The Palo Alto Police Department is inviting residents to Bol Park on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for a three-hour community gathering where families can meet officers, climb inside police cars and other emergency vehicles, and play games alongside the people who respond to their 911 calls.

The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at 3590 Laguna Ave. It's free and open to all ages.

The City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Police Foundation are co-sponsoring the gathering, which the city is billing as a "citywide party," according to its official social media accounts.

National Night Out

National Night Out is a nationwide campaign held the first Tuesday of August each year, organized by the National Association of Town Watch. The effort aims to build connections between residents and local law enforcement through block parties and community events. More than 38 million people across the country are expected to participate in 2026, according to the San Jose Police Department.

In Palo Alto, the police department participates annually and encourages residents to organize their own neighborhood gatherings alongside the main Bol Park event, according to the city's National Night Out webpage.

How to host your own block party

Residents who want to organize their own National Night Out gathering can register their event with the police department so officers can stop by. The city is also accepting applications for a "Know Your Neighbor Grant" to help fund neighborhood parties, according to the city's July 10 announcement on X.

Registration, grant applications, and full event details are available at paloalto.gov/nationalnightout.