Marin Weekend Family Fun for December 27–29
Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse for whale watching this weekend.
Find fun this weekend for the whole family in our weekly guide to events and activities in Marin and the Bay Area. There's also holiday ice skating at numerous locations throughout the Bay Area. Get out and get active at one of our
Other holiday happenings and outdoor active fun:
Friday, December 27
- Holidays Along Farm Trails
Sonoma County
Saturday & Sunday, various times
'Tis the season to celebrate with our community. Join Sonoma County farmers and producers as they open their gates and barn doors to offer a behind-the-scenes peek at life on the farm. Shop their unique farmstands for your holiday meals, cut your own Christmas tree, make a gift at DIY workshops, greet farm animals, and so much more. Free. Register online for a list of each weekend's participants. Event details. - Iceless Skating Rink
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
Friday, 9 am–1 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm
Strap on skates and take a spin around the “ice” this December at the Bay Area Discovery Museum! We’re transforming our Discovery Studio space into an Iceless Skating Rink. On our synthetic ice rink, children of all ages can slide and glide into the holiday season. Tickets: $13.95–$15.95. Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. Event details. - 'Tis the Season for Science
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am–5 pm, Sunday, 11 am–5 pm
Visit the Cal Academy this holiday season for indoor snow flurries, live reindeer, a hands-on polar-themed exhibit, and live festive music. Museum admission applies. Location: 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco. Location: Event details. - Learn to Saltwater Fish
Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
Friday, 10 am–noon
Come spend the morning learning the basics of saltwater fishing at Paradise Beach Park. A limited amount of poles will be available on a first come, first-served basis. A valid California fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole. Rain will cancel. No need to RSVP, just show up. Park entrance is waived for participants. Location: 3450 Paradise Drive, Tiburon. Event details. - Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square
San Francisco
Friday–Sunday, 10 am–11:30 pm
Union Square, San Francisco's main shopping district, gets into the ice skating spirit during the holiday season with an outdoor ice rink sponsored by Safeway. 90-minute sessions start on every even hour. Admission: starting at $13. Location: 333 Post Street, San Francisco. Event details - Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
San Francisco
Friday–Saturday, 10 am–11:30 pm, Sunday, 10 am–9:30 pm
Get ready to skate under the sun and stars along the beautiful waterfront at the largest outdoor rink in San Francisco. Admission: $12 adults, $7 children (7 and under), skate rental $5. Location: 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco. Event details. - NorCal Ice
Northgate Mall, San Rafael
Friday–Sunday, 11:30 am–10 pm
The NorCal Ice (formerly known as Marin on Ice) outdoor skating rink in San Rafael's Northgate Mall returns to offers al fresco skating. The rink will once again be located near the center's Oaktree Plaza and features 6,400 square feet of real ice. Skating costs $15 per person, which includes skate rental and all-day in-and-out privileges. "Skate Buddies" (the blue plastic chair-like supports) are available to rent for beginners ($5 per hour). Location: Northgate Mall (next to Kohls), San Rafael. Event details. - Creek Walk to See Spawning Coho Salmon
Samuel P Taylor Park, San Geronimo
Friday, 1:30–3:30 pm
With the first hard rains in the watershed comes the beginning of spawning season for Coho salmon. SPAWN-trained naturalists lead creek walks to explore the majesty of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. Tour will meet at the front Kiosk of Camp Taylor and embark on a journey to multiple creek sites in search of some of these critically endangered salmon. Tours are open to all ages and abilities. Cost: $15 donation. Event details - Fairy Winterland
Children's Fairyland, Oakland
Friday–Sunday, noon–7 pm
‘Tis the season to bring your family to experience the multicultural magic of Fairy Winterland. Each December, deck the Fairyland halls with twinkly lights and festive decor, and bring in Black Santa to hear children’s wishes and to lead the nightly Festival of Lights parade. Regular park admission applies. Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. Event details - San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
War Memorial Opera House
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 & 7 pm
Experience 200 costumed characters, dazzling scenery, Tchaikovsky's beautiful score performed live by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and the opulence of the War Memorial Opera House decorated for Christmas. Tickets to this time-honored holiday tradition are going fast! This is a full-length ballet performance, so the SF Ballet recommends Nutcracker for children ages 5 and up, and requests that no children under 3, including infants in arms, attend. Tickets: $39 and up. Event detailsTicket prices start at $39. For more info, call (415) 865-2000 or visit their website. - Night Bloom
Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco
Friday–Sunday, 5–11 pm
Night Bloom returns shining brighter this holiday season at the Conservatory of Flowers. Light and sound infuse the Conservatory of Flowers’ one-of-a-kind plant collection and its iconic facade in a limited engagement. Tickets: $29–$80; children 8 and under free. Event details - Zoo Lights
Oakland Zoo
Friday–Sunday, 5:30–9 pm,
Celebrate the holidays at Oakland Zoo amidst a million glowing lights! Soar over the Oakland hills in our festively-lit gondolas and see the Bay Area skyline like never before. New this year, enjoy swirling snowfalls over a dazzling Winter Wonderland attraction featuring Santa in his decked-out workshop for the ultimate holiday experience. ZooLights is a separate event and is not included in regular Zoo Admission. $12 adults, $11 children 2–14 and seniors 65+, free for children under 2 and adults over 80. Location: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland. Event details. - Rombeiro Christmas House
Devonshire Drive, Novato
Friday–Sunday, 6–10 pm
Their home is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, and photos don't really do it justice. There are something like 140,000 lights as well as countless figurines, dioramas, and decorations adorning the front and side yards, walls, and roof of the Rombeiro house. If you think the outside is impressive, then you need to go on inside and get a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. You'll find model trains, more figurines, Christmas trees, and the biggest lighted holiday village you've ever seen. Location: 34 Devonshire Drive, off of Center Road, Novato. For more info, read about our visit here. - Tactile Dome Special Evening Hours
Exploratorium, San Francisco
Friday & Saturday, 6:15 & 7:30 pm
The museum closes at 5 pm, but the after-hours interactive fun continues. Take an excursion through total darkness in the Tactile Dome. Crawl, slide, and bump your way through the pitch-dark Dome using your sense of touch as your only guide through its chambers and mazes. For ages 7 and up. Admission: $15, $12 members. Event details
Saturday, December 28
- Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and listen to music (9:30–10:30 am). Enjoy complimentary latkes from the Hanukkah Hut, too. Event details - Craft-n-Create
South Novato Library
Saturday, 10 am–noon
Fun for the whole family! Become an inventor, scientist, artist & engineer as we explore new concepts each week through art and engineering in our Makerspace. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Free; all ages welcome. Location: 931 C Street, Novato. Event details. - Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square
San Francisco
Saturday–Sunday, 10 am–11:30 pm
Union Square, San Francisco's main shopping district, gets into the ice skating spirit during the holiday season with an outdoor ice rink sponsored by Safeway. 90-minute sessions start on every even hour. Admission: starting at $13. Location: 333 Post Street, San Francisco. Event details - Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
San Francisco
Saturday–Saturday, 10 am–11:30 pm, Sunday, 10 am–9:30 pm
Get ready to skate under the sun and stars along the beautiful waterfront at the largest outdoor rink in San Francisco. Admission: $12 adults, $7 children (7 and under), skate rental $5. Location: 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco. Event details. - Family Program: Knots
Novato Library
Saturday, 11 am
Join Marin County Open Space Ranger Mike Warner for a short introduction into making useful knots for the outdoor adventure. Recommended for the entire family! All ages welcome! Materials will be provided for this program. Location: 1720 Novato Boulevard. Event details. - Fairy Winterland
Children's Fairyland, Oakland
Saturday–Sunday, noon–7 pm
‘Tis the season to bring your family to experience the multicultural magic of Fairy Winterland. Each December, deck the Fairyland halls with twinkly lights and festive decor, and bring in Black Santa to hear children’s wishes and to lead the nightly Festival of Lights parade. Regular park admission applies. Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. Event details - San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
War Memorial Opera House
Saturday and Sunday, 2 & 7 pm
Experience 200 costumed characters, dazzling scenery, Tchaikovsky's beautiful score performed live by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and the opulence of the War Memorial Opera House decorated for Christmas. Tickets to this time-honored holiday tradition are going fast! This is a full-length ballet performance, so the SF Ballet recommends Nutcracker for children ages 5 and up, and requests that no children under 3, including infants in arms, attend. Tickets: $39 and up. Event detailsTicket prices start at $39. For more info, call (415) 865-2000 or visit their website. - Journey of the Whales
Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center
Saturday & Sunday, 1:30 pm
Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Program lasts 30 minutes. This program is given out-of-doors. Come prepared for windy, cold and damp weather. Free. Weekend shuttle bus program is in place starting December 28; $7 per person, free for 17 and under. Event details. - Night Bloom
Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco
Saturday–Sunday, 5–11 pm
Night Bloom returns shining brighter this holiday season at the Conservatory of Flowers. Light and sound infuse the Conservatory of Flowers’ one-of-a-kind plant collection and its iconic facade in a limited engagement. Tickets: $29–$80; children 8 and under free. Event details - Zoo Lights
Oakland Zoo
Saturday–Sunday, 5:30–9 pm,
Celebrate the holidays at Oakland Zoo amidst a million glowing lights! Soar over the Oakland hills in our festively-lit gondolas and see the Bay Area skyline like never before. New this year, enjoy swirling snowfalls over a dazzling Winter Wonderland attraction featuring Santa in his decked-out workshop for the ultimate holiday experience. ZooLights is a separate event and is not included in regular Zoo Admission. $12 adults, $11 children 2–14 and seniors 65+, free for children under 2 and adults over 80. Location: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland. Event details. - Indoor Power Play
Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
Saturday, 6–9 pm
Drop the kiddos ( K-8th grade) for some indoor fun. They can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. Bring the kids in on a rainy day or any day to burn some energy. Cost: $30 per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details. - Rombeiro Christmas House
Devonshire Drive, Novato
Saturday–Sunday, 6–10 pm
Their home is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, and photos don't really do it justice. There are something like 140,000 lights as well as countless figurines, dioramas, and decorations adorning the front and side yards, walls, and roof of the Rombeiro house. If you think the outside is impressive, then you need to go on inside and get a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. You'll find model trains, more figurines, Christmas trees, and the biggest lighted holiday village you've ever seen. Location: 34 Devonshire Drive, off of Center Road, Novato. For more info, read about our visit here.
Sunday, December 29
- 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. Event details. - Tiburon Menorah Lighting
Downtown Tiburon
Sunday, 5–6 pm
Come celebrate the last night of Hanukkah! Menorah lighting, holiday treats, and music! In partnership with Brandeis Marin and The Osher Marin JCC. Free. Location: Downtown Tiburon Sculpture Fountain. Event details - Bill Graham Menorah Lighting Grand Finale
Union Square, San Francisco
Sunday, 5 pm
Come celebrate the last day of Hanukkah in Union Square at the Bill Graham Menorah Lighting Grand Finale. Event details - `Til Dawn Performs SING OUT!
Osher Marin JCC
Sunday, 7 pm
Youth in Arts’ award-winning teen a cappella group `Til Dawn performs its annual SING OUT!, a fabulous concert fundraiser for the troupe’s scholarship fund. `Til Dawn is the Bay Area’s longest-running, year-round teen ensemble. The concert features alumni headliners Stevie Greenwell and Erin Honeywell. Still Dawn, a chorus of more than 40 `Til Dawn alums, will also perform. When the singers take the stage, it’s a beautiful blend of fabulous voices. Tickets: $25 youth; $35 general admission, $250 for VIP tables (seats 4 and includes champagne). Location: 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Event details - Rombeiro Christmas House
Devonshire Drive, Novato
Sunday, 6–10 pm
Their home is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, and photos don't really do it justice. There are something like 140,000 lights as well as countless figurines, dioramas, and decorations adorning the front and side yards, walls, and roof of the Rombeiro house. If you think the outside is impressive, then you need to go on inside and get a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. You'll find model trains, more figurines, Christmas trees, and the biggest lighted holiday village you've ever seen. Location: 34 Devonshire Drive, off of Center Road, Novato. For more info, read about our visit here.
