Marin & Bay Area Family Events This Weekend: October 16–18
Kick off your Halloween at the annual Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, Saturday, 10:30 am–4 pm & Sunday, 9 am–3 pm.
Looking for fun things to do with kids in Marin and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are our picks for the best family-friendly events, festivals, and activities. Find even more things to do in our Family Events Calendar.
All Weekend
- Kick off your Halloween at the annual Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, Friday–Sunday, 9 am–4 pm.
- Mickelson Pumpkin Patch has a huge pumpkin field and attractions like a hay maze, tractor rides, and farm animals. Friday & Saturday 9 am–10 pm, Sunday 9 am–8 pm.
- Pick the perfect pumpkin and get lost in the corn maze at Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, Friday & Saturday, 10 am–10 pm and Sunday, 10 am–7 pm.
- Pick a pumpkin, brave the Haunted Village, visit the farm animals at Pronzini Farms Pumpkin Patch, Friday & Saturday, 10 am–7 pm and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
- Novato's Grossi Family Farm pumpkin patch offers 4 acres of pumpkins, farm animals, hay maze, and more, Friday, noon–5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5:30 pm.
- Explore the Gardens of Lake Merritt at the magical Autumn Lights Festival in Oakland, Friday & Saturday, 6–11 pm.
- San Marin Performing Arts presents the family-friendly The Addams Family Musical, just in time for Halloween! Friday & Saturday, 7 on, Sunday, 2 pm
- Climb aboard the Haunted Train at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, Friday–Sunday, 7 pm.
- Celebrate fall and see the grand champion megagourd at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm.
- Take a train ride to the pumpkin patch for fall fun at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm.
- Experience animal encounters and Halloween fun at the Oakland Zoo's Boo at the Zoo, Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 am–4 pm.
- Join Thomas and Percy for a Halloween party on rails at Roaring Camp Railroads in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.
Friday, October 16
- Join Mill Valley Library for a pop-up storytime in Boyle Park, Friday, 10:15–10:45 am.
- Sing and Stomp with songs, movement, and dancing at San Anselmo Library, Friday, 10:30–11 am.
- Bring the family to see Pixar's Coco at the Mill Valley Library, Friday, 3–4:30 pm.
- Head to the Tam Valley Community Center for family friendly Spaghetti Bingo, Friday, 5:30–7:30 pm.
- Watch the movie Finding Nemo in the big tent at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, Friday, 6–8 pm.
Get hands on with STEM at the free Bay Area Science Festival, held at UCSF's Mission Bay Campus, Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
Saturday, October 17
- Experience classic cars in Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow at the SF Old Car Picnic, Saturday, 7 am–4 pm.
- Immerse yourself in a world of wonder and amazement at the Not So Scary Halloween Magic Show in Novato, Saturday, 10 & 11:30 am.
- Learn about local history at the Novato Family History Day on Novato Civic Green, Saturday, 10 am–2 pm.
- Celebrate fall at San Domenico School’s 20th Annual Garden Fair on Saturday, October 17, from 11 am–3 pm!
- Get hands on with STEM at the free Bay Area Science Festival, held at UCSF's Mission Bay Campus, Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
- Enjoy a sweet traditional harvest festival for the family at Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Tiburon, Saturday, 11 am–1 pm.
- Visit Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol for the Ultimate Apple Trolley Experience, Saturday, 11 am–2 pm.
- Head to Treasure Island for food trucks, kites, music, and more with Off the Grid, Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
- Design and sew your own Halloween costume at the Belvedere Tiburon Library (for ages 10+), Saturday, 11 am–1 pm,
- Come make a splash and pick your pumpkin at the Floating Pumpkin Patch at Terra Linda Community Pool, Saturday, 1–3 pm.
- The first-ever A Toast to Sausalito event on Caledonia Street features music, vendors and merchants, a kids' zone, and more, Saturday, 1–5 pm.
- Find new-to-your costumes at the Fairfax Library's Halloween Costume Swap, Saturday, 2–4 pm.
- Play games, decorate pumpkins, and enjoy entertainment and the bookmobile at the Fall Family Festival at the San Francisco Civic Center, Saturday, 4–7 pm.
- Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the historic Sonoma Barracks, Saturday, 5–9 pm.
- Join Mill Valley Stargazers to explore the solar system at a public star party at Hauke Park, Saturday, 6:30–8:30 pm.
Sunday, October 18
- Shop for fresh produce and locally made foods and enjoy live music at the Marin Civic Center farmer's market in San Rafael, Sunday, 8 am–1 pm.
- Celebrate local birdlife with birding trips, family activities, performances, and more at the Berkeley Bird Festival, Sunday, 8 am–5 pm.
- Experience Oktoberfest food and fun at Sally Tomatoes/SOMO Village Event Center in Rohnert Park, Sunday, 11:30 am–4 pm.
- Join Marin Stargazers for an evening under the stars at China Camp State Park in San Rafael (for ages 12+), Sunday, 6:30–8:30 pm.
