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.
Friday, November 13
- Celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly remodeled Northgate Mall in San Rafael. Enjoy musical performances in the mall and Oak Plaza from noon–4 pm, and join in the first annual tree-lighting ceremony and Santa arrival festivities from 6–8:30 pm. Many retailers are having their grand openings, too. Northgate is located at Las Gallinas Avenue and Los Ranchitos Road in the Terra Linda area of San Rafael. More info: www.shopatnorthgate.com.
- Bring the kids (ages 18 mos. to 4) to Fantastic Fridays: Green Thumbs this Friday from 10 to 11:30 am at the Crissy Field Center. Who loves fire trucks! Join them at the Fort Mason Community Garden where you will learn all about plants and show off your new green thumb by starting your very own native plant garden! To register call (415) 561-7752, or go to www.parksconservancy.org. The cost is $12 per child for pre-registration or $15 at the door.
- On Friday Nights at the de Young the entire museum is open until 8:45 pm. Enjoy live music by the Crooked Jades (our favorite Old Time/Alt-Country string band), and participate in hands-on art activities for the family. There's discounted admission to the King Tut exhibition Fridays after 5 pm: adults and seniors $20, FAMSF members $15. Youth (6–17) tickets are half-price after 3 pm when you present a Borders Rewards Card or a Flat Anubis at the de Young's King Tut box office. There's also a special "3 for $13" menu and children's menu at the de Young Café and a cash bar. www.deyoungmuseum.org.
- The Sound of Music, a production of 142's Marin Youth Performers takes place on Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm - Saturday, November 21 at 2:00pm. One of the most popular musicals of all time, The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Tickets: $16.00 general admission, $20.00 general admission day of show, $12.00 students, $16.00 students day of show. Buy tickets at online or by calling 415-383-9600. Throckmorton Theatre is at 142 Throckmroton in Mill Valley.
Saturday, November 14
- Join the superstars of local children's musicians at Lollypopaloosa!, featuring Tim Cain, Miss Kitty, Chris Smith, Cindy Cohen, and Peter Penhallow and the Dream Circle Band. Two shows, at 10 am and noon, at the Masonic Events Center at 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley (across the street from Mill Valley City Hall. Advance tickets recommended: (415) 461-1066.
- Winter Faire at Manor School in Fairfax on Saturday from 10 am-5 pm. Bring the family and enjoy the two snow luges, games, a silent auction, a raffle, live entertainment, crafts, a cake walk, a chili cook-off in the country kitchen, an espresso bar, cookie decorating, cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, and free valet bicycle parking. It's free and fun for the whole family. It's also the school's largest fundraiser providing money for Manor PTA and the YES Foundation. Manor Elementary School is located at150 Oak Manor Drive in Fairfax. For more info go to their website or call Amy Saavedra at (415) 453-8341.
- Join staff and volunteers on Angel Island in celebrating a Victorian Christmas at Camp Reynolds. Free. For more information, call the ranger office at (415) 435-5390.
- Meet favorite illustrators and authors and browse hundreds of best-selling titles for children and adults at the Tiburon Peninsula Children's Book Festival. This day-long event features books, food, music, and magic for all ages. At Del Mar School on Avenida Miraflores in Tiburon. 11 am to 4 pm. Free. More info: (415) 381-1112.
- Shout it out with the Alphabet Rockers at the Bay Area Discovery Museum on Saturday at 11 am. With hip grooves, rocking guitar lines, and tight rhymes, this is music that everyone can enjoy. Members $5, general child $10, general adult $12, under 1 free. Part of the BADM's Hip Kids' Music Series. More info: www.badm.org.
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