25 Free Things to Do for Families in September

Visit goats and other farm animals at Goatlandia during Weekend Along the Farm Trails fall farm tour on September 26 & 27.

September is here and school's back in session, but there are still plenty of fun family activities and events out there this month. You don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos, either! Here are 20 great ideas for great affordable activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in September, all of which are absolutely free. Keep in mind many of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Visit the de Young Museum, Legion of Honor or Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park for free, Tuesday, September 1.
2. Come say bonjour and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and puppets in French at the Belvedere Tiburon Library, Thursday, September 3, 3:30–4 pm.
3. Bring the kiddos for a free Musical Storytime at the Freight in Berkeley, Thursday, September 3, 10:30–11:30 am.
4. Swim for free at McNear's Beach Park pool in San Rafael, open Wednesday, September 3–Labor Day (Monday, September 7), 11 am–5 pm.
5. The Curtain Theatre presents free Shakespeare in Old Mill Park: Love's Labour's Lost. Saturday–Monday, September 5–7, 2 pm.
6. Enjoy live music, movies, and outdoor dining at Live on the Avenue in downtown San Anselmo, Friday & Saturday, September 4, 5,11& 12.
7. Take a train ride with Redwood Empire Live Steamers, Santa Rosa, Saturday & Sunday, September 6 & 7, 12–4 pm.
8. It's a free day at the San Francisco Botanical Garden and Bean Sprouts Family Days (10 am–noon), Tuesday, September 8, 7:30 am–4 pm.
9. See the Disney movie Zootopia 2 at Sun Valley Park in San Rafael, Friday, September 11, 7:30–9 pm.
10. It's a free day at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Saturday, September 12, 10 am–5 pm.
11. Step back in time at steam-powered Sturgeon's Mill in Sebastopol, Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13
12. Pack a picnic and bring the family to San Francisco's free Opera in the Park, Robin Williams Meadow, Sunday, September 13, 1:30–3:30 pm.
13. Go on an adventure hike with rangers at Roy's Redwoods Preserve in Woodacre, Monday, September 14, 12:30–2:30 pm.
14. Watch Disney's Encanto at the Marin Civic Center Library in San Rafael, Tuesday, September 15, 2:30–4:15 pm.
15. Free day at Muir Woods for Constitution Day, Thursday, September 17.
16. In Harmony Music brings free Family Classes in Robin Sweeny Park, Sausalito, Friday, September 18, 11:30 am–12 pm.
17. Bring the kiddos to Family Movie Day featuring Pixar's Hoppers and free popcorn! Mill Valley Library, Friday, September 18, 3–4:30 pm.
18. Pitch in to help on Coastal Cleanup Day at various locations in Marin, Saturday, September 19, all day.
19. Enjoy a free afternoon of music, community and fun at PorchFest, Gerstle Park, San Rafael. Sunday, September 20, noon–5 pm.
20. Bring the family to free Friday Night Movies featuring A Minecraft Movie at Cove Park in Corte Madera, Friday, September 25 at dusk. 
21. Watch the movie Jumanji (1995) outdoors on Novato's Civic Green, Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm.
22. Visit the seals and sealions at the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands. Reserve your free tickets.
23. Visit a local farm at Weekend Along the Farm Trails fall farm tour, Saturday & Sunday, September 25 & 26
24. Meet California native raptors at Fairfax library, Saturday, September 26, two sessions: 11 am & 1 pm.
25. Visit the animals at the Little Farm, Tilden Park, Berkeley, open every Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:30 pm.