Marin Weekend Family Fun for August 23–25

Create a masterpiece in sand at this Sunday's Point Reyes National Seashore Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach. NPS photo

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, August 23

• Pianfrancisco at Fort Point
  San Francisco
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  There will be hidden pianos scrattered throughout Fort Point. On Friday, stop by, get inspired and play some tunes! On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, enjoy a concert from 1:30–3:30 pm by renowned pianists. Enjoy this unique tour of the historic site and get to know your park through music. Entry to the Fort and the concert is free. Event details.
• Animal Music Band
  Petaluma Library
  Friday, 10:15 am
  Join Farmer Arann, Miss Heidi, and Miss Dragonfly for this amazing, interactive kids' music experience for the whole family. Free. Location: 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Event details.
• Sing and Dance with Miss Kitty
  San Rafael Public Library
  Friday, 10:30 am
  Miss Kitty will join us for a series of fun family concerts that are just right for kids birth to 8 years old. No registration, no space limitations, all are welcome! Sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library. Location: 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael. Event details.
• Children's Series: Red Panda Acrobats
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11 am & 12:15 pm
  Combining exceptional athletic skills, traditional Chinese music, and a fast-paced show sure to amaze viewers of all ages, the Red Panda Acrobats bring the ancient art of Chinese acrobatics into the 21st century with jaw-dropping displays of strength, balance and dexterity. While founded in Shanghai in 1990, the company has long called San Francisco home. With a year-round international touring schedule, the Red Panda Acrobats relish the opportunity to impress hometown audiences. Free. Event details
• Film: Alice in Wonderland (1951)
  The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
  Friday, 2 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 1 & 4 pm
  This month, we invite you to take a trip down the rabbit hole with us. Alice in Wonderland offers a whimsical tale of Alice’s enchanted encounters with the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and many more quirky characters. Featuring the voice talents of Bill Thompson, Ed Wynn, Sterling Holloway, and Verna Felton, join us on a journey to Wonderland. Cost: $5 members or with general admission, $10 adults, $8 student and youth. Location:104 Montgomery Street in the Presidio, San Francisco. Event details
• Picnics on the Plaza
  Town Hall Lawn, San Anselmo
  Friday, 5–8 pm
  Enjoy live entertainment and activities; it's great, music, food and family fun! This Friday enjoy, The Treble Makers - Sing-along songs from the '40s on up. Grab dinner-to-go at a local restaurant, purchase snacks at the event, or bring your own picnic (BYOP) and dine with old and new friends at the plaza tables on Tunstead and the Town Hall lawn Location: 525 San Anselmo Avenue, Town Hall Lawn, San Anselmo. Event details
• Broadway Under the Stars: Those Dancin' Feet
  Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen
  Friday–Sunday, 5 pm
  Take our hand as we lead you through and evening of spectacular dance featuring beautiful songs orchestrated especially for this show. Lose yourself in the sways and spins that are highlighted with familiar songs from Broadway alongside your favorite popular songs. Bring a picnic before the performance. The show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $45–$149. Location: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. Event details
• Music in the Park
  Marinwood Park, San Rafael
  Friday, 6–8 pm
  Marinwood's most popular event returns this summer! Enjoy delicious BBQ by Marinwood Market and a bar for the grownups. This Friday: Valley Queen. Free. Location: 775 Miller Creek Road. Event details
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday: Eugene Huggins and Friends (blues). Event details.
• Flynn Creek Circus
  Sebastopol Grange
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 3 pm and Sunday, 1 & 4 pm
  Down the rabbit hole we go with Amelia Van Brunt as the magician’s rabbit… Join us for an original comic tale told from the rabbit’s perspective as she explores the physics of magic and the magic of physics. Revolutionist bunnies, a sinister magician, a two headed girl, and animal control agents collide in a hilarious quest to get the rabbit back in the hat. Tickets: $22 adults, $11 children. Location: Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Avenue, Sebastopol. Event details
• Movies in the Park: Captain Marvel
  Howarth Park, Santa Rosa
  Friday, 8 pm
   This fun-loving event series is back in Howarth Park for another season! Bring the family, a picnic and a blanket for a lovely evening of film-enjoyment under the stars in the park! Free. Movie starts at dusk, approximately 8 pm. Location: 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. Event details

Saturday, August 24

• 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 as well as kids' crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides, and live entertainment. Event details.
• Family Movie: A Boy Named Charlie Brown
  Lark Theater, Larkspur
  Sunday, 10 am
  Charles Schulz's Peanuts classics theatrical return. Fall in love with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang all over again. Tickets: $5 per person. Purchase tickets here. Location: 549 Magnolia Avenue, Downtown Larkspur. Event details.
• End of Summer Snow Party
  Strawberry Village Shopping Center, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  Bring the kiddos to play in 2 ft of real snow and support Kiddo. The Piazza will be transformed into a winter playground complete with a 20 x 60 Snow Zone in the back parking lot with 2 feet of real snow! Plus, this End of Summer Snow Party will have live music, a photo booth, face painting, a caricature artist, arts and crafts and more in the event area. Tickets are just $10 per person. Cash or check only. Location: The Piazza, 800 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley. Event details.
• 8th Annual Bay Area Pignic
  Marin Humane, Novato
  Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
  Join us at the Marin Humane Novato campus for the 8th annual Bay Area Pignic—a fun-filled gathering for guinea pigs and their owners. Grab some lunch, pack up your guinea pigs, and join in the fun! Activities include: cavy costume contest, vegetable eating contest, raffle, bake sale, health checks, grooming and more... Tickets $5. Purchase tickets here. Location: 171 Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, Novato. Event details
• Creekside Nature Hike
  Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood
  Saturday, 10–11:30 am
  Join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. The hike starts at the visitors’ center. No fee, but parking charges apply. Event details.
• Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival
  Gourmet Ghetto, Shattuck Ave., North Berkeley
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  The sidewalks along Shattuck Ave. in the Gourmet Ghetto in North Berkeley are the target of artists young and old, professional and greenhorn during the 21st Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival. Cost: Chocolate tickets are $1 each, Box of Chalk is $10. Event details.
• 25th Annual Bodega Bay Seafood, Art & Wine Festival
  Watts Ranch, Bodega
  Saturday, 10 am–6 pm and Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  The Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival is a wonderful, wild party held on a rural ranch, a few miles inland from the stunning Sonoma coast. This festival showcases regional and national fine artists and craftspeople, combined with lots of delicious food, a rollicking wine, cider and microbrew tasting, fun kids’ activities, and three stages of excellent entertainment. A portion of the proceeds go to two wonderful non-profits: Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods and the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department.Tickets: adults: $20; seniors (60+), first responders and military: $15; ages 12-18: $10; under 12 is free. Location: Watts Ranch: 16855 Bodega Highway Bodega. Event details.
• Treasure Fest: Dog Days of Summer
  Treasure Island, San Francisco
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  The Treasure Fest is a large monthly market (last weekend each month) featuring hundreds of local artists, designers, collectors, antiques, and underground food startups! In addition, there are DIY Workshops, live music, 25+ top food trucks, scavenger hunts and a full bar - Yee Haw! Admission: $7, kids 12 and under free. Event details.
• Heritage Day
  China Camp State Park, San Rafael
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Lots of family-friendly activities, including Lion Dance, Chinese Brush Painting, Tai Chi, games, food, and music. Lion Dance begins at 11 am. Parking $5. Event details.
• Bananas at Large Grand Opening Event
  Bananas at Large, San Rafael
  Saturday, 11 am–5 pm
  End of summer family fun and grand opening. Bring the family for Musikgarten activities for babies and toddlers with Melissa, Marin Dojo martial arts performance, live performance by Narada Michael Walden & Friends, Bandworks Performance, and a ukulele jam and sing-along. Free! Location: 1654 2nd Street, San Rafael. Event details.
• 10th Anniversary Annual Open House & BBQ
  Stemple Creek Ranch , Tomales
  Saturday, 12–3 pm
  Grab your boots and come on out to the ranch for our annual Open House and BBQ. This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Stemple Creek Ranch! Guests will be treated to a walking tour around our property, while learning more about our family history, philosophy, and our participation in the Marin Carbon Project. We will finish up with a yummy lunch of grilled grass fed Stemple Creek burgers. RSVP and ticket purchase is required in advance for this family-friendly event. We will send directions and details to those who purchase tickets. Tickets: Adults $30, Child (3–12) $10, Baby (0–2) $0. Purchase tickets here. *Tickets will not be sold the day of the event. Event details
• Marin Comics Fest Kickoff
  Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  The Marin Comics Fest kicks off at the Cartoon Art Museum, with New York Times bestselling writer Landry Q. Walker, whose resume includes Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade, the gritty medieval tale The Last Siege, and the humorous school-age sci-fi book series Project: Terra. Landry will be signing books and discussing his work from 1 to 3 pm, in the Bil Keane Family Lobby. Free. In addition, those presenting a valid Marin County library card will receive free same-day admission to the museum galleries. Location: 781 Beach Street, San Francisco. Event details
• Free Shakespeare in the Park: The Merry Wives of Windsor
  Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
  Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
  Two clever, canny women show bad boy John Falstaff that #Time'sUp in this hilarious Shakespeare comedy. Come join the Curtain Theatre in the beautiful redwood grove in Old Mill Park behind the Mill Valley Library. Bring the family, bring a picnic and prepare to be entertained! 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
• Movies in Creek Park: Mamma Mia!
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 7 pm
  Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. This Friday: Sing-Along Night — audience participation encouraged! Lyrics to all songs karaoke-style on the the big screen. Seating generally begins around 7 pm, with pre-movie slide show, announcements, trivia and nightly raffle. Movies begin when dark enough and generally run two hours. Event details
• Raiders of the Lost Ark—In Concert
  Weill Hall Lawn, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
  Saturday, 7:30 pm
  It’s Raiders of the Lost Ark like you’ve never experienced it before! Enjoy the classic Indiana Jones adventure with John Williams’ epic score performed live by the Santa Rosa Symphony! You’ll see the original film on the silver screen in all of its glory, while the 80+ musician orchestra provides the iconic musical backdrop live on the Weill Hall stage. Tickets: $25 and up. Location: 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park. Event details.
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents: Spamalot 2019
  Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, San Rafael
  Saturday, 8 pm and Sunday, 4 pm
  Why on earth would you miss a rollicking good time with friends, laughing away the evening under the summer stars at SPAMALOT, a musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail?  Tickets: $12 and up. Purchase tickets here. Location: 890 Belle Ave, San Rafael. Event details.

Sunday, August 25

• 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
• 38th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest
  Drakes Beach, Point Reyes
  Sunday, 9 am–3:30 pm
  All ages are welcome at this free community event located at Drakes Beach. Categories include: Children (14 and under), Families, Adult Individuals, and Adult Groups. Three prizes will be awarded in each of those categories, along with prizes for the sculpture with the most recycled plastic included. Event details
• U-pick Organic Apples
  Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma
  Sunday, 9 am–3 pm
  Visit Chileno Valley Ranch to pick crunchy, delicious, organic apples and tour the farm. Other farm products for sale including grass-fed beef and lamb, cheese, and olive oil. RSVP here. $8 per family with advance reservations; $12 drop-in. Apples cost $2 per pound. Location: 5105 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. Event details.
• Peace, Love and Woodstock Free Day
  Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Celebrate Peace, Love, and Woodstock with free Museum admission and Woodstock himself (from 11:00 am–2:00 pm)! Enjoy live music by Two Lions, and activities with Sonoma County Regional Parks and Sonoma County Beekeepers' Association. Also, sample ice cream cake, courtesy of Cold Stone Creamery, starting at 1:00 pm (while supplies last). Location: 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• Marine Science Sunday
  Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This Sunday's program is "Under the Bridge: Marine Mammals of SF Bay." Our own backyard in the bay is full of amazing marine mammals!  Free classroom programs will highlight our local sea lions, harbor porpoises, dolphins, and even the occasional whale that wanders under the bridge! Augment the free classroom program with a docent-led tour at 11 am, 1 pm,  or 3 pm for a truly immersive marine mammal experience. Free. Event details.
• The Plage Boys FREE Brunch Show
  Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
  Sunday, 11 am
  Bring the family to this free brunch show at the Sweetwater Music Hall. Sing and dance to the Plage Boys. Location: 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Downtown Mill Valley. Event details.
• Origami-Palooza & The Great Paper Airplane Contest
  Japan Center, San Francisco
  Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  At the 2019 Origami-Palooza & The Great Paper Airplane Contest, learn the art of origami, enter origami contests and participate in a paper airplane contest. Learn the art of origami from experts to create amazing things with paper. For instance, we have more than a dozen origami teachers and activities for folders of all levels. Additionally, join members of Rainbow World Fund as they gather wishes and cranes for the World Tree of Hope. Additionally, make a wish for peace. 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 25 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
• Free Concerts in the Plaza
  Downtown Plaza, Mill Valley
  Sunday, 3–5 pm
  The Mill Valley Arts Commission hosts 4 free outdoor concerts on the Downtown Plaza each August. This Sunday, Idle Joy and the Tazmanian Devils. Location: Downtown Mill Valley. Event details
• Family Fun Time Pool Party
  Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Sunday, 3:30–5 pm
  Free to all families, JCC members and non-members! Come enjoy the outdoor tot pool with your littles. Enjoying schmoozing, art activities on the grass, and snacks. Space limited. RSVP required: marin@jewishbabynetwork.org; include number of parents and children. Location: 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Event details
• Summer Sunday Concerts at Piccolo Pavilion
  Old Corte Madera Square
  Sundays, 5–6:30 pm
  Bring the family to the free outdoor summer concerts at the Old Corte Madera Square. This Sunday: Danny Click and the Heck Yeahs. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and a picnic. Event details