Marin Weekend Family Fun for October 18–20

The Goblin Jamboree Halloween Family Festival takes place this weekend, October 19 & 20 at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Here are our picks for great 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.

Check out our list of Halloween pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties—see our list here.

Friday, October 18

• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
  Santa Rosa
  Friday–Saturday, 9 am–10 pm & Sunday, 9 am–8 pm
  Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch offers eight acres of pumpkins, a huge seven-acre corn maze, kiddy corn mazes, hay and sunflower mazes, jack-o-lantern tether ball, tire swings, a 10-bale-high hay pyramid, a huge jumpy pillow, pedal trike races, a corn play box, a petting zoo, face painting, and more. Location: 5157 Stony Point Road (at Rohnert Park Expressway). Event details
• The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch
  Spring Hill Jersey Farm, Petaluma
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–4 pm
  Pick your own organic pumpkin, dig for potatoes, take a tractor ride, visit farm animals, taste homemade ice cream and Spring Hill cheese, milk a cow, and get lost in the hay maze. Peter Pumpkin Patch also offers fresh fruits and vegetables and picnic baskets. Activities are free and so is the parking. This is a wonderful and fun pumpkin patch on a real working farm. Location: 4235 Spring Hill Road (off Bodega Ave.). Event details
• Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch offers a wide variety of certified organic pumpkins spread out in an expansive meadow on the farm. Kids activities: jumpy houses, inflatable slide, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, farm animals to visit, and face painting. Some of these attractions have an admission fee, and some are available only on weekends and select days. Shaded seating area with picnic tables, so you can relax and take in the scenery, listen to some great live music, and even eat lunch. Tim Cain performs on Sunday from 11 am to noon. Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio. Event details.
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
  550 Stony Point Road
  Friday & Saturday, 10 am–10 pm, Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Over 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as a 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze (admission $6, 5 and under free; $9 on Friday and Saturday nights 6–10 pm), farm animals, a zip line, weekend pony rides, face painting, jumpy houses and inflatables, food vendors, covered snack area, and more. Some of these attractions have an admission fee. Event details.
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch
  St. Vincents, Marinwood
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This long-time favorite pumpkin patch at St. Vincent's near Marinwood offers a variety of pumpkins as well as attractions and activities like bounce houses, a hay pile, face painting, snack shack, and a picnic area. Groups welcome. Read our review of St. Vincent's Pumpkin Patch. Event details.
• Kids Night Out
  Marin YMCA, San Rafael
  Friday, 5–9 pm
  Drop the kids off for a fun night of games, Tamales and the movie, Coco. This Friday's theme is Dia De Los Muertos. For ages 4–10 years. Cost: $50. Register here. Location: 1500 Los Gamos Drive, San Rafael. Event details.
• Pumpkin Nights Santa Rosa
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds
  Friday–Sunday, 5:30–10:30 pm
  At pumpkin nights, you’ll set out on a magical quest along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and synthetic pumpkins. The celebration continues with the Spirit of Pumpkins Fire Show, delicious tastes and treats, and outdoor movie screenings. Location: 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• Kids Night Out: Halloween Fun
  Studio 4 Art, Novato
  Friday, 6–8 pm
  We are starting off our new Pizza Party Fridays with a bang! We will be making jack-o-lantern t-shirts and slime that GLOWS! There may be pumpkin bowling too. Members receive 10% off. Cost: $35 per child. Register online here! Location: Grant Avenue, Downtown Novato. Event details.
• Outdoor Movie Night: Top Gun
  Robin Sweeny Park, Sausalito
  Saturday, 6:30–9 pm
  See Top Gun for free in Sausalito's Robin Sweeny Park. Location: Caledonia Street, Sausalito. Event details.
• Teen Halloween Party–Fright Night @the Scream Zone
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Friday, 6:30–8:30 pm
  We'll be celebrating Halloween early this year at Teen Zone's annual Fright Night party featuring pumpkin carving, a costume contest and more! Put on your spookiest costume and head on over for a ghoulishly good time! This event is for all middle school aged participants. This event costs $15 for Teen Zone members and $20 for non-members.Course # 51757 Register Now! Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Novato Horsemen Haunted House
  600 Bugeia Lane, Novato
  Friday & Saturday, 7–10 pm
  Bring the kids out for a night of scare and fun at the Novato Horseman Haunted House in Novato. Admission is $6 per person. Event details
• 2019 Grand National Rodeo
  Cow Palace, San Francisco
  Friday & Saturday, 7:30–11 pm
  The Cow Palace is bringing back the Wild West to the Bay Area with the annual Grand National Rodeo, Livestock Exposition and Horse Show. Now in its 72nd year, the Grand National Rodeo will celebrate the time-honored tradition of America's West by presenting the best of the best in the competitive sport of rodeo. During the livestock exposition, real farm equipment and animals are on site with interactive displays to learn about how food is grown. Exhibitors will show cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and rabbits, along with photography and fine art. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday, October 19

• 31st Annual San Francisco Old Car Picnic
  Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
  Saturday, 7 am–4 pm
  Celebrate the 31 years of San Francisco Old Car Picnic (formerly Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic) showing off cars from 1993 or older at Hellman Hollow (Speedway Meadow) in Golden Gate Park. Free for spectators. Event details.
• Fall Flea Market
  Margaret Todd Center, Novato
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Come to the Margaret Todd Senior Center next weekend Saturday, October 19th and shop for unique second-hand items from 9am-2pm. With over 30 vendors, you're sure to find some treasures! Free admission. Location: 1560 Hill Road, Novato. Event details.
• Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
  Historic Main Street, Half Moon Bay
  Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm
  The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of enormous, heavyweight champion pumpkins, three stages of entertainment, non-stop live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a haunted house, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, photos with the grand champion mega-gourd, contests, pumpkin carving, and more. Admission is free. Event website
• Halloween 5K
  Sports Basement, Presidio SF
  Saturday, 9 am
  Have you heard? We're putting on our very own 5K, and in classic SB fashion, we're going all out! This is no everyday 3.1 mile run; there'll be a costume contest, a kids-only 1 mile run, and a spoooooky after party featuring food trucks, music, games and more! Best of all, 100% of proceeds from this event will go to support Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Location: 610 Old Mason Street, San Francisco. Tickets: $10 for kids-only 1 mile run, $25 for 5K Run/Walk Youth - Ages 5-18 and $40 for 5K Run/Walk Adult. Register online here. Location: Crissy Field, San Francisco. Event details.
• 56th Annual Marin Ski Swap
  Demo Sport, San Rafael
  Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–4 pm
  Families... bring in your used ski and snowboard equipment and outerwear to Demo Sport in San Rafael. Knowledgeable personnel from local ski shops will check equipment for compliance with current industry standards. Plan to collect money from sales (less service charge) and retrieve unsold items between 4 pm and 6 pm Sunday afternoon. Register here. Location: 1101 Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael.  Event details.
• Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser
  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–4:30 pm
  The Bay Area Discovery Museum invites you to hoist the anchor, raise a flag, and Set Sail on the Spooky Seas at Goblin Jamboree! Don’t forget your costume! Activities include: pony rides, trick-or-treat doors, animal meet-and-greet, corn pit, witch rances, train rides, bowling, spinning pumpkin ride and much more. Admission: $20.95 general, $17.95 members, free for children under 6 months. Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. Event website.
• The Mountain School Apple Faire
  Corte Madera
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  We are excited to present our 6th Annual Apple Faire – a celebration of autumn for children under 7 and their families (all ages are welcome!). Our popular Apple Press–as well as face-painting, crafts, puppet show, games, prizes, catered food, drinks, live music, etc.–will return! Open to the public. Admission is free. Tickets will be sold for the various events and food. Location: 50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera. Event details.
• Fall Harvest Fest
  Slide Ranch, Muir Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  A mini version of the Slide Ranch beloved fall festival celebration event! Join us for a fun filled day of your favorite Slide Ranch classics like milking our goats, feeding our chickens, cooking, eating, exploring and playing - all with the added fun of some special activities to top off this exciting day — but without the crowds of the larger event from past years. Fee: $35 per person advance, $40 at the gate; children 24 months and under are free. Event website
• Family-friendly Bike Ride
  Presidio of San Francisco
  Saturday, 10–11:30 am
  Join Presidio Trust staff and National Park Service rangers for a gentle four-mile bike ride. Roll through the history and nature of the Presidio at a family-friendly pace that’s fun for all. Bring your own bike, rent one from Sports Basement at Crissy Field, or pick up one of many dockless JUMP e-bikes found throughout the Presidio. Registration and bike helmets are required. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. Location: Presidio Visitor Center, 210 Lincoln Boulevard on the Presidio's Main Post, San Francisco. Free. Event details.
• Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
  Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–3 pm (various times)
  Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. Tickets: $21–$25. Purchase tickets here. Event details
• Harmony Montessori Preschool Fall Harvest Festival
  
  Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary, Tiburon
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the family to Harmony Montessori Preschool's 2nd Annual Fall Harvest Festival on October 19th, 2019 from 10am-4pm at the school, which is inside the Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary in Tiburon. There will be a pumpkin patch, craft tables with corn husk dolls and pumpkin decorating/sewing, as well as a bluegrass band. Location: 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon. Event details.
• Reptile Expo
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Open to the public. All ages welcome. Join us as we welcome a variety of vendors and exhibitors offering hundreds of snakes, lizards, geckos, turtles, tortoises, tarantulas, scorpions, supplies, jewelry, and more at this year's Santa Rosa's Reptile Expo presented by North Bay Herpetological Society. Cost: Adults $10, Kids (5–12) $5 and Kids under 5 are free. Location: 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• ZOOtoberFest
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Visit San Francisco Zoo & Gardens to welcome our favorite season… FALL! Navigate through San Francisco’s largest hay maze, a 5,000-square-foot structure made from over 1,000 bales of straw and incorporates play areas within the design. For kids AND adults, SF Zoo’s “Zoo Brew Haus” at The Depot Grill is pouring a great selection of brews, and cooking a full smorgasbord of fall-inspired dishes! During lunch, dine to the upbeat sounds with the band, Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies. You might even want to get up and dance! Free with admission. Event details
• Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival
  Western Railway Museum, Suisun City
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Get your Halloween pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns, test your strength with the pumpkin launcher, explore our huge hay bale fortress, and enjoy a train ride too. Gather the family and begin at the Western Railway Museum. Doors open at 9:30; the first electric express train leaves at 10 am with departures every half-hour until 4pm. Cost: adults $14, children (2–14 yrs) $10 and seniors $12. Event details
• Family Adventure Day
  Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  A free family-friendly and kid-focused adventure at the park! Join us at 11 am sharp to take our fun naturalist led nature walk where we will make a simple bird call from everyday items and then try them out on the trail as we call to our bird friends! Our trail adventure will end back at the main activity area where participants can visit real live raptors with Native Bird Connections and then create a fun piece of art with Art Escape. Great for children of all ages and children must be accompanied by an adult. Event participation is free but parking fee is required. Light snacks are provided. Location: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. Event details.
• Tolay Fall Festival
  Tolay Lake Regional Park
  Lakeville Highway at Cannon Lane, Petaluma
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–5 pm
  The annual Tolay Fall Festival takes place over two long weekends in October at Tolay Lake Regional Park off Lakeville Highway. In addition to pumpkins and fall decorative items for sale, attractions and activities include a Native American village, the Nighttime Creatures Barn with Creepy Crawly Critters Room, nature hikes, a giant straw maze, a hands-on children's area and kiddie corral, and hay rides. Admission: $5 adults, $3 children 12 and under; free for Sonoma County Regional Parks members. Parking for non-members is $7. Event details
• Spookomotive Train Ride
  California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  This delightful, not frightful train is just the ticket for the whole family. The diesel-powered train is decorated for the season with cornstalks, scarecrows, skeletons, bats and spiders. This weekend's theme is Witches & Wizards. HOCUS-POCUS! A wicked witch has put an evil curse on the train! Grab your wand and cast a magic spell to help the good witch break the evil curse and save the train. Tickets: $15 adults, $8 youth 2–17; $6 and $3 for members. First class: $29/$19 adults, $19/$12 youth. Event details
• Lumafest
  Santa Rosa Junior College
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Lumafest El Día de los Muertos Community Celebration is a family-friendly and rain-friendly event! Our booths, performances, and activities are under covered walkways or indoors. Location: 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma. Event details.
• Potrero Hill Festival
  San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Experience the flavor of the Potrero community in this event for all ages, featuring local food vendors and chefs, artists, musicians, historians, homegrown entertainment, and much more! Location: 20th Street between Wisconsin and Missouri Streets. Event details
• Aki Matsuri—Fall Festival
  Japan Center, San Francisco
  Saturday, noon–5 pm
  Come celebrate Aki Matsuri, fall festival marking the 50th Anniversary of Japan Center! Featuring top Japanese cultural groups of San Francisco and greater bay area in Japanese drumming, dance, martial arts, and more!  Two stages of performances, demonstrations, and workshops. Bring the whole family for a day of culture and art! Free. Event details.
• The Halloween Misfits
  Duncan Hall, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 2 shows: 1 & 3 pm
  23 Elephants Theatre Company presents Halloween Misfits. In this charming story, you will meet a group of characters known as "The Halloween Misfits," from the ghost who can't "boo" to the skeleton that can't "rattle," and much, much more. Join the fun as these adorable misfits not only entertain you, but also deliver a very important message to all! A delight for young audiences and parents alike, this show will definitely get you in the Halloween spirit. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume and stay for a little Halloween party afterwards. There will be candy and prizes for all! Tickets: $15. Purchase tickets here. Location: 72 Kensington Road, San Anselmo. Event details.
• Mill Valley Police Department Open House
  Mill Valley
  Saturday, 2–4 pm
  Have you ever wondered what the inside of your Police Department looks like? You will have the chance to tour the station, take a photo in the holding cells, see patrol vehicles and firetrucks, plus watch special police demonstrations. Refreshments will be provided. Free. Location: 1 Hamiton Drive, Mill Valley. Event details
• Boo Bash
  Main Street, Tiburon
  Saturday, 4:30–6:30 pm
  Put on your costumes and come trick or treat down Tiburon's Main Street with our downtown merchants. Event details
• Oktoberfest
  Greek Orthodox Church, Novato
  Saturday, 5:30–9:30 pm
  This traditional October celebration features live polka music and dance lessons, and a dinner of traditional Oktoberfest fare, like brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, and more. And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without pretzels and beer, served up at the Rotary’s no-host bar. Tickets: $50, includes dinner and one drink. Location: 1110 Highland Drive, Novato. Event details
• The Not-So-Scary Halloween Magic Show
  Novato City Hall
  Saturday, 6–7 pm
  It's a magic show full of Halloween fun appropriate for all ages! Bring your ghosts and goblins, your superheroes and your fairies as tricks reign over treats in this silly, fun, laughter-filled show. Free. Location: 901 Sherman Avenue, Novato. Event details
• Indoor Power Play
  Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
  Saturday, 6–9 pm
  Drop the kiddos ( K-8 th 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
• Movies in Creek Park: Captain Marvel–Super Hero Night
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 6:45 pm (seating opens at 6 pm)
  Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. Local First Responders Tribute Nite. Super Hero Halloween Costumes welcome! Seating opens begins at 6 pm, with pre-movie slide show, announcements, trivia and nightly raffle. Movies begin when dark enough and generally run two hours. Event details.
• Sing the Beatles!
  Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Saturday, 7:30 pm
  Bring the family & friends to “Pub J” for a fun our third annual evening singing along to Beatles songs accompanied by live performance by the Quarry Persons. Tickets: $23 advance, $27 day of and $5 for 17 and under. Purchase tickets here. Location: 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Event details.
• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).

Sunday, October 20

• Stafford Lake 5K Trail Run
  Novato
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  The 2nd annual trail running event will feature 5k (3.1 miles) of beautiful trails at Stafford Lake Park. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Whether you chose to hike the course or race for a podium finish you’ll enjoy lakeside views, a variety of trails and terrain, and a community that celebrates participation and a love for running in Marin County's spectacular parks and open space preserves.Wear comfortable athletic clothing and sturdy shoes. Don’t forget water and snacks. We’ll provide extra water and healthy snacks. No pets (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Race is free––registration is required here.
• 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
• Community Music Day
  Crowden Music Center, Berkeley
  Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  Community Music Day is Crowden's annual musical carnival for all ages. Join Crowden, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and East Bay Music Together for musical fun throughout the day. Free. Location: 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. Event details
• Community 50th Anniversary Founder's Day
  Exploratorium, San Francisco
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Come visit the Exploratorium on it's Community 50th Anniversary Founder's Day and pay what you wish. Location: Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street), San Francisco. Event details
• Tim Cain Performs at the Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
  Sunday, 11 am–noon
  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. Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio. Event details.
• Presidio Picnic
  Presidio, Main Parade Ground in San Francisco
  Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  Presidio Picnic is free and open to the public, and takes place rain or shine on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, an expansive seven-acre lawn with amazing views of the park, the city and San Francisco Bay. In addition to the new monthly cultural dance performances, Presidio Picnic will feature more than 25 international mobile food creators, music, lawn games, yoga, bike safety classes, and nature-based crafts for kids. Location: Presidio, Main Parade Ground in San Francisco. Event details.
• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).