Marin Weekend Family Fun for December 5–7
Experience the spectacle of San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, Friday, 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2 & 7 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
- Visit a local tree farm to pick out that perfect Christmas tree and visit Santa too!
- Go skating at Union Square's holiday ice rink in San Francisco, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–11 pm.
- Skate on the Bay Area Discovery Museum's iceless skating rink, Friday–Sunday, 10 am–3:30 pm.
- Bring the family for the ODC/Dance The Velveteen Rabbit, Friday & Saturday, 11 am and Sunday, 2 pm.
- Experience the Marin Holiday Light Spectacular at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael, Friday–Sunday, 4–9 pm.
- Enjoy lights, music, and holiday cheer at Gardens Aglow at the Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, Friday–Sunday, 5 & 6:30 pm.
- Explore a mile-long light and music experience at Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Friday–Sunday, 5–9 pm.
- Join Snoopy for a free outdoor holiday skating show at Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa, Friday, 6 & 7 pm, Saturday, 2, 3, 6 & 7 pm, Sunday, 1 & 2 pm.
- Let's Glow SF returns to downtown San Francisco with color projection art on landmark buildings, Friday, 6–10 pm, Saturday & Sunday 5:30–10 pm.
- The Great Dickens Christmas Fair brings Victorian London to life at the Cow Palace in Daly City, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
- Bring your family and furry friends to Larson Family Winery in Sonoma for photos with Santa, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm.
- Experience the spectacle of San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, Friday, 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2 & 7 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 little ones for tales and songs at the Larkspur Library, Saturday, 10–10:30 am.
- Design your own festive holiday card at Mill Valley Library, Friday, 3:30–4:30 pm.
- Visit Point Reyes Station for the holiday Path of Lights with activities, a visit from Santa, a tree lighting, and a craft fair at the Dance Palace, Friday, 4–8 pm..
- Have a cup of hot chocolate as you wait for Santa to arrive at the Sonoma Plaza on a vintage fire truck, Friday, 4:30–6:30 pm.
- Join the Village at Corte Madera for a tree lighting celebration with music, entertainment, and sweet treats, Friday, 5–7 pm.
- Santa makes an appearance at Theatre Square for Light Up the Square, the annual tree Lighting in Petaluma, Friday, 6–8 pm.
Join Snoopy for a free outdoor holiday skating show at Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa, Friday, 6 & 7 pm, Saturday, 2, 3, 6 & 7 pm, Sunday, 1 & 2 pm.
Saturday, December 6
- Ride the SMART Train, donate a toy, and get your photo taken with Santa, Saturday, 9:30–11:30 am.
- Experience winter garden magic and make plant-based holiday gifts at Slide Ranch in Muir Beach, Saturday, 9:30 am–1 pm.
- 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, Margaret Todd Center.
- Shop for holiday gifts, enjoy traditional German food, and take photos with Santa at the Christkindlmarkt in Petaluma, Saturday, 10 am–3 pm.
- 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.
- Capture the magic of a sensory friendly Santa at the 2025 Inclusive Santa Sighting in Petaluma, Saturday, noon–3 pm.
- Visit Santa at West End Nursery in San Rafael and bring a donation for the Santa Cop toy drive, Saturday, 1–3 pm.
- Enjoy yuletide cheer for all on Main Street at the Tiburon Holiday Festival, 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, 2:30–5:30 pm
- Enjoy entertainment, refreshments, free train rides at 4 pm, and holiday magic at the San Anselmo holiday tree lighting, Saturday, 5–8 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
- San Francisco Symphony and special guests perform a joyful holiday concert at Deck the Hall, Sunday, 11 am.
- Bring your Christmas list and your camera and meet Santa at Little Vineyards Family Winery in Glen Ellen, 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 at Depot Plaza, Sunday, 2–6 pm.
- Bring the family to the Lark Creek Shop's Winter Wonderland for hot cocoa, ginger bread man decorating, and photos with Santa, Sunday, 3–7 pm.
Bring the family to the Lark Creek Shop's Winter Wonderland for hot cocoa, ginger bread man decorating, and photos with Santa, Sunday, 3–7 pm.
