Marin Family Weekend Events for October 26, 27 & 28

Here are our picks for fun local events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar. The Halloween pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties are still open—see our list here.

Find more Halloween events this weekend in our 2012 Halloween Event Guide.

Friday, October 26

• Nature for Kids: Stafford Lake
  Stafford Lake County Park, Novato
  Friday, 10 am–1 pm
  We’ll visit a pond, a permanent creek, and a marsh and talk about the animals that live in these wet habitats. Then we’ll explore a shady forest and have lunch in a beautiful meadow where we can look out over the lake. This walk is free of charge, no registration is necessary. David Herlocker will lead. Park entrance fee waived for participants. Location: 3549 Novato Blvd., Novato. For more info, call (415) 893-9508 or visit their website.
• Halloween Music & Magic Show
  Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse
  Friday, 4 pm and 6:30 pm
  Enjoy lively music and a Halloween magic show by Brian Scott. Scott combines comedy, audience participation and amazing magic to create a spooktacular 45 minute show for goblins aged 3 to 103! Cost is $9.00 general admission, children 3 yrs and younger are free! Pre-sale tickets for each show are available at the Mill Valley Community Center and Aquatics and Fitness Center front desk. Last year's shows were sell-outs, so please purchase your tickets early. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Halloween Harvest Festival
  Marinwood Community Center
  Friday, 5–7 pm
  Pumpkin carving and decorating, Halloween bounce house, trick-or-treat bag decorating, cookie decorating, face painting, caramel apples and more! Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at the door. Adults are free. Purchase tickets online. Location: Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• Hansel & Gretel
  Marin Showcase Theatre
  Friday, 7 pm and Sunday, 2 pm
  Don’t miss this Halloween date with a legendary witch. The Golden Gate Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel at the Marin Center Showcase Theatre in San Rafael. Tickets: $25–35, children $15. Limited Seating, so buy tickets early. For more info, go to www.goldengateopera.org.
• Friday Halloween Fest
  San Geronimo Golf ClubHouse
  Friday, 6 pm
  Bring the family to this year's haunted clubhouse. Enjoy a feast of goulish grub. Costume Contest with prizes. Pumpkin Carving. Kareoke and a Movie! Parents, bring a blanket or something soft for the kids to lay on during the movie...(while you enjoy a cocktail in our bar.) Cost: $12 per person; 10 years and under $6. Location: 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo. Please contact Rich at 415-488-4030 x224 for parties of 6 or more. Visit their website here.
   

Saturday, October 27

• Halloween Carnival at Marinwood Community Farmers Market
  Marinwood Plaza, San Rafael
  Saturday, 9 am–1 pm
  Trick or treat fun for the kids. Jumpy house, pony rides, Budderball the Clown, fun for all ages. Live music with Bill Hansell who will contribute all his tips and proceeds to the Food Bank of Marin. Great food by Ultra Crepes and Happy Hens Farm. Location: 101 Marinwood Avenue. For more info, call (415) 999-5635 or visit their website.
• Halloween at Deer Park
  Fairfax
  Saturday, 10 am
  Wildcare Family Adventures will guide you on a short hike in Deer Park. Bring a snack and then we’ll gather under the “Halloween” tree for a story. Directions : From Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Fairfax (heading NW) make a left on Pacheco Avenue, turn right on Broadway Boulevard, and left on Bolinas Road. Continue on Bolinas Road for half a mile and then turn left at Porteous Avenue and then right to stay at Porteus. Meet at the parking area at the end of Porteous Avenue. 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 Grand Scream of Things with Andy Z
  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  Saturday, 11 am
  Put on your Halloween costume and join Andy Z for a show packed with hip storytelling, catchy songs and captivating characters from his new CD, The Grand Scream of Things. Share in the adventure about a witch who’s lost her way and a boy who discovers the important things in life. www.andyz.com. Cost: Members $5; General $14 (includes Museum admission) . For more info, visit their website.
• Halloween Pirate Fest!
  Falkirk Cutural Center, San Rafael
  Saturday and Sunday, noon and 3 pm
  Br'n your crew an' come th' Falkirk for this one-of-a-kind Halloween event. There will be two events per day at noon and 3 pm. The fun includes a "pirate feast" with real pirates, treasure hunt, and individual treasure and Halloween tricks and treats!. Limited room for pirates big and small so get your tickets soon. Price is $18 per child under 16 and $20 for adults. For all ages. Order advance tickets online. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Trick-or-Treat Downtown Novato
  along Grant Avenue in Novato
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  The Downtown Novato Business Association (DNBA) will host a "Safe Trick or Treat" event along Grant Avenue in downtown Novato from 11 am to 2 pm. Every year this Halloween event is popular with kids and their parents. Businesses along Grant Avenue will give out candy and there will be a variety of other fun activities at various locations downtown. This is a fun event for the entire family.
  
• Annual Halloween Bash at Bon Air
  Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
  Saturday, noon–4 pm
  Kids age 12 and under can come in costume for trick-or-treating at Bon Air Center stores. For more info, visit their website.
• Trick or Treat down Fourth Street
  San Rafael
  Saturday, 1–2:30 pm
  The Downtown Business Improvement District will host the 26th annual free and safe trick-or-treat experience for kids on Fourth Street. Every year, hundreds of families visit friendly merchants handing out goodies and sweets to kids in costume! Starting at the Downtown City Plaza or in the West End Village, kids and their parents can pick up a list of participating businesses and a free Halloween pencil or set of stickers. Trick or Treaters must be in costume and accompanied by an adult. Trick or Treating continues until 2:30 pm. For more info, visit their website.
• Pumpkins on Pikes!
  Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma
  Saturday, 2 pm–the witching hour
  Tara Firma Farms' annual festive pumpkin carving event includes grilled mini burgers with fixin's and plenty of pumpkins to carve. Bring your table service, beverages, a dish to share, carving supplies and your camera—there will be some gorgeous carved squashes happening! $15 per person for CSA members, $20 for non-members. Kids 5 and under are free. Get advance tickets online. Location: 3796 I Street, Ext, Petaluma. For more info, call (707) 765-1202 or visit their website.
• Spooky Swamp Family Friendy Haunted House
  Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Novato
  Saturday, 4–8:30 pm
  For one night only Pleasant Valley Elementary School transform's its multipurpose room into the Spooky Swamp, an old-fashioned, family friendly haunted house with no blood, gore or violence, but plenty of scary fun! Appropriate for elementary school age children and their families. Admission to the Spooky Swamp costs $5 per person. You can also visit the Sleepy Hollow Hotel for $3 per person, where you may run into some of the monstrous guests. Pleasant Valley Elementary is located at 755 Sutro Avenue, between Center Road and Vineyard Avenue, in Novato. For more information, visit their website.
• The 5th Annual Halloween Haunt!
  Belvedere-Tiburon Recreation
  Saturday, 4–8:30 pm
  Fun for the whole family...haunted house, food, jump house, face painting, and more. This year's haunted house theme is "The Time Machine". No scare version 5–6:30 pm and the scary version 7–8:30 pm. All event tickets will be sold at the event. No pre-sale tickets available. Location: Belvedere Community Center, 450 San Rafael Avenue, Belvedere. For more info, call (415) 435-4355 for visit their website.
• Santa Venetia 4th Annual Neighborhood Halloween Party
  Adrian Way between Meadow and Mabry, San Rafael
  Saturday, 5:30–8:30 pm
  Festivities include a San Rafael Fire Department fire engine, a costume parade with fire engine escort (6 pm), hay pyramid, haunted house, witches lair, spooky cemetery, and trick-or-treating.
  
• Headlands Halloween Night Hike and Campfire
  Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito
  Saturday, 6–8:30 pm
  Join NatureBridge for an All Hallows' Eve inspired hike, practice your owl hoots, get "batty", and enjoy S'mores during a campfire filled with Halloween fun. Cost: $12/person, pre-registration required. Location: 1033 Fort Cronkhite in Sausalito. For more info, call (415) 331-1548 or visit their website.
  
• Graveyard Stroll: Halloween Adventure in Lucas Valley
  Lucas Valley, San Rafael
  Saturday, 6–7:30 pm
  Is that a ghost or a ranger? Come find out as we get a jump on Halloween during this one-of-a kind event to uncover one of Marin's mot interesting, spooky, and little-known cemeteries. Wear warm, layered clothes and bring a flashlight and a treat bag. Meet at the Marin County Parks Lucas Valley Field Office, 18 Jeannette Prandi Way. Rain cancels. More info: (415) 507-2816 or visit their website.

Sunday, October 28

• 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.
• U-Pick Sunday at Bloomfield Farms
  Petaluma
  Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  On Sundays through the end of October, families can come to Bloomfield Farms and pick their own kale, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, Swiss chard, and more on this certified organic family farm. The cost is $25 to fill a box. Read our article about it here. This Sunday, Gerard's Paella will be the special culinary guest, and fresh ingredients from the farm will be featured. Bloomfield Farms is located west of Petaluma on 12250 Valley Ford Road. An RSVP to upick@bloomfieldfarmsorganics.com or on the farm's Facebook page is appreciated, but not essential.
  
• Breakfast with Enzo
  Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse
  Sunday, 10 am & 11 am
  Family entertainer Enzo Garcia present Breakfast with Enzo at the Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse every Sunday. Cost: $6 per person. The Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse is located at 280 Buena Vista Avenue in Mill Valley. For more info, call (415) 652-2474 or go to www.enzogarcia.com.
• Tim Cain Performs at the Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio Valley Farms
  Sunday, 11 am
  Tim Cain will perform at Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch in Nicasio on Sunday at 11 am. Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch is located at 5300 Nicasio Valley Rd (1/4 mile north of Nicasio square) and are open daily from 10 am-6 pm. Pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm animals, jumpy houses, farm stand, BBQ on the weekends. For more info, call (415) 662-9100.
  
• Storytime with Christopher Smith
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 11 am
  Acoustic multi-instrumentalist Smith crafts story songs that aim for the heart. He is especially popular with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. However, all ages (including adults) love him. The Book Passage is located at 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. in Corte Madera. For more info, call (415) 927-0960 or visit their website.
• Spooktacular Science—Sea Sunday: Halloween Open House
  The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am-5 pm
  What links a vampire squid, goblin shark and northern elephant seal? Find out at our first-ever Halloween Open House! Looking for some spooky, weird and wonderful science-sea fun this Halloween? Then head to the Marine Mammal Center on Sunday, October 28 and enjoy a free Halloween open house. Location: 2000 Bunker Road, Saualito. For more info, call (415) 289-7325 or visit their website.
• Trick-or-Treat at Town Center
  Corte Madera
  Sunday, noon–3 pm
  Bring the little ones to the Town Center's annual trick-or-treat party. Stroll through the shops collecting treats and showing off your costume. Complimentary bags while supplies last. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Spooky Creepy Spectacular Fun
  Marin YMCA, San Rafael
  Sunday, 3:30–6 pm
  Come see the Marin Y transformed into a haunted house! There will also be a dodge ball room, arts and crafts, a balloon room, face painting, games, a jump house, and food. Don’t forget to wear a costume! For ages 2–12. Open to the community. Cost: $12 per child. For more info, call (415) 446-2148. Location: 1500 Los Gamos Drive, San Rafael.
• Annual Harvest Festival
  BayMarin Community Church
  Sunday, 2–5 pm
  Games, crafts, inflatables for kids and adults, and live music—free to all! Chili 'n cornbread sold in the cafe for a nominal fee! Come and join the fun. Costumes optional but always welcome! Location: 150 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael.
• Costume Parade and Charity and the JAMband
  Sunday, 3–5:30 pm
  Park Chalet, San Francisco
  Come to the Park Chalet for the second annual JAMband Halloween Party and Concert. There will be dancing in disguise, a costume parade, and, of course, some candy. Make sure you wear a costume you can really move in. Grown-ups are encouraged to dress up, too. Charity and the JAMband will perform at 4 pm. No reservations necessary. For more info, visit their website.