Marin Weekend Family Fun for December 12–14
Experience the free Marin Holiday Light Spectacular at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael.
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.
All Weekend
- Cut down the perfect Christmas tree at a local tree farm.
- Go skating at Union Square's holiday ice rink in San Francisco, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–11 pm.
- Skate on the Bay Area Discovery Museum's iceless skating rink, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–3:30 pm.
- Skate at LUMA Ice, Petaluma's first outdoor holiday skating rink, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–10 pm.
- Experience the free Marin Holiday Light Spectacular at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael, Friday–Sunday, 4–9 pm.
- Explore a mile-long light and music experience at Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Friday–Sunday, 5–9 pm.
- Circus Bella's holiday spectacular "Starlight" takes place in the big top tent in San Francisco, Friday, 7 pm, Saturday. 1 & 4 pm, Sunday, 4 pm.
- Experience the spectacle of San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, Friday–Sunday, 2 & 7 pm.
- Take a ride on the Tilden Park Steam Train and see holiday decorations and Father Solstice during extended evening hours for Winter Fest, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–7 pm
- Visit Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
- Markj Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets at Fort Mason is a shorter version of the classic holiday ballet for all ages, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am, 1:30 pm & 4 pm.
- Experience the magic of the holiday season at Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, Saturday & Sunday, noon–7 pm.
- Enjoy lights, music, and holiday cheer at Gardens Aglow at the Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, Saturday & Sunday, 5 & 6:30 pm.
Friday, December 12
- Enjoy songs, movement and dancing at Sing and Stomp at the San Anselmo Library, Friday, 10:30–11 am.
- Listen to a wintery story and decorate your own delicious cookie companion to take home at Mill Valley Library, Friday, 3:15–4:30 pm.
- Enjoy hot cocoa, holiday treats, twinkling lights, and electric train rides at the free Hot Cocoa Night, Piper Park in Larkspur, Friday, 5–7 pm.
Take a ride on the Tilden Park Steam Train and see holiday decorations and Father Solstice during extended evening hours for Winter Fest, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–7 pm
Saturday, December 13
- Go on a winter birding hike on Turtle Back Nature Trail at China Camp State Park, Saturday, 8–10 am.
- Celebrate winter at Slide Ranch's Family Farm Day in Muir Woods, Saturday, 0:30 am–1 pm.
- Discover unique handcrafted treasures from local artisans and enjoy live holiday entertainment and activities at the Sloat Winter Gift Market in Kentfield. Saturday, 10 am–2 pm.
- Sing along to your favorite holiday carols at Grace Cathedral's Sing You a Merry Christmas, Saturday, 11 am.
- Take a juice break with a Marin Parks ranger at Roy's Redwoods preserve in San Geronimo, Saturday ,11:30 am–1 pm.
- Take photos with Santa after he arrives on a fire engine at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae, Saturday, noon–3 pm.
- Craft your own gingerbread dog house at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Saturday, 1–4 pm.
- Experience a 19th-century Christmas at Holiday on the Northern Frontier at Sonoma State Historic Park, Saturday, 5–8 pm.
- View a holiday parade of lighted boats and a fireworks show on the Sausalito waterfront, Saturday, 6 pm.
- San Rafael's annual holiday lighted boat parade is one of the biggest in the country! Saturday, 6 pm.
- Meet at the Petaluma Turning Basin and enjoy the lighted boat parade hosted by the Petaluma Yacht Club, Saturday, 6 pm.
Sunday, December 14
- See Pixar's Elemental on the big screen at the Lark Theater in Larkspur, Sunday, 9 am..
- Shop for locally produced gifts and make a holiday wreath at the annual Fairfax Craft Faire, Sunday, 11 am–5 pm.
- Marin Conservatory of Dance presents Nutcracker at Marin School of the Arts in Novato, Sunday, 1 & 5 pm.
- The annual lighting of the Union Square menorah kicks off on Bill Graham Menorah Day, Sunday, 2–6 pm.
- Join Marin Country Mart for a Menorah lighting, latkes from Loveski, sufganiyot from Johnny Doughnuts, and themed crafts for the kids, Sunday 2–5 pm.
- Bring the family to the 3rd Annual San Anselmo Chanukah Festival, Sunday, 3:30–4:30 pm.
- Light up the night with a Chanukah Celebration at Novato City Hall with a fire truck gelt drop, menorah lighting, food, and entertainment, Sunday, 5 pm.
- Celebrate Chanukah in Mill Valley with live music, a menorah lighting, crafts, dreidels, latkes, food and drinks, and more, Sunday, 5 pm.
The annual lighting of the Union Square menorah kicks off on Bill Graham Menorah Day, Sunday, 2–6 pm.
