Marin Weekend Family Fun for April 10–12
Photo: Niles Canyon Railway
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. Note that many of these events require advance registration and some may depend on weather conditions so make sure you check with the organizer before you go.
All Weekend
- Explore the Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen on the opening weekend of their new exhibit, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm.
- The Union Pacific Big Boy, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, pays a visit to Roseville, Friday, 1–5 pm & Saturday, 9 am–1 pm.
- Catch a screening of Time Bandits at the Lark Theater in Larkspur, Saturday, 10 am & Sunday, 3:10 pm.
- The Carquinez Model Railway Society celebrates steam engines at its April open house in Crockett, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.
- All aboard for a springtime train ride at Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol! Saturday (diesel) & Sunday (steam), 10:30 am & 1 pm.
- Experience the culture of Japan at the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco' Japantown, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–5 pm.
Friday, April 10
- Sing and stomp with musician Emily Bonn at the San Anselmo Library, Friday, 10:30–11 am.
- Drop in at the Marin City Library to play board games, Friday, noon–3 pm.
- See Pixar's Elio in the Creekside Room at Mill Valley Library, Friday, 3–4:30 pm. Free popcorn!
Saturday, April 11
- Shop for bargains at the Corte Madera Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, 8 am–2 pm.
- Help herd the flock and celebrate the land at the Transhumance Festival in Petaluma, Saturday, 9 am–2 pm.
- Get a glimpse of Civil War-era Alcatraz Island on Living History Day, Saturday, 10 am–4 pm.
- Make art in the park with rangers at Stafford Lake in Novato, Saturday, 10 am–noon.
- Visit Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park for Sheep Shearing Day and see how wool comes off sheep, Saturday, 11 am–2 pm.
- Have juice with a ranger and learn all about Ring Mountain Preserve in Tiburon, Saturday, 11:30 am–1:30 pm.
- Kids can create a windmill spinner or popsicle stick picture frame at Goodie's Kids' Club at Goodman Building Supply in Mill Valley, Saturday, 12:30–2 pm.
- Learn how to identify animals by their tracks, eating habits, and poop at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, Saturday, 10:30 am–12:30 pm.
- Come to the Sausalito Library for an afternoon of art and story, Saturday, 2:30–3:30 pm.
- The Cal and Stanford bands battle it out for musical supremacy at Pier 39, Saturday, 3–5 pm.
Sunday, April 12
- Go on a sunrise hike on the Big Rock Trail in Lucas Valley, Sunday, 7–10 am.
- Shop for fresh produce and handcrafted local foods at the Marin Civic Center Farmers Market, Sunday, 8 am–1 pm.
- Take an easy wildflower hike at China Camp State Park, Sunday, 10–11:30 am.
- Get hands-on with art at Marin MOCA's Free Family Day in San Rafael, Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
- Celebrate one year of Sunset Dunes park with the free Ploverfest community music festival, Sunday, noon–4 pm.
