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Home | Marin Weekend Family Fun for September 13–15

Marin Weekend Family Fun for September 13–15

Family fun awaits this weekend at Mill Valley's annual Fall Arts Festival in Old Mill Park.

Try one of our 5 fantastic fall Marin hikes with your family this weekend!

Friday, September 13

  • 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.
  • Student Matinee: Marin Shakespeare Company: A Midsummer Night's Dream
    Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, San Rafael
    Friday, 11 am

    Enjoy the enchantment under the summer stars as mortals and fairies collide with mirth, merriment, mischief and mayhem. Sunday is a special family matinee: youth 18 and under are free. Location: 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael. Purchase tickets here.
  • French Storytime/L'heure de Conte
    San Anselmo Library
    Friday, 11–11:30 am

    Join us for stories and songs in French! French storytime happens every Friday at 11am. Open to French and non-French speakers. All children must attend with a caregiver. Event details
  • Friday Night Jazz Concerts
    Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
    Friday, 5:30–8:30 pm
    Meet us at the Mart this Friday night to enjoy some jazzy tunes styled by the Susan Sutton Trio! Grab a drink, grab a snack, and settle in for a musical adventure. Grab a drink, grab a snack, and settle in for a musical adventure. Free. Location: Larkspur Landing. Event details.
  • Movies in the Park: The Incredibles 2
    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 our park! Free. Location: 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. Event details
  • Movies in the Park: Ralph Breaks the Internet
    Friends Field, Mill Valley
    Friday, dusk

    These movies are held on the second Friday night in July, August, September, and October and are family friendly. Please bring your blankets, low beach chairs, flashlights and picnics. Free. Event details

Saturday, September 14

  • Farmers' Market
    Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
    Saturday, 9 am–2 pm

    Shop for great local food and have fun at Marin Country Mart. Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10:30 am–2 pm adjacent to the farmer's market. Arts and crafts and face painting for kids from 9 am–2 pm and kid's entertainment from 9:30–10:30 am. Event details
  • Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
    Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
    Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm

    The 63rd Annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival will showcase over 135 fine artists from all across the country and offer live music and children’s entertainment under the redwoods. The juried works include prints, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, photography, and sculpture. See full schedule here. Cost: adults $12/advance, $15/gate, seniors $8/advance, $10/gate, free for kids12 and under and for students and teachers with ID. Location: Old Mill Park, Throckmorton Ave and Old Mill Street. Event details
  • Poekie Nook Open House
    Poekie Nook, Mill Valley
    Saturday, 10 am–5 pm

    Come in and check out Poekie Nook's beautiful, newly-remodeled space. Join us for a bite from local eateries. Top that with delicious cupcakes, some Poekie juice and, of course, sew something! Two hours free for everyone! Bring your Poekie for the pool and spa. Location: 247 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley. Event details
  • Native American Trade Feast
    Miwok Park, Novato
    Saturday, 10 am–6 pm

    Come to Miwok Park for the 52nd annual Native American Trade Feast. Featured activities. Experience live music and dancing, children’s activities, native storytelling, hoop dancing and much more. Free admission. Location: 2200 Novato Boulevard, Novato. Event details
  • Nature and Optics Festival
    Sonoma State Historic Park
    Saturday, 10 am

    The 9th annual festival takes place at the Casa Grande area of the park, 20 East Spain Street. Exhibits include live owls, bats and raptors! Non-profit groups share nature displays and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brings its airboat. Vendors of optics, cameras, and binoculars are on hand with equipment for demo and sale. Nature crafts entertain the kids. All ages, free of charge. Event details
  • Good Night, Gorilla
    Children's Creativity Museum Annex, San Francisco
    Saturday, 10 & 11:15 am and Sunday, 11:15 am

    You’re not dreaming! Our mischievous gorilla and his zoo pals are tiptoeing out of their cages once again to follow the zookeeper home for the night. This wildly popular, interactive theatre experience for the very young returns by popular demand. Don your pajamas and come along! Recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years. Tickets: Adults $18 and child $15. Purchase tickets here. Location: 221 4th Street, San Francisco. Event details.
  • Primate Discovery Day
    Oakland Zoo
    Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

    Leap like Lemurs for a day of hands-on, tails-on adventures for all ages! Games, activities, learning, and amazing animals await you on this special day of primate discovery. Free with paid Zoo admission, no registration required. Location: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Event details
  • The Wheels on the Bus
    BACT Berkeley Center, Berkeley
    Saturday and Sunday, 10 & 11:15 am

    Inspired by the ever-popular book and song. Toddler “bus drivers in training” will drive through town, stopping to meet a baker, a teacher, a veterinarian, a librarian and other community members, making music all along the way. Recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years. Tickets: Adults $18 and Child $15. Purchase tickets here. Location: 2055 Center Street, Berkeley. Event details.
  • Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon
    Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
    Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm

    The largest pet festival and animal adoption event in North America is back! Join us at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton for the can’t-miss pet event of the year. Meet-and-greet with 2,000+ adoptable dogs, cats, bunnies, and small animals. Ready for a break? Enter your pooch in the Splash Dogs Dock Diving competition, check out a live band, or browse our 100+ vendor booths (with tons of free goodies!) Admission and parking are free. See you (and your leashed pets) there! Event details
  • Concert for Kids/Tot Art in the Park: James K
    Robin Sweeny Park, Sausalito
    Saturday, 10:30 am–noon

    Free concerts featuring music, dancing, and fun for families with young children on the 2nd Saturday of the month from July to October. Parents and young children (5 years and under). This Friday: James K. Event details
  • Marinwood Classic Car Show & BBQ
    Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
    Saturday, 11 am–3 pm

    Beautiful cars, great food, live music on the lawn and under the trees in their park. BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs. Lots of places to picnic. Location: 575 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. Event details.
  • Family Matinee with Tiffany Austin
    SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
    Saturday, 11 am–noon

    Vocalist and composer Tiffany Austin has quickly become a force in jazz, with an ebullient style and soulful eloquence that honor the vocal greats while pushing forward in search of new territory. Her 2018 release, Unbroken (on the Con Alma Music label), celebrates the indelible link between jazz and the blues, and showcases her talents in the lineage of Bessie Smith and Betty Carter. We kick off our matinee season with the transformative power of song and honor the instrument we all share: the voice! Tickets: $5–$23. Location: 201 Franklin Street, 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; museum admission required for gallery activities. Event details
  • 2019 Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival
    Clement Street, San Francisco
    Saturday, 11 am–3 pm

    Autumn Moon Festival celebrations have been held throughout Asia for well over 1,000 years. This holiday is a time to reflect upon the bounty of the summer harvest, the fullness of the moon, and the myth of the immortal moon Goddess, Chang-O, who lives in the moon. The Moon Festival is often considered a “Chinese Thanksgiving” because of its celebration of gratitude and inclusion of abundant food – including the popular moon cake. The Autumn Moon Festival will be a fun, family-friendly event where attendees will have a taste of the cultural diversity of the Richmond District. Free. Event details.
  • 1st Annual Bay Area Korean Chuseok (Harvest) Festival
    Civic War Parade Ground, Presidio
    Saturday, 11 am–5 pm

    Celebrate the rich legacy of Korean heritage, culture, and community services. Enjoy Korean food, singers and dancers (traditional and pop), taekwondo demonstrations, traditional games and crafts for all ages, cooking demonstrations and more. Partners include the Korean Center, Inc. and the Korean Consulate General of San Francisco. Location: Presidio, San Francisco. Event details.
  • Hamilton Community Pool
    San Rafael
    Saturday, 11:30 am–6 pm

    Drop-in for public swim at the Hamilton Community Pool. Cost: Novato residents: adults 16 and older $5, youth 1+ $4 and Non-residents: adults $9, youth $7. Location: 203 El Bonito Drive, Novato. For more info, call (415) 485-3344 or visit their website.
  • Terra Linda Community Pool
    San Rafael
    Saturday,11:30 am–6 pm

    Drop-in for public swim at the Terra Linda Community Pool. Cost: San Rafael residents: adults 16 and older $5, youth 1+ $4 and Non-residents: adults $9, youth $7. Location:670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 485-3344 or visit their website.
  • Charity and the JAMband Family Concert
    Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center, San Francisco
    Saturday, 1–3 pm

    Join Charity and the JAMband at the Pomeroy Center for a family-friendly concert on the upper lawn. We'll be outside under the beautiful blue sky, on the grassy grass, just how we like it! Come join us for two+ hours of family music that will rock your socks off! AND...there's even tons of parking ;-) Bring a picnic and stay awhile. Tickets: $10, free for under 1 year. Location: 207 Skyline Boulevard, San Francisco. Event details.
  • A First Aid program presented by the Scouts
    Novato Library
    Saturday, 2:30–3:30 pm

    Get hands on first-aid training with local scouts. Learn what to do in an emergency, and how to treat burns and scrapes. For more information, call Novato Library at 415-473-2050. Free. Location: 1720 S. Novato. Blvd., Novato. Event details.
  • Evening 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
  • Marin Symphony Fall Pops Concert: Cirque de la Symphonie
    Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael
    Saturday, 7 pm & Sunday, 3 pm

    The Marin Symphony's new season starts with excitement for the whole family, with their Fall Pops concert, Cirque de la Symphonie! Prepare to be thrilled and bedazzled as spectacular aerial flyers, acrobats, balancers, and strongmen perform to live symphony music. Performers include Olympians, international gold medalists—some of the most experienced cirque talent ever seen. All this as the Marin Symphony plays popular classical music by Dvořák, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and more. Tickets: $20 and up. Event details
  • Movies in Creek Park: The Living Daylights
    Creek Park, San Anselmo
    Saturday, 7 pm

    Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. This Friday: The Living Daylights; Bond Night: Tuxedos welcome. 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
  • Free Outdoor Movie Night
    Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
    Saturday, 7:45–9:45 pm

    Join us for a FREE family movie, featuring Disney's Brother Bear, rated G. 85 minute run time. Movie begins shortly after sunset and is a great way to spend the evening with loved ones. Arrive early to secure a good seat, and enjoy your surroundings. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, snacks and a blanket or chair for sitting. Event details

Sunday, September 15

  • Clo Cow Half Marathon
    Downtown Petaluma
    Sunday, 7 am
    The 9th running of the Clo Cow Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is set for September 16, 2018 in Historic Downtown Petaluma. Our beautiful half marathon course will take you through rural Sonoma County farm country, over rolling hills where you'll be cheered on by sheep, horses, and of course our beloved Moo-Cows! The trip out there is a challenging one, but the inclines just make the views even more rewarding! Event details
  • 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
  • Eco-Sail to the Marin Headlands
    Freda B, Sausalito
    Sunday, 8:45–11:30 am

    Set sail aboard the Schooner Freda B for an ecology-themed tour of the Marin Headlands! This signature sail, boarding in Sausalito, will take you under the Golden Gate Bridge and all the way out to Point Bonita Lighthouse. This is a prime area for wildlife, since it's only viewable from the water, and we'll have a naturalist on-board to guide you through the whole experience. You'll learn about the diverse ecosystems of the San Francisco Bay, with frequent wildlife sightings, and then return in time for brunch at one of Sausalito's many delicious restaurants! Event details
  • Storytime with Christopher Smith
    Book Passage, Corte Madera
    Sunday, 10:30–11 am

    After four years of living overses, 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. Event details
  • Family Fun Day
    Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

    Sunday, 10:30 am–2 pm
    Discover and play as a family at the Asian Art Museum. On Family Fun Days, our gallery activities, creative art projects and immersive storytelling make art appreciation into a lively, family-friendly event. Themes and projects change regularly, so visit again and again. Please note: Street parking is free on Sundays, making a visit to the museum both fun and affordable. Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco. 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
  • Sundays on Sherman
    Novato City Hall
    Sunday, 11 am–3 pm

    Please join us for as we take over Sherman Avenue in Downtown Novato to play! Sundays on Sherman is a chance for community members of all ages to come outside and participate in free games and activities! Food vendors will include Tommy's Salsa!, the Grilled Cheez Guy, and Kona Ice. Event details
  • 2019 Calle 24 Fiesta de las Américas
    Mission District, San Francisco
    Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

    The Calle 24 Latino Cultural District presents the third annual Fiesta de las Américas taking place on 24th Street, within the Latino Cultural District in San Francisco. The festival will extend from Folsom to Bryant street with Latinx music, Lowriders, performances and family activities. This is a free and family friendly event for the community. Event details
  • Town-wide Picnic
    Ball Field, Fairfax
    Sunday, noon–5 pm

    A favorite Fairfax event includes music by the Tom Finch Band, jumpee houses, water slides, good old fashioned games such as sack races, three legged race, egg and spoon race, and tug-of-war.   This family friendly event will feature a hot dog lunch for sale for $5, beer for sale (donated by Iron Springs), and lemonade from the Fairfax Daycaring Preschool. There will be free face painting for the kids from Tatyana’s Magic Brush, as well as many booths representing the Town’s Boards and Commissions, such as Open Space, PARC, and much more. Location: Elsie Lane, Fairfax. Event details

  • Comedy Day in the Park
    Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
    Sunday, noon–5 pm

    See 40 comedians as they take to the stage for five hours of comedy for a million laughs at the 39th annual Comedy Day. Free admission. Event details.
  • Family Matinee: Marin Shakespeare Company: A Midsummer Night's Dream
    Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, San Rafael
    Sunday, 4 pm

    Enjoy the enchantment under the summer stars as mortals and fairies collide with mirth, merriment, mischief and mayhem. Sunday is a special family matinee: youth 18 and under are free. Location: 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael. Purchase tickets here.