Weekend Fun For Everyone this Weekend
/October boasts oodles of family-friendly fun. Some of my favorite festivals are coming up starting this weekend with Hardly Strictly, Mill Valley Film Festival, Oktoberfests, Fleet Week and so much more! Check out this weekend at a glance for all the fun happening this weekend.
Friday, October 4, 2019
Blessing Of The Animals
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
One of the Bay Area's greatest annual traditions and performed in the ways of St. Francis of Assisi.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows) (map)
FREE musical celebration in Golden Gate Park - no tickets needed!
Oakland First Fridays
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oakland (map)
We’ll be handing off the world to the up-and-comers shortly, so for October we want to give the spotlight to Oakland’s youth, with programming centered on their arts and expression, in our Kid Zone and throughout the event.
CuriOdyssey’s October 4 First Friday Family Night
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CuriOdyssey (map)
Slither into October at CuriOdyssey’s First Friday Family Night on October 4, 5-8pm. Kids wearing costumes get free admission to this special event. Meet and learn about CuriOdyssey’s animals that slither and screech. Relax with a cash bar and live rock, rhythm and blues with a few spooky tunes mixed in. Find out how thrilling science can be as you play with fog, swirl viscous fluid, make objects appear to levitate and examine CuriOdyssey’s animals’ x-rays. Dance and play in the moonlight at CuriOdyssey’s hauntingly fun October First Friday Family Night!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Junior Ranger Program
9:00 AM 10:30 AM
China Camp State Park, San Rafael (map)
Earn your Jr. Ranger Badge exploring China Camp's salt marsh and the birds, fish, sharks, crabs and other critters in this exciting and mysterious habitat.
Vallejo Waterfront Weekend
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Vallejo (map)
Showcasing Vallejo at its finest for the 6th consecutive year, the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend returns!
Bird Exploration Family Farm Day
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Slide Ranch, Muir Beach (map)
In this special Family farm Day we will explore what makes a bird a bird and the different types of birds that live at Slide Ranch including domesticated chickens, ducks and turkeys, plus wild owls, quail, hawks, hummingbirds, turkey vultures and marine birds such as pelicans and oystercatchers.
Author Visit: Brendan Wenzel
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Marin City Library (map)
Meet Caldecott Honor Medalist Brendan Wenzel! He'll read from his extraordinary new picture book, "A Stone Sat Still," and tell you about his StoryWalk at Bothin Marsh and his great affection for all things furred, feathered, and scaly.
Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Miwok Meadows, San Rafael (map)
Come out and celebrate National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day featuring youth mountain bike skills courses, bike-themed games, and beginner trail rides.
Toni's Yoga Storytime At Larkspur Library
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Larkspur Library (map)
Stretch into the weekend at this fun and interactive storytime! For families and children up to age 6.
Learn To Skimboard
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Stinson Beach (map)
Head out to beautiful Upton Beach and learn how to skimboard with ranger staff.
Haunted House Decorating
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Williams-Sonoma
This class will be fun and spooky, oh, my! You’ll assemble a gingerbread mansion and decorate it as you please. Then you can take your bewitching creation home and show it off for Halloween!
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
BACT Berkeley Center (map)
Inspired by Grace Lin’s Newbery Honor Book of the same name, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” relates the adventures of Minli, a spunky young girl in an ancient mythical China, who sets out on a quest to bring good fortune to her weary, hard-working family by seeking help from the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way, she rescues a friendly dragon who becomes her faithful companion.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows) (map)
FREE musical celebration in Golden Gate Park - no tickets needed!
The Big Draw: Drawn To Life
11:00 AM 4:00 PM
The Walt Disney Family Museum (map)
Join us at The Walt Disney Family Museum to celebrate The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival!
MVFF: 5@5 Life Is For Living
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CineArts Sequoia (map)
We may be living in challenging times, but today’s teen filmmakers are using film purposefully—and creatively—to tell stories that both confront and counteract the darkness.
Bay Day
Saturday, October 5, 2019
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Bay Day unites Bay Area communities to celebrate San Francisco Bay, its people and wildlife. Like Earth Day for the Bay, this official holiday presents the perfect opportunity to explore and discover the beauty and diversity of our Bay.
MVFF: As The World Toons
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Century Larkspur (map)
This enchanting collection of shorts for all ages is a showcase of international imagination with a colorful cast of characters including robots, raccoons, dragons, and ducks.
Clayton Oktoberfest
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Clayton Oktoberfest (map)
Experience Oktoberfest “Munich Style” in picturesque downtown Clayton.
Oaktoberfest
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Oakland (map)
Oaktoberfest celebrates the history, the flavors, and the people of the Bay Area.
'Round The World Music, Dance & Art Festival
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Rhythmix Cultural Works(map)
'Round the World offers a FREE afternoon of family-friendly performances and hands-on art activities for all ages.
Golden Anniversary Celebration
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
San Geronimo Valley Community Center (map)
A free, fun family day will include live bands, Valley Games, art show, great kid activities, a dynamic program honoring our founders and past board members, healthy eating active living talks and classes, and more!
MVFF: The Hoopla
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Marin Country Mart (map)
Join us for family-friendly festivities after the screening of AS THE WORLD TOONS or before the screening of FRESH & FEARLESS,with food, beverages, live music, games, crafts, bubbles, balloons, henna, and (of course) hula hoops!
StoryWalk Reading Bothin Marsh
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Bothin Marsh (map)
Meet Caldecott Honor Medalist Brendan Wenzel! He'll read from his extraordinary new picture book, "A Stone Sat Still," and tell you about his StoryWalk at Bothin Marsh and his great affection for all things furred, feathered, and scaly.
Animal Photography For Kids
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Marin Humane (map)
Join us for a fun photography workshop! Our theme will be “A Day in the Life at Marin Humane” as we photograph daily activities and shelter animals at our Novato campus.
MVFF: Fresh & Fearless
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Century Larkspur (map)
They may be small. They may be young. But that doesn’t keep any of these inspiring girls from dreaming big, standing strong, or taking chances.
Terrapin Crossroads Oktoberfest
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael (map)
Beer, Bocce Ball, Games, German food and lice music!
Rumpelstiltskin!
2:00 PM & 4:30 PM
Young Performers Theatre, San Francisco (map)
A miller desperate to bring his family out of poverty, lies and tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold! The king couldn't believe and decided to put miller's daughter to the test. Isabella gets locked in the throne room with a pile of straw and a spinning wheel, with no hope of being released, when suddenly a little man comes and saves her by spinning the straw into gold, but it comes with a “price, price, price”! Come see this hilarious production of an old fairytale and find out what happens!
Family Game Night
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Strawberry Rec Center, Mill Valley (map)
Join SRD for an evening of old-fashioned, family fun and games.
MVFF: Chuskit
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Century Larkspur (map)
Chuskit tells the triumphant story of a physically disabled girl in rural India whose circumstances derail her dream of going to school. Nevertheless, she persists!
Twilight Nature Hike
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Vallejo Home Parking Lot, Sonoma (map)
Shake off that December chill with a hike along the lower Montini Preserve Trail and experience history, nature and a good time.
Creek Park: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Creek Park, San Anselmo (map)
During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe. One day Lucy (Georgie Henley) finds a wardrobe that transports her to a magical world called Narnia. After coming back, she soon returns to Narnia with her brothers, Peter (William Moseley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and her sister, Susan (Anna Popplewell). There they join the magical lion, Aslan (Liam Neeson), in the fight against the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton).
Astronomy Nights On Mt. Tamalpais CANCELLED
Our program scheduled for that evening has been cancelled. We thank you for your support and participation during 2019 and look forward to bringing astronomy to the Mountain again in 2020.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cushing Memorial Theater, Mill Valley (map)
Welcome to the Mt. Tam Astronomy Program. This educational program is designed to give the public and students of all ages and backgrounds a better understanding of our universe by hearing about current theories and discoveries followed by an opportunity to observe through telescopes.
Telescope Nights
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The Space Station, Novato (map)
Our telescope guides make plans to setup on very short notice this time of year.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Fleet Week
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
San Francisco, CA (map)
Fleet Week’s back taking the San Francisco Bay by ships, planes, and celebrations honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces!
Vallejo Waterfront Weekend
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Vallejo (map)
Showcasing Vallejo at its finest for the 6th consecutive year, the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend returns!
Exploration & A Sense Of Wonder Program
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
China Camp State Park(map)
This is an ongoing monthly program for children 3-5 years old. We'll use puppets, songs and stories to ignite scientific curiosity and love for exploring the natural world. Meet at the parking lot above China Camp Village for educational fun!
Dual Slalom Race Series
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Stafford Lake Bike Park, Novato (map)
Pump and jump through qualifying and final rounds!
Ancestor’s Ritual
9:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center (map)
Our program aims to help children cultivate attention, empathy, and understanding and utilizes attunement to seasonal rhythms to foster well-being. A Youth & Family Program Practice Guide is available in our bookstore and includes many ideas for practicing at home as a family.
Coastside Cornhole Tournament
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Shoreline Station (map)
Join us for the 1st Annual Coastside Cornhole Tournament. It will be an amazing day of Cornhole, Music, Prizes, Food and Drinks!
Oaktoberfest
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Oakland (map)
Oaktoberfest celebrates the history, the flavors, and the people of the Bay Area.
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
BACT Berkeley Center (map)
Inspired by Grace Lin’s Newbery Honor Book of the same name, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” relates the adventures of Minli, a spunky young girl in an ancient mythical China, who sets out on a quest to bring good fortune to her weary, hard-working family by seeking help from the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way, she rescues a friendly dragon who becomes her faithful companion.
Clayton Oktoberfest
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Clayton Oktoberfest (map)
Experience Oktoberfest “Munich Style” in picturesque downtown Clayton.
The Castro Street Fair
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
San Francisco (map)
The Castro Street Fair is a community street celebration that was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. Hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople, and organizations line the streets and celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. Stages with live entertainment and dance stages can be found throughout the fairgrounds.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows) (map)
FREE musical celebration in Golden Gate Park - no tickets needed!
YBike Learn To Ride Program
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Presidio (map)
Get your kids riding on two wheels with free, safe, and friendly instruction from the Presidio Community Y.
Castro Street Fair
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Castro Street Fair (map)
Hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople, and organizations line the streets and celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. Stages with live entertainment and dance stages can be found throughout the fairgrounds.
Taiko Drumming
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Mill Valley Library (map)
Come and learn about the Japanese art of taiko! Feel the thunderous sounds of the drums vibrating through your body as language, culture, and history combine into an exciting educational experience.
MVFF: ¡Viva Los Niños!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Smith Rafael Film Center(map)
A celebration of Spanish-language and Latin American films and stories, MVFF’s ¡Viva el Cine! initiative is also a family affair, as illustrated by this special collection of kid-centric short films from Mexico, Spain, Guatemala, and Colombia.
1st Sundays Block Party
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
San Francisco (map)
This FREE family-friendly event features games and activities for all ages, including street soccer, a selection of street food offerings curated by Off the Grid, music and promotional appearances by Bonneville San Francisco KMVQ 99.7 NOW, an open-air craft market with one-of-a-kind goods created by local SF Etsy artisans and DIY activities for your inner maker.
Presidio Picnic
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Main Parade Ground (map)
Multi-cultural community celebration unveils new mobile food creators and cultural dance groups at San Francisco’s Presidio National Park.
Family Days At MarinMOCA
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
MarinMOCA, Novato (map)
Are you looking for alternatives to “screen time?” How about making art with your kids during free Family Days?
OKTOBERFEST At Cornerstone Gardens
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma (map)
Beer Garden! Live Polka Band! Food and Wine! Kids Activities!
MVFF: Team Marco
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Smith Rafael Film Center(map)
It’s old world versus new world, and video games versus the world’s oldest game in this charming coming-of-age story that celebrates friendship, family, and above all, the squabbling, gregarious, loving Italian American culture of Staten Island’s South Beach.
Oakland Nature Friends Oktoberfest
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Oakland Nature Friends (map)
Live music, dancing, games and more!
SF Music Day 2019 — Rebels & Renegades
12:00 PM - 7:30 PM
SF War Memorial Veterans Building (map)
Experience the vitality of Bay Area music making in all its forms at SF Music Day, the Bay Area’s free daylong music festival in downtown San Francisco, presented by InterMusic SF.
Wonder Funday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Exploratorium (map)
Wonder Funday is an epic playdate and impactful fundraiser for science all rolled into one. Spend an inspiring Sunday afternoon with your family digging deeper into our exhibits, exploring delightful programs and activities, roaming freely in a museum closed to the public, and getting a peek behind the scenes.
Rumpelstiltskin!
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Young Performers Theatre (map)
A miller desperate to bring his family out of poverty, lies and tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold! The king couldn't believe and decided to put miller's daughter to the test. Isabella gets locked in the throne room with a pile of straw and a spinning wheel, with no hope of being released, when suddenly a little man comes and saves her by spinning the straw into gold, but it comes with a “price, price, price”! Come see this hilarious production of an old fairytale and find out what happens!
MVFF: Get Kids In The Pictures
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Outdoor Art Club (map)
Get insider tips on the auditioning, casting, and direct- ing processes, with do’s, don’ts, and best practices from the professional perspective of the decision makers on set.
Virtual Reality Art Class At XR Marin: Blocks
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
XR MARIN (map)
Learn how to create art in virtual reality! Paint in mid-air, create 3D scenes you can walk through, or sculpt animated objects!
