Weekend Guide
Weekend Events in SCV — July 31 - August 2
The last weekend of July and first weekend of August is packed with concerts, farmers markets, lake days, back-to-school shopping, and a relaxed Sunday to recharge. Here's your full SCV weekend playbook.
Published July 31, 2026 · by Sam Silver
Sam Silver
22-year SCV resident · U.S. Army veteran · Community advocate
Summer weekends in Santa Clarita Valley just keep getting better. This one is the bridge from July into August, with all the classic summer staples plus our standing RED Friday tradition to honor deployed service members. I've packed this guide with everything from Friday night concerts to Sunday relaxation, including my top tips for beating the heat. Let's make it a great weekend, SCV.
- Concerts in the Park — Central Park, 7 PM, free
- RED Friday — wear red EVERY Friday for deployed troops
- Main Street Newhall — evening dining and nightlife
- SCV Farmers Market — Old Town Newhall, 8 AM – 12 PM
- Morning hike — Towsley Canyon, Placerita Canyon, or Vasquez Rocks
- Castaic Lake — swimming, paddleboarding, or picnic
- Brunch or farmers market to start the day
- Family day at Castaic Lake or local parks
- Splash pads, ice cream & indoor activities to beat the heat
July 31, 2026
Every Friday Is RED Friday - Remember Everyone Deployed
Every Friday is RED Friday. Not just this Friday. Not just when it's convenient. Every single Friday. RED Friday stands for "Remember Everyone Deployed" - a simple, powerful way to honor the men and women serving overseas while we go about our daily lives here at home.
Sam Silver and the entire Equity Union Real Estate team wear red every Friday. It's not a one-time thing - it's a weekly commitment to remember the service members who can't be home with their families. As a U.S. Army veteran himself, Sam knows firsthand what it means to be deployed and how much a small gesture of support from back home can mean.
This Is a Community Movement
Join Sam and the SCV community in wearing red every Friday. It's simple: every Friday, put on a red shirt. Red hat. Red socks. Red tie. Anything red. Post a photo, spread the word, and let deployed service members know we haven't forgotten them.
Want to learn more about the RED Friday tradition? Read our full RED Friday feature article.
Concerts in the Park
Friday night in Santa Clarita means one thing in the summer: Concerts in the Park. This week's show at Central Park (27150 Bouquet Canyon Road) kicks off at 7 PM, and it's completely free. Bring a blanket or a low-back chair, grab some dinner from one of the food trucks that roll in, and settle in for an evening of live music under the stars with your neighbors. Not sure who's performing this week? Check the SCV Events page for the full lineup.
If you want to make a full evening of it, head to Main Street Newhall after the concert. The walkable strip through Old Town Newhall is packed with local restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and that small-town main street energy. Grab a late bite at one of the patios or pop into a brewery for a nightcap.
"RED Friday is more than a tradition - it's a movement, and SCV is leading it. Every Friday I wear red for our deployed service members, and I want you to join me. Wear your red, snap a photo, tag me on Instagram at @sellbuyimyourguy or text me at 661-621-5340. Let's build something meaningful together. Then go enjoy the concert at Central Park - that's the SCV spirit right there."
August 1, 2026
Start Your Morning at the Farmers Market
Saturday mornings in SCV? Start at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market (24667 Walnut Street, 8 AM – 12 PM). This is the real deal — fresh produce from local farms, artisan breads and pastries, honey, flowers, and prepared foods from local vendors. Grab a coffee, wander the stalls, stock up on seasonal fruit, and soak in that small-town Saturday morning energy. Summer produce is at its peak — stone fruits, heirloom tomatoes, melons, sweet corn. Our complete farmers market guide has all the details on every market in SCV.
Get Outside: Hiking Before the Heat
Once you've got your market haul, it's time to hit the trails. Summer hiking in SCV is all about timing — you want to be on the trail early, wrapped up before the afternoon sun really kicks in. This Saturday, pick one of these classic SCV hikes:
Towsley Canyon
The Towsley View Loop gives you panoramic canyon views. About 2.5 miles, moderate. Start by 7:30 AM.
Trail detailsPlacerita Canyon
Shaded canyon trails, oak woodlands, and the historic Walker Cabin. Easy to moderate. Great for families.
Trail detailsVasquez Rocks
Iconic rock formations, wide-open trails, and that famous movie backdrop. About 30 min from SCV.
Trail detailsAfternoon: Club Events, the Lake & Back-to-School Shopping
By midday, the temperature's climbing. If you're a member of Paseo Club or Valencia Country Club, check their weekend event calendars — both often have poolside dining, tennis tournaments, and social events on summer Saturdays. Even if you're not a member, know that these clubs anchor the country club lifestyle SCV is famous for.
For the ultimate summer Saturday move: Castaic Lake. Pack the cooler, grab the towels, and head to the lake for swimming, paddleboarding, or just a good old-fashioned picnic by the water. The lake is about 15 minutes north of Valencia, and on an August Saturday it's the place to be. The designated swim areas have lifeguards during peak hours, and you can rent paddleboards and kayaks at the marina. Pro tip: get there by 10 AM on a summer Saturday to snag a good spot before the crowds roll in.
August 1 also means back-to-school season is officially here. The William S. Hart Union High School District starts August 11 this year, so this weekend is prime time for back-to-school shopping. Hit Valencia Town Center for clothes, supplies, and everything on the school list. Our Back-to-School Guide 2026 has all the dates, supply lists, and tips you need.
"My perfect August Saturday: hit the Newhall Farmers Market early, grab coffee and peaches, take a short drive up to Castaic Lake for the morning, then swing by Valencia Town Center for back-to-school shopping in air conditioning. End the afternoon with a slice from Pizza al Tramonto — that stone-fired Neapolitan pizza hits different on a summer evening."
August 2, 2026
Slow Start: Farmers Market or Brunch
Sundays in SCV are for taking it easy. If you missed the Saturday farmers market or just want to go again, the Santa Clarita Farmers Market also runs on Sundays at College of the Canyons during certain seasons — or check the Valencia Town Center area for brunch spots with patio seating. Places like Eggs 'n Things, Black Bear Diner, and The Old Town Junction in Newhall are local favorites for a relaxed Sunday brunch.
Family Day at the Lake or Parks
Sunday is the perfect day for a family day at Castaic Lake or one of SCV's many beautiful parks. Central Park, Bridgeport Park, and Golden Valley Park all have great playgrounds, picnic tables, and green space for a relaxing afternoon. Pack a blanket, bring the frisbee, and let the kids run. Our family parks guide has the full breakdown of every park in the valley.
Beat the Heat
August in SCV means serious heat. Sunday afternoon is the time to stay cool: hit the splash pads at Central Park or Canyon Country Community Park, grab a scoop from McConnell's Fine Ice Creams at Valencia Town Center or Rococo Ice Cream in Newhall, or duck into an indoor activity like bowling at Bowlero, a movie at Edwards Santa Clarita 12, or the Santa Clarita Public Library for some quiet reading in the AC.
Take Sunday evening to relax and recharge before the work week. A slow dinner at home, a walk along the paseo trail system, or a quiet evening on the patio — whatever fills your cup. You've earned it after a great SCV summer weekend.
"Sundays in SCV are made for slow mornings and afternoon relaxation. I love grabbing brunch in Newhall, then finding a shady spot at one of our parks with a good book. My go-to recharge move? A late afternoon walk on the paseo trail with a cold brew in hand, watching the sun start to lower over the valley. That's the Santa Clarita life."
Summer Survival
Beat the Heat: Summer Survival Guide
Let's be real — August in Santa Clarita Valley is hot. But that doesn't mean you have to stay inside all weekend. Here's how to enjoy the summer without melting.
Early Morning Hikes
The golden rule of SCV summer hiking: start before 8 AM and be off the trail by 11 AM. The shaded canyon trails at Placerita Canyon and Towsley Canyon stay surprisingly cool even as the valley warms up. Check out the hidden hiking trails guide for more early-morning route ideas.
Splash Pads & Aquatic Centers
SCV has free splash pads at Central Park, Canyon Country Community Park, and several neighborhood parks — open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM during summer. For a bigger splash, the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center has pools and water slides. Full guide on our splash pads blog post.
Local Ice Cream Shops
Cool down with a scoop from SCV's best ice cream spots. Try McConnell's Fine Ice Creams at Valencia Town Center for California-made classics, Rococo Ice Cream in Newhall for artisan flavors, or Brusters on Bouquet Canyon for a walk-up treat. Gelato at Venice Bakery on Lyons is another hidden gem.
Indoor Activities
When it's too hot to be outside, SCV has plenty of indoor options: catch a movie at Edwards or Regal, browse the shops at Valencia Town Center or Valley Plaza Mall, visit the Santa Clarita Public Library branches, or explore the Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar. Our summer guide has the full rundown.
Quick Summer Safety Reminder
Drink water before you feel thirsty, wear sunscreen even on short outings, never leave kids or pets in a parked car, and know the signs of heat exhaustion. SCV summers hit 100+ degrees regularly in July and August, so plan your outdoor activities for early morning or late evening. The full summer guide has more tips and a full list of cooling centers.
Your Weekend at a Glance
Friday July 31
RED Friday (Every Friday)
Wear red EVERY Friday to Remember Everyone Deployed
Concerts in the Park
Central Park · 7 PM · Free
Main Street Newhall
Dining, drinks, and nightlife
Saturday August 1
Farmers Market
Old Town Newhall · 8 AM – 12 PM
Morning Hike
Towsley Canyon · Placerita · Vasquez Rocks
Castaic Lake
Swimming, paddleboarding, picnic
Back-to-School Shopping
Valencia Town Center
Sunday August 2
Brunch
Local favorites in Newhall or Valencia
Family Day
Castaic Lake or local parks
Beat the Heat
Splash pads, ice cream, indoor fun
More Weekend Ideas & Local Guides
Weekend Guide
Curated weekend plans for every type of SCV visitor
SCV Events Calendar
Full lineup of concerts, festivals, and community events
Summer Guide
Seasonal activities, cooling centers, and summer tips
Splash Pads Guide
All SCV splash pads, aquatic centers, and water fun
Hidden Hiking Trails
5 lesser-known family-friendly SCV trails
Pizza al Tramonto
Stone-fired Neapolitan pizza in Santa Clarita
Enjoying Your Weekend in Santa Clarita?
If you're thinking about making SCV your forever home, I'd love to help. Contact Sam Silver, REALTOR with Equity Union Real Estate, CalDRE #01412755. Whether you're relocating from another city or ready to buy your first place in the valley, I know this area inside and out.
Sam@SamSilverHomes.com · 661-621-5340
Sam Silver, REALTOR with Equity Union Real Estate, CalDRE #01412755. Sam@SamSilverHomes.com — 661-621-5340. All information on this site is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Event details may change — verify with official sources before attending. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker.