Marin Weekend Family Events for November 30, December 1 & 2

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. There's also holiday ice skating at numerous locations throughout the Bay Area, as well as opportunities to visit with Santa Claus at local shopping centers. Also, check out our guide to North Bay Christmas tree farms and Lots.

Friday, November 30

• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
  The Cow Palace, San Francisco
  Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 am–7 pm
  The Dickens Fair kicks off the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs on weekends through December 23. Experience Victorian London with hundreds of costumed players, shops offering one-of-a-kind gifts and Christmas treasures, dining, and pubs. Meet Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Tiny Tim, Jules Verne, David Copperfield, Charles Darwin, and 700 costumed characters. Of course, Father Christmas himself will be on hand to join in the fun. New print-at-home feature—save $4 per adult ticket through December 5. Adults $25, students/seniors/military $21, children 5–11 $12, free for children under 5. For more info, visit their website.
  
• The Velveteen Rabbit
  Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
  Friday–Sunday, 2 pm
  Bring the family for this beloved Bay Area holiday tradition. ODC/Dance enlivens Margery Williams’ classic tale of a well-worn nursery rabbit that becomes real. Told though music, dance and a powerful narrative, The Velveteen Rabbit celebrates the unique relationship between a little boy and his stuffed rabbit, and the enduring power of love. Tickets range from $17–$47. For more info, visit their website.
• 40th Annual Dance Palace Holiday Crafts Fair
  Cabaline Shop on Main Street
  Friday, 4–9 pm
  Saturday, 10 am–6 pm & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Along with artisans from all over the Bay Area, they will show and sell their jewelry, pottery, clothing, toys, weaving, art cards, Christmas ornaments, and more. The Holiday Crafts Fair offers visitors to the Fair the chance to buy unique and treasured holiday gifts and enjoy delicious seasonal food and drink. Support our local artists and your local community center by shopping at the Dance Place this year for the holidays! The Fair is free! For more info, visit their website.
  
• Gingerbread House Making
  Sam's Anchor Café, Tiburon
  Friday, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 pm
  While the Tiburon Holiday Festival originally planned for this Friday has been rescheduled due to the storm (date TBA), families can still take part in gingerbread house decorating at Sam's Anchor Cafe in downtown Tiburon. The cost is $35 per house, and a limited number of spots are still available. All proceeds from this event benefit Kids Believe Achieve, a non-profit created by local children with the mission of fundraising for kid-focused non-profit organizations. Contact the Tiburon Chamber of Commerce to make reservations (415) 435-5633. For more information, visit their website.
• Holiday Craft Fair
  Margaret Todd Center, Novato
  Friday, 6–9 pm & Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  A holiday crafts faire to include: fresh greens, gifts, jewelry, ornaments, toys, bath & body products, handcrafted items, wreaths, specialty foods, ceramics, entertainment, quilt raffle, luncheon with baked goods, Santa, and much more! Admission is free. Location: Margaret Todd Center, 1560 Hill Road in Novato.
  
• Parents Night Out
  Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
  Friday, 5–9 pm
  Drop off the kids and enjoy a night out! While you relax, the kids will be having fun with the Marinwood Camp staff this Saturday evening. This event often sells out—register early! For ages 3–10. Cost: $18; $5 sibling discount. For more info and registration call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• Marin Youth Rocks for Relief
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing Courtyard
  Friday, 5 pm
  Join Marin County youth musicians as they rock for hurricane relief! Middle school musicians from several local schools and music programs have joined together to perform to raise money for Superstorm Sandy victims in the Northeast. Six local bands will play beginning at 5 pm on Frida under the Big Top on the ferry side of the Marin Country Mart. For more info, visit their website.
  

Saturday, December 1

• Breakfast with Santa
  Sausalito Yacht Club
  Saturday,  8:30–11 am
  Santa’s coming! He will sail up and join the breakfast at 9 am. It will be a magical morning where the kids will make holiday crafts and visit with Santa while the elves prepare a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, milk and juice. There will be photos with Mr. Claus himself and special memories will be made. Don’t forget your wish list and camera! Bring a toy to donate to the southern Marin toy drive and receive $1 off admission. Sign up now, space is limited. Admission: $8 Sausalito residents and $10 for non-residents, free for children 2 and under. Call Sausalito Parks and Recreation at (415) 289-4152 or register online here.
• Breakfast with Santa at the Cheesecake Factory
  The Village, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 9–10 am
  Join Santa at this annual breakfast at the Cheesecake Factory, in support of the Twin Cities Police Authority Toy Drive. Cost is $7 per person (cash or check only). Space is limited. RSVP to the Village Concierge at (415) 924-8921. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm adjacent to the farmer's market and live music from Scott the Storyteller from 9:30–10:30 am. For more info, visit their website.
• Greenwood School's 9th Annual Winter Faire
  Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Holiday fun for the whole family: this is a day of imagination and fun with games, crafts, musical entertainment, stories, and as many chances as you dare to steal treasure from a hibernating bear. Greenwood School hosts a distinctive vendors market that is rich in arts, crafts, toys, and seasonal items. Free parking and free admission. Greenwood School is located at 17 Buena Vista Avenue in Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.
• St. Hilary School Winter Boutique
  St. Hilary School, Tiburon
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Saint Hilary School's Winter Boutique is open to the public with free admission. Over 20 vendors will be selling holiday gift items for all ages. Comedy, magic, music and more with Daffy Dave from 11 am–noon.For more info, call (415) 435-2224 or visit their website.
• Holiday Craft Fair
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  Join us for this festive event and enjoy some unique holiday shopping. The fair features more than 55 new and returning artists selling their fine handmade arts and crafts. There is a wide variety of items to choose from including woodwork, jewelry, glasswork, ceramics, decorations, knitwear, fiber arts, plants and much more. Free admission. The Mill Valley Community Center is at 180 Camino Alto in Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.
• Holiday Crafts Family Farm Day at Slide Ranch
  Muir Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
  Families can get ready for the holidays with a day of crafts and exciting farm exploration at Slide Ranch. Come and create and take home a natural gift. Cost: $30 person or $95 for families of 4 or more. Ages 2 and under are free. No one turned away for lack of funds. For more info, call (415) 381-6155 or visit their website.
• A Kindie Christmas with the Hipwaders
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Saturday, 11 am
  This talented trio will get you in the mood for the holidays. Hip enough for both adults and children, the Hipwaders will be perform songs from their NAPPA Award-winning album, A Kindie Christmas as well as "waderized" holiday classics such as "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Cost: members $5, general $14 (includes admission to the museum). For more info, visit their website.
• Pet Photos with Santa
  Marin Humane Society, Novato
  Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
  Santa Claus is coming to the Marin Humane Society for holiday pet photos. Make your holidays complete with festive photos of your furry friends sitting on Jolly Ol’ St. Nick’s lap. Walk-ins are welcome, but please expect up to 30 minutes without an appointment. You can make appt. online here. Cost: $25 for one companion animal and $30 for two. For more info, call (415) 883-4621 or visit their website.
• Holiday Craft Faire featuring Tim Cain
  San Geronimo Valley Community Center
  Saturday, noon-6 pm
  Bring the family to this annual free event. Come visit with Santa from noon-2 pm, Dreidel Games and Menorah Lighting at 1:30 pm, Mick Jagger of the Milk & Cookies set featuring Tim Cain at 4 pm, and foot-tapping fun from the Lagunitas School Band at 3 pm. There will also be crafts throughout the day. For more info, visit their website.
• Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting
  Downtown Novato
  Saturday, 4:30–8 pm
  People come from all over the Bay Area for Novato's annual holiday tree lighting. Enjoy activities, Santa’s Village for children, great photo opportunities, caroling, hot cider, and community fun. Santa arrives around 5: 45 pm. In front of Novato City Hall at 900 Sherman Avenue (at Grant Avenue), Old Town Novato. For more info, visit their website.
• Annual San Anselmo Holiday Lighting Ceremony
  San Anselmo Town Hall
  Saturday, 5–6:30 pm
  Bring the family to the holiday lighting ceremony at San Anselmo Town Hall, 525 San Anselmo Avenue, sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce and the San Anselmo Recreation Department. See Santa arrive in a fire truck, and have your picture taken with him. Enjoy kids' activities and refreshments donated by local businesses. Holiday entertainment by Marin Girls Chorus.For more info, visit their website.
• Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker
  Marin Center, San Rafael
  Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 5 pm
  The always-magical Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker is a wonderful way to begin the holiday season. This production, now in its 23rd year, brings to life the timeless tale of Clara and her adventures with the Nutcracker, beginning with the lavish, authentic Victorian holiday party. Vibrant new costumes and exciting choreography were created in 2010, including a firing cannon and a magical tree that grows to over forty feet tall! The cast features over 150 talented dancers from the Stapleton School of the Performing Arts, as well as professional guest artists. Costumed characters will greet children in the lobby after 1 pm shows. Tickets: $32, $20 Seniors, Children 18 and under. For more info, go to www.stapletonschool or purchase tickets here.
• Union Street Holiday Festivities
  San Francisco
  Saturday, 3–7 pm
  Union Street kicks off its annual Fantasy of Lights Holiday celebration. Thousands of holiday lights set off the Victorians, transforming Union Street into a magical backdrop for Santa and a team of elves to celebrate along with jugglers, live ponies dressed as reindeer, a monkey, face painters and balloon artists. Help decorate the Union Street Gingerbread House from 3:00-7:00 pm at the Metro Theater. Santa will arrive in front of the Metro Theater, 2055 Union Street, at 5:30 pm, where he will sit available for pictures until 7 pm. Bring a toy to donate too. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Symphony Holiday Concerts By Candlelight
  Saint Raphael's Church, San Rafael
  Saturday, 7:30 pm & Sunday, 4 pm
  At this heartwarming event, the Symphony's Chamber Chorus and the Marin Girls Chorus will be accompanied by string quintet, harp, oboe, and handbells. Add your voice in celebration during the audience sing-along in the glow of your own hand-held lighted candle. Open-seating: $25 per person in advance; $30 at the door. Order tickets online or call (415) 479-8100. Order tickets early as these concerts often sell out. For more info, visit their website.
• Holiday Craft Fair in Novato (see Friday for details).
• 40th Annual Dance Palace Holiday Crafts Fair (see Friday for details).
• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace (see Friday for details).
  

Sunday, December 2

• 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.
  
• Breakfast with Santa
  Margaret Todd Senior Center, Novato
  Sunday, 9:30 am–noon
  Bring the family for a festive pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast and a chance to visit with Santa. Make sure to bring your camera! Reservations not required. Cost: $6 at the door, chidren under 12 are free. Location: Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, Novato. For more info, call (415) 899-8290.
• Storytime Yoga with Jessica Azeez
  Cafe du Cirque, San Rafael
  Sunday, 10 am
  Yoga teacher Jessica Azeez is introducing Storytime Yoga to all little ones ages 2–6. No registration necessary, just drop in and check it out. There are two classes: 11–11:30 am and 11:45 am–12:15 pm. Cost: $10 per class. Location: 1408 Fourth Street, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 454-8200.
• 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. $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.
• The Bubble Lady!
  The Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts, San Rafael
  Sunday, 1–2 pm
  The Bubble Lady delights her audiences with bubble space ships, bubble trumpets, baby bubbles, bubbles inside of bubbles, volunteers inside of really BIG bubbles...you get the idea. It's fun, amazing and captivating entertainment—and yes, the volunteer does get clean at the same time! Cost: $8 per person (under 2 free). Location: 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. For more info, call (510) 236-7469 or visit their website.
  
• Charity and the JAMband Family Values CD Release Concert & Celebration
  The Janet Pomeroy Center, San Francisco
  Sunday, 3:30 pm
  Bring the family for an afternoon of singing, dancing, laughing, loving, breathing and BEing in celebration of community, families, and music. Come and rock out to songs from their newest CD, Family Values, plus the old JAMband favorites, ending with a set of never-before-performed lullabies off of Twinkle and other albums (bring or wear your "JAMmies" for the full effect). Tickets: $8 per person. You can purchase tickets online here.
• Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker (see Saturday for details).
• 40th Annual Dance Palace Holiday Crafts Fair (see Friday for details).
• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace (see Friday for details).
• Marin Symphony Holiday Concerts By Candlelight ( see Saturday for details).