Father's Day Weekend Events for June 15, 16 & 17

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families for this Father's Day weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, June 15

• Marine Mammal Center at McNears
  McNears Beach Park, San Rafael
  Friday, 10 am–noon
  The Whale Bus will visit McNears Beach for hands-on experience with pelts and skulls and examples of marine debris to help people learn how they can help marine mammals. For more information contact Chief Ranger Rob Ruiz at (415) 473-4045. Parking is free for this event. For more info, visit their website.
• Children's Garden Series: Chelle! & Friends
  Children's Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11–11:30 am & 12:15–12:45 pm
  This free event is part of the Children's Garden Series at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Children's show of New Orleans jazz music. For more info, visit their website.
• Summer Sunsets: Caribbean Steel Drums with Mark Rosenthal
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Friday, 4:30–7 pm
  This summer, stop by an enjoy an evening of fun for your whole family by the bay. The Museum will open for creative play in all of our exhibitions, including the summer blockbuster Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog! Don't forget your camera—Clifford himself will make an appearance at 5:30 pm at every event! Live music by Carribean Steel Drums with Mark Rosenthal: bask in the music of the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Cost: members $5; general $10. Includes museum admission, performance and Clifford meet-and-greet. San Francisco's All Good Pizza will be stopping by to provide delicious eats for sale. For more info, call (415) 339-3900 or visit their website.
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Friday, 6:30–8:30 pm
  Bring the family to the free Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito. Lawn seating available (first-come- first-serve). This Friday, Rolando Morales. Sponsored by City of Sausalito Parks & Recreation Department. For more info, visit their website.
• Opening Night—7th Annual Creekside Fridays Music Series
  Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. Creekside Friday is a series of music events for the whole family to enjoy. Each week features local musicians playing great music, a kids area with face painting, jumpee, cotton candy, and more. This week: Cheap Therapy. Food available for purchase. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or visit their website.
• Father Son Camp Over
  Corte Madera Town Park
  Friday, 6:30 pm–Saturday, 10 am
  Fun starts at 6:30 pm on Friday evening. Dads and sons will have a blast playing kickball, eating barbeque, setting up tents, and sleeping under the stars. Games and activities until 10 pm. Breakfast served at 7:30 am on Saturday morning, and then more fun and games until 10 am. Cost: $11 per person for BBQ and game only (#3324) and $25 per person for BBQ, and sleepover (#3323). You can sign up online by using the codes above. For more info, call (415) 927-5072 or visit their website.
• Film Night in the Park: Enchanted
  Amphitheater at Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
  Friday, 8 pm
  This Friday's movie is Enchanted. Arrive by 8 pm—films begin at dusk. Popcorn, candy and sodas will be sold. Bring blankets, pillows, backrest and low chairs. Film Night suggests leaving pets at home. Donations are appreciated. Old Mill Park, 300 block of Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.

Saturday, June 16

• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm adjacent to the farmer's market. Live music by Danny Montana, Live Country Music from 11 am-2 pm. The farmer's market takes place on the south site of the shopping center closest to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Art Festival
  Lagoon Park at Civic Center San Rafael
  Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  The Marin Art Festival is our county’s lawn party for the arts and one of the most beautiful out door art festivals in the nation. The festival is full of color and surprise and offers a unique line up of entertainment including whimsical stilt walkers, hands-on art projects for children, and live music featuring some of the best Bay Area bands. Admission: adults $10, kids free. No charge for parking. For more info, visit their website.
• Northern California Pirate Festival
  Vallejo Waterfront
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Avast, mateys! The Northern California Pirate Festival takes place at the Vallejo waterfront this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am–6 pm. The festival features piratical music and entertainment, sword fighting, vendors, food, and more. Free admission! For more info, visit their website.
• Northgate Kids’ Sing ‘n' Play!
  San Rafael
  Saturday, 10–11 am
  Kids of all ages are invtied to come play, sing and dance in an interactive musical playgroup that will be led by talented local Marin music teachers. This free summer series of musical playgroups will offer a different music-focused program (provided by Kidzter) every other Saturday morning at Northgate. Kids will get a free musical instrument to help keep to the rhythm all summer long. Every other Saturday from 10–11 am in the Macy’s wing. For more info, visit their website.
• The 58th Annual North Beach Festival
  North Beach, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday 10 am–6 pm
  he 2012 event will feature over 125 arts and crafts booths, 20 gourmet food booths, three stages of live entertainment, Italian street painting, beverage gardens, children's activities and the blessing of the animals. Let your kids' creativity shine in North Beach and buy a square and street chalk at the kids' chalk art area on Vallejo Street between Grant and Columbus from 10 am–6 pm both days. For more info, visit their website.
• Tiburon Classic Car Show
  Shoreline Park, Downtown Tiburon
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Classic automobiles will be parked along Shoreline Park (adjacent to downtown Tiburon and the ferry dock). If you are a vintage car lover, this event can't be missed. Cars from the early 1920s through the 1970s will be one view. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tiburon Waterfront Park (with amazing views of San Francisco and Angel Island), the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show is a best bet for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Dad’s Day weekend. After the daytime Tiburon Classic Car Show festivities, evening celebrations abound as the event moves a selection of their stellar cars to downtown Main Street. For more info, visit their  website.
• Children's Garden Series: The Red Panda Acrobats
  Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11–11:30 am & 12:15–12:45 pm
  This free event is part of the Children's Garden Series at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Children's show of traditional Chinese acrobatics. For more info, call (415) 543-1718 or visit their website.
  
• The 32nd annual Cotati Jazz Festival
  Downtown Cotati
  Saturday noon–7 pm
  Come to downtown Cotati and enjoy live music, art, food and fun. Free admission. For more info, visit their website.
• Ventriloquist Steve Chaney at Larkspur Library
  400 Magnolia Avenue, First Floor City Hall
  Saturday, 1–2 pm
  Ventriloquist Steve Chaney and his partner Cornelius Crow will appear at Larkspur Library as part of the summer reading program. Together they have been entertaining library audiences with funny stories and wild antics for over 20 years. Your children are guaranteed to have a good time, and sign them up for the Summer Reading Program while you're here! Space is limited. Call (415) 927-5005 or email library@cityoflarkspur.org to RSVP. For more info, visit their website.
• The Mountain Play Presents The Music Man
  Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre on Mt. Tamalpais
  Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
  Now in its 99th year, the Mountain Play presents live musical theater outdoors on the slopes of Mt. Tam. All shows begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to the show. Tickets range from $15–$40 general admission. Children 3 and under are free. Information for group discounts, reserved seating, and tickets are available at the Mountain Play website.

Sunday, June 17—Father's Day

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. For more info, visit their website
  
• Father's Day Pancake Breakfast at West Pt. Inn
  Mt. Tamalpais
  Sunday, 9 am–1 pm
  West Point Inn on Mt. Tam hosts a Father's Day pancake breakfast from 9 am–1 pm on Sunday. Guests must hike or bike to the inn; parking is available at Bootjack, Pan Toll, Rock Springs and the East Peak parking lots. This is a really nice hike if you haven’t done it before. It’s not appropriate for babies or infants, unless they’re in a baby backpack. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more info, call (415) 388-9955 or visit their website.
• WildCare Father's Day Walk to Lake Lagunitas
  Fairfax
  Sunday, 9 am–noon
  Celebrate Father's Day with your family outdoors and contribute to a worthy cause! Join Whole Foods Markets and WildCare for a fun, 1.8-mile family hike at Lake Lagunitas, near Fairfax. All proceeds will benefit this urban wildlife rehabilitation center, based in San Rafael. Each kid will receive a Junior Naturalist Passport for accumulating stamps at naturalist stations along the trail. Adults: $10 for WildCare members, $20 for nonmembers; kids are free. Fee includes parking, light breakfast, kid's crafts, souvenir bag and snacks. For more info, visit their website.
• Sausalito's Farmers Market
  Dunphy Park, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
  Come and shop for some fresh produce and other food items from local growers and producers year-round at the Sausalito Farmer's Market.
  
• Fathers Get in Free all Day at the Charles Shultz Museum
  Charles Shultz Museum
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Museum admission is free for fathers all day. For more info, call (707) 579-4452 or visit their website.
• National GeekDad Day
  Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Geek out on science and engineering this Father's Day as part of National GeekDad Day—inspired by WIRED GeekDad, raising geek generation 2.0. Bring the family to make marble machines, experience Tony Hawk Rad Science, and see surfers catch the Ultimate Wave in 3-D. For more info, call (510) 642-5132 or visit their website.
• Sunday Fun Days at Marinwood Pool!
  Marinwood Community Center Pool
  Sunday, noon–4 pm
  Bring the family to the Marinwood Pool for live music or DJ, bounce house and games. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Every Sunday this summer—June 17–August 12. Free to pool members, non-members pay the pool entrance fee. For more info, call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• Drop-in Art Making: Father’s Day StoryCubes
  Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
  Sunday, 1–3 pm
  Celebrate Father’s Day by designing 3-D StoryCubes with images celebrating important life moments on all six sides. Then use it to interview a loved one with a StoryCorps facilitator on hand for helpful interview tips. Free with museum admission; youth 18 and under always free. Location: 736 Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. For more info, call (415) 655-7800 or visit their website.
• Father's Day BBQ on the Lawn
  Ranco Nicasio
  Sunday, 3 pm
  Bring the family and a picnic blanket and get ready for an wonderful Father's Day on the lawn. Come enjoy great live music freaturing the Blues Broads and some delicious BBQ. Music tickets: $20–$25, children under 3 are free. BBQ plates start at $15. Doors open at 3 pm and music begins at 4 pm. Advance tickets advised by calling (415) 662-2219. For more info, visit their website.
• Summer Concerts in the Park
  Belvedere Community Park
  Sunday from 4–6 pm
  Bring dad and a picnic, a blanket and enjoy the music of Adler Fellows, Resident Artists of the San Francisco Opera Company. The concert will be at the gazebo in Belvedere Community Park. Concerts are free to the public. For more info, vist their website.
• Northern California Pirate Festival; see Saturday's listing for details.
• Marin Art Festival; see Saturday's listing for details.
• The Mountain Play Presents The Music Man