15 Free Family Fun Things to Do This Holiday Season

Marin Holiday Light Spectacular at the Marin County Fairgrounds, open daily, 4–9 pm.

This December, you don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos! Here are 25 great ideas for activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in December, all of which are free. Keep in mind some of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights at the Marin Holiday Light Spectacular at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael, daily through January 4, 4–9 pm.
2. Visit West End Nursery's Christmas House in San Rafael, Friday & Saturday, 8:30 am–5 pm, Sunday, 9 am–4 pm.
3. Experience The North Pole Follies puppet show with the Fratello Marionettes at the Larkspur Library, Thursday, December 4, 4–5 pm.
4. Experience the outdoor magic of Let's Glow San Francisco, December 5–14, 5:30–10 pm.
5. Enjoy an outdoor holiday ice skating show at Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa, Friday, December 5, 6 & 7 pm, Saturday, December 6, 2, 3, 6 & 7 pm & Sunday, December 7, 1 & 2 pm.
6. Bring the family to the Tiburon Holiday Festival, Downtown Tiburon, Saturday, December 6, 2–5 pm
7. Celebrate the season at Mill Valley Winterfest, Sunday, December 7, 11 am–5 pm
8. Bring the kiddos to the The Nutcracker Puppet Show featuring 40 puppets at Belvedere-Tiburon Library, Thursday, December 11, 4–5 pm.
9. See the spectacular lighted boats in the San Rafael Lighted Boat Parade, Saturday, December 13, 6–9 pm.
10. Experience Christmas in on the Northern Frontier at Sonoma State Historic Park. Saturday, December 13, 4–8 pm.
11. Celebrate Chanukah with a grand menorah lighting and drone geld drop at Novato City Hall, Sunday, December 14, 5 pm.
12. Hear a story and decorate a cookie at the Mill Valley Library's Gingerbread Person Party. Wednesday, December 18, 3:30–4:30 pm.
13. Light the giant menorah and enjoy music, dancing, a chocolate geld drop, and more in downtown San Rafael, Sunday, December 21, 5–6:30 pm.
14. Celebrate New Year's Eve with a bouncy ball drop in downtown Novato, Wednesday, December 31, noon.
15. Search for banana slugs, and newts are on the move on a Family Walk to Bulk Gulch, Ignacio Valley Preserve, January 4, 10 a m–1 pm.