Meet Mac Barnett, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
2025-05-20 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Library is thrilled to announce that children’s author Mac Barnett (Triangle, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Mac Undercover), will appear in person on Tuesday, May 20.
Starting at 3:30 pm, Mac will be at the library to meet fans and sign books. At 4 pm, he will share picture book favorites and showcase the deeply impactful ways picture books blend words and illustrations, and even the turning of a page, to create a uniquely powerful reading experience. Mac will share his passion for picture books and invite children and adults alike to join him in celebrating what’s vibrant, joyful and inspiring about this quintessential – and highly participatory – American art form at this all-ages and family-friendly event.
Each year, Barnett will visit only five locations as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Coronado was selected out of 350 applicants for this honor and is his only site visit this school year and the very first one of his tour! The Coronado Library was selected with the Coronado Unified School District as one of five libraries in the country that Mac would appear at in this role. As the only library West of the Rio Grande that was chosen, we are thrilled to host Mac’s public appearance in Coronado for this tour. This visit is made possible thanks to the Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader.
Registration is encouraged for this event. Please register each person attending. Reserved seats will be held until 3:30 pm after which any open spots will be given to standby seating.

Award-winning author Mac Barnett is excited to share his passion for picture books with children and adults. The tradition of the picture book is a tradition of experimentation, just like childhood itself. Every page turn contains infinite possibilities – a journey of discovery and connections. After all, picture books blend words and illustrations to create a uniquely powerful reading experience, one that is often the foundation for a lifetime of reading. On his nationwide tour as national ambassador, Mac invites readers of all ages to join him in celebrating what’s vibrant, joyful and inspiring about this quintessential American art form.
“Children deserve entertaining stories and meaningful art! I am, of course, excited to talk to young readers. But I’m also eager to speak to adults – who often underestimate or overlook children’s literature – to champion the power of picture books and the brilliance of the kids who read them.” – Mac Barnett, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
In partnership with the Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader, the National Ambassador is an advocate for reading across the country. Learn more about the National Ambassador and Behold! The Picture Book on the Library of Congress’ website: https://guides.loc.gov/mac-barnett.

About Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, a New York Times–bestselling author of stories for children, is the ninth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.
About the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress James Madison Council. The program was established in 2008 by the Library, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

Coronado Aquatics Center Free Water Safety Event
2025-05-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
May is National Drowning Prevention Month, and the City of Coronado is proud to support water safety awareness throughout the community. On May 6, the City Council officially proclaimed May 2025 as National Drowning Prevention Month in Coronado, reinforcing our commitment to helping families stay safe in and around water.
To continue promoting water safety, the Coronado Aquatics Center will host a free Water Safety Event on Friday, May 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. Families are encouraged to pre-register to participate in free swim lessons offered during the event. As a bonus, anyone who registers and takes part in a swim lesson that day will receive a 10% coupon toward a future swim lesson.
Join us in supporting water safety this May and help build a safer, more informed community—one swimmer at a time. For more information or to register, visit www.coronado.ca.us/register

Summer Family Dance Party
2025-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready to move and groove at the Community Center Dance Party on Wednesday, June 25, from 12 to 1 pm. This free event is the first of our Summer Entertainment Series 2025.
Parents, grandparents, and children of all ages are invited to come and show off their moves at this one-hour, fun-filled event. Dance the day away with the DJ’s playlist packed full of kid-favorite dance songs like YMCA, ChaCha Slide, Baby Shark, Happy, Shake it Off, Chicken Dance, Hawaiian Roller Coaster (Lilo and Stitch Theme), I am a Gummy Bear, It’s Raining Tacos and more!
There’s a beat for everyone to enjoy. Come fueled up and ready for big-time fun. Whether you’re busting out your best moves or enjoying the music, this is a great way to connect, laugh, and dance. Bring your swim gear so that after dancing in the Nautilus Room, you can pay for admission to the pool for a full afternoon of dancing and swimming.
For more details call 619-522-7342.

Coronado 4th of July
2025-07-04 | Coronado, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Visit our dedicated 4th of July page for a detailed timeline of the festivities and celebrations:
Coronado 4th of July Schedule

Free Interactive STEM Show for Families
2025-07-09 12:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready for a science-filled adventure the whole family will love! Join Science Heroes at the Coronado Community Center on Wednesday, July 9 at 12 PM for “Adventure of the Missing Color”—a FREE interactive STEM show packed with exciting experiments and theatrical storytelling.
Kids will be amazed by hands-on science fun exploring chemical reactions, air pressure, and explosive physics! This unique blend of education and entertainment will keep them engaged from start to finish. Happening in the Nautilus Room, this is a can’t-miss event for curious minds of all ages!
For more info, call 619-522-7342.

Explore Weird Moons with NASA Ambassadors
2025-07-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Calling all young astronauts! Join us for a special program with NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors, David Narevsky and Lyford Rome. They will teach us about “weird” moons and other unusual objects in space, both in and outside of our solar system. Activity to follow!

Wildlife Comes to Coronado: Free Live Animal Show at the Community Center
2025-07-16 12:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join us at the Coronado Community Center on Wednesday, July 16 at 12 pm for a free live animal show that’s as educational as it is exciting.

Presented by Zovargo, a wildlife education organization, this event offers a hands-on learning experience where you can meet reptiles, mammals, birds, and more. Perfect for curious minds of all ages, the show takes place in the Nautilus Room and will introduce you to a variety of fascinating animals while teaching about their ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with nature right in your own community!
For details, call 619-522-7342

Meet the Creatures of San Diego: A Free Live Reptile Show for Families
2025-07-23 12:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Community Center invites you to a free, live, interactive reptile show presented by The Living Coast Discovery Center on Wednesday, July 23 at noon.
This family-friendly presentation features local wildlife in their exciting “Move It!” program. Find out how animals slither, swim, jump, and fly in the most interesting ways. Participants will learn about local animals that call San Diego home. Through fun dance moves and up-close animal encounters, participants will walk away knowing how to crawl like a tortoise and slither like a snake.
No advanced registration is required; come to the Nautilus Room in the community center for some up-close and personal animal encounters right here in Coronado. Bring your family to share your love of nature with them.
For more information, call 619-522-7342.

Summer on the Strand: Rad Hatter Upcycled Crafting
2025-07-30 09:30 - 10:30 | Silver Strand Youth Center, 1302 Leyte Road, Coronado, 92118, United States
Join us this Summer on the Strand! The Coronado Public Library, in collaboration with the Silver Strand Youth Center, will be hosting exciting events for all ages every Wednesday at 9:30 am all summer long! Kids, teens, and adults can sign up for our Summer Reading Program at these events, log their reads, and pick up their prizes while enjoying a different fun-filled event each week. These events will take place outside, so pack your sunscreen and a blanket to sit on and enjoy. * Please note that public restrooms are not available at this location.
This program is made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library.

Come craft with us! This week, the Rad Hatter will be here with all the materials you need to create your own upcycled hat creation! The Rad Bag Hats are handmade from paper grocery bags and recycled materials. You’ll step up to the Hat Bar to decorate your festive memento using embellishments including ribbon, glitter, feathers, beads, recycled items, and so much more. Entertaining and engaging, the process of making Rad Hats is just as fun as what happens next: wearing them! Be sure you have a camera ready for the priceless pictures. The magic of Rad Hats lasts long after the party is over.

A Wild Encounter in Coronado – Up Close with Exotic Animals
2025-07-30 12:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Wild creatures are coming to Coronado! Enter the mysterious world of the rainforest—without leaving town! On Wednesday, July 30 at noon, the Coronado Community Center’s Nautilus Room becomes the gateway to Wild Wonders, an unforgettable wildlife experience. Watch in awe as captivating creatures from South America emerge from the shadows—Think a slinking boa constrictor, a wide-eyed kinkajou, or even a curious armadillo. This free event invites animal lovers of all ages to meet these exotic animals up close, guided by the knowledge and passion of a seasoned animal biologist. Let your wild side roam!

Foamy Fun with Dynamite Dave
2025-08-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Dynamite Dave is back again for some foamy fun! Enjoy the end of summer with some non-toxic and hypoallergenic foam! For the third year in a row the library invites you and your family for this fun event. Bathing suits highly recommended, goggles suggested but not necessary!

Drive In Movie: Tangled
2025-08-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
“When the kingdom’s most wanted bandit is taken hostage by Rapunzel — a teen with 70 feet of golden hair who’s looking to escape the tower where she’s been locked away for years — the unlikely duo sets off on a hair-raising escapade.” *
Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Summers are for drive in movies! Design your own car, grab some snacks, and watch Tangled with your friends from the comfort of your own car.
* Summary from Disney Plus

Summer on the Strand: Storytelling with Aunt Li-Anne
2025-08-06 09:30 - 10:30 | Silver Strand Youth Center, 1302 Leyte Road, Coronado, 92118, United States
Join us this Summer on the Strand! The Coronado Public Library, in collaboration with the Silver Strand Youth Center, will be hosting exciting events for all ages every Wednesday at 9:30 am all summer long. Kids, teens, and adults can sign up for our Summer Reading Program at these events, log their reads, and pick up their prizes while enjoying a different fun-filled event each week. These events will take place outside, so pack your sunscreen and a blanket to sit on and enjoy. * Please note that public restrooms are not available at this location.
This program is made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library.

Come hear Professional Storyteller Aunt Li-Anne enchant your imagination with “Around the World with Stories: Tales of Kids and Critters from other countries.” Embark on thrilling adventures to Mexico, Europe, and Asia, where captivating tales of children and curious critters await. Aunt Li-Anne weaves magic with her vibrant narratives, bringing to life the rich cultures and traditions of distant lands. Spark your child’s curiosity and foster a love for global storytelling. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey!

Mad Science Show – Up Up and Away
2025-08-06 12:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready to defy gravity and explore the invisible forces all around us. Mad Science – Up Up and Away is a FREE interactive science show that will blow your mind as you discover the principles of air and pressure. From giant wind bags to vortex generators—and even a real hovercraft—you’ll see science come alive in the most amazing ways.
Join us Wednesday, August 6 at noon at the Coronado Community Center’s Nautilus Room. Open to all ages and completely free.

Musical Storytime Takeover with Ralph's World
2025-08-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready for a fun filled morning of music with Ralph’s World at this special Baby Storytime takeover. Perfect for littles (and their bigger siblings) to enjoy musical favorites and interactive fun.
Baby storytime will resume as normal the following week.

H2A Dance Team Auditions
2025-08-16 10:00 - 13:00 | 1005 C Avenue, 1005 C Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Auditions for the H2A dance teams are being held on Saturday, August 16 with different times for the various age groups. Visit https://forms.gle/cCFBdvt5hXM9Xk8RA to register.

Coronado Community Center Celebrates 20 Years
2025-08-17 11:00 - 13:00 | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Community Center is throwing a party—and you’re invited! Join us Sunday, August 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as we celebrate two decades of community, connection, and countless memories at the Coronado Community Center.
Get ready to explore every corner of the building at 1845 Strand Way, where something exciting for all ages will be happening in almost every room. The fun begins at 11 a.m. with an official ribbon cutting. Enjoy hands-on crafts, carnival games, a cooking station, and interactive dance and fitness demos. Feeling adventurous? Test your skills at inflatable archery or on the climbing wall and try your luck at basketball free throws or corn hole.
Make a splash at the Aquatics Center, home to a massive inflatable obstacle course, water exercise classes, lap swim, family swim, and classic deck games.
The celebration doesn’t stop there: enjoy a treasure hunt, spin the prize wheel, get your face painted, and refuel with free pizza, drinks, and party cupcakes.
Admission is free, however space is limited. Pre-registration is required and includes general entry, goodie bag, and food. Please note additional sign-ups are required for select activities. Reserve your spot now and help us celebrate 20 amazing years of this lively, active community hub.

Musical Storytime Takeover with Nightingale Music
2025-09-23 11:00 - 11:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Enjoy a special storytime takeover by Nightingale Music! We’ll play with lollipop drums, rainbow scarves, tambourines, maracas and more. Marvin the Monkey will come by and teach us the major scale and we’ll learn to stomp and dance like the elephants in the jungle! We’ll pop bubbles to the beat and have a guitar time sing-a-long! Nightingale Music classes bring out your child’s natural ability for music and create a relaxed, playful environment for learning, so don’t miss the fun Friday, September 23 at 11:00am.
Toddler storytime will resume as normal after this fun takeover.

Public Safety Open House
2025-10-05 11:00 - 14:00 | Coronado Fire Department, 1001 Sixth Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The community is invited to join the Coronado Fire and Police Departments on Sunday, October 5 at their Public Safety Open House. The free event kicks off National Fire Prevention Week and takes place between 11 am and 2 pm around the main Fire Station (6th Street) and the Police Department (7th Street) on D Avenue.
Meet the city’s firefighters, police officers, and beach lifeguards and learn how they protect the community. The public can take part in activities for the whole family, including station tours and safety demonstrations.

Fun-filled classes for kids on CUSD holiday
2025-10-13 | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
There’s no school on Monday, October 13 and Coronado Recreation has you covered. Exciting and fun-filled classes will be offered for kids of all ages to make the most of the CUSD school holiday.
For the littlest learners, the Tiny Monsters Halloween Workshop (ages 3–5 with a parent) is a festive morning filled with crafts, cooking, and spooky sensory play — costumes welcome! Older kids can join the Monster Mash Up (ages 6–11), where they’ll get messy with slime, make creepy treats, and enjoy eerie games and contests. Teens ages 11–15 can take part in the Youth Babysitter Training Class to learn real-life childcare and emergency skills while building confidence to start their own babysitting business. There’s also Music Playground (ages 3-5) or the Little Music Lab (ages 6–9) — two free, hands-on music classes where kids explore instruments, rhythm, and ensemble fun, no experience needed.
All classes are held on Monday, October 13, and space is limited. Preregistration required at coronado.ca.us/register or call 619-522-7342.

Tiny Monsters (with parents)
2025-10-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Club Room, 1985 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Looking for a sweet (and spooky!) way to celebrate Halloween with your little one? Our Tiny Monsters with Parents workshop is the perfect festive morning of fun for kids ages 3–5 and their grown-ups.
Enjoy Halloween crafts, cooking, sensory play, and a mini party — costumes welcome! Join us Monday, October 13, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Club Room at Glorietta Bay.
Don’t miss out — register today at coronado.ca.us/register or call 619-522-7342.
Direct registration link: https://bit.ly/TinyMonstersWorkshop

Strega Nonna Pasta Party
2025-10-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Strega Nonna turns 50 this year, so we are throwing her a pasta party! Complete with a reading of the beloved children’s book Strega Nonna, a magic pasta pot, and pasta for all!

Free Pumpkin Painting Activity at the Ferry Landing
2025-10-21 15:30 - 17:00 | Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Celebrate the season with an afternoon of festive family fun! On Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, the Coronado Farmers Market and Coronado Recreation and Golf Services Department are hosting a free pumpkin painting event for children ages 12 and under at the scenic Coronado Ferry Landing (201 First Street).
This outdoor gathering is the perfect chance for kids to express their creativity, enjoy the fall spirit, and take home a hand-painted pumpkin. No registration is needed — just drop in and join the fun. Create special Halloween memories with your little ones that you’ll cherish for years to come.
For more information, please call 619-522-7342.

Halloween Happening 2025
2025-10-24 15:30 - 17:30 | Spreckels Park, 601 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready for some family-friendly fun at the City of Coronado Recreation and Golf Services annual “Halloween Happening” on Friday, Oct. 24 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. “Ghouls,” “Boos,” and their families are encouraged to dress in costume and head to Spreckels Park to enjoy music, enchanting entertainment, trick-or-treating, “Spooktacular” games, jumpees, crafts, prizes, candy, and activities including a life-size Candyland game at no cost.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase as well.
Call 619-522-7342 for more details.
The fun continues across the street at the Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., with “The Scooby Doo Halloween Mystery” at 6 pm.

Scooby Doo Halloween Mystery
2025-10-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Solve the Mystery of the Library Ghost with Scooby Doo and the Gang! A ghost has trapped the Mystery Gang inside the library’s books — can you crack the clues and set them free? Wander through the stacks, uncover hidden hints, and match each character to their story at this special after hours library event. Recommended for ages 5+
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Coronado Public Library.

Musical Halloween Storytime Takeover with Nightingale Music
2025-10-28 11:00 - 11:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Enjoy a special Halloween storytime takeover by Nightingale Music! We’ll play with lollipop drums, rainbow scarves, tambourines, maracas and more. Marvin the Monkey will come by and teach us the major scale and we’ll learn to stomp and dance like the elephants in the jungle. We’ll pop bubbles to the beat and have a guitar time sing-a-long. Nightingale Music classes bring out your child’s natural ability for music and creates a relaxed, playful environment for learning, so don’t miss the fun Tuesday, October 28 at 11 am.
Toddler storytime will resume as normal after this fun takeover.

Howl-o-ween at PAWS
2025-10-31 10:00 - 14:00 | PAWS of Coronado, 1395 First Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join PAWS of Coronado on Halloween for spooky fun and adorable memories.
Come dressed in your best costume — humans and animals welcome!
📸 We’ll snap your photo in costume
🍬 Grab a treat on October 31 from 10 am – 2 pm
🏠 Take a photo home
All for a suggested donation of $10
Proceeds benefit the animals in our care.

Mainstreet Goes Ghostly
2025-10-31 15:00 - 17:30 | CA
Costumes on, candy bags ready! Join the Halloween fun as local businesses hand out goodies to hundreds of trick-or-treaters during this annual Coronado tradition on Halloween afternoon between 3 and 5:30 pm.
​​Coronado MainStreet will have a cauldron in Rotary Plaza to collect coupons for a drawing of their Coronado Currency gift certificate program. Coupons will be on fliers sent home with Coronado children at each school.

“A Very Special Christmas Tree” Performance
2025-11-05 19:00 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Two performances of “A Very Special Christmas Tree” will take place on Nov. 5 — a 12:30 pm show for elementary students and a 7 pm show for the community. The narrator is Coronado High School Principal Karin Mellina.
This show is written expressly for children and is 45-50 minutes in length. Performers are students in a dance class through the CHS physical education department, and most have not danced prior to this class; what progress they’ve made in their dancing and commitment to provide a community service and mentorship for younger students.
Because of some wonderful donors, this performance is FREE and is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.
A Very Special Christmas Tree
Deep in the forest where the fairies dwell, a little pine tree grows among her lush and lofty neighbors. Her branches droop, her needles are sparse, and every other tree towers above her. Her greatest wish is to grow taller and stronger, so she will be chosen to stand in a special place for the Christmas season.
After every other tree finds a glorious home for the holiday, the little tree is disappointed to find where she has been taken.
But with the help of a kind man and a wise angel, the little tree discovers the true spirit of Christmas and that her greatest wish has come true.

Lil Pilgrim’s Party brings Thanksgiving fun on a day off school
2025-11-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Club Room, 1985 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Looking for something fun to do on your child’s day off from school? Join us for the Lil Pilgrim’s Party (with parents), a special Thanksgiving celebration for little ones age 3-5 and their favorite adults.
Together you’ll enjoy cooking holiday treats, singing songs, listening to stories, and playing festive games — all in the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. Don’t miss this heartwarming morning of fun on Monday, Nov. 10, from 10–11:30 a.m. at the Club Room Room in Glorietta Bay Park. Register now at coronado.ca.us/register or call 619-522-7342. Also, Check out the FREE Preschool Spanish Rhyme Time Class, right before from 9:00-9:40 am at the community center.
Direct Link: https://bit.ly/LilPilgrimsParty
