Bay Area Family Holiday Events 2009

There are so many family-oriented holiday events taking place in Marin and other parts of the Bay Area this winter that it's often hard to decide which ones to attend. Here's a list of the seasonal favorites from us and our readers. We'll keep updating this list, so check back often. If you have a favorite local holiday event that you don't see here, leave a comment or let us know about it and we'll consider adding it to the roster.

For additional holiday events, check out our articles on performances at Marin Center and holiday tree lighting events in Marin and San Francisco.

(All event information is correct to our knowledge at the time of publishing. Things sometimes change, so make sure you check with the event organizer to confirm.)

• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace
  Weekends, November 27 to December 20, 11 am to 7 pm
  The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at San Francisco's Cow Palace is now in its 31st year! The Dickens Fair kicks off the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs on weekends through December 20. Experience Victorian London with hundreds of costumed players, shops offering one-of-a-kind gifts and Christmas treasures, dining, and pubs. Meet Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Tiny Tim, Jules Verne, David Copperfield, Charles Darwin, and 700 costumed characters. Of course, Father Christmas himself will be on hand to join in the fun. 11 am to 7 pm. Adults $22, students/seniors/military $19, children 5–11 $10, free for children under 5. Information: (800) 510-1558 or www.dickensfair.com
• The Winter Rose at the Cinnabar Theater
  December 4–20
  Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm
  Cinnabar Young Repertory Company in Petaluma presents the holiday musical, The Winter Rose. What would you do if a great white Polar Bear arrived at your door offering endless wealth for your poor family in exchange for being allowed to whisk you away to unfamiliar lands to face unknown dangers? Based on the Norwegian folktale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, The Winter Rose follows our heroine on a journey of self-discovery. Certain to put you in the holiday spirit. The Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Blvd., N. For more info, go to www.cinnabartheater.org.
• Marin Symphony Holiday Concerts By Candlelight
  Saturday, December 5 at 7:30pm
  Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm 
  Stephen McKersie conducts the Marin Symphony Chamber Chorus and Orchestra in festive carols from around the world at Saint Raphael’s Church in San Rafael. Pre-concert music begins 30 minutes prior. Open-seating tickets $30 per person in advance; $35 at the door. Order tickets online or call (415) 479-8100. Order tickets early as these concerts often sell out. Saint Raphael’s Church is located at 1104 Fifth Avenue in San Rafael. More information: www.marinsymphony.org (415) 479-8100
• Festival of Lights at Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
  Sunday, December 6, noon–4 pm
  Everyone is welcome at the Osher Marin JCC's Festival of Lights. Eat latkes, make candles and menorahs, and shop for unique gifts by talented local artists. Live Klezmer music, book fair, Hannukah marketplace, activities for children, and more. Free. More information: www.marinjcc.org
• Lighted Boat Parade in the San Rafael Canal
  Thursday, December 10, 6 pm
  Come and celebrate the holiday season with the San Rafael's annual lighted boat parade. Boaters throughout Marin County prepare their vessels for what has become one of the largest lighted boat parades in the Bay Area. Parade viewing along San Rafael Canal, at Montecito Plaza, and at Seafood Pedder. More information: (415) 485-1489 or www.camarin.org
• Snoopy's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Santa Rosa
  Friday, December 11, 6:30 pm
  Snoopy's Home Ice will host a holiday tree lighting ceremony at Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa. The ice arena will be transformed into a Victorian winter wonderland, with a spectacular 30-foot decorated Christmas tree as the centerpiece. Enjoy free family activities and appearances by Snoopy and other Peanuts characters. A special family skating session follows. We attended this event in the past and it was a blast, and, to top it off, it's free unless you decide to skate. Snoopy's Home Ice is located on West Steele Lane in Santa Rosa. To get there, take 101 north to the Guernville Road/Steele Lane exit; at the signal, turn left on Steele Lane and go under the freeway. Cross Cleveland Avenue and bear right onto West Steele Lane. The Redwood Empire Ice Arena will be on your right after Range Avenue. For information and public skating schedule, visit snoopyshomeice.com or call (707) 546-7147.
• Cookies and Cocoa Concert at San Marin High School
  Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12
  7:00 pm
  Novato's San Marin High School will present a "Cookies and Cocoa Concert" at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at the Emily Gates Student Center at 15 San Marin Drive. The event is an evening of dance choreographed to holiday melodies, featuring 28 cast members and 22 performances, including a "Jingle Bells" kick line. All guests will receive a cup of hot cocoa and homemade cookies. Admission is $8, with limited table seating for $12.
• Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland
  December 11 to 20, noon to 7 pm (weather permitting)
  The Fairy Winterland Celebration features live performances celebrating holidays from many cultures, daily appearances by Santa Claus, special decorations, and thousands of twinkling lights, rides, puppet shows, arts and crafts, free holiday treats, cider and hot cocoa, and more surprises! Information: www.fairyland.org.
• Marin Art & Garden Center’s Holiday Festival
  Saturday, December 12, 10 am to 4 pm
  Bring the family for this festive holiday festival that includes the Pixie Park holiday bake sale, photos with Santa, a holiday bookstore, the 6th annual Teddy Bear Tea (see below), and holiday crafts. More information: www.magc.org.
• Teddy Bear Tea at the Marin Art & Garden Center
  Saturday, December 12, 11 am and 1 pm
  The MAGC and Pixie Park's 6th annual Teddy Bear Tea is for children ages 1–7 will be held in the Garden Room. The Teddy Bear Tea will also include crafts and a sing-a-long. Two seatings: 11 am and 1 pm. Cost $40 per seat. Reservations required. Visit www.magc.org for more information and to download a registration form.
• Christmas at the Sonoma Mission
  Saturday, December 12, 5, 6, and 7 pm
  Christmas at the Mission, an annual Sonoma tradition, combines the holiday spirit with community history. Sing carols and listen to scripture readings in the Mission chapel, and enjoy refreshments after. Mission San Francisco Solano is located in the town of Sonoma on Spain Street off the Plaza. There will be three different times for the program, 5, 6, and 7 pm. This event is free, but tickets are required; tickets will be handed out at the front desk of the mission on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit of 4 tickets per person. Information: (707) 938-9560 or www.parks.ca.gov
• Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade and Fireworks
  Saturday, December 12, 6 pm
  Come and watch the magnificent Lighted Yacht Parade along the Sausalito Waterfront followed by fireworks—a great start to the Holiday Season! The 21st Annual Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade proceeds along the Sausalito waterfront, beginning at the north end of town, off Clipper Yacht Harbor and heads south, passing the Spinnaker Restaurant into the cove at the Sausalito Yacht Club. Viewing is good all along the Sausalito waterfront.
• Holiday Celebration at Sebastiani Theater
  December 12 and 13 at 2:00 pm
  A celebration of Sonoma's community through song, dance and magic. Don't miss an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus, who will be making a special appearance to visit with children of all ages! General admission is $9 for adults, $7 for children 12 and under, and $7 for seniors 62+. Tickets are available in Sonoma at the Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First Street East. Call for reservations (707) 996-9756 or visit www.sebastianitheatre.com.
• Bookmarks Annual Teddy Bear Tea
  Founders Room at the Belvedere Tiburon Library
  Sunday, December 13 at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm & 2pm
  Bring your favorite teddy bear and come enjoy refreshments, music, stories and crafts. For children ages 2 & up. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Library. Tickets $25/per person. Call (415) 435-7799 for reservations & ticket info.
• Dickens Family Holiday
  Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael
  Friday, December 16, 6:30 to 9 pm
  Enjoy live holiday performances, hosted by Mr. Charles Dickens himself, with characters in Victorian attire; old-fashioned caroling; an authentic Father Christmas; and storytelling for kids of all ages. In addition to the entertainment, hot cider and cookies will be available, and a craft table will be on hand for families to make that special holiday decoration. The cost is $7 for children and $10 for adults. No reservations; purchase your entry at the door. Call (415) 485-3436 for more information.
• The Puppet Company presents "The Nutcracker"
  Thursday, December 17, 4:00pm
  Belvedere Tibuorn Library Founder’s Room
  An annual favorite, the Nutcracker has been delighting children and families here for over 5 years. The show features large and colorful marionettes and lively music based on the ballet. For more info, go to http://puppetcompany.freeservers.com/holiday/nutcrak.htm
• Winter Fest at the Marinwood Community Center
  Friday, December 18, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
  See Marinwood transformed into a winter wonderland! Fun for the whole family, including treats, arts and crafts, music, photos with Santa, and more. Free admission; food available for purchase for a minimal price. The Marinwood Community Center is located at 775 Miller Creek Road in San Rafael. More information: www.marinwood.org
• Gingerbread Doghouse Classes at the Charles Schulz Museum
  Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20
  Families can make Snoopy's doghouse out of gingerbread. Call for fee information, class times, and reservations: (707) 284-1263. Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Ln, Santa Rosa, www.schulzmuseum.org