Ronnie's Awesome List

View Original

Fun For Everyone this Weekend

Ronnie Sharpe

What is it about the holidays? No, really… what is it? There's just so much happening it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Fortunately, you have this roundup to sort through all the festive chaos.

Check out my lists for:

Christmas Houses :: Holiday Tea :: Photos with Santa :: Gingerbread Houses :: Holiday Train Rides :: Ice Skating Rinks :: Holiday Theater

Plus Weekly Holiday Events:

Events are checked at the time of posting. Please confirm information before heading out.

Friday, December 13, 2019, Geminids Meteor Shower

Nutcracker:

SMART At The Mart Opening Ceremony

  • 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

  • Marin Country Mart, Larkspur (map)

Join us this Friday, December 13 for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the brand new Larkspur Landing SMART Train station!

Winterfest!

  • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

  • Marinwood Community Center (map)

Join us for our annual Winterfest!

Friday Nights at OMCA | Winter Fest

  • 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Oakland Museum of California (map)

Celebrate diverse winter traditions reflected in the Bay Area, including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Enjoy storytime with the Oakland Public Library, winter-themed activities, and more. Create a candle to take home as we wrap up the final Friday Nights at OMCA for 2019.

Lighted Boat Parade

  • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco (map)

The Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District and the St. Francis Yacht Club will join once again to present the oldest and largest lighted holiday boat parade on San Francisco Bay.

Charlie Browns Christmas Movie Night

  • 6:00 PM 9:00 PM

  • Little Tree Art Studio, San Anselmo (map)

Come drop off your Little Artist for our Movie Night Friday. We will have a small craft, watch the movie Charlie Browns Christmas, and eat pizza and fresh popped popcorn! Little Artists will make their favorite character with Sculpey clay to place into a snow globe.

Frozen Jr.

  • 7:00 PM

  • Novato Theatre Company (map)

This enchanting modern classic from Disney is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage.

The Little Mermaid

  • 7:00 pm

  • The Playhouse, San Anselmo (map)

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.

Mayflower Chorus Presents: An Animated Holiday

  • 8:00 PM

  • Showcase Theater, San Rafael (map)

The 60-voice Mayflower Chorus --with staging and narration-- recreates the holiday joy of animated TV and film specials with songs ranging from heart-lifting to hilarious.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Nutcracker:

Craft Fairs:

Breakfast with Santa

  • 9:00 AM 11:30 AM

  • Tam Valley Community Center (map)

Bring the kids down to grab a delicious pancake breakfast, decorate cookies, make crafts, and meet the Jolly Old Man Himself - Santa! 

Junior Ranger Program - Owl Exploration!

  • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

  • China Camp Ranger Station, San Rafael (map)

Earn your Jr. Ranger badge as we learn about owls and their favorite foods.

Breakfast With Santa At The SF Zoo

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • San Francisco Zoo (map)

Santa is making his way to SF Zoo to spread holiday cheer. Join us for a special Breakfast with Santa on consecutive Saturdays, December 7 & 14 in the Lemur Café from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Bring the whole family to this festive all-you-can-eat Grinch-themed buffet!

Holiday Nature Crafts 

  • 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM

  • UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (map)

A Garden tradition, create gifts and decorations inspired by nature and the Garden's collection. Mini evergreen wreaths, greeting cards from pressed botanicals, felt projects, nature-filled ornaments, and so much more!

Patchwork Series: Octopretzel

  • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Freight & Salvage, Berkeley (map)

In a show as exuberant as their whimsical name, Octopretzel returns to the Freight stage to share exciting new material! The band creates engaging music, inspiring curiosity, wonder, and appreciation for the world we live in. Their skilled musicianship and magical way with children guarantees a dance-able, sing-able and fun experience for the whole family.

Cirque De Bohème Presents A Paris!

  • 1pm, 3pm & 5pm

  • Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma (map)

Cirque de Bohème returns this winter for its seventh season! Celebrate the holidays at Cornerstone with this annual event!

Visit Santa Claus & The Little Hands Craft Shop

  • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  • Japan Center East Mall (map)

Ho Ho Ho – Santa Claus has arrived at the Japan Center Malls!

Transcendence Holiday Spectacular

  • 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

  • Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater (map)

Join Transcendence, the award-winning creators of “Broadway Under the Stars,” for this new and reimagined holiday celebration for all ages, with performers from Broadway shows such as MAMMA MIA!, MARY POPPINS and WICKED.

Music For Families: Holidays Around The World

  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  • Davies Symphony Hall (map)

Journey through an enchanting winter wonderland of holiday music from around the world—we’ll hop from Europe to the Caribbean, South Africa, China, and more in a whirlwind exploration of wintertime festivities, vibrant music, and rich holiday traditions from various cultures. All aboard! 

Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops

  • 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM

  • Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa (map)

Assemble and decorate Snoopy’s doghouse out of gingerbread, complete with a marshmallow Snoopy on top.

Gingerbread Build

  • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

  • Downtown Recreation Center, Novato (map)

Join Novato Parks & Recreation as we attempt to create our wonderful City out of Gingerbread! This event includes plenty of festive fun for the entire family.

Dickens Family Victorian Holiday

  • 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM

  • Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael (map)

The second weekend in December is a magical holiday tour de force at our elegant Queen Anne Victorian with an old-fashioned afternoon tea for families.

Sausalito Annual Lighted Boat Parade

  • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Sausalito (map)

Join us for the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks!

San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival

  • 4:00 PM 8:00 PM

  • Jessie Square, San Francisco (map)

With this year’s theme, we celebrate the resilience of our leaders, artists, youth and student groups, and our families who have been facing challenges for decades in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Wreath Making Workshop

  • 9:00 AM - 11:59 AM

  • McNears Beach Par, San Rafael (map)

Bring the beauty of nature to your front door with a festive, homemade wreath!

Open Cockpit during Santa Fly-In

  • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa (map)

Watch Santa Claus land at the Museum in a helicopter!

Holiday Double Feature!

  • 5:00 PM 8:30 PM

  • City of Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services (map)

Grab your friends and family, low-back lawn chairs, pack a picnic dinner and join us for this FREE magical indoor Double Feature event at the Downtown Recreation Center.

Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks Show Cruise with the Angel Island Ferry

  • 5:15 PM - 8:15 PM

  • Angel Island Tiburon Ferry, Tiburon (map)

Angel Island Ferry's Annual Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fire Works Cruise is THE Holiday Cruise of the Season!

Mayflower Chorus Presents: An Animated Holiday

  • 8:00 PM

  • Showcase Theater, San Rafael (map)

The 60-voice Mayflower Chorus --with staging and narration-- recreates the holiday joy of animated TV and film specials with songs ranging from heart-lifting to hilarious.

Music for Families: Holidays Around the World

  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

  • Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco (map)

Journey through an enchanting winter wonderland of holiday music from around the world—we’ll hop from Europe to the Caribbean, South Africa, China, and more in a whirlwind exploration of wintertime festivities, vibrant music, and rich holiday traditions from various cultures. All aboard! 

Frozen Jr.

  • 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

  • Novato Theatre Company (map)

This enchanting modern classic from Disney is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage.

The Little Mermaid

  • 2:00 pm

  • The Playhouse, San Anselmo (map)

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.

Winter on the Waterfront

  • 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM

  • Berkeley Yacht Club (map)

Join us to experience the wonder of the Berkeley Waterfront and the magic of the winter season all in an outdoor setting. The City of Berkeley's free Winter on the Waterfront and Lighted Boat Parade features fun for everyone.

Cinderella the Panto

  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  • Presidio Theatre, San Francisco (map)

Boo the Sisters..Hiss the Baroness… Cheer the handsome Prince..Hug the Mice!

Marin Girls Chorus 32nd Annual Holiday Concert

  • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

  • First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo, San Anselmo (map)

Marin Girls Chorus proudly presents our 32nd Annual Holiday Concert, "Songs of Peace and Nature."

Berkeley Lighted Boat Parade

  • 5:30 PM

  • Berkeley Yacht Club (map)

The City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department, Berkeley Yacht Club and the Berkeley Marine Center, invite all boaters to join the 3rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade.

Snow Queen

  • 7:00 PM

  • Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (map)

Inspired by one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved fairytales, Bayer Ballet is proud to present another production of The Snow Queen that will warm your hearts and add magic to this holiday season! Visually captivating and viscerally touching, this story ballet celebrates friendship, love and courage.

Transcendences Broadway Holiday Spectacular

  • 7:30 pm

  • Lincoln Theater, Yountville (map)

Join Transcendence, the award-winning creators of “Broadway Under the Stars,” for this new and reimagined holiday celebration for all ages, with performers from Broadway shows.

Mayflower Chorus Presents: An Animated Holiday

  • 8:00 PM

  • Showcase Theater, San Rafael (map)

The 60-voice Mayflower Chorus --with staging and narration-- recreates the holiday joy of animated TV and film specials with songs ranging from heart-lifting to hilarious.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Nutcracker:

Craft Fairs

Jingle Bell 5k & Children's Run

  • 7:30 AM - 9:45 AM

  • Winterfest Sausalito (map)

A scenic run along the Sausalito Waterfront, join the Dipsea Kids in this annual event! Click the tickets button below for more information.

Mill Valley LiVE - Megan Schoebohm - Musical Performance

  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  • Mill Valley Community Center (map)

Performer, songwriter, music teacher, and yoga enthusiast, Megan Schoebohm will wow you and your family with her fun, and engaging show!

Free Throw Championship

  • 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

  • Hill Gymnasium, Novato (map)

Bring your friends and family to participate in the Free Throw Championship!

Menorah Workshop

  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Home Depot, San Rafael (map)

Free event - Fun for the whole family!

Family Hanukkah: Shadow Puppets with Daniel Barash

  • 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

  • Jewish Community Center of the East Bay - Berkeley Branch (map)

Join educator and longtime East Bay Jewish community member and artist Daniel Barash for an event that invigorates Jewish holiday traditions through the ancient art of shadow puppetry.

Festival of Lights

  • 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Marin JCC, San Rafael (map)

Share in the wonder of the season with us. The Festival of Lights is a joyous Hanukkah celebration, with arts & crafts, live music, face painting, delicious food, magic, and more!

Holiday Skate Party

  • 12:00 PM 4:00 PM

  • Strawberry Village Shopping Center, Mill Valley (map)

Lace up your skates! Come celebrate the season at our Holiday Skate Party to benefit SchoolsRule-Marin.

Dickens Family Victorian Holiday

  • 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM

  • Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael (map)

The second weekend in December is a magical holiday tour de force at our elegant Queen Anne Victorian with an old-fashioned afternoon tea for families.

Cirque De Bohème Presents A Paris!

  • 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM

  • Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma (map)

Cirque de Bohème returns this winter for its seventh season! Celebrate the holidays at Cornerstone with this annual event!

Peter and the Wolf

  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  • Davies Symphony Hall (map)

Prokofiev’s timeless tale of a boy and his animal friends’ bravery is brought to life! Presented by a special guest narrator, watch and listen as the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra puts their talent on display in this classic musical fable along with other seasonal favorites.

Frozen Jr.

  • 2:00 PM

  • Novato Theatre Company (map)

This enchanting modern classic from Disney is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage.

The Little Mermaid

  • 2:00 pm

  • The Playhouse, San Anselmo (map)

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.

Transcendence Holiday Spectacular

  • 2:00 PM

  • Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater (map)

Join Transcendence, the award-winning creators of “Broadway Under the Stars,” for this new and reimagined holiday celebration for all ages, with performers from Broadway shows such as MAMMA MIA!, MARY POPPINS and WICKED.

Snow Queen

  • 5:00 PM

  • Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (map)

Inspired by one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved fairytales, Bayer Ballet is proud to present another production of The Snow Queen that will warm your hearts and add magic to this holiday season! Visually captivating and viscerally touching, this story ballet celebrates friendship, love and courage.

The Christmas Jug Band Family Night (discount under 12/over 65)

  • 6:00 PM

  • Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley (map)

The Christmas Jug Band: Stalwart purveyors of the jugabilly mystique! A tongue-in-cheek seasonal convergence of San Francisco Bay Area luminaries. "The alternative Christmas record of the year."

Holiday Brass

  • 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

  • Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco (map)

The popular Holiday Brass concert is back! Feel the power and precision of the SF Symphony brass section as they fill the Hall with a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites.