October Awesome List
/Pick a Date To Play This October
FIND THE BEST PUMPKIN PATCHES OF 2015.
Thursday, October 1
Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina. Newly discovered comet C/2013 US10 Catalina may reach naked eye visibility and continue to brighten to magnitude 5 by November 6.
Film Screening: Most Likely to Succeed, fundraiser for Kiddo! Park School, Mill Valley.
3 Blonde Moms, 8p, Stephanie Blum, Joanie Fagan & Beaumont Bacon share their unique experiences and comedic take on being a Mom, having a Mom, kids, schools, husbands, neighbors, in-laws, and more. Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley.
Film of the Month, 1:30pm & 4pm, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, every day except Wednesday, Walt Disney Museum.
Friday, October 2
Preschool Discovery Lab, 11a-12p, ages 3-6, South Novato Library.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 4-9pm.
Saturday, October 3
Celebrate Tam at Bothin Marsh, 9a-12p, Marin Parks.
Celebrate Tam, Multiple times and locations.
Color Dash, benefitting Rotary Club of Ignacio Foundation, College of Marin, Indian Valley Campus, 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato.
Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 8–13, Chucks Best Recipes for Kids, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.
Concert for Kids, 10:30am, Playland Music Class Instructor Nichole Forester, Robin Sweeny Park. Bring your family, a blanket and enjoy FREE concerts.
Get Out and Play Date, 11a-4p, pop-up skate park, yoga, spin class, massage chairs, soccer clinic, and more, Town Center, Corte Madera.
Extraordinary Estuary, 11:30a-2:30p, Bay Model, Sausalito.
Hawk Talk & Banding Demo, 12-2pm, Hawk Hill, Sausalito.
Build a Fire Truck, 9am-12pm, ages 5-12, build a fire rescue plane, Home Depot.
Library Bike Tour, 10a-12:30p, learn safe riding tips, then ride bikes from Fairfax Library to the San Anselmo Library, Fairfax Library.
Learn to Skimboard, 10am – 12pm, age 10+, learn the basics of skimboarding through demonstration and practice. No experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. Meet at the beach near the north parking lot at Stinson Beach.
Ranger Led Dog Walk, 10am – 12pm, Join Ranger Christin Lopez and her dog Merle on this fun and informative walk in beautiful Baltimore Canyon. Meet at the gate at the end of Crown Rd in Kent Woodlands.
Yoga in the Park, 10am – 2pm, begin with service projects that will focus on beach clean-up, landscape maintenance, and habitat restoration. At noon we’ll switch gears and enjoy a 45 minute yoga class on a flat grassy area beside the bay. McNears Beach Park, 201, Cantera Way, San Rafael.
Squid Dissection, 10-11:30am or 1-2:30pm, ages 4-8, dissect and learn about Humboldt squid adaptations through our naturalist led program. Contact Mark Oates at (321) 332-2399 or mark.oates@noaa.gov to reserve a spot! 991 Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco.
Tuesday Tucks Me In, 11a-12p, A Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog, South Novato Library.
Marin Symphony Waterfront Pops, Classical Mystery Tour, A Beatles Tribute, gates open at 3pm, Lagoon Park, San Rafael.
Karen Benke - Write Back Soon! Release Party for Educators and Parents, 3:30pm, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Sea Chantey Sing Along Aboard Historic Ship, 8pm, sing-along of sea chanteys and sailor songs aboard a historic ship at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 4-9pm.
Fandango, 10-4, welcome autumn’s arrival as they did in 1840′s by experiencing the dance and music of a “Fandango”, Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, 3325 Adobe Road.
TarantulaFest & Barbecue, 10am-6pm, food, games, contests, entertainment, and enlightenment including a leisurely nature walk with a volunteer naturalist and search for tarantulas on the move, Henry Coe State Park.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Sunday, October 4
Celebrate Tam, 10am – 2pm, family-friendly fun featuring Mt. Tam-themed music, food, games, and crafts, as well as history, recreation, youth, and volunteer exhibitors at the Mill Valley Community Center.
Celebrate Tam, Multiple times and locations.
Novato Fire District Open House, 10a-4p, See the fire engine in action! Demonstration using the Jaws of Life! Watch the fire truck extend the ladder! Take pictures with firefighters! See details and locations on website.
Green Gulch Farm Sunday Children’s Program, 10am, the beginning of the lecture is especially for children. After this short talk, children leave the zendo to participate in their own program. Activities include seasonal farm projects, mindfulness, yoga, contemplative handwork and ritual. Suggested donation $20.
Tour for the Stewards, 10a-1p, Muir Woods.
Story Time & Family Walk, 10:30am, ages 4-8, Cloud Forests and Conservation, San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
Foods of the Americas Family Day, 10am-3pm, Crafts, Food, Talks, Docent Tours, Corn Husk Dolls and Food tastings and Demos, UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 4-9pm.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Monday, October 5
Jump & Dance with Jamie Currier, 11am, ages 2-5, Class meets October 5, 12, 19, 26., Mill Valley Library.
Garden Club, grade K-3, Mill Valley Library.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Museum Monday for Little Ones, 10am-Noon, Schultz Museum.
Tuesday, October 6
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Hands-On Shark Storytime, 3:30pm, ages 5-8, read about sharks and make a shark tooth necklace, Corte Madera Library.
LEGO Club, 3:30-4:30p, San Anselmo Library.
Tuesday Tucks Me In, 6p, A Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog, Marin City Library.
Wednesday, October 7
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Chat with a Ranger, 11a-12p, Muir Woods.
Tuesday Tucks Me In, 11a-12p, A Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog, Novato Library.
Green Art Workshop--Create your own eco-climate creatures! 2:30-4p, grades K-6, create imaginary 3D animals and explore how an animal might adapt to climate change. Materials such as cds, fabric, buttons, and other discarded objects will be utilized to make futuristic creatures that could inhabit a new environment. San Anselmo Library.
Magnets, 3-4:30pm, Sausalito Library.
Cammie McGovern & Julie Murphy: Young Adult Author Event co-sponsored by Beyond Differences, 6pm, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Marin Private School Fair, 6:30-8:30p, free but please RSVP, hosted by the Southern Marin Mother's Club, Marin Country Day School, 5221 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera.
Dare to Dream, 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Positive Discipline Parenting, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Thursday, October 8
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Dare to Dream, 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Understanding Temperment (6mo-6y), 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Friday, October 9
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Tuesday Tucks Me In, 11a-12p, A Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog, Civic Center Library.
Preschool Discovery Lab, 11a-12p, ages 3-6, South Novato Library.
Big Hero 6 & Off the Grid, free, 5:30pm, Grab a blanket and enjoy a fun, free outdoor movie under the stars., Presidio, San Francisco.
Dare to Dream, 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Saturday, October 10
Bay Area Pet Fair, Free admission (& parking), lots of free entertainment, giveaways, kid and dog activities PLUS more than 1,000 pets for adoption! Marin Civic Center.
San Domenico Garden Faire, 10am-1pm, music, organic food, games, and treats made in the garden, San Anselmo.
Crabbing at Fort Baker Pier, 10a-12p, RSVP required.
Bon Air Car Show, 10am-4pm, Over 100 of the finest vintage cars in the area come to Bon Air Center, Kentfield.
Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 8–13, Baking with Pumpkin, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.
Cinderella, 10:30, 12:30 and 2:30, ages 2-6, Presented by Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.
Pixie Park Open House, 10:30a-12p, Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross.
Annual Volunteer Recognition Picnic, 11am – 2pm, enjoy music, entertainment, and a delicious meal prepared by staff. Feel free to bring a favorite dish to share. RSVP required (415) 473-3778, McNears Beach, San Rafael.
Folded Book Art, 11am, bring a 400+ page hardback book and ruler with centimeters, Civic Center Library.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11:45am, age 11+, A Dozen Summers, Sequoia Theatre, Mill Valley.
Oktoberfest, 12-5pm, music, food and kids activities, Old Corte Madera Square, Corte Madera.
Lagunitas Fall Music Festival, 12-4pm, Supporting the Lagunitas Public School District’s Montessori Program the event features area performers and youth bands, fun kid’s activities, great food, and arts and craft, San Geronimo Valley Community Center.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 12:45pm, age 10+, The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow, Rafael Theatre, San Rafael.
North Bay Mobile Drive-In, Gremlins, 8pm, fun, authentic, drive-in experience, movie is projected on the side of the Old Hamilton Theater building (closed for many years now) and transmit the audio over the FM band (88.3FM) just like modern drive-ins. By donation, small concession snack bar available at each performance, Old Hamilton Theater Building, 520 Palm Drive, Novato.
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
The Big Draw, 11a-4p, free, drop-in activities, performances, and ticketed workshops encourage people of all ages to participate, observe, and enjoy drawing and storytelling in different ways, Walt Disney Museum, San Francisco.
Ohlone Bigtime, 11am, singing, dancing, storytelling, food, vendors and more, Rob Hill Campgrounds, The Presidio, San Francisco.
LEAP Sand Castle Contest, 10am-4pm, Ocean Beach, San Francisco.
Children's Festival, 1-4p, a day of art, music, science and dance, Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, San Francisco.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Sing-a-long Mary Poppins, 7pm, Castro Theatre, San Francisco.
Participate in Science at Mountain Lake: Citizen Science & Bioblitz at Mountain Lake, 2-3pm.
Indigenous Peoples Day, 10am-6pm, free, traditional dancing, music, crafts, food and more, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park, Berkeley.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Dare to Dream, 11am, 3pm, & 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Sunday, October 11
Final Pancake Breakfast, 9am-1pm, Enjoy your morning breakfast with breathtaking mountaintop views of San Francisco, West Point Inn.
Beginning Birding, 9:30-11:30a, Rodeo Lagoon, Sausalito.
Bay Area Pet Fair, Free admission (& parking), lots of free entertainment, giveaways, kid and dog activities PLUS more than 1,000 pets for adoption! Marin Civic Center.
Children's Faire, 10am-4pm, games, puppet shows, story telling, crafts, local vendors, a visit from the Sleeping Giant, and activities such as the Knight’s Quest, Hero’s Maze, 755 Idylberry Road, San Rafael.
Litquake, 10am- 7:15pm, the entire 4th Street corridor in San Rafael.
Marine Science Sunday, 10am-5pm, takes a look at Creatures of the Deep. Join us for classroom presentations, Docent-led tours, and more! Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.
Cinderella, 10:30, 12:30 and 2:30, ages 2-6, Presented by Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 10+, Shana: The Wolf's Music, Lark Theatre, Larkspur.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 5+, 5@5 Doodlin', Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley.
Cathy Camper - Middle Grade Graphic Novel, 11:30a, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Caminando Entre los Gigantes, 12-1p, Muir Woods.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 12:45pm, age 10+, The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow, Rafael Theatre, San Rafael.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Ohlone Bigtime, 11am, singing, dancing, storytelling, food, vendors and more, Rob Hill Campgrounds, The Presidio, San Francisco.
Italian Heritage Parade & Festival, 12:30p, San Francisco.
Sing-a-long Mary Poppins, 7pm, Castro Theatre, San Francisco.
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Dare to Dream, 11am & 3pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Monday, October 12, Columbus Day
Tour for the Stewards, 10a-1p, Muir Woods.
Museum Monday for Little Ones, 10am-Noon, Schultz Museum.
Fleet Week, Enjoy the celebration honoring the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, watch the Parade of Ships, feel the roar of the Blue Angels.
Tuesday, October 13, New Moon
Alison McGhee - Firefly Hollow, 10am, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Drawing Birds: Suggesting Detail without getting lost in the feathers…, 10-11:30am, with John Muir Laws, a free hour and a half workshop, Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, Tiburon.
Kids' Turn: Early Years Workshop, 6-8p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Tuesday, October 14
Nature for Kids: Mount Burdell, 10am – 1pm, look for signs of the shifting seasons and talk about all of the insects and other animals that depend on acorns each autumn. Remember to bring lunch. Meet at the gate on San Andreas Dr in Novato.
Chat with a Ranger, 11a-12p, Muir Woods.
LEGO Club, 3p & 4:30p, ages 3+, Sausalito Library.
Dare to Dream, 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Positive Discipline Parenting, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Thursday, October 15
Gene Luen Yang discusses and signs "Secret Coders", 5-6pm, diesel, A Bookstore, Larkspur.
For Dads Only - Effective Fathering, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Infant and Child CPR, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Dare to Dream, 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Friday, October 16
Preschool Discovery Lab, 11a-12p, ages 3-6, South Novato Library.
Halloween Harvest Festival! 5-7pm, ages 2-12, Carnival Games, Pumpkin Carving and Decorating, Face Painting, Trick or Treat Bag Decorating, Carmel Apples, Bounce House, Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael.
Wizard of Oz, 6:30pm, Old Mill Park.
ParaNorman!, 7pm, Outdoor Movie Night at The Cabin, Mill Valley.
Dare to Dream, 10:30am & 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Saturday, October 17
Bioneers Family Fair, 9a-6p, under 13, learn from some of the country’s top nature-inspired education masters and experience these spellbinding experiential education activities, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael.
Goblin Jamboree, 10a-4p, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.
Ivy + Bean Day, 10am, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 8–13, $30, Breakfast with American Girl, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.
Creole United Festival, 11a-6p, FREE, enjoy Zydeco on the bay with authentic Louisiana cuisine, activities for all ages, arts & crafts for kids, dance lessons, exhibits, Sausalito.
Harvest Celebration, live music, local organic cuisine, nature craft activities, food and gardening workshops, meet our farm animals, and more, Slide Ranch.
Family Adventures Visits Olompali State Historic Park, 10am-12:30pm, RSVP required.
The Mystery of Fort Baker, 10a-12p, explore Battery Yates, Horseshoe Cove, and other historic areas.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 7+, The Amazing Wiplala, Rafael Theatre, San Rafael.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 5+, 5@5 Doodlin', Rafael Theatre, San Rafael.
Venetia Valley School Fall Carnival and Supply Drive, 11am-4pm, games and kids’ activities including jumpies; live, local entertainment; face painting, henna tattoos and a cake walk and more, 177 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael.
Mountain Biking Skills Clinic, 11am-2pm, Skilled mountain bikers and veterans of Marin’s off-road trails will offer tips and techniques for beginners and teach riders how to improve balance, read the trail and pick a line, and attack switchbacks as well as other trail features in order to build confidence and skill, Stafford Lake Bike Park, Novato.
Biketoberfest, 12-5pm, Family Fun Including Bike Decorating, Bike Carousel, Kids Bike Skills Zone and Face Painting! FairAnselm Plaza 765 Center Blvd. Fairfax.
Create Your Own Art Wonderbox, 2-4pm, ages 8-12, free, Mill Valley Library.
Star Party on Mt. Tam, 7:30p, Dr. Dan Werthimer, "Breakthrough Listen: Grand New Search for ET," Mill Valley.
International Archeology Day, Presidio.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Sharktoberfest! 11am-4pm, free, shark related activities, food, music and more, “Build a White Shark” and “Shark Printmaking” $5/person, registration required for these two special programs, Contact Sara Heintzelman to RSVP for the event and to reserve a spot for special programs: sara.heintzelman@noaa.gov or 561-6622 x237, Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center, 991 Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco.
Potrero Hill Festival, 11a-4p, enjoy local food vendors and artists, musicians, historians, homegrown entertainment and much more, 20th Street between Wisconsin and Missouri Streets, San Francisco.
Trolly Dances, 11am-2:45pm, free with regular MUNI fare, tours leave every 45 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 2:45 p.m. from the Market St. Railway Museum, south of Embarcadero Plaza.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Dare to Dream, 11am, 3pm, & 7pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
UC Berkeley SWE Engineering Day, 11a-2p, grades K-3, Berkeley.
Sunday, October 18
Bioneers Family Fair, 9a-6p, under 13, learn from some of the country’s top nature-inspired education masters and experience these spellbinding experiential education activities, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael.
Goblin Jamboree, 10a-4p, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.
Infant and Child CPR, 10a-12p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Sunday Special: Andy Strain - The Trombonist, 11am, Mill Valley Library.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 11+, A Dozen Summers, Rafael Theatre, San Rafael.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 11am, age 7+, The Amazing Wiplala, Lark Theatre, Larkspur.
Mill Valley Film Festival, Children's FilmFest, 12:45pm, age 10+, The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow, Lark Theatre, Larkspur.
Shannon & Dean Hale with LeUyen Pham discuss and sign: The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party", 1-3pm, diesel, A Bookstore, Larkspur.
Trolly Dances, 11am-2:45pm, free with regular MUNI fare, tours leave every 45 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 2:45 p.m. from the Market St. Railway Museum, south of Embarcadero Plaza.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Story Time & Family Walk, 10:30am, ages 4-8, Cloud Forests and Conservation, San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Sunday Streets, Mission.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
Dare to Dream, 11am & 3pm, Save 25% on tickets to any performance with code MOM, Oakland Arena.
Monday, October 19
Sean Connolly - The Totally Irresponsible Science Kit, 6:30p, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Museum Monday for Little Ones, 10am-Noon, Schultz Museum.
Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child (1-5), 7-8:30p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Wednesday, October 21
Aliens Among Us: Flip Books, What does your alien look like? Tentacles, six eyes, come mix and match and make an alien all your own. Perfect for Halloween!
Thursday, October 22
Mega Challah Bake, 7-9p, JCCSF, San Francisco.
Friday, October 23
Preschool Discovery Lab, 11a-12p, ages 3-6, South Novato Library.
Halloween Music and Magic Show, ages 3+, Two Shows! 4pm and 6:30pm, Mill Valley Community Center.
Tam Valley Haunted House, Nightmares, Face Your Fears, 3:30-4:30pm Not scary for under 8, 5-6:30pm Scary Over 9, 7:30-9pm HORRIFYING, Mill Valley.
Trunk or Treat at the Center, 4:30-6pm, free, Bring your children to the Community Center Parking Lot for a fun, safe and community Halloween event! Face painting, Food Truck, Treating, Games & more! Mill Valley Community Center.
Kiddo! Reception, 5-7p, refreshments served, SweetE, Mill Valley.
Scare Grove, 3-9p, mobile rec event including climbing wall, Stern Grove, San Francisco.
Super Natural Halloween Party, 6:30-9pm, Grab your costume and have yourself a ghoulishly great time trick-or-treating your way through the Academy at night—among spooky skulls and spine-tingling specimens! California Academy of Science.
Tested: The Show, 7-9pm, Teens, Adam Savage, Will Smith, and Norman Chan bring to stage visions of the past, present, and future as seen through the eyes of makers, tickets $15-$35, Castro Theatre, San Francisco.
Halloween House Workshop, 12-1pm, Pre-registration required at habitotreservations@lmi.net, Habitot, Berkeley.
Saturday, October 24
Southern Marin Mother's Club Consignment Boutique, 10am-4pm, Baby & Children's previously loved clothing, toys, books, nursing gear, furniture, strollers, carriers, bikes, maternity wear and more to benefit Drawbridge, Mt Tam High School Student Center.
Mountain School Apple Faire, 10am-1pm, ages 3-7, Carnival games, Prizes, Puppet Show, Fairy-Gnome maze, Kid-friendly crafts, gourmet sandwiches from Farm House, Apple home-baked treats and a cake/pie raffle, 50 El Camino Dr., Corte Madera.
Scream on the Green Faire, 10am-5pm, "Chamber of Horrors" Haunted House, Costume Contest, Music, Artisan Booths, Children's Play Area, Food & Beverages, Novato.
Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 5–13, Halloween Party, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.
Plankton Discovery, 10-11:30am or 1-2:30pm, ages 4-8, explore the weird and wonderful world of plankton in the waters just off Crissy Field. Be dazzled by diatoms, dinoflagellates and copepods. Discover bizarre larvae from barnacles, crabs and mussels. Participants get their own samples and use their own microscopes. Contact Mark Oates at (321) 332-2399 or mark.oates@noaa.gov to reserve a spot! 991 Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco.
Kids' Turn: A Workshop for Families Experiencing Seperation and/or Divorce, 10:30-12p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Twin Cities Co-op Halloween Carnival, 10am-2pm, fun children's activities, including face painting, carnival games, cake walk, arts & crafts, photo booth, used costume sale and much, much more, Corte Madera.
Horse Hollow, 11am-4pm, free, visit our special horses, horse painting for Halloween, participate in games, activities, BBQ and a special horse performance, Presidio Riding Club, Marin Headlands-Fort Barry, 901-Bunker Road, Sausalito.
Marincello Walk, 11am, Marin Headlands.
Halloween Storytime: Click, Clack, Boo! 11am, come in costume for this Halloween Storytime with fun-filled giveaways and activities, Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera.
Safe Trick or Treat, 11am-2pm, Downtown Novato.
Downtown San Rafael Trick or Treat, 1-3pm.
LEGO Club, 1-2p, Belvedere Tiburon Library.
Halloween Ghost Craft, 2-3pm, make a mini ghost, Civic Center Library.
Dogtoberfest! 3-6pm, free activities for you and your pooch, Strawberry Village, Mill Valley.
Tam Valley Haunted House, Nightmares, Face Your Fears, 3:30-4:30pm Not scary for under 8, 5-6:30pm Scary Over 9, 7:30-9pm HORRIFYING, Mill Valley.
DIY Halloween! 1-6p, an afternoon of awesome projects, spooky treats, and all sorts of weird other stuff. Meet the Mods, earn some real patches, and wear your best costume for a chance to win a toolbag full of cool stuff! RSVP required, San Francisco.
Wharf Fest, 11am-6pm, enjoy music and live entertainment, food and wine, a chowder competition, children’s rides, ship tours, street performers, art, fireworks, and more, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco.
Family Matinees, ages 5-12, provide a window into the exciting world of live jazz and feature amazing artists from around the globe! This month is Zakir Hussain, SF Jazz Center, Miner Auditorium, San Francisco.
Bay Area Discovery Festival, 1:30p-3p, free, Explorer Days, Back in Time, Sea Level Rise, Bay Model, Sausalito.
Strawberry Village Trick-or-Treat, 3-6, Howl'oween Pet Costume Contest, 5-6pm, Mill Valley.
Headlands Nightlife: Family Night Hike & Campfire, 6–8:30pm, join us for a night hike to Rodeo Beach in search of bioluminescent plankton twinkling in the sand, NatureBridge, Sausalito.
Graveyard Stroll, 7 – 8:30pm, Experience our one-of-a kind program that uncovers one of Marin’s most interesting, but little known cemeteries. All treats (and tricks) are free. Meet at the Marin County Parks Lucas Valley Field Office in San Rafael (18 Jeannette Prandi Way).
Boo at the Zoo 10am-3pm, Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train and join the dance party. Plus, get your face painted, make treats for the animals, and see how the animals at Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween. Kids in costumes receive a free ride ticket. Oakland Zoo.
Boo at the Zoo, 11am-4pm, a "not-too-spooky" Halloween family festival where you can trick-or-treat around the Zoo and see the animals enjoy pumpkin treats. Get your monster mash on at the special Halloween themed Baby Loves Disco dance party at the Playground and take a trip through the Haunted Nature Trail to celebrate! San Francisco Zoo.
Hound of the Baskervilles- Sherlock Holmes, Young Performers Theatre, Fort Mason, San Francisco.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Family Matinee, 11am, The Music of Michael Jackson, SFJAZZ Collective.
Bay Area Discovery Festival, 10:30a-4p, free, North Bay Discovery Day, Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
Bay Area Discovery Festival, 10:30a-4p, free, East Bay Discovery Day, Cal State East Bay.
Bay Area Discovery Festival, 9a-12p, free, ages 5-14, Explore! Discover! Create! CSU East Bay, Concord.
Bay Area Discovery Festival, free, Aero Challenge, engineering design process with a series of Museum-based, aerodynamics-themed inspiration experiences, then launches them into a mission to design, test, and present a prototype of an engineering vehicle designed to meet a specific design requirement, space is limited, Hiller Aviation Museum.
Jack O’Lantern Jamboree, Children's Fairyland, Oakland.
Pumpkins on Pikes, Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma.
Halloween House Workshop, 9:30-10:30am, Pre-registration required at habitotreservations@lmi.net, Habitot, Berkeley.
Skeletonfest, 1-3pm, make sugar skulls, screen print a T-shirt or flag (bring your own clothing or fabric), make a cool or scary mask, and enjoy the Dia de Muertos decor and snacks throughout the Art Center! New this year: Make pom-pom skulls and eyeballs, Richmond Art Center.
Tolay Fall Festival, old-time, nature-based fun, Petaluma.
Howl-o-ween, they also have a Kid Zone, The Treasure Island Flea.
Big Surprise & Reflections + Perceptions Exhibition Opening, 9:30am-5pm, explore new, ten-piece sensory exhibition that will enable exploration of visual and tactile perception. Enjoy super-sized science activities all day long, help create a crowdsourced mural, meet resident furry creatures, and get lunch from food trucks. CuriOdyssey, San Mateo.
Sunday, October 25
Tour for the Stewards, 10a-1p, Muir Woods.
Marine Science Sunday, 10am-5pm, takes a look at Creatures of the Deep. Join us for classroom presentations, Docent-led tours, and more! Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.
Scream on the Green Faire, 10am-5pm, "Chamber of Horrors" Haunted House, Costume Contest, Music, Artisan Booths, Children's Play Area, Food & Beverages and Safe Trick or Treat from 11a-2p, Downtown Novato.
Papermill Creek Halloween Carnival, 10am, Games, pony rides and children’s activities along with the Chef-Off tastings from local restaurants. A huge silent auction with bargains galore – all to support Papermill children! Dance Palace, Point Reyes Station.
Boo at the Zoo 10am-3pm, Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train and join the dance party. Plus, get your face painted, make treats for the animals, and see how the animals at Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween. Kids in costumes receive a free ride ticket. Oakland Zoo.
Boo at the Zoo, 11am-4pm, a "not-too-spooky" Halloween family festival where you can trick-or-treat around the Zoo and see the animals enjoy pumpkin treats. Get your monster mash on at the special Halloween themed Baby Loves Disco dance party at the Playground and take a trip through the Haunted Nature Trail to celebrate! San Francisco Zoo.
Jeepers Jack-O-Lanterns, 11am – 1pm, Join ranger staff at Paradise Beach Park in carving your own spooky Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween! A limited amount of pumpkins will be available (or you’re welcome to bring your own). Paradise Beach Park, 3450 Paradise Dr, Tiburon.
WOW! Halloween Faire, 11am-12:30pm, Come in costume to celebrate All-Hallows-Eve with other wizards, witches, ferries, astronauts and cartoon characters. Play carnival games, bounce in the jump house, enjoy the candy & prize hunt and costume parade!
Hawk Talk & Banding Demo, 12-2pm, Hawk Hill, Sausalito.
Trick-or-Treating, 12-3pm, Town Center, Corte Madera.
Tam Valley Haunted House, Nightmares, Face Your Fears, 3:30-4:30pm Not scary for under 8, 5-6:30pm Scary Over 9, 7:30-9pm HORRIFYING, Mill Valley.
Muir Woods After Dark, 5:30-7:30pm, ages 8+, Reservations required; call (415) 388-2596.
Shadow Puppet Show, 10:45a, Experience a thrilling live show with the shadow puppet master behind Sean’s Shadows, and stick around to make your own puppets. California Academy of Science.
Spectacular Halloween Party & Trick or Treat, 1-5p, Japantown, San Francisco.
Hound of the Baskervilles- Sherlock Holmes, Young Performers Theatre, Fort Mason, San Francisco.
Explorer Days – Wonders of the Parasite World – a Global Tour, 1-2pm, 600 16th St, Byers Hall Room 509 San Francisco.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 11am & 2pm, ages 4+, Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco.
Fiesta on the Hill, 10a-4p, music, dancing in the street, street artists, pumpkin carving, petting zoos, a wide variety of food and more, Bernal Heights, San Francisco.
Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera.
Explorer Days – Plant Biology Lab, 1-2p, Zambryski plant microbiology lab at UC Berkeley.
Tolay Fall Festival, old-time, nature-based fun, Petaluma.
Howl-o-ween, they also have a Kid Zone, The Treasure Island Flea
Jack O’Lantern Jamboree, Children's Fairyland, Oakland.
Explorer Days- Paleontology and Geology at New Brighton State Beach, 2:30-4:30p.
Monday, October 26
Explorer Days – Behind the Scenes at the University and Jepson Herbaria, teens, Valley Life Sciences Building on the UC Berkeley.
Museum Monday for Little Ones, 10am-Noon, Schultz Museum.
Infant Sleep Solution, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen (3-10), 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Tuesday, October 27, Full Moon, Supermoon
Stroller Strides Spooktakular Day of Play & FREE Workout, 9:30am, start by working out with pumpkins and after class we'll have a kids costume parade, spooky snack contest, photo opportunity and fun! San Anselmo Memorial Park.
Muir Woods After Dark, 5:30-7:45pm, Muir Woods.
Full Moon Walk to Point Bonita Lighthouse, 6:15-7:45p, Marin Headlands.
Helping Children Cope with Anxiety, 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera.
Wednesday, October 28
Halloween Storytime, 11am, ages 3-6, Corte Madera Library.
Children's Movie: Monster University, 3pm, Sausalito Library.
Harry Potter Science, 2:30-3:30p, ages 6-9, make potions, meet ghosts, and a really sick pumpkin, San Rafael Library.
Creepy Crawlies, 4pm, ages 4-10, meet the bugs from the Insect Discovery Lab, RSVP, please call 415-927-5005, or email us at library@cityoflarkspur.org, Larkspur Library.
Goblin's Spooktacular, 5p, free, ages 0-7, Downtown San Anselmo.
Tim Floreen - Willful Machines, 6p, Book Passage, Corte Madera.
Spooky Stories, 7pm, ages 4+, Corte Madera Library.
Boys and Discipline (2-10), 7-9p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Thursday, October 29
Dia de los Muertos Bilingual Storytime and Craft, 10am, ages 3-6, Corte Madera Library.
Explorer Days – Tour SF State University’s Marine Lab on the Bay! 3-5p, ages 10+, free, Romberg Tiburon Center.
Magician Brian Scott, 4pm, Belvedere Tiburon Library.
Brian Selznick - The Marvels, 7pm, Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley.
Parents Education Night: A Talk With Master Class Teacher David Weber, 7-8:30pm, Parenting By Heart--Pre-Academics and the Power of Play”, The Mountain School, 50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera.
Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera.
Friday, October 30
Sing and Dance with Miss Kitty, 10:30am, ages 0-8 years, San Rafael Library.
Preschool Discovery Lab, 11a-12p, ages 3-6, South Novato Library.
Halloween Celebration, 4-6p, costume contest, trick-or-treating, and more, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur.
Voices in the Dark, 6-9p, Join us for a special dusk/night hike (relatively flat) in search of the two inhabitants whose nightly sounds "haunt" many of our human visitors: The coyote and the great horned owl. Along the way, we will learn more about the secret lives of these reclusive creatures.
Explorer Days – Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour, 10a-12p, ages 10+, 750 Phelps Street San Francisco.
Kidgits Halloween Spooktacular, 3:30-5:30pm, $5, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafts, and more, Great Mall, Milpitas.
Saturday, October 31, Halloween
Halloween Celebrations, 9a, pup parade, arts & crafts, autumn treats, old fashion apple pressing, and much more! Marin Country Mart, Larkspur.
Family-Friendly Presidio Park Stewards, 9- 10:30 am (Families are invited to stay until 11 am to make Native Animal masks), help by watering and mulching young plants, removing unwanted weeds, and assisting in other stewardship activities, meet at the intersection of Mountain Lake Trail and the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail (at the foot of West Pacific Avenue), also known as the East Arm of Mountain Lake, RSVP to rberkov@presidiotrust.gov
Hike to Hill 88, 10a-12p, launch site for nuclear missiles, Marin Headlands.
Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 8–13, Soups & Mini Desserts, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.
Biofest 4, 10a4p, Explore job opportunities in the fields of biotechnology, and the training opportunities in fields such as genomics, microscopy, and histotechnology at Merritt College, Oakland.
Discover Amazing Northern California Bats, 10-11a, UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley.
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration, 10:30a-1p, free, decorating sugar skulls, face painting, snacking on traditional pastries and creating our own memory box, Mill Valley Community Center.
Kids' Turn: A Workshop for Families Experiencing Seperation and/or Divorce, 10:30-12p, Parents Place, San Rafael.
Celebration of the Mind, ages 8+, 11a-3p, Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, 17 Gauss Way, Berkeley.
Cascada De Flores: Celebration All Souls' Day! 11-11:30a, music, dancing and laughter! Festeja Dia de Muertos con musica! Novato Library.
Happy Creepy Halloween, 11am, Enjoy a scientifically spooky time at the Hall this Halloween including pumpkin catapults, creepy critters, pumpkin lifts, and more, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley.
Burton Butler's Great Stuffed Animal Giveaway, 12pm, free, Mill Valley resident Burton Butler offers kids a stuffed animal instead of Halloween candy, please be careful when driving, this is a residential area with lots of kids, 31 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley; 383-1402.
Pirate Halloween, 12pm & 3pm, Falkirk Center, San Rafael.
Halloween Trick-or-Treating Event, 12-3pm, Village at Corte Madera.
Halloween Bash – A Community Arcade, 12-4pm, A mashup of Halloween and makers, celebrating community-made arcade games, with free trick-or-treating and a food drive, Bon Air Center, Greenbrae.
Build a Minecraft Torch! 12-4pm, MV Code Club, Greenbrae.
Hawk Talk & Banding Demo, 12-2pm, Hawk Hill, Sausalito.
Halloween Hoopla, 12-1:30p, Yerba Buena Gardens.
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Marin City Library.
All Hallows' Read for Teens, 2-3p, Pick up a copy of the highly rated new YA thriller/horror anthology “Slasher Girls & Monster Boys ” and join us on Halloween for snacks, costumes and a book talk. Come in costume! Fairfax Library.
The Greatest Halloween Family Magic Show of all time!, 2-3pm, 4 huge International Stars of Magic all coming together to do one FAMILY show for The Buddy Club in San Francisco! This will be a Halloween to be remembered! Brava Theater Center, Street San Francisco.
Halloween Sausalito, 4:15p.
Haunted Stinson Beach Boardwalk, 5:30-10p, fortune teller, vortex tunnel, costume parade, games, trick or treating and more! Stinson Beach Community Center.
SuperNatural, Enjoy magic shows, face painting, photo booths, giant pumpkin carving and more. Children in costume receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag, and all proceeds support Academy education initiatives.California Academy of Science.
Hound of the Baskervilles- Sherlock Holmes, Young Performers Theatre, Fort Mason, San Francisco.
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.
