Your August guide to Atascadero
By Angela Cisneros · Thu Aug 06 2026
Summer was always iconic as a kid, with August being the last hurrah, so to speak, in vacation time. For many of you, it still is the last hurrah with your kids or grandkids before they go back to school, and Atascadero has some fun activities to make memories with them.
Atascadero Cruisin’ Weekend is back for the whole family! The weekend kicks off with the 33rd Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite on Friday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Hot El Camino Cruise Nite is one of the largest and most popular annual events in San Luis Obispo County, and one of the city’s signature events! It is definitely one of my favorites, even though I am not a car guru. I usually sit with my parents as they reminisce about all the amazing cars back in their day. The cruise lasts until 8:30 p.m.
The festivities continue on Saturday, with the 35th Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Park, where you will get to see the cars up close and personal. Bring your family to the park for this very fun and educational day as they learn about classic cars. If your littles need a break from the cars, take them to the Central Coast Zoo to shake it out.
The 10th Annual Dancing in the Streets is one of my other favorites! The evening begins with performances from local bands around the Sunken Gardens area Downtown. Get your groove on with your favorite bands, community entertainment, bounce houses, food trucks, beer, wine/cider, and distillery vendors who will be ready to celebrate a fun evening of music and dancing! In addition, the downtown merchants and restaurants will be open.
Summer evenings in Atascadero are the best! And, what better way to enjoy them with your family than the Summer Concert Series in the Park every Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your low-back chairs and picnic dinner to enjoy a variety of bands, you may even want to get up and dance! Aug. 1 is Josh Rosenblum who brings a fun evening of pop, rock, and blues. Aug. 8 is Lady and The Tramps with their rock, R&B/soul, and blues sound. Aug. 15 is the Electric Lavender Train with classic rock 'n' roll covers. We break for Cruisin’ Weekend, but are back on Aug. 29 with the Cinders Blues Band, which is the last concert of the summer with a blues sound that you can dance to.
An Atascadero summer evening wouldn’t be complete without Movies in the Park at Colony Park! Come watch the classic, "Footloose," with friends and family on Saturday, Aug. 29. The family fun begins at 7 p.m. with games and activities before the movie. The movie starts around 8 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.
You and your family will never be this age again, so take advantage of the opportunities to spend time with each other and make memories. Happy summer to you!