As we head into the summer season, events are ramping up.

Each week, we publish a “Things to Do” article to help you plan your weekends. Recently, there were plenty of things on the agenda.

Go fly a kite

In Mountain House, hundreds took to Central Community Park on Saturday to fly kites, jump on bounce houses and watch “The Kite Man of Martinez” fly illuminated kites.

A young girl in a pink dress flies a kite in a park, looking up with a slight smile.
A man and a boy flying a colorful kite with purple tails at a park, surrounded by other people and trees.
Left: Bibi Nooria Assisi watches her kite during the Illuminated Kite Festival in Mountain House on May 9, 2026. Right: Hikmat Touma, left, and Roman Touma work to launch their kite. (Photos by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
People flies kites as the sun sets in a park.
People fly kites at sunset during the Illuminated Kite Festival in Mountain House. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Destination: Graduation

Earlier in the day, more than 2,100 University of the Pacific graduates walked across stage during a campuswide commencement and degree conferral ceremony.

McGeorge School of Law will hold its commencement May 30, and the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry will have its ceremony June 14. See the full commencement schedule.

People in caps and gowns toss hats into the air outdoors.
Graduates in caps and gowns walk in procession with colorful banners overhead.
Left: University of the Pacific graduates toss their caps into the air on May 9, 2026, during the all-university commencement and degree conferral ceremony. Right: Graduates walk across the Stockton campus to the ceremony on the historic Knoles Lawn. (Photos by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Cherry-picking

Lodi Blooms opened and is now offering “u-pick” cherries from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, while the season lasts.

Cherries are ready earlier this year because of warm weather in March and recent rain in the region.

A cherry on a leafy twig.
Two children pick cherries.
Right: Cherry-grower James Chinchiolo operates a popular you-pick-’em cherry farm for families in search of a fun and tasty outing. Left: Genesis Cortez, left, and Matthew Cortez fill their bags at Lodi Blooms on May 9, 2026. (Photos by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Skate Jam

Saturday also brought back another family-fun adventure: roller-skating.

The Central Valley Skaters held a Skate Jam at the Unbound Community School,  with arts and crafts, live DJs and community vendors.

A person in a hat roller skating inside a gymnasium.
A person roller skating inside a gymnasium.
Left: Shannon Calhoun skates at the Central Valley Skater Jam in Stockton on May 9, 2026. Right: Skaters turned an all-purpose gym at the Stockton Unbound Community School into a roller-skating rink. (Photos by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
People roller skating inside a gymnasium.
Juliet Weaver, left, does a skate trick at the Central Valley Skater Jam at the Stockton Unbound Community School. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)