Marin Weekend Family Fun for March 14, 15 & 16

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 throughout the Bay Area in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, March 14

• Free Day at the Exploratorium
  San Francisco
  Friday, 10 am–5 pm
  Five annual free days are just one way the Exploratorium remains accessible to everyone, regardless of a person’s ability to pay the cost of admission. This time celebrate Pi Day (3.14) with free admission. Location: Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St), San Francisco. For more info, call (415) 528-4444 or visit their website.
• Glow in the Dark Geometry Party
  Diesel, A Bookstore in Larkspur
  Friday, 6 pm
  Kids are invited to a Glow-in-the-Dark Geometry Party at the Larkspur store. Grab your PJs and come down to the store geometry party! We’ll be exploring the wonderful world of geometry, learning and building crazy shapes out of glow sticks and Styrofoam balls. Then we’ll turn out the lights and watch the whole thing light up! For more info, call (415) 785-8177 or visit their website.
  
• St. Patrick's Day Stories
  San Anselmo Library
  Friday, 3:30–4:30 pm
  Celebrate the rich heritage of the Celts with Irish native storyteller Maureen Kalbus who will whisk you away to the land of shamrocks and leprechauns. Everyone is welcome to attend! Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, Council Chambers. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Shrek! The Musical
  San Rafael Community Center
  Friday, 7:30 pm, Saturday, 1 pm & Sunday, 3 pm
  Shrek! The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to dazzling new life on the stage. Full of all-new songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, Shrek! The Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale, and all irreverent fun for everyone! Tickets: $20. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday, March 15

• Family BikeAbout
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday, 8:30–10 am
  Pedal with your pals while enjoying the sights and sounds of your very own zoological park! Families can bring their bicycles to the Zoo for this informative, 1.5-hour, docent-led cycling tour. It’s great to be in the Zoo ahead of the crowds and watch the animals start their day. Registration includes parking and Zoo admission. Participants must bring a bicycle; the SF Zoo does not provide bicycles to rent. Cost: SFZS members $18 per pedaler and non-members: $23 per pedaler. Location: 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• The 4th Annual Marin Teen Girl Conference
  Embassy Suites Hotel, San Rafael
  Saturday, 9 am–3:30 pm
  From troubled teen to teen empowerment specialist and confidence coach, Kathleen Hassan shares a message of self-worth and personal power that comes from her own real-life experiences. Those hard-earned lessons have become the tools for transformation to help women of all ages find their voice and authentic power within. Kathleen will share the secrets of success that completely transformed her life to one that is beyond her wildest dreams. Registration: $15. Location: 101 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael. To register, visit their website.
• Bunny Boot Camp!
  Fairfax Library
  Saturday, 11 am
  Bring the little ones ages 3 to 8 to a puppet show. Lieutenant Longears and his Battalion of Bunnies must complete the final delivery of Easter eggs before Sergeant Cottontail blows his top. However, the Big Bad Wolf has other plans for the eggs. He wants to eat them all! Will Wolf get all the eggs for himself? Will Lt. Longears be able to save the day? Find out in Puppet Art Theater’s Bunny Bootcamp!! Location: 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax. For more info, call 415-453-8151 or visit their website.
• Olompali Heritage Foods: Spring Greens!
  Olompali State Historic Park, Novato
  Saturday, 11 am-1 pm
  The land at Olompali has provided fresh and local “California Cuisine” for thousands of years.  Learn about wild foods enjoyed by Coast Miwoks, crops cultivated on the Burdell Ranch and bread baked by members of Olompali’s hippie commune.  An easy walking exploration of the park will be followed by a tasting of miner’s lettuce salad and nettle-mint iced tea. More info: (415) 898-4362 x 204 or visit their website.
• Baby Loves Disco
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
  Baby loves disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real DJs, blending classic disco tunes from the ’70s and ’80s with today’s hottest dance beats. DJ Big G, MC Jesse B, and T Rock will have us rockin' to kid-friendly tunes all afternoon. Urban Sitter will be guiding the fun at fun craft tables to make pipe-cleaner cereal bracelets, do magic scratch, create color-your-own puzzles, temporary tattoos, and face painting. Free with paid Zoo admission. For more info, visit their website.
• Gustafer Yellowgold's Show
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Saturday, 11 am–noon
  Gustafer Yellowgold is a little yellow cone-headed fellow who traveled here from the sun—and the brainchild of musician/artist Morgan Taylor. This show has become an international phenomenon described by the New York Times as “a cross between Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss.” Taylor combines whimsical animation with live music and storytelling to create a wholly imaginative and creative experience. Tickets: members $5, general $16 (includes museum admission). For more information, visit their website.
• San Francisco's 163rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
  Civic Center Plaza
  Saturday, 11:30 am–5 pm
  The colorful festivities and parade will showcase Irish culture through live performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, food and beverage concessions, and children's rides and inflatables. The parade begins at 11:30 am at the corner of Second and Market Streets, where more than 5,000 participants from all over the USA will work their way City Hall. For more info, visit their website.
• 19th Annual Fairfax Brewfest
  The Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Road
  Saturday, 1–5 pm
  Kick off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend early with the 19th annual Fairfax Brewfest at the Pavilion! Come enjoy a day of great beer, music, food, and friends and a chance to support the beauty and vitality of downtown Fairfax. Tickets: adults $30, minors 17–20 $15. Kids 16 and under are free. For more info, visit their website.
• A Paganini Trio Benefit Concert
  Theater of the Lycee Français de San Francisco
  Saturday, 5:30–8 pm
  The Lycee Français de San Francisco is delighted to present a classical concert by the Paganini Trio on Saturday at 7 pm. The concert will be held at the Theater of the Lycee Francais, former home of the San Francisco Music Conservatory. The concert will begin at 7 pm following a cocktail hour. All proceeds will benefit the Sausalito Playground Fund. General admission: $50. Location: 1201 Ortega Street in San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Junior Rangers: Roy's Redwoods Full Moon Adventure
  Roy's Redwood Preserve, San Geronimo
  Saturday, 6:30–8:30 pm
  Join Ranger Jacob Feickert for an easy nature walk to experience this unique preserve after dark. Discuss nocturnal animals and things that go bump in the night! Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes (it could be muddy or slippery), and bring water, snacks and flashlights. Intended for 7–12-year-olds, though explorers of all ages are welcome. Location: Nicasio Valley Road. Meet at Roy's Redwoods Loop trailhead. For more info, call (415) 473-2816 or visit their website.

Sunday, March 16

• 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. For more info, visit their website.
• Family Fun Days
  Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
  Sunday, 10:30 am–2:30 pm
  Explore art and ideas through immersive storytelling, fun gallery activities, creative art making, and more during the museum’s Family Fun Days, designed for pre-school and kinder families. Free with paid admission. Children 12 and under are free. Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Green Fest Block Party
  United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco
  Sunday, 11 am–5 pm
  Come out and join us for this great family event! Celebrate with Irish bands and Irish dancing, face painting, and lots more! Location: 2650 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Purim Palooza: A Family Carnival
  Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Sunday, 9:30 am–2:30 pm
  Bring your friends to the Osher Marin JCC for a fun family carnival! Enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, carnival games for all ages, delicious food, and live music! Free. Location: 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 444-8000 or visit their website.
• Magical Music of Disney at the Marin Symphony
  Marin Center Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium
  Sunday, 3–5 pm
  Around the World with Disney features music from early classics to recent releases—taking audiences on a musical journey to far off places where the stories, tales and myths of many cultures originated. Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra director Ann Krinitsky conducts the program that incorporates visuals and musical performances from Disney’s animated films including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Aladdin and more! Single tickets: $45, $35, $20 and youth under age 18 $15. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. To purchase tickets, visit their website.