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Home | Marin Weekend Family Fun for September 27–29

Marin Weekend Family Fun for September 27–29

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.

Most Halloween pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties open this weekend—see our complete list here.

Friday, September 27

  • JBF Mega Kids' Consignment Sale
    Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
    Friday, 9 am–7:30 pm, Saturday, 9 am–3 pm & Sunday, 9 am–2 pm

    Shop to you drop at this fall's huge kids consignement sale. Save 50-90% off retail at Just Between Friends, NorCal's Largest Children's Gear Marketplace. Score huge bargains on clothes, toys, games, books, strollers, bikes & trikes, pack n plays, high chairs, furniture, sporting goods, feeding supplies, room décor, Halloween Costumes, and so much more! Get your tickets here. Location: 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Event details.
  • Toddler Day
    Slide Ranch, Muir Beach
    Friday, 9:30 am–noon

    During this sensory-rich Friday morning, your young children will discover textures, tastes and smells, and observe the wonders of nature! Enjoy milking a goat, holding a warm, freshly-laid chicken egg, and hearing the baa of our sheep, as we use all of our senses to explore the farm and garden and take part in simple, hands-on cooking and crafting. Admission: $30 per person; children 18 months and under are free. Event details
  • New Exhibit: Science + You
    Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
    Friday, 9 am–4 pm, Saturday, 10 am–5 pm & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm

    All children are scientists, and at the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s new traveling exhibit, they can act the part! Science + You transports visitors to a replica laboratory, where they can don a lab coat and explore the machinery, processes, and technology that professional scientists use in laboratories every day! Museum admission applies. Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. Event details.
  • Opening Weekend: Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
    550 Stony Point Road
    Friday & Saturday, 10 am–10 pm, Sunday, 10 am–6 pm

    Over 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as a 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze (admission $7, 5 and under free; $10 on Friday and Saturday nights 6–10 pm), farm animals, a zip line, weekend pony rides, face painting, jumpy houses and inflatables, food vendors, covered snack area, and more. Event details.
  • Sing and Dance with Miss Kitty
    San Rafael Public Library
    Friday, 10:30 am

    We are pleased to announce the return of Miss Kitty to the San Rafael Public Library! Miss Kitty is back for a series of fun family concerts that are just right for kids birth to 8 years old. No registration, no space limitations, all are welcome! Sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library. Location: 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael. 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.
  • Violin and Cello Fall Concert
    San Anselmo Library Reading Room
    Friday, 12–1 pm

    Enjoy live music in our Library Reading Room with violinist Charmian Stewart and cellist Amanda Craver. Everyone is welcome to attend. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, San Anselmo. Event details.
  • Pajama Party!
    Village Child, Novato
    Friday, 5–8 pm

    Yearning for a night away from the kiddos? Bring your little villager dressed in PJs or other comfy clothes. Our evening will start out with a super fun craft followed by a pizza party, snacks, and a movie showing! Children must be potty trained. Age limit for participation is 10 years old. Pricing: $25 per child, $15 for siblings. Location: 869 Grant Avenue, Novato. Event details.
  • Fairfax Art Walk: A Party in Every Store!
    Downtown Fairfax
    Friday, 5–8 pm

    Come and Celebrate the Arts as musicians, jugglers, sculptors, dancers and more perform and exhibit partnered with downtown merchants in Fairfax. . The FAW Scavenger Hunt also adds to the atmosphere of fun and discovery. Prizes, contributed by the artists and local merchants are awarded by a drawing from all winning entries. This event is family friendly and stamped with an "Only in Fairfax" approval rating. Come celebrate Fairfax's unique creative spirit. Event details.
  • Kids Night Out Hair UP!
    TumbleSpot, Mill Valley
    Friday, 5–9 pm

    TumbleSpot offers parents a well-deserved night away from the kids – Drop them off with us for dinner, guided gym activities, movies & more! Open to kids ages 5 – 12. Cost $40.00 per student. $10 sibling discount applied for each additional child registered. Dinner included. Register here. Location: 750 Redwood Highway, Ste. 1212, Mill Valley. Event details.
  • Kids Night Out: Monsters, Inc.
    Mill Valley Community Center
    Friday, 6–9 pm

    Drop your kids off at the Center for an exciting night of fun! Participants will get to play games, make snacks and watch a movie while their parents get a night to themselves. Games, art projects, snacks, pizza and a movie (Monsters, Inc.)! For ages 4-10 with a $40 registration fee. Register online at: http://online.activecommunities.com
  • Friday Nights on Main
    Downtown Tiburon
    Friday, 6–9 pm

    Bring the entire family for a night of fun. This Friday: the Firefighter's FNOM with red hot rockin' soul from the Fundamentals. Event details

Saturday, September 28

  • Free Admission Day at Muir Woods
    Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
    Monday, 8 am–5 pm

    Visit Muir Woods' majestic redwoods for free on National Public Lands Day as part of the National Parks Free Entrance Days 2019. Paid parking ($8) and shuttle ($3) fees required; entrance fee is waived. Event details
  • Pie Baking Contest
    Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
    Saturday, 9 am–2 pm

    Meet us at the Farmer's Market for a pie-filled Saturday! First up at 10:30, a pie making demo, followed by the 8th annual Pie Baking Contest! Bring your best pie to the big tent Farmer's Market tent by 10 am the morning of September 29. Separate category for kids under 14. Event details.
  • Wing Over Wine Country
    Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa
    Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm

    The RCAF Snowbirds are returning for 2019!!! Also thrill to the A10 "Warthog" demonstration and Heritage Flight as well as aerobatic demonstrations, static exhibits, great food, craft beer and wine! Tickets: General admission $25, Youth $10 and kids under 10 are free. Location: 2200 Airport Boulevard, Santa Rosa. Event details.
  • Jelly Belly Candypalooza
    Jelly Belly Factory, Fairfield
    Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm

    Bring the family to the annual Candypalooza at the Jelly Belly Factory. This free festival of all things sweet featuring free tastings, live music and free tours of the factory. Location: One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. Event details.
  • Good Night, Gorilla
    Children's Creativity Museum Annex, San Francisco
    Saturday & Sunday, 10 & 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.
  • Opening Weekend: McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch
    Petaluma
    Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm

    Find the perfect pumpkin in McClelland's three-acre organic pumpkin field. Free admission includes pumpkin patch, petting farm animals (including cows, goats, and chickens), and watching cows being milked in the parlor. There's also a hay maze, kids' haunted hay house, hay rides, bounce houses, and u-pick squash, and the new haunted forest, as well as a farm store and a food cart serving organic grilled cheese sandwiches, organic milkshakes, organic popcorn, and espresso drinks. Location: 6475 Bodega Avenue, Petaluma. 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.
  • Pacific Coast Fog Fest
    Pacifica, Along Palmeto Avenue
    Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm

    A two day festival celebrating the sun, sand & surf. With over 200 arts & crafts booths, three stages of live music, a Saturday morning parade, a Sunday morning Fog Jog and great festival food.  You’ll also find amazing libations including wine, beer, and our signature Fog Cutter- made with Sammys (Hagar) Beach Bar Rum. Sunday is Funday with our Family Fun Fest, a kids Classic Amusement Area with carnival like rides. Event details.
  • Freight Fest
    Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
    Saturday, September 28 
    10:45 am–6 pm

    Join us for an all-day free music festival—a party on the street and inside our venue with multiple stages, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. Performers include Alphabet Rockers, Hot Club of Cow Test, Misner and Smith, and John Santos Sextet and Friends. Event details
  • Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
    Sonoma Plaza
    Saturday 11 am–7 pm & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm

    The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is Sonoma Valley’s annual tradition of celebrating the harvest of wine grapes and the yearly crush. California’s oldest festival, this Sonoma tradition is held on the historic town square and is fun for all ages. Festivities include blessing of the grapes, firefighters' water fight, family grape stomp, parade, kids carnival, tiny tots race, and 5k run/walk. Event details.
  • Creativity Festival: Find Your Spark
    Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco
    Saturday, 11 am–3 pm

    Join us us to find your spark!  What will you create under the sea?  Experiment with Newton’s “musical” laws of motion and design vehicles powered by pushing, pulling, spinning, or the drop of gravity.  Use the energy from the sun to create artistic images- and participate in other workshops. This outdoor event is free. Event details
  • 2019 Sumo Champions Meet & Greet
    Japan Center, San Francisco
    Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm

    Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan’s national sport. It originated in early Japan as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities. Watch demonstrations, meet real sumo wrestlers, learn about sumo wrestling and watch actual matches from Sumo champions, weighing up to 600 pounds, outdoors in the Japantown Peace Plaza. Free. Event details
  • Sharktoberfest
    Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, San Francisco
    Saturday, 11 am–4 pm

    Join Greater Farallones Association, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and Shark Stewards in celebrating the annual return of the white sharks to the Gulf of the Farallones!
    Enjoy shark science, shark experts, shark art, shark films, shark conservation, food and live music! Main event is free; $15 per person for special programs. Location: 991 Marine Drive, Presidio. Event details
  • Young Performers Theatre: Rumplestiltskin
    Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
    Saturday, 2 & 4 pm & Sunday, 2:30 pm

    A miller desperate to bring his family out of poverty, lies and tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold! The king couldn't believe and decided to put miller's daughter to the test. Isabella gets locked in the throne room with a pile of straw and a spinning wheel, with no hope of being released, when suddenly a little man comes and saves her by spinning the straw into gold, but it comes with a “price, price, price”! Come see this hilarious production of an old fairytale and find out what happens! Tickets: $12. Event details
  • Family STEM Saturdays: Make Numbers Fun!
    Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
    Saturday, 2:30–4:30 pm

    Expand fine motor skills and introduce your child to number recognition. Play with counting trays. Race through a number maze. Learn about patterns, similarities, and differences by sorting objects. Begin to explore geometry. Estimate the number of items in a jar—winner gets a free admission pass! All ages welcome. Admission applies. Location: 2065 Kittredge St, Berkeley. Event details
  • Kids Night Out: Pajama Night
    The Cave, Corte Madera
    Saturday, 5:30–10 pm

    Drop your child off with us at The Cave for dinner, recreational gym play, movies, and more! Kids’ Night Out is for children ages 5–14 years old. Pre-registration required; $45. Must register 24 hours in advance of scheduled time. Location: 412 Tamal Plaze, Corte Madera. 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.
  • Movies in Creek Park: Jurassic Park
    Creek Park, San Anselmo
    Saturday, 6:30 pm open lawn seating

    Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. Raffle, trivia and movie start time is at 7:15 pm. Movies begin when dark enough and generally run two hours. Event details.
  • JBF Mega Kids' Consignment Sale (see Friday for details).

Sunday, September 29

  • Whole Foods Market Tiburon Half Marathon
    Tiburon Waterfront
    Sunday, 7 am
    Enjoy a run with amazing Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco views and awesome course snacks. Half-marathon, 10K, and 5K courses and kids' races are available. Event details
  • San Anselmo Country Fair Day and Parade
    San Anselmo Avenue
    Sunday, 8 am–3 pm

    The event begins with a Pancake Breakfast at the Downtown Fire Station (8–11 am), followed by a Country Fair from 10 am to 3 pm (San Anselmo Avenue between Tamalpais and Tunstead Avenues), and Parade (begins at 11 am and runs on San Anselmo Avenue). Enjoy food & music at the 2nd annual, “Cedarsville!” in Imagination Park. “Cedarsville" will feature a free Ferris wheel and giant slide, plus a variety of fun activities including collaborative art projects, a farm stand, and more. And – you definitely won’t want to miss the 70 piece marching band, The CA Repercussions! 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.
  • Stinky Tales - Hosted by Doug Zesiger
    Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
    Sunday, 10 am

    Join us Sunday at 10:30 am (doors open at 10) for a morning of storytelling, food, & fun. Doug Zesiger and his puppet friends will be telling stories and weaving magic for a family audience. Bring your kiddos and let’s curl up to hear some sweet Stinky Tales together. See you at the Sweetwater. Tickets: $10–$15. Purchase tickets here. Location: 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
  • World Wide Day of Play
    Children's Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa
    Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

    Join us for fort-building in honor of Nickelodeon's World Wide Day of Play! Nickelodeon has been promoting one simple message regarding kids health and wellness efforts: Get up, Get Out, and Go Play! Over the years, this reinforced messaging has resulted in thousands of events and millions of kids being active and pursuing healthy lifestyles. Museum admission applies. Location: 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 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
  • 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
  • Mill Valley's Community Block Party
    Downtown Mill Valley
    Sunday, 1–5:30 pm
    Party in the streets at the annual Mill Valley Community Block Party produced by Larry "the Hat" Lautzker of Famous4 along with many local merchants. Includes free concert, fashion show, kids' games, clowns, and surprises. Benefits Kiddo! Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation. Event details
  • JBF Mega Kids' Consignment Sale (see Friday for details).