Get ready for a jingle-ing, ring-ting, tingle-ing weekend with loads of great events happening all across the Bay Area.

Check out my lists for:

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

Friday, December 7, 2018

CRAFT FAIRS

Bolinas Winter Fair, Bolinas Community Center (map)
Pop-Up Boutique! Marin Civic Center (map)
Margaret Todd Senior Center Holiday Crafts Faire, Novato (map)

HANUKKAH

SF Reboot Hanukkah Pop-Up Shop is a curated gift shop featuring collectibles, engagement tools, and specialty items, designed to inspire anyone interested in Jewish life, ReBoot, San Francisco.
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, Union Square (map)
Jr. Jews Chanukah PJ Party! Congregation Rodef Sholom (map)
Hanukkah Candle Lighting, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (map)
Chanukah 2018/5779 At Chabad Of Marin, Chabad of Marin, San Rafael (map)

MUSIC

Mayflower Chorus Presents: Sounds Of The Season, Showcase Theater, San Rafael (map)

NUTCRACKER

The Los Gatos Ballet Nutcracker, Flint Center for the Performing Arts (map)

THEATER

The Velveteen Rabbit, 11:00 AM, YBCA Theater, San Francisco (map)
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM, Young Performers Theatre, San Francisco (map)
The Wizard Of Oz, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Berkeley Playhouse (map)
Annie, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa (map)
Mary Poppins, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM, San Francisco Playhouse (map)

TREE LIGHTING

Holiday Lights: The Presidio's Traditional Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Main Post, San Francisco (map)
Light Up A Life, Walnut Park, Petaluma (map)

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!

The Star Speaker Series: ADHD Update

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Star Academy Building Two, San Rafael (map)

Holly will once again be fresh off an AD/HD conference and will report back on the news in the field.

IlluminOdyssey

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
CuriOdyssey, San Mateo (map)

A WINTER LIGHT EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS!

’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.

WinterFest

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael (map)

Join us for our annual Winterfest!

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.

Family Dance Party!

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Marin Power Yoga, San Anselmo (map)

The amazing Grace Yu will lead us through easy-to-follow dance choreography and then we'll let loose with great dance music and glow stick fun.

Dickens Family Victorian Holiday

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael (map)

Join Charles Dickens and his family for a joyous evening of Victorian revelry at the Falkirk Mansion in San Rafael.

Pajama Storytime And Activities Featuring The Polar Express

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Corte Madera (map)

Join us for this beloved Christmas story featuring a young boy who is welcomed aboard on a magical trip to the North Pole where he gets to make his Christmas wish. Get free hot chocolate and a cookie from our Café, and don't forget to wear your favorite cozy pajamas.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

CRAFT FAIRS

Spirited Marin Holiday Marketplace, Marin Country Mart (map)
Make It, Take It, Wrap It Makers Fair, Mill Valley Community Center (map)
Bolinas Winter Fair, Bolinas Community Center (map)
Margaret Todd Senior Center Holiday Crafts Faire, Novato (map)
Makers Market At Mill Valley Lumber Yard- A Holiday Craft Fair! Mill Valley Lumber Yard (map)
Annual Bake Sale & Open House, Pixie Park, Ross (map)
Holiday Mercantile! SF County Fair Building (map)
Fairfax Craft Faire, The Pavilion (map)
Artisan's Fair, Northgate Mall, San Rafael (map)

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Breakfast With Santa Is Back For The Holiday! Hyatt Regency, San Francisco (map)
Breakfast With Santa, Corte Madera Community Center (map)
Breakfast With Santa, Belvedere Community Center (map)
Breakfast With Santa, Marin YMCA, San Rafael (map)
Breakfast With Santa, Tam Valley Community Center (map)
Breakfast With Santa, Ross Valley Fire Station (map)

HANUKKAH

Chanukah Art & Light 2018, 3:00 PM 5:00 PM, O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley (map)
Marin Mishpucha Hanukkah Extravaganza, 5:30 PM 8:00 PM, Playland Sausalito (map), bounce houses, light the menorah, tell the story of Hanukkah, spin dreidles, eat latkes and sufganiot, raise and few glasses of wine, and celebrate the 7th night of Hanukkah together!
SF Reboot Hanukkah Pop-Up Shop is a curated gift shop featuring collectibles, engagement tools, and specialty items, designed to inspire anyone interested in Jewish life, ReBoot, San Francisco.
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, Union Square (map)
Hanukkah Candle Lighting, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (map)
Chanukah 2018/5779 At Chabad Of Marin, Chabad of Marin, San Rafael (map)

MUSIC

Mayflower Chorus Presents: Sounds Of The Season, Showcase Theater, San Rafael (map)

NUTCRACKER

Marin Ballet: Nutcracker, Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael (map)
The 2018 Dance-Along Nutcracker®: Clara Potter And The Elder Baton, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco (map)
The Los Gatos Ballet Nutcracker, Flint Center for the Performing Arts (map)
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets, Cowell Theater, San Francisco (map)

THEATER

Wonderland: Alice's Rock And Roll Adventure, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM, BACT Berkeley Center (map)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM, Creativity Theatre, San Francisco (map)
The Velveteen Rabbit, 1:00 PM & 4 PM, YBCA Theater, San Francisco (map)
The Wizard Of Oz, 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM, Berkeley Playhouse (map)
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 2:00 PM 4:30 PM, Young Performers Theatre(map)
Mary Poppins, 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM, San Francisco Playhouse (map)
Annie, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa (map)

Holidays Along the Farm Trails

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!

Harry Potter Cookie Party

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Williams Sonoma (map)

Celebrate the iconic houses of HOGWARTS™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with our Harry Potter cookie cutter collection.

Celebrate The Holidays With Little Folkies

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Noe Valley Ministry (map)

Featuring favorites from the Little Folkies Winter Collection, as well as a variety of sing-along holiday tunes, each concert will bring the joy of the season to the hearts of children and adults alike. “Our concerts are perfect for all ages and we encourage audience participation throughout the show,” says creator Irena Eide.

Ride The Holiday Express Train

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Novato San Marin Station (map)

SMART is hosting two events at stations to kick off the toy drive. Bring your unwrapped toys and gift cards to our Petaluma and Novato San Marin stations and enjoy free music, holiday treats, and SMART giveaways.

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.

IlluminOdyssey

CuriOdyssey, San Mateo (map)

A WINTER LIGHT EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS!

’Tis The Season For Science

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (map)

Santa's Workshop

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Japantown (map)

Santa Claus has arrived at the Japan Center Malls!

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.

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.

Christmas with Walt Disney (2009)

The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco (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.

Trackers Holiday Party

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Trackers Earth, Berkeley (map)

Celebrate the Yule with Trackers Earth at our annual holiday party! Join the Trackers Family for a seasonal celebration of skills, crafting, scrumptious food, tree decorating, and more.

Cirque De Bohème

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CornerStone Sonoma (map)

Delight in the work of world class performers including a Magician, Rola-Bola Acrobat, Hooper Aerialist, Chain Aerialist, Hand Chairs Balancing, Cyr Wheel, Mime, Juggler and more! 3 Shows per day at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

Breton W. Kaiser Taylor - The Dragon Of Emerhill

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Book Passage, Corte Madera (map)

Noreia, a 13-year-old French princess, is an obedient girl until the day disaster strikes Emerhill Kingdom.

Sanctuary Explorations: Tidepool Adventure

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Half Moon Bay (map)

Join Greater Farallones sanctuary naturalists for a tidepool adventure in Half Moon Bay. Explore the amazing intertidal habitat at the edge of the sea while learning how the animals and algae survive under ever-changing conditions.

Holidays On The Northern Frontier

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Downtown Sonoma (map)

Join with our community at this traditional and festive holiday event! Family-friendly activities take place throughout the historic buildings in downtown Sonoma.

Oceans Aglow: Night Hike And Campfire

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
NatureBridge Golden Gate, Sau(map)

Join NatureBridge Golden Gate as we discover one of the most amazing natural phenomenon, bioluminescence.

San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Jessie Square, San Francisco (map)

Join us again for our 16th Year, December 8, 2018! Let’s celebrate a memorable evening of lights and laughter!

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.

Sausalito 31st Annual Lighted Boat Parade

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sausalito, CA (map)

Join us for the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks!

Sunday, December 9, 2018

CRAFT FAIRS

Spirited Marin Holiday Marketplace, Marin Country Mart (map)
Bolinas Winter Fair, Bolinas Community Center (map)
Holiday Mercantile! SF County Fair Building (map)
Marin Outdoor Antique Market, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael (map)
Lycée Français De San Francisco Winter Fair, Lycée Français de San Francisco (map)

HANUKKAH

Family ArtBash Sunday: Spin, 10:00 AM 3:00 PM, Contemporary Jewish Museum (map)
Hanukkah Party With Alison Faith Levy And The Big Time Tot Rock Band 3:30 PM, Jewish Community Center of the East Bay - Berkeley Branch (map)
Menorah Lighting & Festivities, 5:00 PM 7:00 PM, Brooklyn, Mill Valley (map)
Community Chanukah Party, 6:30 PM 7:30 PM, Chabad of Novato (map)
SF Reboot Hanukkah Pop-Up Shop is a curated gift shop featuring collectibles, engagement tools, and specialty items, designed to inspire anyone interested in Jewish life, ReBoot, San Francisco.
Hanukkah Candle Lighting, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (map)
Chanukah 2018/5779 At Chabad Of Marin, Chabad of Marin, San Rafael (map)

MUSIC

Concerts At Old St. Hilary’s Landmark - Musae: Holiday Concert, Old St. Hilary’s Landmark, Tiburon (map)
Peter And The Wolf, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco (map)
A Merry-Achi Christmas, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco (map)

NUTCRACKER

Marin Ballet: Nutcracker, Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael (map)
The 2018 Dance-Along Nutcracker®: Clara Potter And The Elder Baton, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco (map)
The Los Gatos Ballet Nutcracker, Flint Center for the Performing Arts (map)
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets, Cowell Theater, San Francisco (map)

THEATER

Wonderland: Alice's Rock And Roll Adventure, 10:30 AM & 1:30 PM, BACT Berkeley Center (map)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM,Creativity Theatre, San Francisco (map)
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 11:00 AM 2:30 PM, Young Performers Theatre (map)
The Velveteen Rabbit, 2:00 PM, YBCA Theater, San Francisco (map)
The Wizard Of Oz, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Berkeley Playhouse (map)
Mary Poppins, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, San Francisco Playhouse (map)
Annie, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa (map)

Breakfast With Santa

Ramekins Annual Santa's Brunch, Ramekins Culinary School, Events & Inn (map)

Holidays Along the Farm Trails

Jingle Bell 5K

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Sausalito, CA, 94965United States (map)

Same-Day Registration will be available starting 7:30 am, Sunday, December 9th near the start line adjacent to Gabrielson Park, Sausalito. Thank you and see you there!

Fairies, Gnomes And Magic ~ A Winter Tapestry

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Marin Waldorf School, San Rafael (map)

Enjoy a Sunday of crafting with veteran Waldorf Teacher and artist Nicole Mathers.

Free Throw Championship

10:00 AM 1:00 PM
Hill Gym, Novato (map)

Drop-in between 10am and 1pm to participate.

Family ArtBash Sunday: Spin

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco (map)

Join us for a day-long celebration accessible for all families filled with Octopretzel Hanukkah songs and puppetry, dreidel games, fabric design art studio, a family Bhangra dance party, and much more!

Marine Science Sunday: Seal And Sea Lion Superstars Of 2018

Sunday, December 9, 2018
10:00 AM 4:00 PM
The Marine Mammal Center(map)

Our own backyard in the bay is full of amazing marine mammals!

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Cow Palace, San Francisco (map)

Christmas with Walt Disney (2009)

The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco (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.

Pop-Up Studio: Winter Luminaries

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The Walt Disney Family Museum (map)

Aside from creating unforgettable animated films, Walt Disney also had a deep-rooted passion for miniatures.

THE TERRA SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE

Terra Mandarin Preschool & TK: 9:00am-10:30am
Terra Marin K-8: 11:00am-12:30pm
Terra Schools, Mill Valley (map)

Join us for The Terra School's Open House where kids will stay happily busy creating, exploring and connecting while parents get acquainted with our distinguished staff and the unique programs that Terra Marin K-8 and Terra Mandarin Preschool offer.

Lycée Français De San Francisco

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Lycée Français de San Francisco (map)

Come and join us for a day of fun and wonder!

’Tis The Season For Science

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (map)

Santa's Workshop

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Japantown, San Francisco (map)

Santa Claus has arrived at the Japan Center Malls!

Science On The Big Screen: Inventing Tomorrow

11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley (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.

Musician Megan Schoenbohm – Bubba & Boo

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Mill Valley Public Library (map)

Local musician Megan Schoenbohm presents songs from her debut album - Bubba & Boo! It's kindie rock fun for the whole family.

Kayak Voyage

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
White House Pool (map)

Join Ranger staff in exploring the beautiful White House Pool area where Lagunitas Creek meets Tomales Bay.

Cirque De Bohème

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CornerStone Sonoma (map)

Holiday Wreathmaking And Caroling

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Women's Club, Fairfax (map)

Begin with a visit from Santa who arrives by fire truck and greets all the awaiting children, carols will be sung, make a homemade wreath! Decorations and wreath rings provided. Bring a delicious dish to share with your friends & family! Sponsored by the Fairfax Volunteers.