Marin Weekend Family Fun for July 19–21

Broadway Under the Stars series presents Fantastical Family Night for two nights only this weekend!

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, July 19

• Flower Piano
  San Francisco Botanical Garden
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–6 pm
  This summer, Flower Piano returns to the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park from July 11 to 22. Now in its fourth year, this music-filled event features a dozen pianos placed in dramatic locations throughout the 55-acre garden for anyone to play. Pianos are available to the public to play between 9 am and 6 pm every day, except during scheduled performances. Free after garden admission. Event details
• Music Time with Megan
  Sports Basement, Novato
  Friday, 9:30–10 am
  Bring the kiddos 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! Location: Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, 100 Vintage Way, Novato. Event details.
• 2019 Child Safety Fair
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Friday & Saturday, 10 am–noon
  There will be free admission form 10 am–noon. Habitot hosts its 18th annual Early Childhood Safety Fair with State Farm support to share vital information and resources on keeping young children safe. Experts from local organizations will be on hand to inform parents and caregivers about the most common early childhood injuries and how to prevent them. Info, handouts, giveaways and training! Free admission. Location: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. Event details.
• Free Children's Garden Series: Venezuelan Music Project
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11 am & 12:15 pm
  Even in South America, Venezuela’s musical riches tend to be overshadowed by the styles of neighboring Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. But in the Bay Area, the nation’s fabulous cultural wealth, with its fertile intermingling of indigenous, European and African influences, has found bountiful expression through the tireless efforts of Jackeline Rago. Rago has assembled a brilliant cast of collaborators in the Venezuelan Music Project including percussionists Omar Ledezma and Braulio Barrera. Together they explore folkloric Venezuelan forms such as joropo and merengue. Free. Location:  799 Howard St., San Francisco. Event details.
• Film: Mickey & Minnie Cartoons (1928–38)
  Walt Disney Museum, San Francisco
  Friday & Sunday, 1 pm & Saturday, 4 pm
  Mickey and Minnie Mouse have entertained audiences for the past ninety years. This month we are showcasing a compilation of various Mickey and Minnie shorts that highlight the breadth of their illustrious careers. Cost: $5 members or with general admission, $10 adults, $8 student and youth. Location: 104 Montgomery Street in the Presidio, San Francisco. Event details.
• Broadway Under the Stars: Fantastical Family Night
  Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
  Friday & Saturday, 5–9 pm
  It’s that favorite night of the year for so many of our youngest friends! From the young-in-years to the young-at-heart, Fantastical Family Night is a spectacular, fun-filled evening for all, set to the tunes of Broadway, Disney Classics, Popular Radio Hits, and beyond! Fantastical Family Night welcomes familiar faces and new friends to the stage as our Kids Summer Camp makes a spotlight appearance, while the incredible talents of our Transcendence Broadway Artists make it a sensational, hilarious and unforgettable family celebration. For the first time this year, we are incorporating teen artists who have auditioned for the show. We will take an otherworldly tour around planet earth, finding out about what we can learn from each other. Preshow picknicking starts at 5 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm. Location: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. Tickets: $49–$174. 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. Free. Location: Larkspur Landing. Event details.
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday: Tin Cup Serenade. Event details
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays
  Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. This Friday: Juke Joint. Food available for purchase. Event details.
• 23 Elephants Theatre Company presents: Peter Pan Jr.
  Redwood Little Theatre, Larkspur
  Friday & Saturday, 7 pm
  Bring the family to 23 Elephants Theatre Company's Peter Pan Jr. at the Redwood Little Theatre in Larkspur. Tickets $15 general or $28 reserved. Purchase tickets here. Location: 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur. Event details.
• Big, the Musical
  Berkeley Playhouse
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1 & 7 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
  One of the most beloved films of the ‘80s, the Tom Hanks comedy classic is now a heartfelt musical fantasy. Josh Baskin is 12 years old. He wishes that his mom would stop hugging him in public, that he didn’t have to take out the garbage, and that Cynthia Benson, the girl next door, would notice him. When she passes him over for an older boy, Josh makes a wish to be big … and wakes up the next morning in the body of a 30-year-old man. Taking off to the big city, Josh now must navigate the unknown world of adults — a world of jobs, girlfriends and disgustingly fancy foods — as he and his best friend seek out a way to undo the spell that caused him to grow. Tickets: $20–$45. Event details
• Out of This World—A Celebration on the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing 
  Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
  Friday, 7:30 pm
  Join the SF Symphony on a journey to the far reaches of the universe as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing! Experience a spectrum of cosmic wonders enhanced with stunning visuals on the big screen, from mesmerizing masterworks by Ravel, R. Strauss, and Debussy, to intergalactic themes from Star Trek, to riveting blockbuster scores by legendary film composer John Williams. It’s an otherworldly musical ride you won't want to miss. Event details

Saturday, July 20

• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, face kids' crafts from 9 am–2 pm, children's music or storytelling from 9:30–10:30 am, and live music from 11 am–12:30 pm. Event details.
• Free Saturday Morning Zumba
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Saturday, 9–10 am
  We take the "work" out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party on the lawn. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you'll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Check in at the Aquatics & Fitness Center front desk when coming for class. Location: Community Center on the lawn triangle behind the Center at 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Civil War Days
  Casini Ranch Campground, Duncans Mills
  Saturday, 9 am–5 pm, Sunday, 9 am–3 pm
  Step back in time at Northern California's largest civil war reenactment and one of the largest reenactments west of the Mississippi. This amazing event encompasses living history at its best with civil war period clad individuals performing battle scenarios and offering historical information about their equipment and character. Plan to stay all day to get the most out of your historical experience! Tickets: $12 adults, $6 ages 7–12, 6 and under free; parking $5 per car. Event details
• Learn How to Pier Fish
  Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Join rangers to learn the secrets and tricks of the trade when fishing from a pier. A limited amount of poles will be available on a first come, first-served basis. A valid California fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. This event is ideal for all ages. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Don’t forget to bring a fishing pole. No pets (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Event details
• 39th Annual Big Time Festival
  Pt. Reyes Visitor Center
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the entire family for a traditional Native American trade festival at Kule Loklo, a Coast Miwok Cultural Exhibit. Demonstrators will showcase their skills in basketry, flint knapping, clamshell bead making, and more! Learn about the culture and traditions of the Coast Miwok and other local American Indians at a variety of informational booths. Enjoy traditional dances from the Intertribal Pomo group and Pomo dance group. This event is great for the whole family and is free of charge. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day. Event details.
• Open for Exploration
  Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Visit Martin Griffin Preserve throughout our limited Summer Saturday Season, with Nature Guide-led walks, activities, or materials to open your eyes to our lovely preserve in a different way each week. Visitors are also welcome to hike our trails on their own, scoop up a newt at the ponds, peer at birds in Bolinas Lagoon through our scopes, enjoy a picnic under the redwoods, and more. Suggested donation $20. Event details
• Craft-n-Create Family Maker Workshops
  South Novato Library
  Saturday, 11 am–1 pm
  Families are invited to visit our Makerspace for STEAM-based activities every Saturday all summer! Become an inventor, scientist, artist & engineer as we explore new concepts each week through art and engineering in our Makerspace. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Event details
• 2019 SF Anime Festival & Cosplay
  Japan Center, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Let’s celebrate the love of Japan’s pop culture at the SF Anime Festival and Cosplay. We are calling on all Bay Area cosplayers as well as anime lovers to get your favorite wigs and costumes on! From its beginnings, certainly the biggest free meetup for cosplayers in the Bay Area! This festival boasts lots of contests and interactive games on the Japantown Peace Plaza stage. Don’t feel like participating? That’s ok: curious watchers and visitors welcome. Also, check out one of the games or contests while exploring great shops and restaurants in East and West Japan Center Malls. Free! 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
• Video Game Day!
  Marin City Library
  Saturday, noon–4 pm
  Challenge library staff or your friends in Fortnite and Wii games while you chow down on tasty pizza! Space is limited, and sign-ups are recommended. Sign up at the front desk or call (415) 332-6158. Event details
• Community Campout
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Saturday, 4 pm–Sunday, 9 am
  Mill Valley Recreation in conjunction with Mill Valley Fire Department are hosting the Community Campout. Reserve your camping site on Friends Field and participate  in fun activities, games, arts & crafts, campfire program, s'mores, educational activities, emergency preparedness, and more. Camp site fee includes: Camping space, dinner & breakfast, family games & activities, campfire entertainment, preparedness activities and a special gift. $30 per person, free for children 3 and under. Event details
• Concerts on the Green: Decker
  Novato City Hall
  Saturday, 5–7 pm
  Gather your friends and family, grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and Join Novato Parks & Recreation for this free outdoor concert series held outside City Hall on the Civic Green, 901 Sherman Ave. every first and third Saturday of June, July and August. This Saturday: Sedona, Arizona-based singer/songwriter and "musical mystic" Decker. 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.
• Summer Nights: Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
  Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael
  Saturday, 7–10 pm
  Bring a picnic, your blanket, low-backed lawn chairs, and dancing shoes—there's fun for the whole family! Food, beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, and there's a playground available for supervised play and the art room will be open for coloring fun. This Saturday features Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca. Cost: $23 members $26 general advance, $32 day-of; kids 17 and under free. Event details
• Movies in Creek Park: A Streetcar Named Desire
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 7 pm
  Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. This Saturday: A Streetcar Named Desire (1953). 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
• Spring Lake Campfire Program
  Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 7–8 pm
  Registered campers are invited to a campfire program that explores the diverse ecosystems of Spring Lake. Through interpretive and hands-on activities, you will discover the wonders of local flora and fauna. Every Saturday beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members.  Location: 5585 Newanga Avenue, Santa Rosa. Event details

Sunday, July 21

• Ranger Led Dog Walk
  Loma Alta Preserve, Fairfax
  Sunday, 8–10 am
  Join Ranger Krista Hanoff and her dog Rocco on this fun and informative walk in beautiful Loma Alta Preserve. We’ll take a relaxed walk along trails and fire roads and discuss local plants, birds, and trail etiquette. This event is ideal for all ages. Degree of difficulty: Easy. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Friendly dogs are welcome but must be leashed. 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.
• Family Farm Chores
  Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma
  Sunday, 8:30–10 am
  Do you have children who love animals? Need a goat fix? Have you always wanted your own horse? Come help feed our goats, chickens, and resident superstar, Pete, the mini horse. Collect eggs, clean pens, and participate in the daily routine to care for our farm animals. Bring gloves, water bottles, and farm-appropriate shoes. All ages welcome. Registration is required. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. 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. Event details
• Stern Grove Festival
  Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
  Sunday, 2 pm
  Bring the family and enjoy the music of Toots and the Maytals, with opener Lee Fields and the Expressions. Programs and activities for children on the Kid Stage from noon to 1 pm before every concert. Free admission. Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco. Event details
• Summer Music Series
  Corte Madera Town Center
  Sunday, 2–4 pm
  Enjoy live music every Sunday all summer long. Free. Event details
• Summer Sunday Concerts at Piccolo Pavilion
  Old Corte Madera Square
  Sundays, 5–6:30 pm
  Bring the family to the free outdoor summer concerts at the Old Corte Madera Square. This Sunday: Gator Nation Band. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and a picnic. Event details.