Marin Weekend Family Fun for May 17–19
Experience the magic of the Mountain Play! Grease premieres on Sunday, May 19.
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, May 17
- Music Time with Megan
Sports Basement, Novato
Friday, 9:30–10 am
Bring the kiddos for live music, singing, dancing and playing instruments with popular children's musician Megan Schoenbohm. Cost is $10 per child, and siblings under 7 months are free. This is an ongoing weekly class, so drop in as often as you can! Location: Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, 100 Vintage Way, Novato. Event details. - Dino Days
Cal Academy San Francisco
Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am–5 pm and Sunday, 11 am–5 pm
Walk among life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar at Dino Days. An immersive festival with its footprint all over the Academy, Dino Days invites you to travel back in time to the Late Cretaceous period and come face-to-face with the largest reptiles that ever stalked the Earth. Museum admission applies. Open daily through May 27. Location: 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Event details. - Contra Costa County Fair
Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, Antioch
Friday–Sunday, noon–11 pm
The 2019 Contra Costa County Fair features the Xtreme Sports Zone, Kids Town America, Ag Venture Land, Midway of Fun Carnival live entertainment, animal shows, and more. Cost: Admission: $10 adults, $7 child & senior. Carnival rides bracelet $35. Location: Contra Costa County Event Park, 1201 West 10th St. in Antioch. Event details - Maker Faire Bay Area
San Mateo Event Center
Friday, 1–5 pm, Saturday, 10 am–7 pm & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival that's part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new! It's an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, engineers, tinkerers, hobbyists, artists, and more sharing what they've made and learned. Tickets: $25 and up. Location: 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. Event details. - Salute to American Graffiti
Dowtown Petaluma
Friday, 4–8 pm & Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
Celebrate the classic movie American Graffiti in the streets where it was filmed! Dance to live bands, check out classic cars, visit local merchants and vendors, and dine on delicious food. See Saturday schedule of events here. Location: Downtown Petaluma. Event details - 23 Elephants presents: Mamma Mia!
The Playhouse San Anselmo
Friday, 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father on a Greek island paradise. The Saturday matinee is a sensory friendly performance with adjustments including house lights on at a low level, the inclusion of a "chill-out" area, technology-friendly and movement-friendly seating zones, and smaller audience sizes. Tickets: $15 general, $28 reserved. Event details - Throckmorton Theatre: Ragtime: The Musical
Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley
Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm and Sunday, 2 pm
Based on the acclaimed novel by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime is a sweeping musical portrait of America at the turn of the 20th century. When optimism and possibility are as prevalent as burgeoning racial and social volatility. Ragtime weaves the lives of three distinct families — a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a daring African American musician from Harlem — into a uniquely American tapestry. Tickets: $23–$28. Purchase tickets here. Location: 142 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details. - Katia and Company: Peter Pan
Marin Center Showcase Theater, San Rafael
Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1, 4 & 7 pm
Join Katia & Company and 200 of Marin’s finest young performers on an adventure through Neverland. Complete with fairies, pirates and lost boys who never want to grow up, this classic tale will leave you with nothing but smiles and happy thoughts. Tickets: $15–$18. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details
Saturday, May 18
- Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and listen to music (9:30–10:30 am). Event details. - Free Saturday Morning Zumba
Mill Valley Community Center
Saturday, 9–10 am
We take the "work" out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party on the lawn. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you'll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Check in at the Aquatics & Fitness Center front desk when coming for class. Location: Community Center on the lawn triangle behind the Center at 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details. - Toni's Yoga Storytime
Larkspur Library
Saturday, 10 am
Stretch into the weekend with this fun interactive storytime! For families and kids up to age 6. Free. Location: 400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur. Event details. - Breakfast with Enzo
Sports Basement, Novato
Saturday, 10 & 11 am
Enzo Garcia plays guitar, banjo, accordion, musical saw, Jew's harp, enzotar, Appalachian dulcimer, slide flute, percussion and more. Recommended for children 7 and under. Drop in any time. Admission: $7 per person, siblings under 7 months free. Location: 100 Vintage Way, Novato. Event details. - Novato Parks & Recreation Camp Day 2019
Downtown Recreation Center, Novato
Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
Join the Staff at Novato Parks & Recreation for a morning of information, registration, and fun! This is the perfect opportunity to register your child for any of our awesome summer camps, meet camp counselors, and participate in some free family fun! Location: 950 7th Street, Novato. Event details. - Open for Exploration
Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
Bring your family and friends! The Martin Griffin Preserve is open to the public. Learn about the wonders of nature and hike through redwoods, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bolinas Lagoon and Pacific Coast. Hike 8+ miles of trails, learn from nature guides, view abundant plants and wildlife, visit newt ponds, discover natural wonders in the Curiosity Room, and more. Admission: Suggested donation of $20 per person. Event details - The 125th Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival
Downtown Santa Rosa
Saturday, 10 am
This is one of Sonoma County's most honored traditions and one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in Northern California. Parade takes place from 12:15–2 pm with marching bands, floats, roses, horse-drawn carriages, clowns, roses, roses, and more roses. Following the parade will be music, family activities, and food vendors at Juilliard Park. The awards ceremony for all parade categories will take place at approximately 2 pm. Juillard Park is located on Santa Rosa Avenue just south of Sonoma Avenue. Event details - Open Cockpit Supersonic Weekend
Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
Open Cockpit weekends at the Pacific Coast Air Museum are your chance to get up close to selected aircraft and look inside. On May 19-20 we present four planes noted for their supersonic speed: The F-4C Phantom II, the F-106 Delta Dart, the Blue Angels F-4N Phantom II Cockpit Simulator, and the T-38 Talon trainer. Museum admission applies. Event details. - Free Family Water Safety Fair
Coast Guard Motor Boat Station Golden Gate, Sausalito
Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
An exciting, free, fun family event at beautiful U.S. Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, near the north tower of the Golden Gate bridge. Come get a free life jacket (while supplies last), watch friendly Coast Guard dogs as they demonstrate how they detect explosives, witness thrilling helicopter rescue demos, take tours of Coast Guard vessels and the Coast Guard station, learn about boating safety, get a free boater environmental kit, bring your boat for a courtesy vessel safety exam, and take one of three free boating seminars. Free parking. Location: 435 Murray Circle, Fort Baker in Saualito. Event details - Bon Air Center Spring Fair & Market
Greenbrae
Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
Visit the annual Spring Fair & Market, a free, family-friendly day of fun along the promenade. Enjoy locally grown and produced snacks, sips and desserts, chef demonstrations, live music, sidewalk sales and specials, prizes, giveaways, hands-on children’s activities, face painting, balloons, food trucks and more. Meet the people behind the products from nearby farms, food producers and businesses. More than 70 food and beverage purveyors, from Mollie Stone’s Markets and Bon Air shops and restaurants will share delicious bites and refreshing beverages. Event details - Coleman Festival
Coleman Elementary School, San Rafael
Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
Come celebrate art and the fantastic Coleman Elementary community at the annual Coleman Festival! Fun for the whole family and open to the public. Enjoy food, games, prizes, auction items, art and wonderful performances by our talented Coleman kids.The proceeds of the event benefit music, art, technology, and physical education at the school. Admission is free. Location: 800 Belle Avenue, San Rafael. Event details - Berkeley Bluegrass Festival: Music for Kids and Families
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Saturday, doors open at noon
Singout! Magazine calls Kathy Kallick “one of the best songwriters in bluegrass and acoustic music, always coming up with interesting, sometimes playful, always sure-handed songs” and praises her band as “a wonderful combination of youth and experience.” Annie Staninec sings and plays fiddle and clawhammer banjo, Tom Bekeny sings and plays mandolin and fiddle, Greg Booth sings and plays dobro and banjo, Cary Black sings and plays bass, and together with Kathy on guitar and vocals, the band sizzles and swings on compelling originals and bluegrass classics based in the Bill Monroe tradition. Free with reservation. Location: 2020 Addison Stree, Berkeley. Event details. - Taste of Town Center
Corte Madera
Saturday, noon–2 pmThis free festive afternoon will offer bites of the tastiest seasonal dishes, as well as live music, face painting, balloons, prizes and more. Event details. -
Spring into Summer: Bees, Movies & Mac & Cheese
Mill Valley Learning Cottage
Saturday, 1–5 pm
Extraordinary Kid, Jake, founder and owner of Carmel Honey Company, will be teaching our VGK extraordinary kids about bees, we'll have crafts and face painting, homemade Mac and Cheese, popcorn, and The Bee Movie! It's a kids' celebration! Have a Parents' Day Out while your kids are celebrating how spectacular they are! Contact Janai at (916)541-0718 for details and reservations! Space is limited!. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Location: 316 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details. -
To the Moon, Snoopy
Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
Saturday, 1–4 pm
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 10 with hands-on activities, presentations, and representatives from NASA in Silicon Valley and the Space Station Museum. Learn about space travel past and present and NASA’s plans to send people to the Moon to stay, including how the technologies being developed for the Moon are paving the way for future robotic and human missions to Mars. Hear Dr. Liz Warren, Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, and Dr. Kimberly Ennico-Smith, Research Astrophysicist for NASA’s Ames Research Center, discuss their current projects and the benefits of space exploration for life on Earth. Plus, launch rockets, make a constellation viewer, and collect a special Snoopy button to take home. Admission: $5–$12. Location: 2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa. Event details - Family Hikes
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
Saturday, 1–4 pm
Explore your local watershed! Learn how water flows through our parks and open spaces, and your own backyard. Join us the third Saturday of the month for short hikes to learn about our local plants and animals, while participating in a citizen science project. Program starts at 1 & 3 pm. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Location: 5585 Newanga Ave, Santa Rosa. Event details. - 23 Elephants presents: Mamma Mia!
The Playhouse San Anselmo
Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father on a Greek island paradise. The Saturday matinee is a sensory friendly performance with adjustments including house lights on at a low level, the inclusion of a "chill-out" area, technology-friendly and movement-friendly seating zones, and smaller audience sizes. Tickets: $15 general, $28 reserved. Event details - Young Performers Theatre presents: Madeline at the Circus
Fort Mason, San Francisco
Saturday, 2 pm & 4:30 pm and Sunday, 11 am & 2:30 pm
When Madeline and her friend, Pepito, get lost during a visit to the carnival and end up being carried away by gypsies, their rousing adventures with a traveling circus begin! But poor Miss Clavel won’t rest until she has brought them safely home. Music and dancing make this play fun for all! This play is suitable for all ages. Tickets: $12. Purchase tickets here. Location: 2 Marina Boulevard, Building C, 3rd Floor in San Francisco. 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.
Sunday, May 19
- 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 Garage Sale
Tam Valley Community Center
Sunday, 9 am–2 pm
Come shop 30 local vendors for amazing garage sale bargains and treasures. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details - Learn to Saltwater Fish
McNears Beach Park, San Rafael
Sunday, 10 am–noon
Join rangers to learn how to fish on the San Pablo Bay. A limited amount of poles will be available on a first come, first-served basis. A valid California fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring a fishing pole. No pets (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Rain will cancel. Park entrance waived for participants. Event details - Feed a Giraffe
Oakland Zoo
Sunday, 10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Do you love giraffe and want to help support them in the wild? Have you ever wanted to surprise a friend with an experience of a lifetime? Then come feed one of the Oakland Zoo giraffe residents on one of the feeding days! Cost: $15 per person. Children 2 years and older must have a ticket. Only 35 tickets per time slot will be sold. Location: 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Event details. - Presidio Picnic
San Francisco Presidio
Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
Presidio Picnic is a great family event that takes place Sundays on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, a seven-acre lawn with views of the park, the city, and the San Francisco Bay. Presidio Picnic features a rotating lineup of 30+ international mobile food creators, free yoga class, free Presidio Y Bike learn to ride lessons for kids on the first Sunday of the month, a cultural dance program every 4th Sunday, and more. Location: Presidio's Main Parade Ground, San Francisco. Event details. - Woofstock 2019
Marin Humane, Novato
Sunday, noon–5 pm
Grab your leash, furry friends, and family to join us for the Bay Area’s grooviest dog (and animal) lover’s event! Enjoy music by the premier Eagles cover band, the Illeagles, who have taken the Bay Area by storm, along with food, beer, and wine. The ever-popular Kid’s Zone will be back with awesome activities for kids of all ages. Explore the event booths featuring local merchants! All proceeds benefit the animals at Marin Humane. Tickets: $0–$40. Location: 171 Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, Novato. Event details - Folkish Festival
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
Sundays, 12:30–2:30 pm
Get your groove on and enjoy the early summer sun (or fog, this is the Bay Area after all!) with Rich Armstrong and the Neo Trio at Folkish Festival. The festival coincides with the weekly Off the Grid food truck extravaganza, so grab a bite to eat and listen to some great tunes! Event details -
Love2Dance Little Feet/Mini/All-Star Performance “Sunshine Day”
Showcase Theatre, San Rafael
Sunday, noon
Love2Dance will showcase its youngest dancers (ages 2–6) as well as the nationally ranked competitive dance team, the Love2Dance All-Stars in this fun and entertaining show. Dancing to popular kid’s songs in styles of dance that include ballet, jazz, hip hop, ballet and tap, the studio’s Little Feet and Mini dancers will warm your hearts and make you smile. Tickets: $20. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details - The Mountain Play: Grease (Canceled due to rain)
Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre on Mt. Tamalpais
Sunday, 2–4:30 pm
Experience one of Marin County's most beloved and unique events—the Mountain Play. This year's 106th Mountain Play production is the '50s-infused, smash Broadway musical Grease. All shows begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to the show. General seating ticket prices range from $20–$45, and children 3 and under are free. Reserved seating packages start at $60. Event details
