Marin Weekend Family Fun for December 5–7

December 6, 2024

Enjoy outdoor skating, music, shopping, and holiday magic at Marin Art and Garden Center's Winter Wonderland, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.

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.
Join Snoopy for a free outdoor holiday skating show at Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, Friday, 6 & 7 pm, Saturday, 2 & 3 pm, Sunday, 1 & 2 pm.
Skate on the Bay Area Discovery Museum's iceless skating rink, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–3:30 pm.
Enjoy outdoor skating, music, shopping, and holiday magic at Marin Art and Garden Center's Winter Wonderland, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.
Bring the family for the ODC/Dance The Velveteen Rabbit, Friday & Saturday, 11 am and Sunday, 2 pm.
Glowfari lights up the Oakland Zoo with more incredible animal lanterns, Friday–Sunday, 4:30–9 pm.
Experience the spectacle of San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, Friday, 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2 & 7 pm.
Visit Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
Marin Ballet's spectacular Nutcracker takes place at Marin School of the Arts in Novato, Saturday & Sunday, 1 & 5 pm.

Sponsor

Friday, December 5

Bring the family to the Lark Creek Shop's Winter Wonderland for hot cocoa, ginger bread man decorating, and photos with Santa, Friday, 3:30–7:30 pm.
Welcome the holidays at the Theatre Square tree lighting event in Petaluma, Friday, 5:30–7:30 pm.
Celebrate the holidays with a Polar Express pajama party at the Lark Theater in Larkspur, Friday, 6:30 pm.

Marin Ballet's spectacular Nutcracker takes place at Marin School of the Arts in Novato, Saturday & Sunday, 1 & 5 pm.

Saturday, December 6

Ride the SMART Train, donate a toy, and get your photo taken with Santa, Saturday, 9:30–11:30 am.
Shop for fine handmade gifts at the Mill Valley Recreation Holiday Craft Fair, Saturday, 10 am–4 pm.
The Novato Holiday Crafts Faire features unique gifts, music, and photos with Santa, Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (Santa Photos until noon; reservations required).
Shop for holiday gifts, enjoy traditional German food, and take photos with Santa at the Christkindlmarkt in Petaluma, Saturday, 10 am–3 pm.
Sing along to your favorite holiday carols at the Sing You a Merry Christmas family concert at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Saturday, 11 am.
Enjoy a puppet show and hands-on workshop at Marin Theater in Mill Valley, Saturday, 11 am.
Santa arrives in a fire engine to take photos with family, friends, and even your pets at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae, Saturday, noon–3 pm.
Bring the family to see Santa and tree lighting at 2nd Annual Holiday Magic on Magnolia, Downtown Larkspur, Saturday, 2–5 pm.
Capture the magic of a sensory friendly Santa at the 2024 Inclusive Santa Sighting in Petaluma, Saturday, 2–5 pm.
Get in the holiday spirit with the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival in downtown Novato, Saturday, 4–7:30 pm.
Experience WinterFest, with a kiddie train, holiday music, bake sale, and more, at Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, Saturday, 3–6 pm.
Enjoy entertainment, refreshments, train rides, and holiday magic at the San Anselmo holiday tree lighting, Saturday, 4–7:30 pm.
Fairfax's Winter Market is a family-friendly holiday block party, Saturday, 5–8 pm.
Watch the annual Lighted Boat Parade on the Petaluma River, Saturday, 6–8 pm.
Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa presents a professional holiday figure skating show, Merry & Bright on Ice, Saturday, 6 & 7:30 pm.
The Marin Symphony Chorus and instrumentalists perform holiday favorites by candlelight at St. Raphael's Church in San Rafael, Saturday, 7:30 pm.

Sunday, December 7

Browse for treasures at the Outdoor French Market's Big Christmas Show, Sunday, 9 am–3 pm.
Enjoy yuletide cheer for all on Main Street at the Tiburon Holiday Festival, Sunday, 11 am–2 pm.
Join the Osher Marin JCC and community partners for the ultimate free Hanukkah celebration, Sunday, 11:30 am–1:30 pm.
Mill Valley's annual Winterfest features a tree lighting, performances, a visit from Santa, kids' activities, and more, Sunday, noon–5 pm.