Weekend Fun For Everyone

/

Get kids into the holiday spirit with loads of great events happening all across the Bay Area. Expect cancellations due to rain. Please confirm with event organizer.

Check out my lists for:

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

Friday, December 14, 2018

NUTCRACKER

THEATER

TREE LIGHTING

Holidays Along the Farm Trails

Meet your farmers, vintners and artisan producers; cut down your own Christmas tree; shop for home-grown and handmade gifts; source ingredients for your holiday meals; see how cheese is made; greet farm animals; sample delicious food; and discover some of Sonoma County's best kept secrets!

Fairy Winterland

  • Children's Fairyland (map)

In December, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. Join us for stories, crafts, a festival of lights, and a visit from Santa.

’Tis The Season For Science

  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (map)

Experience a winter wonderland in the heart of San Francisco. Outdoor snow flurries, a hands-on polar-themed exhibit, and festive ice rink make the Academy a holiday destination for science lovers of all ages.

Night Bloom 

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park (map)

Light and sound will transform the iconic San Francisco landmark into a glowing landscape of interactive experiences this holiday season. 

Lantern Light Festival

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton (map)

Lantern Art Festival is a huge light show, Bigger, Better, more beautiful than your traditional light show. Lanterns are built on site up to 30 feet tall.

Lighted Boat Parade

  • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA (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. Boats festooned with lights and holiday decorations, will parade along the waterfront on December 14, 2018. 

Saturday, December 15, 2018

CRAFT FAIRS

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

NUTCRACKER

THEATER

TREE LIGHTING

Holidays Along the Farm Trails

Meet your farmers, vintners and artisan producers; cut down your own Christmas tree; shop for home-grown and handmade gifts; source ingredients for your holiday meals; see how cheese is made; greet farm animals; sample delicious food; and discover some of Sonoma County's best kept secrets!

Fairy Winterland

  • Children's Fairyland (map)

In December, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. Join us for stories, crafts, a festival of lights, and a visit from Santa.

Fun Family Fitness Class

  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  • Mill Valley Recreation (map)

Join Coach Tilda for a fun workout for the entire family! 

Wreath Making Workshop

  • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  • McNears Beach Park (map)

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

Farmer’s Market Holiday Celebration

  • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Marin Country Mart (map)

The annual Farmer’s Market Holiday Celebration features Whoville singers (and a VERY special surprise guest!), a Santa Sing Along, letter writing to Santa, cookie Decorating, holiday crafts and a whole lotta fun - plus Hot Toddies on the Farmshop patio for the grown ups! 

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair 

  • 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  • Cow Palace, San Francisco (map)

Visit London - at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures.

Snowflake Craft

  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Civic Center Library (map)

Join us for a fun family craft: create decorative snowflakes from craft sticks, glue and paint.

Concerts In The Park

  • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Noe Valley Recreation Center (map)

Concerts take place in the children's playground with performers positioned near the sandbox.

IlluminOdyssey

  • CuriOdyssey, San Mateo (map)

A WINTER LIGHT EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS!

Family Art Making

  • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • de Young museum (map)

Family Art Making offers a free, drop-in art project led by professional teaching artists. 

Family Matinees: Clairdee & Friends

  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • SFJAZZ (map)

’Tis The Season For Science

  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (map)

Experience a winter wonderland in the heart of San Francisco. Outdoor snow flurries, a hands-on polar-themed exhibit, and festive ice rink make the Academy a holiday destination for science lovers of all ages.

Nature Hike

  • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

  • Vallejo Home Parking Lot (map)

Shake off that December chill with a hike along the lower Montini Preserve Trail and experience history, nature and a good time.

Naturalist Creekwalk Tours In Search Of Coho Salmon

  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

  • Samuel P. Taylor State Park (map)

Each winter we look forward to following the endangered coho salmon as they return to Lagunitas Creek to spawn. 

Marin City Library's 3rd Annual Snowman Social

  • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

  • Marin City Library (map)

Join us for an afternoon of food, crafts, fun, and maybe a little bit of magical snowman science.

Christmas With Walt Disney (2009)

  • 4:00 PM  

  • The Walt Disney Family Museum (map)

In this charming film directed by Don Hahn and produced exclusively for the museum, Diane Disney Miller shares stories of Walt’s life during the holidays—at work and at home with his family.

Night Bloom 

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park (map)

Light and sound will transform the iconic San Francisco landmark into a glowing landscape of interactive experiences this holiday season. 

Lantern Light Festival

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton (map)

Lantern Art Festival is a huge light show, Bigger, Better, more beautiful than your traditional light show. Lanterns are built on site up to 30 feet tall.

San Rafael Lighted Boat Parade

  • 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

  • San Rafael Yacht Club to Terrapin Crossroads

Holiday boat parades on the San Rafael Canal have been helping Marin families celebrate for more than 50 years. Each year, thousands of spectators line the route to admire and shout holiday greetings to dozens of beautifully decorated, brightly lit boats as they pass.

Movie Under The Winter Tent

  • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Winter Tent (map)

Gather your friends and family, low-back lawn chairs and comfy blankets to enjoy The Polar Express under the Winter Tent.

Presidio Stargazing Party

  • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Main Parade Grounds (map)

The SF Amateur Astronomers bring their giant telescopes and help guests see the night sky’s most interesting astronomical beauties.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Breakfast With Santa 

CRAFT FAIRS

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

MUSIC

NUTCRACKER

THEATER

TREE LIGHTING

Holidays Along the Farm Trails

Meet your farmers, vintners and artisan producers; cut down your own Christmas tree; shop for home-grown and handmade gifts; source ingredients for your holiday meals; see how cheese is made; greet farm animals; sample delicious food; and discover some of Sonoma County's best kept secrets!

Fairy Winterland

  • Children's Fairyland (map)

In December, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. Join us for stories, crafts, a festival of lights, and a visit from Santa.

Sweat4Paradise Donation Based Family Stroller Strides Class

  • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

  • San Rafael Civic Center Lagoon Park (map)

Join Fit4Mom Marin for a fun, family friendly Stroller Strides class to raise money for the victims of the recent fires in Paradise, CA. This class is free with a suggested donation amount of $10, but any amount is greatly appreciated. All proceeds will go directly to those impacted by the fires. Please come out and support this great cause! CANCELLED

BABY RAVE Oakland

  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

  • 3903 Broadway Third FloorOakland, CA, 94611United States (map)

BABY RAVE Oakland is a new kid-friendly dance party that is sure to get you and your little one moving and shaking to the music together! 

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair 

  • 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  • Cow Palace, San Francisco (map)

Visit London - at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures.

Lower School Open House

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Brandeis Marin (map)

We've designed this special day to give you and your entire family an inside look into our extraordinary school. 

#SundaysOnSherman

  • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

  • City of Novato Flex Space (map)

Please join us on Sunday, December 16th as we take over the City of Novato Flex Space outside the Administration building to play! Sundays on Sherman is a chance for community members of all ages to come outside and participate in structured and unstructured play!

Science On The Big Screen: Robot & Frank

  • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Lawrence Hall of Science (map)

During our 50th anniversary year, we reached out to scientists at UC Berkeley and beyond to learn what movies inspired them. Beginning on Sunday, November 11, join us for our Science Film Festival featuring four popular science films and one new documentary. Each movie will be introduced by scientists who inspired and were inspired by it.

’Tis The Season For Science

  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (map)

Experience a winter wonderland in the heart of San Francisco. Outdoor snow flurries, a hands-on polar-themed exhibit, and festive ice rink make the Academy a holiday destination for science lovers of all ages.

Christmas With Walt Disney (2009)

  • 1:00 PM  

  • The Walt Disney Family Museum (map)

In this charming film directed by Don Hahn and produced exclusively for the museum, Diane Disney Miller shares stories of Walt’s life during the holidays—at work and at home with his family.

Night Bloom 

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park (map)

Light and sound will transform the iconic San Francisco landmark into a glowing landscape of interactive experiences this holiday season. 

Lantern Light Festival

  • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  • Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton (map)

Lantern Art Festival is a huge light show, Bigger, Better, more beautiful than your traditional light show. Lanterns are built on site up to 30 feet tall.