Marin Weekend Family Fun for January 10–12
Celebrate the Japanese New Year and exciting New Year tradition of mochi pounding this Saturday at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.
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, January 10
- Music Time with Megan
Sports Basement, Novato
Friday, 9:30–10 am
Bring the little ones 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! Event details. - Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square
San Francisco
Friday–Sunday, 10 am–11:30 pm
Union Square, San Francisco's main shopping district, gets into the ice skating spirit during the holiday season with an outdoor ice rink sponsored by Safeway. 90-minute sessions start on every even hour. Admission: starting at $13. Location: 333 Post Street, San Francisco. Event details - French Storytime
San Anselmo Library
Friday, 11–11:30 am
Perfect for children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Talk, sing, read, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music in French. No registration required. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with children during all storytime sessions. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, Council Chambers, San Anselmo. Event details. - Visit with a Beekeeper!
Sonoma County Children's Museum, Santa Rosa
Friday, 1–2:30 pm
We all know how crucial bees are to our food supply, gardens, and beyond. Shouldn’t we learn more about the importance of these fantastic creatures? Come chat with a real Sonoma County beekeeper on taste some Sonoma County honey. Museum admission applies. Location: 1835 West Steele Lane Santa Rosa. For more info, call (707) 546-4069 or visit their website. - Film: Enchanted (2007)
The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
Friday & Sunday, 2 pm
Inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, Enchanted follows Giselle (Amy Adams), as she is transported by the evil Queen Narissa from the animated kingdom of Andalasia to the bustling real world of New York City. Longing to return to Andalasia to experience “true love’s kiss,” Giselle learns to adapt to New York with the help of Robert Philip, a handsome but cynical divorce lawyer, and his young daughter. Fall in love with this 21st century fairytale and enjoy enchanting musical numbers with lyrics written by Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz and melodies composed by Disney Legend Alan Menken. Cost: $5 members or with general admission, $10 adults, $8 student and youth. Location:104 Montgomery Street in the Presidio, San Francisco. Event details - Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna
AT&T Park, San Francisco
Friday & Saturday, 4:30 & 8 pm, Sunday, 1:30 & 5 pm
Cirque du Soleil returns to the San Francisco Bay Area with Amaluna. Inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest and elements of Romeo and Juliet, Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna invites you to a mysterious island ruled by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon where the natural elements—particularly water—play a huge role in creating this unforgettable show. The show will be performed under the Big Top in Lot A at Oracle Park through Sunday, January 12, 2020. Tickets: $79 and up. Event details -
Katia and Company presents The Wizard of Oz
Showcase Theater, San Rafael
Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1 & 4:30 pm
Experience the classic story of Dorothy and her friends as she tries to get home from the land of Oz. Directed by Katia McHaney, Katia & Company offers year-round theater opportunities for actors in grades 1–8, as well as fantastic summer theater and dance camps. For all ages. Tickets: $18 and $16, (Plus Fees). Purchase tickets here. Location: Marin Civic Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details
Saturday, January 11
- Indoor Power Play
Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
Saturday & Sunday, 9–10:30 am
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: $15/ per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details. - Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, crafts by from 9 am–2 pm, children's music or storytelling from 9:30–10:30 am, and more live music from 11 am–12:30 pm, as well as fresh produce, prepared foods, and great local restaurants. Event details. - Creek Walk to See Spawning Coho Salmon
San Geronimo
Saturday, 10 am–noon
With the first hard rains in the watershed comes the beginning of spawning season for Coho salmon. SPAWN-trained naturalists lead creek walks to explore the majesty of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. Tour will explore the site of the former San Geronimo Gold Course and embark on a journey to multiple creek sites in search of some of these critically endangered salmon. Meet at the parking area of San Geronimo Restaurant & Bar. Tours are open to all ages and abilities. Cost: $15 donation per person; children 12 and under are free and do not need to register. Location: San Geronimo Restaurant & Bar, 5800 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Geronimo. Event details - Junior Chef Class: Dumplings From Scratch
Williams-Sonoma, Corte Madera
Saturday, 10 am
Do you love dumplings? Then, this is the class for you! Join us to learn. Suitable for ages 8-13. Cost: $30. Reserve your spot online here. Free. Location: The Village at Corte Madera. Event details - Amigo Bay Area Guitar Show
Marin Center Exhibit Hall, San Rafael
Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
An international buy-sell-trade event featuring used, new, old and vintage guitars and amplifiers. This event is attended by retail stores collectors, builders, manufacturers, foreign and domestic buyers, stars, authors, appraisers and musicians from all over the area. Attendees may bring all the musical items they can carry to sell or trade. Typical displays include guitars, amplifiers, sound gear, effects pedals, clothing, parts, violins, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and other items. Admission: $20 general (plus fees); free for children 11 and under. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details - Bay Area Children's Theatre: A Year with Frog and Toad
Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 am, 1 pm & 4 pm
Families will delight in this heartwarming, jazzy-rhythmed tale of friendship, as cheerful Frog and his more reserved pal Toad swim, sled, bake cookies and otherwise romp through a year of comic adventures, accompanied by their woodland animal friends, like Snail, who, by golly, will deliver the mail. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Tickets: $30 adults, $26 children 2–14, $28 seniors 65+. Location: 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco. Event details. - Storytime: The Return of Thelma the Unicorn
Barnes and Noble, Corte Madera
Saturday, 11 am
Thelma the Unicorn is reluctant to share her horn and sparkles again, but with the help of her best friend Otis, she realizes the importance of spreading love and joy no matter what people think. Activities to follow. Location: 313 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera. Event details - Exploring Seasonal Marshlands
Sonoma State Historic Park
Saturday, 11 am
During the rainy season, the park’s open space transforms from dry, arid land, into natural marshlands. Look for the State Park vehicle parked along the bike path near 3rd Street West and the ballfields for this drop in program. Waterproof shoes are recommended, steady rain cancels. Event details - Omochitsuki! Mochi Pounding
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
Celebrate the Japanese New Year with Kagami Kai, an acclaimed mochi group, as it presents the colorful and exciting New Year tradition of mochi pounding to make delectably sweet rice cakes, with lively music, energetic dance and traditional attire. As part of the day, paint a Year of the Rat netsuke (charm) and fold paper cranes for luck and prosperity in the new year. Free with museum admission. Location: 200 Larkin Stree, San Francisco. Event details. - Family Art Making
de Young Museum, San Francisco
Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
Family Art Making offers a free, drop-in art project led by professional teaching artists. Projects change every 3-4 weeks and connect to our permanent collections or highlight our special exhibiton. Make sure to pick up a Discovery Guide to explore the galleries. Artists of all ages are welcome to join. Free and open to the public. Museum admission required for gallery activities found in the Discovery Guide. Location: Piazzoni Murals Room, de Young Museum, San Francisco. Event details - Celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese Lion Dancers
Presidio Library, San Francisco
Saturday, 11–11:30 am
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the San Francisco Public Library with a Chinese Lion Dance and Martial Arts Performance. Free. Location:Presidio General Floor Area, 3150 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. Event details - “Hands on History” in the Sonoma Mission Courtyard
Sonoma State Historic Park
Saturday, 11:30 am
Join us for these 40 minute activities designed for the 4th grade student studying California History. Free with paid admission to the park, rain or shine. This Saturday: candle making at 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 pm. Discover the origin of candle making by creating your own candle to take home. Event details - Kids Calendar Craft
McNears Beach Park, San Rafael
Saturday, 12:30–2:30 pm
Welcome the new year with a colorful calendar. Paint, draw, doodle and decorate! Kids will have fun working with their parents in turning their artwork into a unique redwood wall calendar. Rangers will assist in mounting and providing a finish for their creation. Healthy snacks, hot cocoa, and all materials needed for the project will be provided. This event is ideal for children age 5 and up. This event is RSVP only as space is limited. Park entrance is waived for participants. Location: 201 Cantera Way, San Rafael. Event details - Journey of the Whales
Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center
Saturday & Sunday, 1:30 pm
Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Program lasts 30 minutes. This program is given out-of-doors. Come prepared for windy, cold and damp weather. Free. Weekend shuttle bus program is in place starting December 28; $7 per person, free for 17 and under. Event details. - Love2Dance "Watch This" Winter Performance
Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael
Saturday, 4 pm
Love2Dance students will perform a variety of dance styles featuring songs from popular TV show themes new and old. Dance styles include hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical and acrobatics. Love2Dance located in Novato is a positive, upbeat dance studio with over 400 students from the Bay Area. Bring your family and enjoy this entertaining show. The studio’s competitive dance team, the Love2Dance All-Stars will also perform their national award-winning routines. Tickets: $27, $22 (Plus Fees). Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details - Indoor Power Play
Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
Saturday, 6–9 pm
Drop the kiddos ( K–8th 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, January 12
- 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 - Newt Commute
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
Sunday, 10 am–noon
Join us for a family-friendly walk to frog pond to observe newts on their impressive annual journey. Take a magical peek inside the life (and lifecycle) of the California Newt and get a chance to look for migrating newts and their freshly laid eggs on this 1.5-mile roundtrip hike. Trail not suitable for strollers. Free. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Location: 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. Event details - Storytime with Christopher Smith
Book Passage, Corte Madera
Sunday, 10:30 am
After four years of living overseas, children's story reader Christopher Smith returns to Book Passage! Christopher was the Sunday story time reader at Book Passage for more than 20 years, introducing new picture books, poetry, and song to countless young children in Marin. A local school teacher, Christopher's song "The Golden Gate" is a Parent's Choice Award winner and a beloved favorite throughout the Bay Area. Join us as this tradition continues on. Free. Location: 51 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Corte Madera. Event details. - Sunday Special: Clowning Around with Coventry and Kaluza
Mill Valley Library
Sunday, 11 am–noon
Award-winning circus comedians, Coventry & Kaluza bring a variety of skills and thrills to their show, which features juggling, acrobatics, music, comedy and high numbers hula hooping. It’s interactive fun for the whole family! All ages. No registration necessary. Free. Location: Mill Valley Public Library - Main Reading Room, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Event details. - Love2Dance "Tuned In" Winter Performance
Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael
Sunday, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 pm
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 TV show themes 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
