. This is a live theatre production that kids love.
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary young girl with a brilliant mind, vivid imagination, and remarkable courage. Neglected by her parents and bullied by the fearsome school headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda dares to challenge the world around her and discovers that even the smallest person can make an extraordinary difference.
Winner of four Tony Awards and seven Olivier Awards, “Matilda the Musical” has captivated audiences worldwide with its uplifting message, memorable songs, and celebration of individuality. Featuring a cast of more than thirty local actors, Matilda showcases one of community theatre’s greatest strengths: bringing together performers of all ages and experience levels to create something extraordinary. Young actors share the stage with seasoned adults in a production that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community.
Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. July 31 through August 9. Tickets at my805 tix.com.
•••
Send your event listing at least three weeks in advance to EditorEBN@gmail.com. Make sure to include the who, what, why, where and when of the event and contact information. Please, type out in paragraph form rather than attaching flyers. We do not guarantee publication but try to include as many as we can.
